Essential Oil Quality

What Are You Really Buying?

Today, essential oils are more accessible than ever. Essential oils are a wonderful way to support your wellness at home, brighten a room, to ease stress, and so much more. However, not all oils are created equal. Understanding what you are purchasing is crucial for ensuring safety and effectiveness.

The Importance of Purity

A pure essential oil comes from the plant itself, distilled or expressed without additives. If you are planning on using essential oils for personal care, skin care, lip balm, or aromatherapy, then prioritize purity. If you are planning on making candles or wash off products, then fragrance oils may be an option to consider.

Adulteration is, unfortunately, common in the essential oil market. Some oils are diluted with carrier oils, solvents, are extended with synthetic compounds, or even substituted with cheaper oils entirely. For example, lavender, one of the most widely used essential oils, is often extended with lavandin (a less expensive relative) or synthetic linalool and linalyl acetate. While it may smell pleasant, the chemical profile that gives lavender its intended soothing and beneficial qualities can be compromised. Tea tree oil is another example; when substituted with other Melaleuca species, it lacks the properties that make tea tree valuable for skin and household use.

Using adulterated oils is not just about losing effectiveness. Some additives, like solvents, propylene glycol, or undisclosed synthetics, can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Quality truly matters.

Packaging & Storage

Essential oils are delicate; light and heat can degrade their quality over time. That is why oils should be sold in dark (amber or cobalt blue) glass bottles, with child-resistant caps, and an orifice reducer for safe dispensing by the drop. Even high-quality oils will lose effectiveness if stored improperly. Keep your oils in a cool, dark place, and pay attention to their shelf life.

Typical shelf life by oil type:

• Citrus oils like lemon or orange tend to be more fragile, often lasting about 2 years

• Leaf and needle oils like peppermint, thyme, spruce, and fir last about 4-5 years

• Heavier oils like patchouli, cedarwood, and myrrh can remain stable for 8 or more years

What to Look for on the Label

Quality essential oils should have clear labeling, including:

• Botanical name (Genus and species)

• Country of origin (if not on the label, it should be listed on the website)

• Plant part used (if not on the label, it should be listed on the website)

• Extraction method (if not on the label, it should be listed on the website)

• Batch number

Clear labeling indicates transparency and traceability. If a company cannot provide this information, it is a concerning warning sign, such companies may be unreliable and selling adulterated oils.

Understanding Testing Methods

High-quality essential oils are tested to verify their purity and chemical composition. The most common test is GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). This test identifies and quantifies the chemical constituents in an oil. For example, true Lavandula angustifolia contains an expected percentage range of linalool and linalyl acetate; if these levels are off, the oil may be adulterated. While the details of testing may seem technical, the key point is this: a reputable company will make this information available for every batch, so you know what you are buying.

Price vs. Quality

Pure essential oils are not cheap, and for good reason. It can take a large quantity of plant material to produce even a small amount of oil.

For example:

• Rose otto: about 50,000 rose blossoms for one ounce

• Sweet orange: roughly 50 oranges for one ounce

When an oil is priced unrealistically low compared to what it takes to produce it, that is a red flag. A low price is a good clue that the oil is diluted or synthetic. That said, quality does not always mean the most expensive. It means the oil is pure, correctly distilled, tested, and stored properly. Investing in a few, high-quality oils is better than owning a large collection of questionable products.

Average price of a 5ml bottle of common oils:

Lemon (Citrus limon): $6.50

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): $8.00

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): $8.00

Rose otto (Rosa damascena): $185.00

Practical Recommendations for Purchasing

To ensure you are buying quality essential oils:

• Research the company: choose companies with a reputation for transparency and quality

• Check for testing reports: review their GC-MS reports to verify purity

• Examine the label and website: ensure that all necessary information is available

• Be cautious of low prices: extremely low prices can be a red flag for adulteration

Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils

When looking for essential oils, you will frequently come across fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are not interchangeable with essential oils as fragrance oils are synthetic or partially synthetic scents designed to mimic natural scents like lavender, vanilla, or even pumpkin spice. While fragrance oils may be tempting due to their lower cost, they come with significant limitations and safety concerns.

Limitations of Fragrance Oils

• No Therapeutic Benefits: they lack the beneficial natural compounds of essential oils

• Synthetic Composition: including phthalates, parabens, or undisclosed compounds which can be irritating to the skin or respiratory system, particularly for children, pregnant women, or those with allergies or asthma

• Potential Health Risks: studies suggest that fragrance oils in candles or sprays can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene or formaldehyde, which may lead to respiratory irritation or headaches in sensitive individuals

• Lack of Transparency: fragrance oil formulations are often proprietary, meaning you may not know what chemicals you are exposing yourself to

When Are Fragrance Oils Acceptable?

Fragrance oils can have a place in non-therapeutic applications, but only when used carefully:

• Candles: fragrance oils formulated for candle-making (e.g., phthalate-free, International Fragrance Association-compliant) can be safe when burned in well-ventilated spaces for short periods when made with natural waxes (soy, beeswax) and lead-free wicks to minimize harmful emissions

• Rinse-Off Products: for soaps or body washes, fragrance oils are generally safe due to brief skin contact, provided they are labeled “skin-safe” and comply with safety standards

Yet, even in these cases, fragrance oils should be sourced from reputable suppliers with clear safety data (e.g., safety data sheets or IFRA compliance). If your budget allows, err on the side of safety and choose essential oils over fragrance oils.

Common Adulterated Oils

• Lavender: watch for lavandin or synthetic linalool

• Rose: often diluted with geranium or synthetic components

• Tea Tree: may be substituted with other Melaleuca species

• Neroli: can be extended with petitgrain or solvents

• Frankincense: sometimes mixed with cheaper Boswellia species

• Sandalwood: replaced with Australian sandalwood or synthetic santalol

Sometimes companies offer combination products as a way to allow customers to experience expensive oils at a lower cost, such as rose and geranium, or neroli and petitgrain. As long as the company is upfront about it and there are no other red flags, there is no reason to be concerned about this practice.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing essential oils is an investment in your home and wellness, and like any investment, it deserves careful consideration. The difference between a pure, properly sourced essential oil and an adulterated product can mean the difference between therapeutic benefit and wasted money, or worse, potential harm. By prioritizing purity, transparency, and proper testing, you can make informed, healthy choices.

Start small with a few high-quality oils from reputable sources. Learn to read labels, ask questions, and trust your instincts when prices seem too good to be true. Your nose, your skin, and your overall well-being will thank you for choosing quality over quantity.