Essential Oils: Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Safe

When you hear the phrase “all-natural”, it feels safe, right? Essential oils often carry that reputation, but the truth is more complicated. While essential oils can be an amazing natural option for skincare and aromatherapy, they can also be just as irritating (or sometimes worse) than synthetic fragrance oils when not used properly.

At Brody Brielle Skincare, we’re all about transparency and safe skincare. Let’s dive into what essential oils really are, how to use them safely, and why “natural” doesn’t always equal “gentle.”

🌿 What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts made up of hundreds of naturally occurring chemicals. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate easily and give off their distinct aroma. 

🌸 How Essential Oils Are Made

Essential oils are extracted from plants through methods like steam distillation, cold pressing, or solvent extraction. These processes pull out the highly concentrated, volatile compounds that give plants their fragrance and therapeutic properties.

But here’s the catch: not every scent can be made into an essential oil.

• True essential oils come from plants that yield aromatic compounds (like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus peels).

• Scents like vanilla or cherry? They don’t exist as essential oils. Instead, you’ll usually find:

• Vanilla: Extracts, absolutes, or fragrance oils. Sometimes benzoin resin is used as a vanilla-like substitute.

• Cherry: Always a fragrance oil, since cherries don’t produce volatile compounds that can be distilled.

👉 If you see “cherry essential oil” being sold, it’s mislabeled and not a real essential oil.

Mislabeled products can be dangerous. This is why choosing trusted suppliers matters, so you know exactly what’s in the bottle and that you’re not being misled.

But, keep in mind that even true essential oils are powerful and that’s both a strength and a risk.

⚠️ The Risks of Essential Oils

While essential oils can add a natural touch, they come with safety concerns that often go overlooked:

• Skin Irritation or Burns: Applying them “neat” (undiluted) can cause redness, burns, or allergic reactions.

• Phototoxicity: Some oils (like citrus oils) can increase sun sensitivity and cause burns when applied before sun exposure.

• Respiratory Risks: Overuse in diffusers can irritate lungs, especially for kids, sensitive adults, or pets.

• Quality Concerns: With little regulation, many oils on the market may be contaminated with pesticides or synthetic additives, or artificial, containing fragrance oil.

• Ingestion = Unsafe: Despite what you may see online, ingesting essential oils can cause poisoning and serious health problems.

🌱 Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils

It’s easy to assume essential oils are “better” than fragrance oils just because they’re natural. The truth? Both can be irritating.

• Essential oils: Natural but highly concentrated. Can be harsh, irritating, and risky if not used correctly. May contain phthalates and other contaminants due to processing and environmental factors. 

• Fragrance oils: Synthetic, but often more stable and consistent. They can still irritate sensitive skin, but some are formulated to be safer for cosmetic use. Phthalate-free fragrance oils are now common (and all we use at Brody Brielle).

Neither option is inherently “bad”, what matters is quality, concentration, and usage.

✅ Safe Use Tips

If you love essential oils (and we do, when used responsibly), here are a few golden rules:

• Always dilute in a carrier oil before applying to skin. Be sure to follow safe usage rates. 

• Buy from trusted suppliers with transparent sourcing and testing. 

• Store properly in dark glass bottles, away from heat/light.

• Avoid ingestion unless under direct medical supervision (not recommended).

• Do a patch test before applying a new oil- containing product to your skin. (You should patch test ALL new skincare products)

💡 Final Thoughts

Essential oils can be wonderful, but they’re not automatically safer or better just because they’re natural. At Brody Brielle, we choose and formulate ingredients with your skin’s safety first. That’s why we’re picky about when and how we use essential oils and why many of our products are fragrance-free or made with gentle alternatives.

Because your skin deserves care without compromise.