To try and define Aromatherapy Oils it will be necessary to explain some of these other terms (many of the oils and processes described below may also be relevant to the perfume , soap making, household cleaning products and food production industries but in general I have tried to describe what these terms mean in the production of Aromatherapy oils)

Essential Oils: -
This is where it all starts from. Essential Oils (sometimes referred to as Volatile Oils or Essences) are extracted from leaves, flowers, stems, fruits, roots, bark and other parts of plants grown in many parts of the world. They are produced by the processes of expression or distillation which gives a volatile, sometimes aromatic, substance (generally in liquid form). They generally carry the essence and scent of the plant. Although they have been used for thousands of years they have become more popular with the growth of what is now known as Aromatherapy. Generally Essential Oils are very concentrated and are often too strong to use in their “neat” form and require some kind of dilution this is usually achieved by the use of solvents or vegetable based Carrier Oils; there are few that can be diluted using water. There is also controversy about whether Essential Oils can be taken orally; some countries allow it some ban it or at least they highly recommend the practise is not encouraged.

Absolutes: -
Absolutes are sometimes referred to as Essences.
They are however like Essential Oils in that they are concentrated,
aromatic, oily mixtures extracted from plants. Most Essential Oils are
produced by steam distillation; this method of extraction can often be too
strong for more delicate flowers and plant materials resulting in the
possible loss of the often delicate fragrances. The production of absolutes
usually relies on either solvent extraction techniques or through
enfleurage.
Enfleurage involves placing the plant materials on fat which over a period
of days absorbs and becomes saturated with the fragrance producing a
“Pomade”
Solvent extraction involves a solvent mixture being added to the plant
materials, when the solvent has been fully absorbed the mixture is
distilled leaving a “Concrete”.
The Pomades or Concretes have alcohol to remove the fat. What is left is
distilled to produce the Absolute Oil.
Absolute Oils are usually thicker and stronger than Essential Oils so care
should be taken when used, and they will require dilution.

Carrier Oils: -
Carrier Oils is the term that is used mostly in Aromatherapy to describe these oils but they are sometimes referred to as Vegetable Oils, Base Oils or Fixed Oils, they are oils produced from the fattier parts of the plants (seeds, kernels, nuts).
Because Essential or Absolute Oils are generally very concentrated they will often need diluting and sometimes their aroma may also need diluting or enhancing so Carrier Oils are added. The choice of oil used can affect the final aroma, colour and therapeutic results.
As their name suggests they carry the Essential or Absolute Oil onto the skin thus allowing absorption and avoiding any chance of irritation or reaction.

Fragrance Oils:-
Fragrance Oils are also referred to as Aroma Oils or Aromatic Oils. They are sometimes completely synthetic or Essential Oils that have been diluted with synthetic oils or less commonly vegetable oil based carriers. Many people think the use of Fragrance Oils does not produce an authentic natural Aromatherapy Oil and do not use anything described as “Fragrance Oil “ or “Fragrancers” believing them to mostly synthetic and therefore they do not contain the true essence or therapeutic properties of Essential Oils.

Extended Oils: -
Extended Oils are difficult to define they could be thought of as Essential Oils extended by the use of Carrier Oils but more commonly they are Essential Oils that have been diluted, and therefore their volume increased or extended, by distillers who add synthetics or inferior, cheaper oils.

It can be seen from that the various processes used to produce Aromatherapy Oils and the exact wording used to describe them that care should be taken when buying or using them. Using a recommended and established supplier, seeking the advice of qualified or recognised Aromatherapists and even doing some research through the internet or the many books available could all be sensible actions.

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