Frequently asked questions

Essential oils are ingredients. Fragrance oils are finished blends. An essential oil is extracted from a single plant; a fragrance oil combines multiple aromatic materials — natural and synthetic — into a complete, performance-tested composition. Our fragrance oils are all finished blends, ready to be used in any product — we do not sell ingredients, raw materials, or single note scents. For more, read The Dark Side of Essential Oils.

Yes. In the professional fragrance industry, large companies make a unique formula for every SKU — but for smaller brands that doesn't make sense, so you want one oil that works in as many SKUs as possible. Each Stock Fragrance oil is formulated to perform across categories — from candles to soap to body care — at the IFRA-approved dosage for each product type, listed on every product page.

Final dosage depends on three things: how much fragrance your product can physically hold, the IFRA guidelines (posted on each fragrance page) for your product category, and personal preference — some prefer a subtle scent, others want a strong throw. Our fragrance oil calculator does the math by container size, dosage %, and quantity.

We offer all our catalog oils by the ounce or pound — order as much or as little as you need. There's no minimum order quantity. Custom development services (Private Stock and Bespoke Fragrance) and specialty conversions (water-soluble, microencapsulation) have separate minimums.

We recommend ordering a Discovery Set before purchasing oil. Smelling samples should be used to evaluate character only — not display, strength, or performance. Those have to be evaluated in product, never out of the bottle. Once you've narrowed your shortlist, order 1 oz samples to test in your actual base before scaling to pound-volume.

Yes — when properly diluted in a finished product. Stock Fragrance oils are concentrated formulations; they are not meant to be applied directly to skin or used neat. They must be diluted into a finished product at the appropriate dosage. Refer to the IFRA documentation posted on each fragrance page for maximum-use levels by product category. Each oil's IFRA Regulatory Data Sheet lists the safe-use level for personal care, perfume, body care, and other skin-contact categories — along with a separate Allergen Statement listing any of the 26 EU-listed fragrance allergens present at trace levels.

Fragrance documentation can be viewed and downloaded directly from the 'Documentation' tab on each fragrance page. Standard documents include the SDS (Safety Data Sheet), IFRA 51 Regulatory Data Sheet, Allergen Statement, California Prop 65 Statement, Natural & Synthetic Breakdown, and Biodegradability Statement — available as direct PDF downloads. No account, no sales call. If you need something else, request it via our Document Request form.

All of our formulas are designed and written by Cécile Hua based on her 20+ years as a professional perfumer in fine fragrance and consumer products. Cécile holds a Master's in Chemistry, graduated from the invitation-only Givaudan-Roure Perfumery School in Grasse, and is a 2020 Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame Finalist. Stock Fragrance is her creative playground to share her olfactive ideas and inspirations.

IFRA (the International Fragrance Association) is the global governing body for fragrance safety and regulation. Their guidelines are voluntary and based on exposure (skin contact) to allergens present in the formula, which is why category limits change based on product type. IFRA updates its standards roughly every two years; the current version is the 51st Amendment, with usage limits across 12 product categories from fine fragrance to household cleaning.

The 'official' shelf life of fragrance oil is 1 year from production, but they typically last much longer when stored properly — away from light, temperature change, and air. Oxidation is the main degradation mechanism: minimize headspace in containers, use amber or dark glass, and keep storage cool and stable. As long as the oil is visually and olfactively in spec (per its Certificate of Analysis), it can be used.

Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to ignite when exposed to a flame or spark. For fragrance oils, this matters in three places: transport and storage safety (hazmat shipping classification), manufacturing processes that use heat (hot-pour candle wax, encapsulation), and finished candles (to avoid flashover during burning). We generally keep all our oils' flashpoints above 140°F (60°C).

Yes. Beyond our ready-to-use catalog, we offer two custom services: Private Stock Fragrance (technical adjustments to an existing Stock Fragrance formula) and Bespoke Fragrance (a completely new formula built from any inspiration). No dupes, no types, no exceptions. Learn about Fragrance Services.

Yes. All Stock Fragrance oils comply with the IFRA 51st Amendment. The IFRA Certificate for each oil is downloadable on its product page and lists maximum usage levels by product category.

Yes. Every Stock Fragrance oil is phthalate-free. We do not use phthalates in any formulation. This claim is substantiated at the per-product level and disclosed on each product page.

For most needs, the documents on each product page are sufficient. For consolidated packages, retailer-specific compliance attestations, or custom documentation formats, use our Document Request form.

"Clean" is a marketing category — not a regulated standard. Different retailers (Sephora, Target, Credo) maintain their own "clean" criteria with different excluded-ingredient lists. A certified fragrance is one that meets a specific, audited standard (EPA Safer Choice, EWG Verified, ECOCERT, ISO 9235, etc.). At Stock Fragrance we work with both, but always anchor claims to the specific standard that backs them.

ISO 9235 is the global standard for aromatic natural raw materials in perfumery. It defines exactly what materials qualify as 'natural' — those derived from plants through physical processes only (distillation, extraction, expression, cold-pressing), without chemical modification. When a fragrance is certified as 'plant-based' under ISO 9235, it means the formula is built entirely from materials that meet this definition. It's not the same as 'organic' or 'biodegradable' — those are separate standards.

Our prices are based directly on the materials used in the formulation. As a point of reference, some of our ingredients — like rose and iris — are worth more than their weight in gold. Quality ingredients cost more, and we use the best materials possible so we can make the best-smelling, best-performing fragrance oils. That said, we work to provide the best price possible across a wide range of budgets.

No. All Stock Fragrance oils are proprietary, finished blends designed exclusively by Cécile Hua and the Stock Fragrance team. We do not sell single-note materials, raw ingredients, or isolates.

Yes. Our Private Stock Fragrance service modifies an existing Stock Fragrance formula to meet specific requirements — combining olfactive profiles, adjusting flashpoint, customizing IFRA maximums for a target category, enhancing performance in a specific base (laundry, hot/cold candle throw, reed diffuser), or hitting a target cost. For a fragrance built from scratch instead, see Bespoke Fragrance. Both services are detailed on the Fragrance Services page.

We respect other people's work too much to copy it and call it our own. That's olfactive plagiarism. Every Stock Fragrance oil is original. No dupes. No types. No gimmicks.

We work with one of the largest fragrance manufacturers in the world — a family-owned company in business since 1871, now in its 5th generation. Their scale, capability, and quality systems bring world-class consistency and supply continuity to our production.

Our fragrance oils are blended, quality-controlled, and shipped from our New Jersey facility. Global production capability is available at scale, subject to volume requirements.

Our quality control is some of the strictest in the industry. Every batch is matched against the reference formula and certified against ingredient and final-blend specifications before shipment.

We offer USPS, FedEx, and UPS — domestic and international. For larger orders, we can ship via your freight forwarder or shipping account. Free standard US shipping on all orders over $100. VIP members receive free US shipping on every order plus complimentary shipping upgrades.

All fragrance oils ship in U.N.-approved containers designed to protect the oil from light, moisture, and oxygen during transport and storage. Standard packaging maintains formula integrity from our New Jersey facility to your dock.

All prices posted on our website are based on the cost of the ingredients used in the formula, and are the best available at any quantity — we don't punish lower volumes with higher prices. Our VIP program offers tiered discounts for higher-volume purchases.

Annual spend is calculated on a 12-month rolling basis, recalculated daily.

Any order placed on your Stock Fragrance account.

No. Free shipping applies to domestic US orders only.

Yes. Once you register, all orders associated with your account email will show up and count toward your VIP eligibility.

If you drop below a threshold, you'll be downgraded or lose status. Once you come back over the threshold, you qualify again automatically — you don't have to start over.

We don't have a way to display your running total yet — log into your account to see your orders over the past 12 months and where you stand.

Yes, for VVVIP members only. We offer NET 15 or NET 30 payment terms.

Yes — totals are calculated by account email address. Multiple users on the same email share one VIP tier.

No. VIP discounts and benefits do not apply to any custom oils.

Yes. Let us know in advance, before placing the order.

No. Natural materials can contain allergens and CMRs. Safety depends on concentration, exposure, and formulation — not origin.

Regulatory bodies update restrictions at different speeds and use different evaluation frameworks. For example, the EU often adjusts ingredient lists more frequently than the U.S.

Yes, but many essential oils contain naturally occurring allergens and may not meet biodegradability benchmarks. Natural does not automatically mean safer or more sustainable.

It starts with a consultation to discuss your project and confirm it's a good fit; if you proceed, your consultation fee is credited toward the project. From there you reserve your place, submit a brief, and we formulate and present submissions until you approve. You bring the inspiration and direction; the perfumer makes the creative and technical calls.

No — meeting in person isn't required. We work with clients around the world and ship samples anywhere; consultations and reviews happen by phone or video.

Every project is unique, but a Bespoke fragrance typically takes at least six months from first consultation to an approved formula. Private Stock is usually faster, depending on our current project load.

No — and that's the point. You bring the vision and context; the perfumer makes the creative and technical calls. That's how you end up with a fragrance that's genuinely yours.

No — we don't transfer or disclose our formulas (this is industry standard). You get exclusive access to the finished oil: it's made only for you, available to order anytime through a private, password-protected link.

The design fee is separate from the oil itself, and the oil budget is set by you before formulation begins. For Private Stock it starts at the current price of the oil you're customizing; for Bespoke you set the budget. Our Fragrance Oil Calculator can help you plan.

Yes — all custom oils are subject to production minimums, which vary by formula. If a run is larger than you need right away, we can hold the extra in storage and ship it as you go.

Standard production lead time is 10–14 business days, subject to raw-material availability.

Yes — certification and compliance targets are part of the brief (EPA Safer Choice, IFRA, plant-based/ISO 9235, Clean at Sephora, retailer or regional standards). See our certification list.

Yes. All project information is treated as confidential, and we're happy to sign an NDA if you'd like one.

Nothing to prepare in advance — just your ideas. We'll talk through them in a consultation to determine whether the project is a good fit, and take it from there.

Enter your oil's price per pound and the calculator shows what the fragrance will cost — per item and for the whole batch. Leave it blank to just see how much oil you need.

Yes. Overloading can cause stability issues and make products unsafe. The calculator is only meant to determine how much fragrance oil is needed for production.

All of our fragrances are finished blends and not meant to be mixed or altered. Blending oils will void all safety and regulatory documentation, as these are formula-specific.

Typically by weight, since the density of oils can vary.

Total oil needed is based on dosage, container size, and number of units — and don't forget a little extra for waste.

Yes. Testing is always necessary and an essential part of production for final product performance, evaluation, and stability.

A Stock Fragrance oil can carry up to 25+ verified compliance attributes depending on its formulation — including EPA Safer Choice, ISO 9235 (plant-based), ECOCERT, IFRA 51, Clean at Sephora, Target Clean, Credo Clean, Made in USA, Hypoallergenic, Biodegradable (>90%), and ingredient-exclusion claims for phthalates, parabens, BHT, lilial, PEG, PFAS, CMR substances, PBT substances, non-GMO, gluten-free, and cruelty-free / vegan formulations. The full list per oil is on every product page Documentation tab.

Independently verified. EPA Safer Choice is a US federal certification administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. ECOCERT is an independent certifier with global standing. ISO 9235 is an international standard. Clean at Sephora and Target Clean are retailer-administered programs with public criteria. IFRA 51 is the International Fragrance Association's safety standard. Every claim on a Stock Fragrance oil is traceable to the issuing body and the audit documentation.

Certifications are typically issued at the finished-product level, so we don't certify oils. What we do is pre-screen each formula against the certification's published criteria to ensure it will pass should you choose to certify your product. "Compliant" on our certifications page means exactly that: the oil has been verified against the standard's criteria, so the fragrance won't be the reason a product-level certification fails.

That's really up to what matters most to your brand. Every certification measures something different, and the same oil can pass one and fail another — so there's no universal ranking. Choose the standards that matter most for your positioning, your retail channel, and your market, then select oils verified against those.

No — if the oil passes against a certification's criteria now, it will pass in your product. The one exception is when the certification itself changes its criteria, which happens often. Certification standards are a constantly moving target — which is why compliance is verified against the current edition of each standard.

It depends on the change. Some updates are minor; others would make it impossible to keep an oil's olfactive character using different ingredients. We formulate to the olfactive character first — so when a standard changes, what still passes, passes, and what doesn't, doesn't: the oil's compliance list is updated rather than its scent. If your finished product is already certified, check with the issuing body on how it treats existing certifications when criteria change.

Most certifications operate on annual or biennial renewal cycles, and criteria change often — IFRA's amendments are roughly biennial, and retailer lists update on their own schedules. Regulatory requirements are constantly changing, so always check the current documentation on the product page (or ask us) before relying on a claim.

No — our checks are free. Pre-screening is built into how we formulate, and compliance documentation is posted on each product page at no charge. Certifying your finished product is a different matter: issuing bodies charge for product-level certification, sometimes a lot, so factor that into your plans.

Check with the issuer. Some standards are international (ISO 9235, IFRA), while others are tied to a specific market or regulator (EPA Safer Choice, California Prop 65). Whether a claim carries weight in another market is the issuing body's call — confirm with them before relying on it for export.

Both. Stock Fragrance oils are produced exclusively at a family-owned facility in business since 1871 — now in its 5th generation. The manufacturer holds facility-level certifications (ISO 9001, GMP, etc.) and our formulas are independently verified against the cert criteria for each oil. The combination means both the substance and the process are documented.

Tell us. Our certifications page covers the most commonly requested certifications, but Cécile and our team work with regional, retailer-specific, and industry-vertical certifications all the time. Use the Document Request form or book a consultation, and we'll confirm whether your specific cert is achievable for a given formula or with a custom development.

Generally, the price for a water-soluble version of one of our oils is the same per-pound price as the oil.

No. Water-soluble fragrances are available by special order only and are subject to production minimums. Please inquire for details.

Yes — we will always achieve the closest match possible to the original olfactive profile.

No — not the same at all. Water-soluble fragrance is meant for very specific applications such as water-based reed diffusers, laundry, or any product that might require 'shake and use.' The final dilution ratio is typically around 1:1 fragrance to water.

Most products are water-based, and our standard fragrance oils work fine in them (laundry, surface cleaners). Water-soluble is typically used for concentrates and for products where the consumer adds the product directly to water and needs it to solubilize immediately.

Production minimums are formula-specific and can range from 25 to 100+ lbs, depending on the fragrance. Water-soluble lead times are also extended — typically 8–12 weeks to allow for proper QC.

No — certifications do not carry over automatically. All certifications would need to be re-run for the water-soluble version, and re-certification is not guaranteed.

Standard shelf life is 12 months from production, and we recommend using it within this time frame. Water-soluble concentrates are not as shelf-stable as fragrance oil, which keeps longer in its anhydrous (water-free) environment.

Yes. Our water-soluble fragrances are formulated to be biodegradable and septic-safe. They break down naturally in wastewater treatment systems and do not contain harsh solvents or persistent chemicals. This makes them an environmentally responsible choice for household and commercial cleaning products.