Lip balm flavours and fragrance oils may look similar at first glance, but they differ in who regulates them, how they are made and what they are suited to. Do you know how lip balm flavours differ from fragrance oils?
About this article
The article was prepared for you by Martina Oboňová. In it we will go through which body oversees lip balm flavours and which oversees fragrance oils, how both are made, where you can use them and why flavours are the right choice for the lips, while fragrance oils are the better option for candles.
The main differences in brief
- Different oversight
Lip balm flavours fall under the control of the FDA, fragrance oils under the control of the IFRA.
- Safe for the lips
The ingredients contained in flavours are approved and considered GRAS, that is, generally recognized as safe. Fragrance oils are usually not suitable for use in cosmetics applied to the lips.
- Clean composition of the flavours
They are phthalate-free, and do not contain gluten, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde-releasing substances.
- Stronger scent of fragrance oils
Lip balm flavours usually do not have such a strong intensity as fragrance oils, so use fragrance oils rather than flavours in candles.
- No animal testing
None of the fragrances are tested on animals.
Properties in brief
Lip balm flavours
Lip balm flavours are a cosmetic ingredient that falls under the control of the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), not IFRA, because they are used in products that can be ingested by the body, albeit not consciously, but for example with lip balms or lipsticks this cannot be avoided. The ingredients contained in flavours are approved by this authority and considered GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe, in translation: considered to be generally recognized as safe).
Apart from probably the most standard use in balms, lipsticks or lip glosses, you can also use flavours as an ingredient in massage oils, body sprays, perfumes or in bath products for yourself or even for your furry pets. They are phthalate-free, and do not contain gluten, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde-releasing substances.
Lip balm flavours do smell, but they do not taste. You may perceive a certain taste only in those flavours to which a sweetener is added. Our flavours are produced using distilled fractionated coconut oil, which serves as a solvent to release the fragrance.
Lip balm flavours usually do not have such a strong intensity as fragrance oils, therefore use fragrance oils rather than flavours in candles.
On the other hand, however, they are a more frequent choice in products for pets, as they are considered safer.
Fragrance oils
Fragrance oils fall under the control of the IFRA (International Fragrance Association).
These are usually not suitable for use in cosmetics applied to the lips. You can find this out very easily — in the “Downloads” section for each fragrance oil we provide the IFRA document, which states the maximum usage level for given types of products (this concerns either Class 1.A or Class 1).
These fragrances are produced using solvents which ensure better fragrance release than in the case of flavours. They are therefore suitable for use in soaps and cosmetic products such as creams, lotions, shampoos and shower gels, fizzing bath bombs, perfumes, as well as in aroma lamps, potpourri, incense sticks, or in candles (note: potpourri are wicker baskets or wooden bowls filled with dried flowers, leaves or spices in a mixture with a pleasant fragrance of oils).
And one more important piece of information for us — none of the fragrances are tested on animals. We carefully select the best for you and therefore there really are not few fragrance oils on our e-shop that will impress you not only with their name but mainly with their scent.
Comparison: flavours vs. fragrance oils
| Criterion | Lip balm flavours | Fragrance oils |
|---|---|---|
| Oversight | FDA | IFRA |
| Use on the lips | balms, lipsticks and lip glosses | usually not suitable |
| How they are made | using distilled fractionated coconut oil | using solvents with better fragrance release |
| Fragrance intensity | usually lower | higher |
| Candles | rather not | yes, the recommended choice |
| Products for pets | a more frequent choice, considered safer | — |
| Animal testing | not tested | not tested |
Frequently asked questions about flavours and fragrance oils
Practical questions about lip balm flavours and fragrance oils — who oversees them, what they are suited to and what the GRAS designation means.
How do lip balm flavours differ from fragrance oils?
Lip balm flavours fall under the control of the FDA, because they are used in products that can be ingested by the body. Fragrance oils fall under the control of the IFRA and are usually not suitable for use in cosmetics applied to the lips.
What does the GRAS designation mean?
GRAS is short for Generally Recognized As Safe, in translation considered to be generally recognized as safe. The ingredients contained in flavours are approved by the FDA and considered GRAS.
Do lip balm flavours have a taste?
Lip balm flavours do smell, but they do not taste. You may perceive a certain taste only in those flavours to which a sweetener is added.
Which fragrances should you use in candles?
Lip balm flavours usually do not have such a strong intensity as fragrance oils, therefore use fragrance oils rather than flavours in candles. Fragrance oils are also suitable for soaps, creams, lotions, shampoos and shower gels, fizzing bath bombs, perfumes, aroma lamps, potpourri and incense sticks.
Where can I find the maximum usage level of a fragrance oil?
In the “Downloads” section for each fragrance oil we provide the IFRA document, which states the maximum usage level for given types of products (this concerns either Class 1.A or Class 1).
Are the fragrances tested on animals?
No. None of the fragrances are tested on animals. Lip balm flavours are moreover a more frequent choice in products for pets, as they are considered safer.
You will find flavours and fragrances for balms, fragrance oils and essential oils in the Handymade range of colourants and fragrances.
