If there was personality to smells, oud oil would be so intense and memorable.

This blackish, oily oil is derived from the tree Agarwood, which is a very rare resinous wood that only grows infectively with a certain type of mold. The tree Agarwood does not naturally produce resin and develops it over time ( sometimes up to 20 to 30 years ), making oud oil one of the most time consuming natural products on Earth.

Comparatively to other essential oils available in Pakistan i. e. lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus, oils are extracted from herbs, flowers or peels and are far easier to grow, harvest or process in terms of geographical distribution. Most essential oils are produced year round via steam or cold press extraction methods and are widely used for aromatherapy, skin care and domestic purposes.

But what makes oud oil different from essential oils is not just about the raw material or the process — but everything from the cultural value to the economic importance.

In Pakistan oud oil has a special meaning. So let’s have a look at it’s relation with essential oils.

Oud Oil’s Growing Popularity in Pakistan

Many Pakistani homes don’t have their oud in cupboards; they display it.

As for Eid, nikahs, Friday prayer etc. we usually start with a dab of oud oil behind the ears or on the wrists. It is one of the most traditional perfumes around. Scholars, businessmen all use this fragrance in an attempt to make a first impression.

This is in contrast to the use of essential oils in many other cultures, where essential oils are more commonly used in wellness regimes, such as yoga and spa treatment, while in Pakistan oud oil is widely used in religious purposes, family customs and, sometimes, as a statement of cultural identity.

Also local market has adapted. Oud is increasingly being offered to numerous perfumers and heiresses in Pakistan by adding citrus oils, rose oil, vanilla or citrus in an effort to make the oil wearable. This combo of old and new has put oud oil into regular fashion in Pakistan, not just for mosques and mehndis but also for office meetings and intimate gatherings.

Pakistani perfume brands, such as Saeed Anwar is known for providing authentic oud-based fragrances. These brands have obviously been a huge contributor in making oud more accessible and yet preserving the historic roots.

Extraction Process: Oud Oil vs. Common Essential Oils

Extraction of essential oils is a much easier process compared to the challenges involved in producing oud oil.

Agarwood trees are first infected with a fungus before any oil can be extracted from them. The tree eventually exudes a blackish sap as a consequence of the infection. This process can take decades. The oil is then carefully extracted by taking slow, hot and concentrated steam from the pure wood.

Meanwhile, peppermint and tea tree oils are extracted more easily by using these simple techniques. These oils are extracted relatively quickly and can be sourced from plants that grow throughout the year.

This leaves a significant gap in the amount of work required. A kilogram of agarwood can yield only a few milliliters of oil. On the other hand, lavender farms can produce large amounts of oil during their season. This highlights that oud oil is different from lavender oil due to the effort involved and its scarcity.

This also explains why oud oil commands such high prices in Pakistan. you've to work exceptionally hard to obtain it. The history and expertise of many craftspeople is reflected in every bottle of precious oil.

Comparing Scent Profiles: What Sets Oud Apart?

Smell is powerful. It plays a significant role in how we remember things, feel and view ourselves. So it lingers even after your skin no longer carries the fragrance.

Oud is known for its deep, smoky, masculine and lightly sweet aroma. Its specialty lies in how it transforms and reveals new facets throughout the day. It opens with a powerful statement then fades into something soothing.

Other essential oils tend to have a quicker impact on the senses.

• Lavender: soft, floral, calming
  

• Peppermint: fresh, cool, energizing
  

• Rose: romantic, sweet, light
  

It shows itself dramatically in terms of lasting time and strength. A single drop of oud can stay on your skin for 8 to 12 hours while subtly changing along with your body. Many other essential oils dissipate quickly and don’t evolve as they go away.

it's more than scent alone it weaves a tale. It leaves a lasting impression wherever it's worn or applied.

Oud Oil vs. Essential Oils: Price and Market Differences

Let’s talk numbers, and the difference is massive.

For the same amount, 10ML of lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint oil, you might spend between Rs. 800 and Rs. 1,500. A bottle of the exact volume of pure oud oil in Pakistan however, could cost upwards of Rs. 50,000. Select options within this price range can be even more expensive depending on their origin in countries such as Cambodia, Assam and Vietnam. However there is also a lot of work that goes into creating the concentrated resin from agarwood.

Why is Oud Oil Expensive?

• It can take two to three decades for an agarwood tree to grow and accumulate the resin used to make oud.

• Just a little amount of agarwood can be transformed into oud oil.

• Only a small proportion of the wood can be converted into oud.

• Proficient technique, patience and assessment of the quality are vital during the extraction process.

On the opposite side, essential oils are produced on a large scale. Lavender plantations are planted and reaped on an annual basis. These methods are quicker and provide a more consistent output.

Finding which essential oils cost less in Pakistan is fairly easy. they're inexpensive and accessible, useful for both beauty routines and calming the mind. On the other hand, an oud perfume is typically very rare and special. You don’t use it every day it’s worn only on special occasions or by those who truly value it.

The rise in demand also leads to the increase in production of fake oud. You can find synthetic “oud” purportedly for much lower prices sold by certain retailers and hawkers. To make sure you get real oud oil in Pakistan, consider purchasing it from a reputable brand such as Saeed Anwar.

Scent Profile: Oud Oil vs. Other Popular Essential Oils

A single drop of oud will fill the air in a room and your mind with enduring emotions.

Oud oil has a rich, smoke-like, woody and musky scent. It’s a fragrance with multiple notes that reveal themselves gradually, creating an aroma that lasts on the skin for hours.

I’ll contrast that with some popular essential oils.

• Lavender: Light, floral, and relaxing.
  

• Peppermint: Minty, fresh, and energizing.
  

• Rose: Sweet, romantic, and feminine.
  

Everyone knows these fragrances and they feel comforting. However nothing compares to the richness or staying-power of oud. Most essential oils don’t have a lasting effect on the skin. Oud? It remains on the skin for several hours and transforms with the atmosphere.

Rose holds incredible value but oud exudes strength and power. It’s bold, yet spiritual. You sense a tale through the scent alone. As a result, oud is frequently used in the creation of luxury perfumes worldwide.

In the world of scent, oud doesn’t just stand out, it defines the entire experience.

Spiritual vs. Therapeutic Use: Oud vs. Essential Oils in Pakistan

Aromas in Pakistan are associated with much more than just their fragrance. It becomes intertwined with the ritual, the past and the person.

Oud Oil: Deep Cultural and Spiritual Connection

Oud has been cherished for many generations in communities around the world. Many Pakistanis apply oud oil before heading to mosque, at celebrations and on special occasions. Lit oud is commonly burned in homes and houses of worship. it's believed that the scent cleanses and helps dispel bad influences.

Some Sufi masters and those devoted to spiritual practice have traditionally used oud in their quest for focus and serenity. It helps create an aura that promotes mindfulness and ties people closely to their faith and culture.

Essential Oils: Wellness and Relaxation

Mostly in Pakistan, people use essential oils to address issues related to their health and well-being. Essential oils assist with specific physical symptoms and conditions. Essential oils are incorporated in personal care routine items such as aroma diffusers, body lotions and cleansers.

Instead, the differences simply reflect what you’re hoping to gain from them. Using Oud oil is associated with religion and tradition. Essential oils are used for everyday health and well-being purposes.

Choosing Between Oud and Essential Oils in Pakistan

Your decision should be based on the benefits you want from your oil.

When to Choose Oud:

• Your occasion calls for celebrating faith or culture.

• You're looking for something unique and special to give as a gift.

• You appreciate experiences with strong, long-lasting scents.

• You seek a sense of cultural history or ancestry in the product.
  

When to Choose Essential Oils:

• You’re on a budget and need something affordable for regular use.
  

• You’re buying oils for skincare, haircare, or aromatherapy.
  

• You prefer light, calming, or herbal scents for daily relaxation.
  

Still confused? Start by smelling both. Your nose and your emotions will tell you what resonates more.

Oud Oil Blends: Mixing Tradition with Creativity

While oud is powerful on its own, it also pairs beautifully with other oils, creating complex, balanced scents that last.

Popular Blends:

• Oud + Rose: A classic in attar making, Pakistan circles. Bold and romantic.
  

• Oud + Sandalwood: A warm, grounding duo often used in traditional perfume oils.
  

• Oud + Jasmine: Floral sharpness balanced by oud’s earthy base.
  

In modern perfumery, these combinations are often the heart of luxury fragrances. Even a small amount of oud can anchor lighter oils, giving them strength and longevity.

If you’re experimenting at home, try mixing oud with ylang-ylang, patchouli, or vanilla. But start small, a little oud goes a long way.

Scent with Purpose, Tradition, and Emotion

Oud brand in Pakistan carries a deep cultural and spiritual legacy, perfect for special occasions, prayer, or gifting. Its bold, long-lasting aroma makes a statement. On the other hand, essential oils are ideal for everyday wellness, from skincare to stress relief, with lighter, soothing scents. 

Each has its place, one steeped in tradition, the other rooted in self-care. Whether you seek depth or daily comfort, let your purpose guide you. After all, scent isn’t just what you wear, it’s what you remember.