In a careful process, fragrance designers develop each fragrance oil by selecting the essential oils or other aromatic chemical compounds that blend well together and then by determining the ideal amount of each oil for the particular theme that is intended to be captured for the resultant blend. To illustrate, for a scent inspired by the feeling of spending a sunny summer day at the beach, the ideal aromatic compounds would likely have light, refreshing, and uplifting qualities.

Ingredients that are both artificial and naturally derived commonly go into the production of fragrance oils. Though some fragrance Oils might not necessarily be entirely natural, they can still have the ability to uphold the same quality as essential oils and can sometimes exude stronger, longer-lasting aromas. Fragrance oils can be either 100% synthetic or they can be comprised of up to 80% essential oils.