Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils in Soap: What’s the Difference?
When choosing a soap, scent is often one of the first things people notice. But not all scented soaps are created the same. Understanding the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils can help you choose the soap that best fits your preferences, lifestyle, and values.
At our studio, we thoughtfully formulate soaps using both essential oils and fragrance oils, with transparency at the forefront. Importantly, all of our fragrance oils are always phthalate-free, and our essential oil soaps are scented exclusively with plant-derived essential oils.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are aromatic compounds extracted directly from plants, such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots, or citrus peels. Common examples include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, sweet orange, and tea tree.
In soapmaking, essential oils provide:
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Naturally derived, botanical aromas
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Lighter, more subtle scent profiles
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A scent experience closely tied to the source plant
Because essential oils come from nature, their aroma can vary slightly from batch to batch, adding to the handcrafted character of the soap.
What Are Fragrance Oils?
Fragrance oils are carefully crafted scent blends designed specifically for use in personal care products. They can be made from a combination of natural and synthetic aroma components and allow for a wider range of scent possibilities.
In soap, fragrance oils offer:
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More complex or layered scent profiles
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Scents that cannot be achieved with essential oils alone (such as bakery, dessert, or certain floral blends)
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Consistent aroma from batch to batch
Our Commitment to Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils
All fragrance oils used in our soaps are 100% phthalate-free. We intentionally source fragrance oils that meet modern cosmetic safety standards, allowing customers to enjoy beautifully scented soaps with transparency and care.
Why Phthalate-Free Matters
Phthalates are a group of chemicals sometimes used in fragrance formulations to help scents last longer. Over time, concerns have been raised about their potential to act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they may interfere with the body’s natural hormone systems.
While regulatory standards and ingredient preferences vary, we choose to formulate without phthalates as part of our commitment to thoughtful ingredient selection and customer transparency.
By using phthalate-free fragrance oils, we’re able to offer rich, expressive scents while avoiding ingredients many people prefer to limit in their personal care routines — without compromising scent quality or performance.
For those interested in learning more, reputable educational resources include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which provide overviews on phthalates and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
EPA Phthalates Risk Evaluations
Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils: A Simple Comparison
| Feature | Essential Oils | Fragrance Oils |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Plant-derived | Crafted aroma blends |
| Scent Profile | Natural, botanical, subtle | Complex, consistent, layered |
| Batch Variation | May vary naturally | Highly consistent |
| Availability | Limited to plant sources | Wide range of scent options |
| Used in Our Soaps | Essential oil collection | Phthalate-free fragrance oil collection |
Which Soap Is Right for You?
Both essential oil soaps and fragrance oil soaps offer a luxurious cleansing experience using the same high-quality goat milk & honey cold process formula. The difference comes down to scent preference.
You may prefer essential oil soaps if you:
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Enjoy naturally light, botanical aromas
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Prefer soaps scented only with plant-derived ingredients
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Like a more subtle scent experience
You may prefer fragrance oil soaps if you:
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Love complex or nostalgic scent profiles
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Enjoy scents inspired by desserts, florals, or seasonal blends
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Want a consistent aroma every time
- Enjoy a more robust fragrance
Same Formula, Same Careful Craftsmanship
Regardless of scent type, all of our soaps are:
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Made using the traditional cold process method
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Crafted with our signature goat milk & honey formula
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Palm-free and handcrafted in small batches
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Formulated for a rich, creamy lather and gentle cleansing
The only difference between collections is how the soap is scented — never the quality of ingredients or care that goes into making each bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your fragrance oil soaps phthalate-free?
Yes. All fragrance oils used in our soaps are always phthalate-free and carefully selected to meet modern cosmetic safety standards.
Why do some people avoid phthalates?
Some customers choose to avoid phthalates due to ongoing research around their potential role as endocrine disruptors. Ingredient preferences vary, and we believe in offering clear information so customers can choose confidently.
Do essential oil soaps contain fragrance oils?
No. Our essential oil soap collection is scented exclusively with plant-derived essential oils and contains no fragrance oils.
Is the soap formula the same for both collections?
Yes. Both essential oil and fragrance oil soaps are made using the same goat milk & honey cold process formula. The only difference is how they are scented.
Explore Our Soap Collections
Whether you’re drawn to the botanical simplicity of essential oils or the artistry of phthalate-free fragrance oils, we invite you to explore both collections and find the scents that feel right for you.
→ Shop Essential Oil Soaps
→ Shop Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oil Soaps.
Transparency matters to us. That’s why we clearly label how each soap is scented—so you can choose with confidence.
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