Are Functional Fragrance and Aromatherapy the Same Thing? Read This to Find Out

Fragrance has undergone some major changes over the years. It is not the simple beauty category it used to be. Today, it encompasses much more than the traditional perfume and Eau de Toilette that you grew up knowing and using and has spilled over into the realm of self-care and wellness. Brands, including essential oil perfume brands, are starting to tap into the ever-growing popularity of essential oils and aromatherapy to create what is known as functional fragrance. But is it? And is it the same thing as aromatherapy? Let’s find out.

What is aromatherapy?

At its most basic level, aromatherapy is the practice of using scent to promote overall well-being. It is an integrative wellness practice. It involves breathing an aromatherapy product like an essential oil or applying it topically to the skin, which results in the physical aromatic plant molecules entering our body through our bloodstream. The same molecules also affect that part of our mind which controls our physiological, emotional, and psychological responses. This is why aromatherapy is used as an alternative treatment to alleviate stress and anxiety, and to trigger specific neurological responses that can help improve our physical and mental health. In a way, aromatherapy is a type of functional fragrance because essential oils are proving to be beneficial for providing symptomatic relief from common issues like insomnia and depression. 

What is functional fragrance?

Several natural perfume brands have launched their functional fragrance lines, which are designed to boost your mood, relax your mind, energize, improve sleep, balance your emotions, and so on. But it is not aromatherapy. Functional fragrance is simply a scent that has a planned effect. These scents are formulated to elicit a certain emotional or psychological response. It could be a rose-scented perfume that takes you back to your childhood home or the scent of myrrh that reminds you of the happy memories with your grandparents.

Organic essential oil-based perfumes offer the benefits of both functional fragrance and aromatherapy. You can also find water-based perfume brands that fit the bill. They do not use any synthetic ingredients like petroleum, aldehydes, and other allergens that can cause adverse reactions. This makes them the perfect alternative to conventional perfumes.