Essential oil vs. synthetic fragrance has been a debatable issue for years. Throughout this debate, the consumers have been placed in the middle, being bombarded by conflicting information. Yet, despite the confusion, the consumer must make an educated choice of what is best for themselves, their families, and the planet.
Facts, not hype
What consumers need are just the facts, not all the hype. But where can a consumer find unbiased facts? Consumers can conduct research through reliable science, medical, governmental, and industrial journals, and visit the web sites of these types of organizations.
In some cases, both sides of the debate have conceded points they can agree upon. Here are some agreed upon points:
1. Synthetic fragrances can effectively imitate most of the essential oils’ scents, but cannot imitate their healing qualities.
2. Due to chemical ingredients and interaction, most synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation and sensitization, whereas only some of the essential oils do. This may also be partly due to the fact that essential oils, when properly used, are never applied directly to the skin, unless highly diluted with carrier oil, and are never ingested.
3. Due to the vast number (over 5,000) of synthetic fragrances (all of which use 100-700 ingredients) compared to the smaller number (approximately 500) of essential oils (which usually uses simply the essential oil and a carrier oil), synthetic fragrances are more likely to contain more harmful ingredients (such as carcinogens) than essential oils.
4. Either one can cause harm to humans and animals if improperly used.
5. Not enough research has been conducted in the areas of safety and environmental effects, especially for synthetic fragrances.
6. All fragrances are either inhaled directly or indirectly, and some are absorbed through skin contact. They can affect the limbic, immune, and central nervous systems and internal organs, either in a positive or negative way. Due to the methods the fragrances are diffused, essential oils usually dissipate more quickly, and break down more easily when interacting with the human body and brain than do most synthetic fragrances. Some essential oils also enter the blood stream, thus enabling their healing abilities to work better.
History’s testimonies
Consumers can also research throughout mankind’s own history for testimonies as to which has proven safer
and better to use. Synthetic fragrances have been around since the 1800s. They’ve been known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and headaches, as well as some forms of cancer and other health problems. It’s highly believed by many experts that synthetic fragrances are greatly contributing to the chemical poisoning of the planet and its inhabitants. Some countries are now starting to require manufacturers to place warning labels regarding potentially harmful ingredients, which still don’t need to be specifically listed.
Aromatherapy has been around for 3,000-4,000 years. Distilled essential oils have been a major factor in aromatherapy for over a thousand years, and were frequently used on humans and animals. Every civilization known to man has heavily relied on essential oils for cosmetic and medicinal purposes, and has records of their effectiveness and safety levels. Throughout the thousands of years of their existence, essential oils have never been notable for being harmful to humans or the planet, and have only had a few limitations of who could safely use them, as long as they were being used properly.
References:
Environmental Working Group, Skin Deep: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?maincat=skin+care+%28fragrance%29
Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia: Guide to less toxic products, accessed at http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=personal
Essential Oils: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/history-essential-oils.htm
International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology: http://www.rifm.org/doc/Drml%20Snsitizatn%20QRA%20for%20Frgrnc%20Ingredients_Reg%20Tox%20and%20Pharm.pdf
National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy: http://www.naha.org/what_is_an_essential_oil.htm
U.S. Cancer Institute/U.S. National Institute of Health: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/aromatherapy/Patient/page2