From the time you get fragrance oils can serve your skin too; you won’t have to take so long to slip them into your skincare cabinet or decide to do that.
But this confirmation brings the real challenge of ‘how to use one. Well, this confusion can flip over between two different ideas: the safe use and how to utilize it for the greater good of your skin.
This point is exactly the answer to these queries and some other essential things you might need clarification on. Plus, if you still need to pick a fragrance oil that’s beneficial and safer for your skin, we’ve got it covered and offer you the top 4 independently selected options out of tons available in the market.
So, let’s get straight into it!
The article will include the following:
- What is fragrance oil? (as a refresher, and assuming you might’ve been using ‘fragrance oil and essential oil interchangeably)
- How to use them: safer practices plus different ways of usage
- Are fragrance oils safe to use on the skin?
- Are fragrance oils beneficial for the skin?
- Top 4 fragrance oils for topical and diffusion use
What is Fragrance Oil (FO)?
At first glance, every oil that smells good is fragrance oil! But an abundance of cosmetics today has given fragrance oils an entirely different identity.
Fragrance oils are artificial oils manufactured in the lab and are not directly sourced from nature. They are available in synthetic fragrance oils (SFO) and natural fragrance oils (NFO).
SFOs are created from artificial chemicals that aren’t found in nature. These oils can hold their scents for longer, which is why many commercial fake beauty products use them. Cheers if you find a product labeled as ‘perfume, Fragrance, fragrance oil, or perfume. Those with skin sensitivity should avoid these oils due to possible adverse reactions.
Next comes the natural ones (NFOs), whose name is sure to mislead you. Natural doesn’t mean they’re pure and sourced directly from nature. NFOs are still created in the lab by isolating naturally derived fragrance components from a complex scent. Examples include limonene derived from lemons and vanillin derived from vanilla beans.
An Eye on Essential Oils (EOs)
Every essential oil is fragrance oil, but not all are essential oils, and neither should they ever be confused with Eos. Unlike fragrance oils, essential oils are directly sourced from nature –extracts of different parts (roots, flowers, leaves, etc.) of various plants and trees. They contain that plant/tree’s therapeutic properties, beneficial for various skin and other bodily issues.
Also Read: How to Prevent Skin Darkening After Shaving
How to Use Fragrance Oils? Best Practices Plus Different Ways of Usage
First, we’ll kick ‘synthetic’ type fragrance oils out from this section. Leaving ‘why’ for the next section, let’s move ahead with NFOs and Eos for topical application.
Though NFOs and EOs are safe to use on the skin, they can still be hazardous if they do not follow general and company-suggested usage guidelines.
The Best Practices
- A Keen Eye on the Ingredients – If you ever find on the label something derivative of petroleum, or any other chemicals (the commonly used ones are in the next section), here’s your cue to run away from that oil. If you are still looking for something like this on the label, read the description thoroughly and follow the company’s usage guidelines.
- Dilution – Always dilute both NFOs and EOs before use. Undiluted oils can cause adverse reactions like burning, rashes, etc.
- Patch Test – Even if the oil is diluted, take a patch test at least 24 hours before any significant skin usage. A minor irritation isn’t something to be worried about; however, on feeling unbearable anger, discontinue use and immediately seek medical attention.
- Skin Sensitivity – Be careful with these oils around any sensitive skin areas. Also, avoid using these oils on your skin if you have a specific allergy.
- Internal Use – NFOs and EOs mustn’t be ingested or linger around your lips and eyes. Companies don’t suggest using these oils for lip balm formation.
Different Usage Options
- Direct Application – They’re so easy to use that you can apply drops from the bottle directly onto your skin (dilution is a must, though).
- Mixing – Let it be your favorite sunscreen or winter lotion; NFOs and EOs are easily mixable into almost all skincare cosmetics. They don’t even need dilution for that! All you need to do is add 1-2 drops to a quarter-sized product, blend between your hands, and apply directly to your skin.
- Massage – Diluted NFOs and EOs can be massaged to the skin to relieve pain, muscle cramps, etc.
Also Read: How to Tan With Fair Skin and Freckles
Are Fragrance Oils Safe for Skin?
Now that it’s clear fragrance oils are safe application-wise, let’s look at whether the process of how they’re made and the ingredients used in them make them skin-friendly.
We’re going to elaborate on all three categories sparingly.
Synthetic Fragrance Oils
Dermatologists usually don’t recommend using SFOs on the skin, especially never without the advice of someone’s skin health professional who has experience with their skin and can better tell what’s better for them. Let’s look at how these oils aren’t skin-friendly.
- As SFOs are solely artificial and have no or little involvement of any nature-derived element, they will usually contain fragrances that have been synthetically produced. For example, ‘blackberry’ fragrance oil will have the ‘blackberry’ Fragrance created artificially to smell like a blackberry.
- SFOs may contain a certain amount of essential oils. They may also have other ‘natural’ ingredients, such as resins or extracts. For example, ‘lemon cupcake’ fragrance oil might contain a certain amount of lemon essential oil.
But finding that tiny ‘hint’ of ‘natural’ in them doesn’t ever mean these oils are safe to use on the skin. Something artificial can never beat something ‘more’ natural. SFOs will often be produced entirely by by-products of petroleum. These include Toluene, Aldehydes, Benzene derivatives, and Other toxic chemicals. This is why skincare professionals don’t recommend using them on the skin. Avoid frequent use if you still have no option other than an SFO.
In a nutshell, when we look at how SFOs are made, it’s not surprising to find out they are most likely not safe for use on your skin!
Natural Fragrance Oils
Here are some points to remember when investigating whether or not NFOs are safe for your skin.
- The oil’s being safe for your skin use largely depends on the label & product description and the company’s overall reputation in the industry. The products we brought for you below are selected independently based on the company’s generosity level with their customers and how transparent they appear in their formulation about the item.
If you are still unsatisfied with the ingredients in a particular oil, You must contact the company’s customer service. A company loyal to its customers doesn’t have any slouch in being open and transparent with you about the product.
- Here are some other determiners of the NFL’s safety:
- The oils labeled ‘natural’ are generally safe to use on the skin. Keep the word ‘nature ‘distinct from ‘nature identical.’ These are opposite terms in the cosmetics industry, and fragrance oils with the latter period are much more likely to contain synthetic ingredients.
- The NFOs composed of essential oils are generally safer. It can be a single essential oil or a blend of more than one essential oil used in the fragrance oil formula.
- The NFOs with the word ‘added ingredients should be avoided as they are most likely not safe to use on the skin. Who knows what those ‘other’ ingredients are?
Essential Oils
Essential oils are safer to use on the skin. That’s that simple. But almost all essential oils have some precautions to be used on the skin. These are:
- They must be diluted with water or carrier oil and intact on the skin.
- People with scent allergies or asthma may experience adverse reactions as essential oils are highly concentrated and strong-scented.
- Consulting with your healthcare professional before using any essential oil is a must.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Sticky Skin
Benefits of Using a Fragrance Oil on Your Skin: Are They Any Good for Skin?
A resounding ‘Yes,’ but with the synthetic’ category as an exception. Yes, synthetic ones are beneficial for your skin in many ways. Still, these always appear as the first thing to go when achieving long-term skincare benefits without any side effects or environmental damage.
Let’s primarily focus on NFOs and EOs’ benefits.
Benefits for Skin
- Remove acne and acne scars
- Eliminate dark spots and wrinkles
- Help relieve Fever blisters
- Have skin softening and rejuvenating abilities
- Help heal wounds and remove post-wound scars
Other Benefits
- Best Alternative to Hazardous Products – Unlike other over-the-counter, cheap products, NFOs and EOs are less likely to contain questionable toxic ingredients. The ingredients in them are mostly safe and very easy on the skin.
- Eco-friendly – These oils are safer for the skin, don’t harm the ecosystem, and can be the best choice for those who care most about their environment and its inhabitants. They’re also effortless to dispose of as they aren’t toxic.
- Easy to Use – Just a few drops directly on your skin, and there you go. No hassle other than dilution!
- Save You Money – They’re money-savers in the long run because a single solution to most of your skincare problems is in a single bottle. Whether you use them on the skin or to make your area smell good, they’re always ready for the catch!
The 4 Best Fragrance Oils for Skin
Here are our cherry-picked 4 best fragrance oils that we found are safest for skin use. The best thing about them is they don’t limit you in terms of use. Whether diffuse them around the home or office, mix in your beauty products, or use them directly (diluted) onto your skin, you’ll find them amazingly keeping you happy and making your skin look gorgeous!
1. Patchouli and Cedarwood Fragrance Oil
Nothing can combat some of the most commonly-occurring skin issues like patchouli and cedarwood fragrance oils can do. Both essential oils promote a smooth, glowing complexion and reduce signs of aging and the appearance of wrinkles, scars, and stretch marks. When the sweet, spicy, and woody scents of the oils are combined in a diffuser, they create an environment that’s enough to make your soul and body feel stressless and mood-uplifted in seconds! Moreover, MitFlor is proud to make all its products, including this one, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and alcohol-free, making it safe for you and the environment.
2. Frankincense & Myrrh Fragrance Oil
No blend was more soothing to the mind and gentler to the skin before the launch of P&J’s frankincense and myrrh fragrance oil blend!
With powerful anti-inflammatory properties, frankincense, and myrrh Essential Oils are considered effective natural remedies to calm the complexion. These healing oils are shown to soothe and nourish the skin for sunburn, rosacea, or breakouts. The blend can uplift and relax the nervous system, lessen anxiety, encourage deeper breathing patterns, and decrease unpleasant sensory experiences when diffused.
3. Warm Vanilla Sugar Fragrance Oil
Another masterpiece from P&J, this Warm Vanilla fragrance oil knows no bounds in scenting your home with sweet vanilla fragrance, adding extra effectiveness to your existing cosmetics, and boosting the productivity of your homemade cleaning products.
Though the oil is crafted using enhanced formulations and safety measures, you still need to dilute it for topical use. The oil comes in an amber glass bottle, a packaging specialty that prevents such oils from spoiling for long periods. Plus, you get an easy dispensing euro dropper that makes the oil easy to handle and use.
4. Honeysuckle Fragrance Oil
Who doesn’t like honeysuckle’s sticky, sweet, and floral scent, especially on warm afternoons? Everybody adores the magical Fragrance of the flower. P&J has created this fragrance oil to bring you a more than authentic honeysuckle aroma.
Best to use in the home and car, this honeysuckle oil creates a perfect combination with your daily skincare formulations. Plus, like the oil above, this too comes in amber glass packaging and a built-in dropper.
Final Thought
So here’s your complete guide on the most effective use of fragrance oils on your skin while keeping all the risks at bay. Your skin needs all the love and care it needs, and you are the only person who can make that possible. We are here to help! Wishing you the best of luck for the glory you want from a fragrance oil!