Not all fragrances begin in the same place. Some begin in nature. Others begin in a laboratory. Understanding the difference is the first step to choosing a perfume that aligns with your values.
Walk down the fragrance aisle and you'll see words like natural, botanical, fragrance, parfum, essential oils and fragrance oils used almost interchangeably.
It's no wonder choosing a perfume can feel confusing.
At FRANK AND LAZULI, we believe transparency matters. We want you to understand not only how our perfumes smell, but also what goes into creating them.
So what's the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
Let's explore.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are aromatic extracts obtained directly from plants.
Depending on the botanical, they may be produced through steam distillation, cold pressing or other gentle extraction methods that preserve the plant's natural aroma.
Every essential oil carries the unique scent profile of the plant it came from.
For example:
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Lavender is distilled from flowering tops.
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Sweet orange is cold pressed from the peel.
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Frankincense is distilled from aromatic tree resin.
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Australian sandalwood is distilled from mature heartwood.
Because these ingredients come directly from nature, they contain hundreds of naturally occurring aromatic compounds that create remarkable depth and complexity.
No two harvests are ever exactly the same.
That living quality is one of the things botanical perfumers cherish most.
What Are Fragrance Oils?
Fragrance oils are aromatic blends created specifically to produce a particular scent.
They may contain synthetic aroma molecules, naturally derived aroma compounds or a combination of both, depending on the formulation and the manufacturer.
Fragrance oils allow perfumers to create scents that may be difficult, impractical or impossible to obtain directly from nature.
For example:
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Fresh linen
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Ocean breeze
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Cotton candy
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Caramel popcorn
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Rain on concrete
These types of fragrances often can't be distilled from a single botanical source, so they're created through careful fragrance design.
Fragrance oils are widely used in perfumes, candles, soaps, cosmetics and home fragrance products because they offer consistency and a broad creative palette.
Why Do They Smell Different?
One of the biggest differences between essential oils and fragrance oils is complexity.
An essential oil isn't just one scent.
It's a collection of hundreds of naturally occurring aromatic compounds working together.
As the fragrance develops, different facets gradually reveal themselves.
This is why botanical perfumes often evolve beautifully throughout the day.
Fragrance oils, by contrast, are designed to create a specific aromatic profile.
Many are intentionally formulated for consistency, allowing the fragrance to smell very similar from one batch to the next.
Neither approach is inherently right or wrong.
They simply create different fragrance experiences.
Why Doesn't Every Flower Have an Essential Oil?
This surprises many people.
Not every flower can produce an essential oil through steam distillation.
Some blossoms are simply too delicate.
Instead, perfumers use absolutes, which are extracted using different methods to preserve the flower's rich aroma.
Beautiful examples include:
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Rose Absolute
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Jasmine Absolute
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Tuberose Absolute
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Osmanthus Absolute
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Blue Lotus Absolute
These precious botanical extracts are among the most treasured ingredients in fine natural perfumery.
Why We Choose Botanical Ingredients
At FRANK AND LAZULI, we create our perfumes using botanical aromatic ingredients, including essential oils, precious absolutes, natural resins and botanical extracts.
We love the way these ingredients evolve naturally on the skin.
We love that every harvest carries subtle variations.
We love that each botanical brings its own history, beauty and complexity to a fragrance.
Rather than trying to control every aspect of nature, we choose to celebrate it.
It's a slower way of creating perfume, but one that reflects our philosophy of craftsmanship, patience and authenticity.
Choosing the Right Perfume for You
Whether a perfume is made with essential oils, fragrance oils or a combination of aromatic materials, the most important question is:
How does it make you feel?
Some people love bold, long-lasting fragrances with highly imaginative scent profiles.
Others are drawn to perfumes inspired by flowers, forests, herbs and precious resins.
There is room for both.
The beauty lies in understanding the difference so you can choose a fragrance that aligns with your personal preferences and values.
A Different Kind of Luxury
For us, luxury isn't defined by complexity or extravagance.
It's found in thoughtful craftsmanship.
In carefully sourcing beautiful botanicals.
In blending each perfume by hand.
In allowing time for the fragrance to mature naturally.
And in creating perfumes that invite you to slow down and experience scent as a daily ritual.
That's why we continue to choose nature as our greatest inspiration.
From the Perfumer's Bench
One of the things I love most about working with botanical ingredients is that they constantly surprise me.
A fresh bottle of rose absolute may reveal slightly different nuances from the previous harvest. Sandalwood deepens as it matures. Frankincense softens beautifully over time.
Those little differences remind me that I'm working with living ingredients, not just fragrance. They make every blend feel truly unique.
Ingredient Spotlight
Jasmine Absolute
Jasmine absolute is one of the most treasured ingredients in botanical perfumery.
Because jasmine flowers are too delicate to produce a traditional essential oil, they're transformed into an absolute that captures their rich, intoxicating aroma.
Softly floral with hints of honey, ripe fruit and warm spice, jasmine absolute adds elegance and depth to a fragrance, unfolding beautifully as it settles on the skin.
It's a perfect example of the remarkable artistry found in botanical perfumery.
Did You Know?
It can take thousands of freshly picked jasmine flowers to produce just a small amount of jasmine absolute, making it one of the world's most precious natural perfumery ingredients.
Experience It In Store
Visit the FRANK AND LAZULI Perfume Bar and experience the beauty of botanical fragrance for yourself.
Explore perfumes crafted with essential oils, absolutes and precious botanical extracts, and discover how naturally derived ingredients evolve on your skin throughout the day.
Explore Further
Continue exploring The Botanical Perfume Journal:
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The Art of Botanical Perfumery
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Why Natural Perfume Is Worth Falling in Love With
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A Guide to Perfume Notes
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Behind the Bottle: How We Blend Our Perfumes
Discover the Collection
Every FRANK AND LAZULI fragrance is handcrafted in Australia using carefully selected botanical aromatic ingredients.
Blended slowly in small batches and inspired by nature, our perfumes are designed to evolve beautifully on your skin and become part of your daily ritual.
Wear a ritual, not just a fragrance.
With love,
Allana xx
Frequently Asked Questions
Are essential oils and fragrance oils the same?
No. Essential oils are extracted directly from plants, while fragrance oils are specially formulated aromatic blends that may contain synthetic ingredients, naturally derived aroma compounds, or both.
Do botanical perfumes only contain essential oils?
Not always. Botanical perfumers also use natural aromatic materials such as absolutes, CO₂ extracts, resins and botanical extracts to create greater depth and complexity.
Why are absolutes used instead of essential oils?
Some flowers, including jasmine and tuberose, are too delicate for steam distillation. Creating an absolute preserves their rich, true-to-life aroma.
Why does FRANK AND LAZULI choose botanical ingredients?
We love the richness, complexity and individuality of botanical aromatics. They evolve naturally on the skin and reflect our commitment to craftsmanship, transparency and creating perfumes inspired by nature.