The Difference Between Perfumes and Perfume Oils

There is a huge difference in perfume and perfume oils, and it’s important to get a feel for what type of line you want to design or market. Many people have shown an excited interest in creating perfumes for personal use and small business ventures. If this is an idea that tickles your fancy, there are a few things to consider prior to jumping in with both feet. Modern stores use perfumes in decorator bottles with fancy packaging and a nice price tag. Perfume oils have a very different history.

Perhaps dating as far back as ancient Egypt, oils were traced as gift specially designated for royalty. These highly concentrated, pure oils were placed in tiny containers and offered to Kings and Queens. You don’t find that kind of gesture today as the mass marketing mentality and general lifestyle of people has changed dramatically. Today’s perfumes are diluted versions of pure perfume oils and can be found everywhere from designer shops to malls, and even convenience stores. I bet the ancient Egyptians never imagined a one stop shop for gas, a bottled soda and some perfume in an aerosol can.

The main difference between perfume and perfume oils of course is the concentration. A perfume takes a few squirts in all around, whereas the highly concentrated oils are used much more sparingly and commonly dabbed on pulse spots (wrists, neck, etc.). Because of the higher concentration, the scent will last much longer and provide a more pure fragrance; and because of the longer-lasting quality to oils, they are generally more expensive than diluted perfumes.

The dilution process is basically the addition of alcohol to any particular oil or mixture of oils. Cutting the cost dramatically allows commercial perfume creators and manufacturers as great deal of profitability. In addition to alcohol, some perfume oils also are mixed with body oils in an effort to gain a longer life of the scent. After discovering the chemical makeup of perfume, you should have a better grasp on which avenue you want to take in your perfume or perfume oils endeavor.

For those planning on using their creation for personal consumption, you might opt to go with the more expensive oils and forget all about the dilution and other additives. Keep in mind, whatever fragrance you choose, there is a slim chance of developing an allergic reaction, particularly if you already have sensitive skin issues. Again, these are highly concentrated, pure oils and a smidge is all you need.

If you are planning to market your perfumes, the best and cost efficient method is to create a combination of oils and carrier substances that offer a pleasing scent. Take care not to over compromise the original scents with chemical dilution. Not only will your product be more valuable to the customer, you will have a greater profit margin.

As you are discovering which scents you’d like to market be sure to do appropriate allergy testing on live subjects. This will also give you a better idea on the overall fragrance. Each person wears a fragrance differently, so what the perfume smells like on you will not be exactly the same on another person. Conversely, if the fragrance is for personal use only, testing is limited to only yourself and maybe the sniffers of some family and friends; the more noses you have the better.

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