The popularity of essential oils has grown exponentially in recent years. In fact, a quick search on Amazon shows that there are now over 17,000 different essential oil products available.
But have you ever wondered what really is in those tiny bottles? How do you tell if you are buying the real thing or just a bottle of diluted oil?
This article will teach you how to know what essential oils to buy by looking for these key indicators.
Whether you’re new to the essential oils world or a veteran with a few bottles to your name, the process of choosing which ones to buy can be overwhelming.
With so many different brands, prices, and claims out there, It can be challenging to safeguard your purchase and choose the best essential oils.
Luckily, there are a few key factors you can keep in mind that will help ensure you buy only high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils.
How To Know What Essential Oils To Buy
When you’re buying essential oils, it’s important to understand that not all store-bought oils are of quality. Some even have harmful chemicals or other substances that can be detrimental to your health.
The best way to safeguard your purchase is to know what to look for when buying essential oils. Fortunately, a few key indicators can help you understand how to buy the best essential oils.
Here are a few things to look for:
1: Brand Reputation
When you’re looking for essential oils, it’s important to consider the brand’s reputation.
A good way to do this is to look for companies that are members of professional organizations such as the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) or the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA).
These organizations have strict standards for membership, so you can be sure that companies who are members of these groups are reputable and sell high-quality essential oils.
You can also look for companies that have received certifications from third-party organizations such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which verifies that a product meets certain quality standards.
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2: Product Labeling
When you‘re looking at essential oils, pay attention to the labels. A good quality essential oil will list the name of the oil, the botanical family it belongs to, and the country of origin.
Some companies may try to pass off an inferior product by not disclosing where the oil came from or what kind of plant it is.
Stay away from oils that are labeled “Clinical Grade,” “Therapeutic Grade,” or “aromatherapy grade.” as there is no know regulating body that certifies these terms.
This is simply a marketing ploy to make consumers believe they are buying a higher quality oil.
Additionally, the label should also list the method of extraction (such as “steam distilled”), as well as the batch number and expiration date. This is important information that you can use to track the quality of the oil.
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3: The Pricing of the Product
One of the biggest indicators of quality is price. In general, high-quality essential oils will be more expensive than lower-quality ones.
This is because it takes a lot of plant material to produce a small amount of oil.
Additionally, companies that use sustainable and ethical practices in their production will also tend to charge more for their products.
Of course, this doesn‘t mean that all expensive essential oils are of good quality. Some companies charge high prices but use poor-quality ingredients.
That said, the product pricing should give you an idea of the quality you can expect from the oil.
For example, Alteya Organics Rose Essential Oilis one of the most expensive oils and can cost anywhere between $150 to $ 250 per 10mLbottle.
So if you see the same product going for $25, it‘s likely that the quality is not as good.
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Check out the Alteya Organics Rose Essential Oil.
4: How Does It Smell?
How the oil smells can give you a clue on what to expect. Even though it might not always be possible to smell the oils, especially if you purchase online, a good quality oil should have a pleasant smell.
If your friend has a similar oil, try smelling that one first to get an idea.
If it has an orderly different smell from other brands, it might indicate that it has been adulterated. while at it, you can also check on the color and concentration levels
The color of essential oil can give you some clues about its quality. For example, pure lavender oil should be a light purple color. If the oil is very dark or has a greenish tint, it may be of lower quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Essential Oils To Buy
Is it possible to know everything about an essential oil before purchasing it?
Not really, but doing your research and looking for certain qualities (like those listed above) can help you make a more informed decision.
How can I tell if an essential oil has been diluted?
One way to tell if an essential oil has been diluted is to check the price. If the price is significantly lower than other similar products, the oil may have been diluted. Plus, If the color is very light or transparent, it’s likely diluted.
How can I tell if an essential oil has gone bad?
A: Checking on the expiration date can hint whether the essential oil has gone bad or not. It has likely gone bad if the oil is past its expiration date. You can check the color of the oil. If the color is very dark or has changed significantly, then the oil may have gone bad.
With so many essential oils out there, it can be hard to know which ones to choose. However, by keeping an eye out for certain qualities, you can make sure that you’re getting a high-quality oil.
Doing your research before purchasing the essential oil can help ensure that you’re getting a product worth your money.
By following these tips on how to know what essential oils to buy, you can be sure that you’re getting a high-quality essential oil.