Essential Oils Vs Infused Oils : Key Differences & When To Use Each
Essential oils and infused oils are two types of aromatic oils produced from various plant parts.
Both are stored in glass bottles, and both reflect the plants from which they are extracted. But that’s about where the similarities end.
Infused oils and essential oils are produced through completely different processes, used in different amounts, and suited to different purposes.
Understanding what sets them apart helps you reach for the right one when you’re diffusing, crafting, or putting together a DIY body care recipe.
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What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that capture the aromatic compounds of a plant – the volatile molecules responsible for its distinctive scent. A tiny amount of plant material goes a long way: it can take hundreds of pounds of plant matter to fill a single small bottle, which is why essential oils are so potent and so expensive.
Because of that concentration, essential oils are measured in drops. A few drops in a diffuser can scent an entire room. That same intensity means they’re too concentrated to apply directly to skin and need to be diluted in a carrier oil first.
What Are Infused Oils?
Infused oils take a gentler approach. Plant material such as dried herbs, flowers, or botanicals is steeped in a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba, or olive oil over a period of days or weeks.
The oil slowly absorbs the character of the plant, picking up its scent, color, and subtle qualities before the plant material is strained out.
The result is an oil that’s already diluted, mild enough to apply generously to skin, and suited to a different range of uses than an essential oil. The scent is subtle rather than intense, and the texture is that of the carrier oil itself.
Essential Oils Vs Infused Oils: Key Differences at a Glance
|
Features |
Essential Oils |
Infused Oils |
|---|---|---|
|
Extraction process |
Steam distillation or cold pressing – requires professional equipment |
Plant material steeped in carrier oil – easily made at home |
|
Concentration |
Highly concentrated, a little goes a long way |
Already diluted, the carrier oil serves as the base, and the plant material adds character |
|
Scent strength |
Powerful and intense – can fill a room |
Subtle and gentle – experienced up close |
|
How much to use |
Very little, measured in drops |
Generously, measured in teaspoons or tablespoons |
|
Ready to use on skin? |
No – must be diluted in a carrier oil first |
Yes – can be applied directly |
|
Shelf life |
Years when stored properly (citrus oils are more delicate) |
6–12 months, depending on the carrier oil |
|
Packaging |
Packaged in smaller bottles, as they are meant to be used very sparingly |
Packaged in larger bottles, as they are meant to be applied generously |
|
Price |
Higher – reflects the quantity of plant material and extraction process |
More affordable- requires small quantity of plant material |
|
Best for |
Diffusing, room sprays, candles, custom blends, scenting DIY products |
Massage, body care, baths, balms, salves, beginner DIY recipes |
Essential Oils Vs Infused Oils: Extraction Process
Essential Oil Extraction
Producing essential oils requires specialized equipment and precise conditions.
The two main methods are steam distillation and cold pressing. These methods capture only the volatile compounds of aromatic plants, yielding potent oils that retain the distinct fragrance and properties of the source plant.
Both methods are industrial in nature. This isn’t something that can be replicated at home in any meaningful way.
If the science of how essential oils go from plant to bottle interests you, this post on essential oil extraction techniques covers the various processes in detail.
Infusion Process
Infused oils are created by steeping dried or fresh herbs, flowers, or other plant parts with a carrier oil, such as olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. The mixture is allowed to infuse for a period of time, after which the plant material is strained out.
This method allows the compounds from the plants to saturate the oil fully. The process is slow and gentle, as the oils need to infuse for several weeks for maximum potency.
Infusing herbs is not a precise process. It is easy to do at home and requires no special equipment, just dried plant material and a carrier oil.
For a full walkthrough of both methods, step-by-step on how to make infused oils post.
Aroma and Diffusing
This is where essential oils really shine. Their volatile nature, the fact that their aromatic compounds evaporate readily into the air, makes them ideal for diffusing.
A few drops in a diffuser can fill a room with scent within minutes, and their aromatic range is extraordinary: everything from the clean brightness of lemon to the warm depth of frankincense to the cool freshness of peppermint.
Infused oils are not suited to diffusers. The carrier oil base doesn’t evaporate the same way, so the scent stays close to the skin rather than dispersing through a room. Their fragrance is something you experience up close during a massage, through a body oil, or while working with them in a recipe.
Topical Use and Skin Application
Infused oils are ready to use straight from the bottle. Because they’re already diluted in a carrier oil, you can apply them generously for massage, use them in a body care routine, or add a spoonful to a bath. The texture is smooth and nourishing, and the scent is soft rather than sharp.
Essential oils require dilution before they touch skin. Because they’re so concentrated, using them undiluted can cause irritation. The standard practice is to blend a few drops into a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond, or fractionated coconut oil) before application. See [LINK: dilution guide] for safe dilution ratios.
A note on safety: if you’re pregnant, nursing, or buying for very young children, check with a qualified professional before using essential oils topically. Our [LINK: essential oil safety guide] covers the basics in more detail.
Using Them Together
Infused oils and essential oils work beautifully in combination. An infused oil can serve as a specialized carrier oil, adding its own gentle character to a blend while the essential oil contributes concentrated fragrance.
A few combinations worth trying:
Calendula-infused oil + lavender essential oil: a gentle, soft-scented body oil perfect for an evening wind-down.
Rosemary-infused oil + sweet orange essential oil: bright and herbal, lovely as a hair oil for ends or a pre-wash treatment.
Jojoba infused with dried lavender + a drop of cedarwood essential oil: warm and cozy, wonderful as a massage oil.
When blending, remember that the essential oil still needs to be within a safe dilution range, even when the carrier is an infused oil rather than a plain one. The infused oil counts as your carrier.
When to Reach for Each One
Choose essential oils when you want to…
- Scent a room with a diffuser
- Create a room spray or linen spray
- Add fragrance to DIY candles or wax melts
- Build a custom aromatic blend
- Add scent to an unscented lotion, soap, or body product
- Body oils or salts – always diluted in a carrier.
Choose infused oils when you want to…
- Apply oil directly to skin without any additional mixing
- Use something generous and gentle in a massage
- Add a spoonful of plant-y richness to a bath
- Make a balm, salve, or body butter with a soft botanical character
- Have an easy, beginner-friendly starting point for DIY body care
Essential Oils Vs. Infused Oils: Common Misconceptions
Infused oils are just diluted essential oils
They’re not. Both oils are made through entirely different processes, using different equipment (or none at all), with different results.
You can’t create an infused oil by simply diluting an essential oil, and you can’t create an essential oil by concentrating an infused oil. These are two distinct products.
Essential oils and infused oils can be used interchangeably
No, they cannot. Swapping one for the other in a recipe will give you a very different result. They serve different purposes and should be used accordingly.
Using essential oils where a recipe calls for infused oils could result in skin irritation or an overpowering scent. Conversely, using infused oils where essential oils are specified won’t give you the aromatic intensity the recipe intends.
All plant oils are basically the same.
Essential oils, infused oils, and plain carrier oils are three distinct types of oils. Each has its own production method, characteristics, and best uses. Grouping them all together as “plant oils” misses the nuance that makes each type special.
Watch out for marketing blur.
Some products are labeled in ways that make them easy to confuse — for instance, “essential oil blends” that are actually essential oils pre-diluted in a carrier, or “infused oils” that are just carrier oils with essential oil added. Reading ingredient lists carefully helps you understand exactly what you’re buying.
Building a Simple Collection
Essential oils to start with
If you’re just beginning your essential oil journey, start with these versatile favorites:
- Lavender: The most popular essential oil for good reason, lavender is gentle, versatile, and has a universally appealing floral scent that works well in almost any blend.
- Peppermint: Crisp, refreshing, and energizing, peppermint essential oil is perfect for morning diffusing or adding to focus blends.
- Lemon: Bright, clean, and uplifting, lemon essential oil is a kitchen and cleaning favorite that blends beautifully with almost all oils.
- Tea Tree: Distinctive and herbaceous, it’s a popular choice for skincare blends and household applications.
- Eucalyptus: Cool and airy, eucalyptus essential oil is wonderful for creating a spa-like atmosphere.
These five give you a solid foundation for experimentation and will serve you well in countless applications.
Plant Therapy offers quality essential oils at approachable prices. It’s a good place to start building your collection.
Infused oils to start with
For infused oils, consider starting with:
- Lavender-infused oil: Lavender-infused oil is soft and floral, with a gentle herbal quality that makes it a natural first choice for body oils and balms.
- Rose-infused oil: Delicate and subtly sweet, rose-infused oil adds a touch of feminine luxury to DIY facial oils, body butters, and other self-care products.
- Calendula-infused oil: Warm and golden, with a faint grassy scent, calendula-infused oil is a staple in DIY body care and one of the most popular choices for beginners.
- Chamomile-infused oil: Soft and faintly apple-sweet, chamomile is wonderful in balms and gentle skin care recipes.
- Dandelion-infused oil: Cheerful and earthy, dandelion-infused oil is made from a backyard flower that’s easy to forage and surprisingly satisfying to work with.
Making your own is very satisfying and more economical than buying. See the [LINK: how to make infused oils post] for a full step-by-step guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply essential oils directly to my skin like infused oils?
No, essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil before skin contact because of their concentration. Infused oils are already diluted and can be applied directly. See the dilution guide for safe ratios.
Can I use an infused oil in my diffuser?
No, infused oils are not suited to diffusers. The carrier oil base doesn’t disperse into the air the way essential oil molecules do. Diffusers are designed specifically for essential oils.
Do infused oils smell as strongly as essential oils?
No, they don’t. Infused oils carry a subtle, close-to-the-skin scent. If you want something that fills a room, essential oils are the right choice for that.
Can I make essential oils at home?
Not in any practical sense. True steam distillation requires professional equipment, and the yields from a small home still are tiny. Most people find it far more practical to buy quality essential oils from a trusted supplier.
Can I make infused oils at home?
Yes, easily. All you need is dried plant material, a carrier oil, a clean jar, and some patience.
Are infused oils better for beginners than essential oils?
They’re more forgiving – no dilution needed, no risk of using too much. That said, many beginners start with both: essential oils for diffusing and infused oils for body care. Starting small with either is always a good idea.
Can I combine infused oils and essential oils in the same recipe?
Yes, and the results can be lovely. Use the infused oil as your carrier, then add your essential oil at the appropriate dilution. The infused oil counts as the carrier for dilution purposes.
Creating a Balanced Collection of Essential Oils and Infused Oils
Infused oils and essential oils each have their own character and their own place in an aromatherapy practice. Essential oils bring concentrated, room-filling fragrance and an incredible range of aromas. Infused oils are gentle, ready to use, and quietly beautiful in their own way.
Neither is better. They’re just different. Knowing what each one is, how it’s made, and what it’s suited for means you can use both with confidence and get the results you’re actually looking for.
Essential oils and infused oils each have their unique place in a wellness-focused lifestyle. Essential oils bring concentrated aromatic power, perfect for diffusing, creating custom blends, and adding fragrance to your creations. Infused oils offer gentle, ready-to-use applications that work beautifully for massage, body care, and culinary adventures.
Neither is better than the other. They are simply different tools for different purposes. Understanding these differences empowers you to make informed choices, create more successful DIY projects, and use each type safely and effectively.
