What are Clean Fragrance Oils, Typical Synthetic Fragrance Oils, Natural Fragrance Oils, and Essential Oils?
Below is a quick description of each "type" of fragrance and on the back of our product packaging or here on the website, you'll see on the ingredient list the fragrance is simply listed as "fragrance oil" or "essential oils." We do this to meet FDA requirements and if at any time a blend or mixture contains a synthetic (such as our Clean Fragrances), we must list it as fragrance oil. If we want to highlight there is also Essential Oil's we may list both.
This article is to help provide guidance and information on fragrance and what we use here at Florida Man Soap. Find our Mission and Values statement on our About Us page here.
All of our products, every single one, from bar soap to body wash to shaving cream, use Clean Fragrance Oil's (CFO), Natural Fragrance Oil's (NFO) or Essential Oil's (EO). We do NOT use cheap synthetic fragrance oil laden with harsh chemicals.
Click here to go to our Why We Use Clean Fragrance's Page and learn more about Clean Frangrances.
What Are Clean Fragrance Oils?
Clean fragrance oils are carefully crafted scents that prioritize safety and sustainability. These oils are free from harmful chemicals like phthalates, parabens, and toxins commonly found in some traditional fragrances. Instead, they are made with ingredients that meet high safety standards set by regulatory bodies such as the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). Many clean fragrance oils combine natural and synthetic components to create unique, stable, and safe scents. For brands like Florida Man Soap, clean fragrance oils are an ideal choice because they offer a wide range of complex scents while ensuring the health and safety of both consumers and the environment. These oils can give your skin the rich, invigorating smell you love without the harmful side effects of harsher chemicals. You'll find these scents will use the term "Clean" and will provide information such as "no phthalates" on the packaging or site.
Smell bold without the compromise. Clean fragrance oils mean you can experience adventurous scents, like our 'Florida Man Original,' without worrying about harsh chemicals. Clean fragrance oil's command the highest standard of formulations to ensure long lasting, skin safe scents. Healthier skin, greater confidence.
What Are Typical Synthetic Fragrance Oils?
Synthetic fragrance oils are entirely lab-made using chemical compounds that mimic natural scents or create something unique entirely. These are the fragrances you hear about as being "bad" or "hidden behind the word Fragrance/Parfum" in the ingredient list. They allow for consistency, affordability, and longevity that can sometimes be harder to achieve with natural ingredients or not at all because some scents simply do not exist in nature. These oils are often more affordable and versatile, making them a popular choice in mainstream skincare and beauty products. However, they can include substances like phthalates, which help fragrances last longer but have been linked to health issues. Synthetic fragrance oils are typically used in products when the goal is to create a strong, consistent scent profile, but for customers seeking a more natural or clean option, they may not be ideal. Not all synthetics are bad, in fact, they can even be the better option. They are less likely to cause allergic reactions because they do not contain the compounds found in natural substances like in Essential Oil's. And synthetics are also typically better for sensitive skin. Most department store fragrances fall into this category, many are reputable and skin safe, others may be compromising on quality for a better scent. You'll find these are your typical fragrances and will not include the terms "natural" or "clean" nor will it list if any harsh chemicals are present or not. They may not and simply just not say whether it does or not. Most designer brands are there to make an impressionable scent and less concerned with the customer looking for safer alternatives, even if their product is actually clean.
For those who love powerful, consistent scents, synthetic fragrance oils deliver time and again. But at Florida Man Soap, we’ve moved beyond traditional synthetics to keep you smelling fresh without the worry. That's why we use Clean Fragrance Oils which are formulated at a higher standard instead of typical synthetics.
What Are Natural Fragrance Oils?
Natural fragrance oils are extracted from natural raw materials like plants, flowers, and fruits. They provide a more authentic and subtle scent compared to synthetic options, and many people prefer them for their purity. Unlike essential oils, which are also naturally derived, natural fragrance oils are often blended for greater complexity. However, one of the challenges with natural fragrance oils is that they are less stable than synthetic ones and may not last as long. They can also be more expensive to produce, but for brands like Florida Man Soap that focus on high-quality, eco-friendly products, natural fragrance oils align with the brand’s philosophy of delivering authentic and safe scents to consumers.
Pure, natural, and true to the earth. With natural fragrance oils, you can enjoy the outdoors right in your shower. Try our 'Everglades' bar, and feel the difference of going natural. Everglades is a mix of NFO's, EO's and Clean Fragrance Oil to have a longer lasting scent but also closer to all-natural.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the natural scent and beneficial properties of various botanicals. These oils are typically obtained through methods such as distillation or cold pressing, preserving the potency of the plant's aroma and its potential therapeutic benefits. Essential oils have been used for centuries in aromatherapy and skincare for their healing properties. However, they are highly concentrated, and improper use can lead to skin irritation or sensitization. For example, a strong essential oil like cinnamon or clove could cause irritation if used in high concentrations in skincare products. At Florida Man Soap, we balance essential oils carefully, incorporating them where appropriate to enhance the natural experience of our products.
Nature’s essence, bottled up. With essential oils, we bring the best of the earth’s aromas to your skin—carefully balanced for maximum impact. Feel refreshed and alive with 'Morning Glory,' a burst of citrus and herbal goodness. Our Morning Glory bar is 100% natural.
Summary
When it comes to choosing fragrances for personal care products, understanding the differences between clean, synthetic, natural, and essential oils can help guide your decision. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on what you're looking for—whether it's affordability, authenticity, sustainability, or complexity. At Florida Man Soap, we prioritize clean fragrance oils to give you the best of both worlds: unique, bold scents that are safe for your skin and the environment.
Compare and Contrast Chart
| Type of Oil | Source | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Fragrance Oils | Mix of natural & synthetic sources | Safe, sustainable, free from harmful chemicals. Reduced risk of allergic reactions due to allergens. | Typically more expensive than regular synthetics, usually more affordable or on-par with NFO's. Safer alternative to regular synthetics and less allergenic than essential oils or NFO's. |
| Synthetic Fragrance Oils | Lab-made chemical compounds | Consistent, long-lasting, affordable. Low allergic susceptibility. | May contain harmful chemicals like phthalates. |
| Natural Fragrance Oils | Derived from plants and other natural sources | Pure, eco-friendly, smells authentic. More susceptible to allergic reactions. | Less stable, shorter scent duration. Cheaper than Essential Oil's, typically more higher cost or sometimes approx. the same as Clean Fragrances. Not always a true scent or doesn't last in cold process saponification |
| Essential Oils | Extracted from plants through distillation or pressing | Therapeutic benefits, natural, highly concentrated, highest susceptibility to allergic reactions. | Can cause irritation in high concentrations. Most expensive. Sandalwood alone can cost hundreds of dollars and would cause bar soap to skyrocket in price. EO's are the most purest natural form, but it means higher risk to allergens and reactions. Natural doesn't always equal better. At least not in skin care. |