09/01/2026
We had a fantastic time at the Cowichan Country Market this past weekend! We got to connect with so many interested community members about our soaps and products, and heard lots of great questions. “What’s the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils?” and “How do you get the colours in your soap?” were two that came up again and again, and these are two topics I just LOVE to talk about.
At Splash Out Soaps, we choose essential oils over fragrance oils for our cold-processed soaps. Essential oils are natural plant extracts, so they bring real aromatherapy benefits along with their more subtle scent. Fragrance oils are synthetic blends of chemical compounds, which means you get scent without those natural benefits. Essential oils also come at a much higher price point, which is part of why many soap makers opt for fragrance oil instead- but we believe that extra cost is worth it!
Here’s the bigger reason it matters to us: fragrance oils can be a trigger for skin irritation, allergic reactions, and breakouts for some people, especially those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. Many contain phthalates and other synthetic fixatives that help the scent last longer on skin, and those same ingredients are often what causes trouble for sensitive skin types.
That’s why we stick with pure essential oils. You get a gentler bar that’s kinder to your skin, plus the therapeutic benefits that only come from real plants.
That said, essential oils can be harmful if not used at the proper levels! We use online soap calculators and follow Health Canada regulations to make sure every essential oil we use stays well within safe limits.
In our next post, we’ll share more about how we use clays, spices, and food to add colour naturally!
