HOW TO CHOOSE REPUTABLE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPANY?
Today, there are hundreds of essential oils companies on the market. As you start your aromatic adventure, it is tough to figure out where should you start and which company to choose. No wonder that the global industry value worth over 6 billion.
I would like to share 9 simple ways that will help you to choose a reputable oil brand:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. ASK YOUR FRIEND/GET A REFERRAL: Just start simple – ask your friends who are currently using essential oils; however, do not let MLM propaganda get in the way. You do not want to ask a person who sells oils as part of his/her business.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. PRICE: The low price does not always mean low quality; however, everything should be logical. If you see 100% pure Rose Otto essential oil for $45.00 – it might be contaminated or diluted in carrier oil. Rose Otto is one of the most expensive oils, so it cannot be so cheap. If you see Sweet Orange (10ml) for $18.00 – it is way too expensive. Usually, MLM companies are so overpriced to cover their multilevel scheme. Always check several suppliers. Compare the prices!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The price of the essential oil depends on how much raw material was spent and how much oil can be produced from the raw material. You also need to consider whether it is possible to use the entire plant, such as Peppermint or only a particular part of the plant. A good example would be an orange tree. From the leaves and twigs, we get Petitgrain; from the fruits of the tree (more precisely from the peel of the fruit) we get Orange oil, and from the flowers - Neroli oil. A lot of oils can be obtained from the peel of the orange, and accordingly, the price will not be high. From the leaves and twigs, you can get a little bit less, but still, the price will be a bit higher. The oil from the flowers will be the most expensive one because the petals of the flower are very delicate, thin and small in size!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I found an example on the Amazon website: a set of 18 oils for only $27.00. I can say that either the oil is diluted with the carrier oil or adulterated. Not expensive oils like Lemon, Orange, or Bergamot will not cost so cheap. Deadly cheap!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. PACKAGING: Undiluted, pure essential oils always have to be stored in dark-coloured glass – usually dark brown glass bottles. I've seen a lot of excellent packaging; however, when it comes to quality, it should be dark-coloured brown glass.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
4. LABELLING: Look at the label – does the label has the Latin name of essential oil? It cannot just say Peppermint 100% pure oil. The label should have a botanical name (in italic) – Mentha x piperita. If the bottle doesn’t have that, I wouldn’t buy it.
5. GC/MS: Reputable companies do have chromatography/mass spectrometry report available on the website or by request of the customer. This report shows the breakdown of constituents in the oil as well as chemotype. It helps us to determine potential therapeutic benefits. If the report is missing, as the aromatherapist, I will not buy oils from that company.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6. SMELL: Of course, with experience, you will learn to smell pure oil from a synthetic one. When you smell, answer the question – does it smell like alcohol, or have an artificial scent? If yes, it is unlikely pure essential oil.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
7. SAMPLE SOME: Try a couple of different brands and test for yourself. Rub a drop of essential oil between fingers – does it feel oily? If yes, it was probably stretched with a carrier oil. You may also use the oils that you bought for some time to see how your body will respond. If you get a headache, if you are getting itchy, red skin – the oil probably adulterated or it has synthetic compounds.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
8. FIND OUT ABOUT SOURCING: Contact the company that you are interested in via e-mail or phone for a report of their sourcing and quality standards. The reputable company will answer and will send you requested information (or it will be in open access on their website). If the company stays silent, I will not bother to buy even one sample from them.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
9. PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM: Find out if the company offers program for aromatherapists. The professional program means that the company provides a special price for aromatherapists so that they can use oils in their practice. Moreover, if the company offers that, it guaranty that their oils are pure to use in their professional practice.