Soy candle with crystal and scent blend – safe fragrance oils vs essential oils
on June 22, 2024

Fragrance Oils vs Essential Oils: What’s Safe in Candles?

Fragrance oils are synthetic or semi-synthetic oils developed to create consistent, long-lasting scent blends. They're widely used in candles, perfumes, soaps, and body products.

But not all fragrance oils are created equal.

  • Cheap oils often contain alcohol and fillers. These can smell artificial, fade quickly, or even trigger irritation.

  • High-quality oils are concentrated and clean-burning. Many luxury fragrance oils are infused with small amounts of essential oils and are thoroughly tested for safety.

At Soja, we use only premium-grade fragrance oils that meet the strict standards of:

  • RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials)

  • IFRA (International Fragrance Association)

What About Essential Oils?

Essential oils are extracted directly from plants — like lavender, eucalyptus, or rose petals. They’re considered natural and are often praised for their physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

However, in candles, they come with a few limitations:

Heat Sensitivity

Essential oils don’t always survive the heat of a burning candle. The high temperature can cause them to evaporate or degrade, reducing their scent or even causing combustion.

High Cost

Pure essential oils are expensive — especially oils like rose or jasmine. For example, it takes:

  • 23kg of eucalyptus for 450g of oil

  • 115kg of lavender

  • 4,500kg of roses (!)

A tiny 5ml bottle of pure rose oil can cost over $200 — making it unsustainable for candle use at scale.

🌏 Sustainability Concerns

Mass harvesting of plants for essential oils raises environmental issues. Over-harvesting can damage ecosystems, especially when large quantities are needed for small yields.

So, Which Is Better in Candles?

Pure essential oils sound natural — but they aren’t always the safest, most cost-effective, or sustainable option in candles.

Fragrance oils, when sourced from reputable suppliers and approved by regulatory bodies like RIFM and IFRA, are:

  • Long-lasting

  • Clean-burning

  • More stable under heat

  • Blended for consistency

  • Often infused with essential oils (the best of both worlds)

The Bottom Line

Essential oils are wonderful in diffusers or body care. But in candles? High-quality fragrance oils are often the smarter choice.

They give you a consistent, safe, and enjoyable experience — without compromising on scent, safety, or sustainability.

 

Looking for Candles That Smell Amazing and Burn Clean?

At Soja, we craft our candles using:

  • Coconut-soy wax (cleaner than paraffin)

  • Premium fragrance oils (IFRA-compliant + essential oil–infused)

  • Intentionally chosen crystals for energy and meaning

✨ Every candle is hand-poured in Melbourne and created to support your mood, space, and intention.

Shop Our Best-Selling Crystal-Infused Candles:

Or explore the full Core Collection and find your signature scent.