The Natural Fragrance Advantage: What Makes It Special?

Natural fragrance is a buzzword in the consumer products industry, with no standard definition. Natural fragrances are complex formulations that contain aromatic raw materials derived from nature, such as trees, raw fruits, animal extracts, herbs, leaves, seeds, roots, and diverse woods. They are usually steam-distilled or extracted with water. However, the term natural can be misleading and confusing to consumers, as it is not regulated and can be used to describe products containing both natural and synthetic ingredients. In fact, natural fragrances are often created in labs to mimic essential oils, and may contain synthetic ingredients.

Natural fragrances are derived from nature

Natural fragrances are typically a mixture of essential oils and botanical extracts. Essential oils are natural oils extracted from various parts of plants, including the leaves, flowers, bark, berries, seeds, and roots. These oils are highly concentrated and completely natural. Botanical extracts are pure plant extracts and should be used with care due to their potency.

Natural fragrance oils, on the other hand, are often created in a chemistry lab, and the extraction process may result in the loss of therapeutic properties of the plant. There is little transparency around the process and materials used, making it difficult to verify if the extraction is toxic or harmful.

The use of the term "natural fragrance" can be confusing for consumers, and it is important to approach products labelled as such with caution. The only way to be sure that a product is truly natural is to look for specific certifications, such as the MADE SAFE Certification, or to choose products that disclose all ingredients.

Natural fragrances are also more expensive than synthetic fragrances due to the labour-intensive and meticulous manufacturing processes, as well as the higher cost of natural ingredients. Additionally, natural fragrances may not last as long as synthetic fragrances, with a lifespan of about two and a half years compared to five years for synthetic perfumes.

Despite these challenges, the market for natural fragrances is growing, driven by consumer awareness of the health and environmental implications of synthetic fragrances.

They are complex formulations

Natural fragrances are complex formulations that contain aromatic raw materials derived from nature, such as trees, raw fruits, animal extracts, herbs, leaves, seeds, roots, and diverse types of wood. They are extracted through methods such as steam distillation or water. These substances can range from essential oils and botanical extracts to isolates, resins, distillates, and volatile concentrates.

The term "natural" is not legally defined and is often misused due to a lack of standardisation. This allows manufacturers to use it as a catch-all term, claiming that a product is "natural" when it may only contain trace amounts of natural ingredients. In reality, "natural fragrances" are often created in a lab and can be a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients, with the majority being chemical in origin.

The process of creating natural fragrances involves mixing various chemicals to replicate a natural smell synthetically. This results in a scent that almost smells natural but is far from being truly natural. The quality of the essential oils used will determine the longevity of the fragrance, with some natural fragrances only lasting a few hours on the skin, while synthetic fragrances may still be detectable days after application.

The lack of standardisation and transparency around the extraction process for natural fragrances makes it difficult to verify if the process is toxic or harmful. However, it is important to note that natural fragrances are not necessarily safer than synthetic ones. Certain fragrance chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants, or even carcinogens.

To ensure the safety of natural fragrances, organisations like the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) have published lists of over 3000 ingredients that could be used to create fragrances, providing some level of transparency. Additionally, certifications like ISO-9235 specify the terms and definitions relating to aromatic natural raw materials, ensuring that natural fragrances are free of petrochemicals, solvents, and dyes.

They are not the same as essential oils

Natural fragrances and essential oils are not the same. Natural fragrances, also known as fragrance oils, are not always natural products. While they can be made from natural products, they are often artificially created scents designed to imitate natural scents. They are synthetically manufactured in a laboratory and contain artificial substances. On the other hand, essential oils are entirely natural products with natural scents. They are obtained from plant extracts or other natural sources and are considered the 'essence' of a natural material.

Fragrance oils are made in a lab by taking naturally derived aromatic raw materials and then isolating or combining them. They can be made up of essential oils, parts of essential oils, or multiple essential oils. However, they always have synthetic elements and are not purely natural products.

Essential oils, on the other hand, are derived from natural plant materials through processes like distillation or mechanical cold pressing. They are known for their complex aroma profiles and can provide natural nuances and unique qualities to a fragrance. They are highly concentrated liquid plant extracts, called 'essential' because they contain the essence of a plant.

Another key difference is that essential oils are believed to have therapeutic effects and benefits, whereas fragrance oils are synthetic duplicates and are not thought to have the same natural healing properties. Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in the daily lives of people and are an integral part of natural therapies, including aromatherapy. They are believed to have balancing effects on us emotionally, mentally, and physically.

In terms of usage, both essential oils and fragrance oils are used in soap, candles, perfumes, and other scented products. However, fragrance oils are specifically designed to create a long-lasting scent, while essential oils are more volatile and may evaporate more quickly, especially when exposed to heat. Fragrance oils are often preferred in candles due to their consistency and reliability, while essential oils are favoured for their natural properties and potential health benefits.

In conclusion, while natural fragrances and essential oils share some similarities, they are not interchangeable. Fragrance oils are synthetic products designed to mimic natural scents, while essential oils are natural plant extracts with therapeutic benefits. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the user.

They are not regulated

The term "natural fragrance" is not regulated, and there is no legal definition of the word "natural". This means that companies can use the term ambiguously and that products labelled as "natural" may contain both natural and synthetic ingredients, with the majority being chemical in origin.

The lack of regulation means that manufacturers do not have to disclose the ingredients used in their fragrances, as they are considered trade secrets under the Fair Packaging and Labelling Act of 1966. The International Fragrance Association, the global representative body for the fragrance industry, has published a list of over 3000 ingredients that could be used to create a fragrance. However, companies are not required to disclose which of these ingredients they use, and can simply list "fragrance" or "parfum" on their product labels.

The use of the term "natural fragrance" can be misleading to consumers, who may associate it with safety and health. While natural fragrances are derived from natural sources such as plants, trees, fruits, and herbs, they can also contain synthetic ingredients. The process of manufacturing natural fragrances often involves creating a scent that replicates a natural smell synthetically by mixing various chemicals in a lab.

The lack of regulation and transparency around natural fragrances makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what ingredients are in the products they are using. This is particularly concerning given that certain fragrance chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants, and even carcinogens.

To avoid being misled by the term "natural fragrance", consumers should look for products that provide full ingredient disclosure and are transparent about their manufacturing processes. It is also important to note that even products claiming to use essential oils or natural scents may still contain synthetic fragrances.

They are often blended with wax

Natural fragrances are often blended with wax to create scented candles. This involves a process of mixing fragrance oils with melted wax, usually at a temperature between 85°C and 93°C. The fragrance oil used can be either synthetic or natural, and popular choices include lavender, vanilla, lemongrass, sandalwood, and jasmine essential oils. It is important to note that the fragrance oil should not exceed 10% of the total wax weight to avoid performance issues in the candle.

To blend natural fragrance with wax, you will need the following:

• Candle wax (paraffin, soy, beeswax, etc.)
• A double boiler or a wax melter
• Stirring utensil (a spoon or spatula)
• Wick (with wick tab and glue)
• Moulds
• Protective gear such as gloves and goggles

• Prepare your work area by ensuring it is clean and free of debris or flammable materials. Set up your equipment, including a double boiler, heat-safe container, thermometer, and stirring utensil.
• Place your candle moulds on a flat surface and insert the wick, ensuring it is centred and straight.
• Melt the wax using a wax melter or the double boiler method. Monitor the temperature to ensure it does not exceed the recommended level for your chosen wax type.
• Once the wax has melted, remove it from the heat source and let it cool for a few minutes.
• Add your desired amount of fragrance oil, usually between 6-10% of the total wax weight. Stir the mixture thoroughly for at least 2 minutes to ensure even distribution.
• Carefully pour the scented wax into the prepared moulds, filling them to the desired level while leaving some space for the wax to contract as it cools.
• Allow the candles to cool down and solidify, which can take a few hours or overnight.
• Once the candles have hardened, remove them from the moulds and trim the wicks to the desired length.

It is important to follow safety guidelines when blending natural fragrance with wax, such as working in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful vapours released by heated wax. Always wear protective gear to prevent burns from hot wax and irritation from splashing fragrance oil. Additionally, ensure you do not exceed the flash point of the fragrance oil to prevent it from evaporating and affecting the scent of your candle.

Frequently asked questions