Fragrance | Naturals, Essential Oils vs. Synthetic | Which is more effective?

Have you ever passed by a stranger whose perfume fragrance got trapped in your mind and senses?

We bet that has happened to you too because it has surely happened to us!

Some fragrances hold a great potential to get caught in your mind forever

We’d just like to  shed a little light on cleaner options that have longevity and smell blissful.

LET'S REWIND THAT A LITTLE BIT!

The use of fragrances is considered a global phenomenon as the human love for them is deeply rooted in eras of cultural and spiritual practice. It goes back to ancient times in Egypt, Persia, China, Rome, and Greece. The fragrances were linked to health, rituals, and many other components of daily societal living. 

For thousands of years, these extracts and oils have been used by humans to scent their bodies or to set a mood for an event. However, these were applied using smoke, hair ornaments called unguent cones and solid incense called kyphi.

Essential Oils Or Synthetic Fragrances | Which ones are better?

In this piece we will share with  you some tios to assist in selecting the best mood enhancing fragrance for yourself or loved one.

Both natural and synthetic options have their benefits as well as disadvantages.  

ESSENTIAL OILS: WHAT ARE THEY? 

Essential oils are potent oils and are purely extracted from plants. These are excavated from the parts of aromatic plants like the root, flower, stem, bark, or herb. 

How can these essential oils be obtained? 

Below are the methods;

• Steam distillation
• Cold-pressing the plant
• Extraction by the application of solvents

After pulling out the chemicals from the compounds, they are combined with a carrier oil and turned into a usable product.

PROS:

• Essential oils are absolutely safe if used appropriately.
• They have a clean and natural scent that is not infuriating for the bystanders.
• When used topically with a carrier oil, these can release muscular stress.
• The essential oils are concentrated. Even a small amount of them lasts for a long while.
• The molecules of essential oil can have a soothing effect on your brain – commonly known as aromatherapy.

CONS:

• If applied incorrectly, essential oils can burn the skin or can cause sensitivity.
• Some of the essential oils are phototoxic – when exposed to the UV rays can cause severe skin reactions. These include citrus essential oils such as Lemon, Orange and Bergamot.
• The extensive use of essential oils at high concentrations can overwhelm vital organs like the liver, this is also the case with synthetic or over consumption of any chemical compound for that matter.
• Pregnant women and children are advised not to use essential oils. However, safe and thoughtful application advised by a certified aromatherapy professional who is knowledgeable about the benefits of essential oils for pregnant women and children have found to be harmless and very helpful
• Some oils such as fennel and anise contain estrogen-like qualities and can cause hormonal imbalance.

AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT TO LOOK FOR:

It is necessary to understand the pros and cons of the type of essential oil you will use. The right oil can have boundless beneficial potential but the wrong one can be problematic if used inappropriately.   Find the oil that suits best for your health concerns and enjoy the benefits of essential oils once you have learned how to use them.

All about synthetic fragrances:

Most synthetic fragrance is produced in laboratories and made up of man-made chemicals and petrochemical byproducts.  Some made with a chemical called phthalates so that the fragrant molecule will latch on to your cell in what’s called a “key & lock” (binding) system by scientific terms, which allows the aroma to last longer, as would any natural or organic molecule that had staying power.  However, there are some natural fragrances that are made by blending, deconstructing and reconstructing natural essential oils and resins so that they’ll smell a certain way but do not incorporate the phthalate component, as well as those that are more traditional synthetics that leave out the phthalates.   These are the type of natural and synthetic scents we work with in collaboration with essential oils and resins.

 

SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES: 

PROS

• Designed to have long-lasting aroma and are not needed to apply constantly.
• Synthetics, other than those with branded labels, are comparatively cheaper than natural scents, making them much more pocket-friendly.
• As these are synthetically produced, they can mimic almost any fragrance.
• Synthetic fragrances have a longer shelf life.

CONS:

• If not handled safely, synthetic fragrances can be dangerous.
• Synthetic perfumes are a strict no to those who have respiratory illnesses.
• Some of the synthetic fragrances may contain known carcinogens but are usually banned from use.

CONCLUSION:

In hindsight there are many ways to wear fragrance.  It’s really up to the user to decide what their body and limbic system can process and how it will react to certain ingredients.   

The dilution rate of a fragrance will determine the level of exposure a user has to chemical compounds found in both natural and synthetic fragrance.  

A responsible perfumer will be mindful of the accurate concentrations of oils to use in its products to guarantee skin safety.  

Finally, the best way to get the most out of any scent is to make sure your nasal passages are clear when shopping  for and using fragrance.  If you feel congested identify the root problem first (diet, environment, mobility) and address it head on so that you can really take in the beautiful bouquet of your olfactory world!

 
ref: The Science of Scent - Luca Turin