What are the differences between vegetable oils and essential oils?

Vegetable oils and essential oils both come from nature, but they are very different in terms of composition, origin, method of production and use.

Vegetable oils are fats that nourish and protect the skin, while essential oils are concentrates of volatile substances with therapeutic properties.

Vegetable oil

They are extracted from oleaginous plants such as baobab and sunflower, or from dried fruit, seeds or flowers. They contain vitamins and fatty acids, and have nutritive, protective, softening and regenerative properties that are beneficial for the skin. They can be used or eaten pure. They can also be used as a base for diluting essential oils.

Essential oil

They are obtained from the flowers, stems, roots or leaves of plants, often by distillation. Their therapeutic properties (toning, digestive, soothing, etc.) vary according to their origin. They generally need to be diluted, for example in a vegetable oil, and can also be inhaled. Care must be taken, however, as there are contraindications to the use of essential oils, as some of their chemical components can be dangerous.

To find out more: The difference between vegetable oils and essential oils