Infused Oils vs. Essential Oils 

I’ve noticed some confusion at times about the difference between essential oils and infused oils. They are definitely different, so here is a quick rundown of how they are made and what they are used for.  There is also a frequently asked questions section at the bottom.

What is Infused?

Infused oils are much easier to make and require no special equipment. You can do them on the stove or in jars, depending on the process and application. They are basically made by steeping herbs or plants in a carrier oil to extract the plant’s properties and transfer them to the oil. 

Often, people use oils such as avocado, olive, or even argan for skin and hair. These oils are much less concentrated and have a wide variety of uses, ranging from hair growth and skin care to making salves and lotions.

Infused oils are also common in cooking. Garlic-infused oil? Oregano, parsley oil for salads? Yum! You can quickly make kitchen applications on the stove, as heat isn’t an issue when you are simply cooking with it, and the medical properties aren’t as important. However, if you want them for your medicine cabinet, you have to be a bit more careful.

What is Essential?

Essential oil is produced through a specialized distillation process. This makes a very concentrated plant extraction. The scent is much, much stronger, so it is better for aromatherapy and diffusers. There are so many wonderful uses for essential oils in a diffuser, from allergy relief to mood-lifting. 

They can also be used in salves and skin care, but you need to add a carrier oil to dilute their effects before they come into contact with your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. The strong scents and concentrated effects are best for homemade products such as soaps, lotions, and cleaning products.

You can absolutely make essential oils at home, but you will need to purchase a distiller. There is a vast range of pricing for this, so do some research to see what is best for you.  You also get the bonus of making hydrosols, a by-product of the essential oils. This too can be used for shampoos & soaps.  

Here are a few distillers on Amazon to reference & to see the options available. (not an affiliate link)

Is one better?

Not at all! It really depends on the application you have in mind. Each one has its place in your home. Here is a quick reference list of common household uses.

	Essential Oil	Infused Oil
Skin Contact	Should be diluted to avoid skin irritation	Ok to add directly onto skin as it is already in carrier oil
Scent	Strong aroma	Milder scent
Concentration	Cooking, massage, and direct application to skin	Much less Concentrated, diluted in carrier oil
Usages	Aromatherapy & diffusers, adding to products	Yes, but must add carrier oil
Use in salves	Cooking, massage, and direct application to the skin	Yes, no additional oil is needed

Synthetic Essential Oils vs Natural

Beware synthetic essential oils! These are made in a lab to mimic the smell of the real essential oils. While they are fine for shampoos and such, if you only need them for scent, they lack the medical properties. 

Unfortunately, some things just cannot be recreated by science. While they can give the plants’ wonderfully potent scent to enjoy, they cannot provide the synthetic version of the plants’ natural healing properties. These are often the main things that we want from the oils.

FAQ

Which is better, infused oils or Essential Oils?

Neither! It’s all about the application. Diffusing? Use essential oil as it is pure, and the scent is much more concentrated. Skincare? Use infused instead, as it is diluted in a carrier oil and is safer to apply directly to your skin.

What is the best oil to infuse with?

It really depends on the application. If you are using it in the kitchen, I’d go with olive or avocado oil, both of which are safe to eat. If it’s for hair and skin, you can use olive, jojoba, or argan oil. Just do some quick research on the best application for each oil. For hair growth, you can infuse rosemary in a mixture of olive and castor oil for your scalp.

Is it safe to make oils at home?

Absolutely! You want to avoid water as much as possible. This means using dried herbs and letting them wilt a bit to remove much of their water content. Depending on the oil used, they can last for 1-3 years. Just label containers well with expiration dates.

Does heat ruin oils?

It can. This is why stove-top infusion isn’t recommended by many of your old-school herbalists, unless it’s for a cooking application. Once made, prolonged exposure to heat can diminish the healing properties you worked so hard to extract from infused and essential oils.

Keep them in a cool, dark area such as a cabinet or pantry.

Do you have to refrigerate infused or essential oils?

Nope! You can if you would like them to last longer, but if you make multiple types, it can get a bit crowded.

What does it take to infuse oil?

Herbs, a jar, and your chosen carrier oil. You can make it on the stove or in the sun—my method.

Small Steps. Meaningful Rewards.

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