Q: What is the difference between an essential oil and a fragrance?

A: An essential oil is derived from a botanical, (fruit, leaf, root, stem, and/or flower) via cold press process or steam distillation. Pure grade essential oils are 100% natural. For more information, see our definitions of essential oil grades in the essential oils category.

Q: Do essential oils last longer than fragrances?

A: No Essential oils are not as stable as fragrances. However many fragrances, especially fine fragrances, incorporate essential oils in their formulas because essential oils provide a "creative dimension" in perfumery that man made ingredients do not.

Q: Can you use all fragrances on the skin? .

A: Only some fragrances can be used on the skin. Fine perfumes are formulated specifically for this purpose. Check with your Ultra sales representative to know for sure if a specific fragrance can be used. If not, the fragrance can be reformulated for this purpose.

Q: Can you use all fragrances in soap?

A: In most cases fragrances can be used in soap. However, fragrances that contain high percentages of alcohols will cause cold processed soap to seize. Check with your Ultra representative regarding the fragrance you are interested in. We will let you know if the oil is compatible for your soap.

Q: Why do some fragrances discolor paraffin waxes?

A: Some fragrance raw materials, inherently, have color. These, fragrances that inherently have color can discolor paraffin. In such case, it is important to work with your dye manufacturer so they incorporate the fragrance's natural color when formulating the dye you will be using.

Q: Will essential oils go into wax?

A: Some essential oils will combine into paraffin, but not all grades of paraffin. Thus, it is extremely important to test essential oils with your wax. You may have to consult your paraffin supplier and purchase a different quality that will be compatible with the essential oils you are using.

Q: Why are some fragrances stronger than other fragrances?

A: When evaluating any fragrance you must consider the top, middle and bottom notes. Stronger fragrance oils have balance and have been formulated so that the top, middle and bottom constituents work in harmony with one another.

Q: Is there a way to aid absorption of fragrance oils into pinecones, or hard pods such as Baculi Pods?

A: Yes. Alcohol and other fragrance components that have solvent characteristics will help achieve this goal.

Q: Can essential oils be ingested?

A: Some essential oils can be ingested. We do not recommend anyone without extensive knowledge about the chemical constituents of essential oils to do so. Essential oils that can be ingested are USP, FCC and NF grades.

Q: Do the dyes on the decorative botanicals bleed when fragrances are added to them?

A: Most fragrances when applied onto Ultra dyed decorative botanicals will not cause the dyes to bleed or run. However, some fragrances are formulated with very strong solvents. Fragrances that use these solvents can cause dyes to bleed. We strongly recommend you test every potpourri blend you create. Apply the fragrance chosen for your blend, onto the botanicals, to be certain no dye bleeding occur.