The history of perfume oils dates back to ancient Egypt
when these fine scented oils were presented to royalty
as gifts. In modern times, however, when the word
"perfume" is said, most people think of department store
fragrances, which consist mainly of the concentrated oil
and alcohol solution. Nevertheless, as more and more
people are finding out about them, perfume oils are
experiencing great popularity. Here are some interesting
facts about perfume oils:
1. Strength of smell - Perfume oils are highly
concentrated and up to ten times more concentrated than
department store perfumes. This quality allows oils to
last longer than their eau de perfume counterparts.
2. Alcohol - Perfumes have alcohol in them, which
creates different smell effects. Most body oils use
carrier oils like jojoba or grapeseed oil in place of
alcohol. In some fragrances, the smell can change as the
alcohol evaporates different scent notes through time.
With oils, the scent is more constant.
3. Price - A noticeable difference between perfumes and
perfume oils is price. Perfumes have a very high markup
and great profit margins, which is perhaps why many
celebrities have embarked on the trend of creating their
own perfumes and colognes. Perfume oils can be sold very
cheaply, or even more expensively than the perfumes,
depending on how they are positioned in the market.
4. Body chemistry - Just because a perfume or cologne
smells good on you, doesn't mean that the oil version
will. Perfumes only have a small percentage of oil, so
they are quite different than pure body oils. This
interaction between the fragrance and your body may
produce a different scent perception altogether.
5. Packaging - Clearly, department store perfumes are
very nicely packaged and thus make great gifts for
friends and family. Many perfume oils are sold in less
attractive containers, which is part of the reason for
their lower price.
6. Uses - Perfumes are only intended for use on the
body, but perfume oils can be used to create a variety
of scented products, like soap, candles, bath oils, air
fresheners, and many other types of scented products. Be
aware that there are different types of fragrance oils
and that pure uncut oils are not safe for use on the
skin.
In summary, whether you choose to use perfume oils or
not will depend on the factors above. Try out a small
sample first and who knows, you might just discover a
delightful new product to add to your personal
inventory.
