What Makes a Good Essential Oils Company
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This path of figuring out which is the best essential oils company has been hard work.
When I started out trying Young Living's Thieves blend, I had NO idea that I would be digging this heavily into a bunch of oils companies to find out which brand gave my family the biggest bang for the buck.
There's been a lot of info to sort through, and life has been little [a lot] crazy over the past 6 months.)
Read on to see what I've been learning.
First of all, if you missed my earlier posting on essential oils, you might want to revisit:
– A Skeptic Looks at Essential Oils
– Are Essential Oils a Scam? – Peppermint, Wintergreen, and More
– Which Essential Oils Company is Best – Part One
A lot has happened since those posts.
I had questions and more questions to ask and I think I probably almost drove a few oil company folks crazy in the process. But I feel pretty good about what I am going to share with you now.
But before I tell you which company I am going to be recommending, let me fill you in on how I got there and give you more information on essential oils in general.
Finding the Best Essential Oils Company
In trying to sort out which company I wanted to recommend to you (and where I wanted to buy my oils from), I did the following:
– contacted a bunch of companies
– looked at tons of websites
– talked on the phone with employees and owners of essential oils companies
– thought agonized a lot
– thought some more
– spent a bunch of money on oils (and I do mean a bunch)
I really took this very seriously. I wanted to provide my family and my readers with the best essential oils company for the money.
Now of course, I can be wrong–and I do think that there is more than one good oil company out there.
But I am as sure as I can be right now that I have found a good one to recommend to you all.
What Makes a Quality Essential Oils Company
1. The Essential Oils Company Should Sell Quality Oils
The oils need to be as high quality as possible without being astronomical in price. They should be:
– extracted properly (under low temperature and low pressure)
– produced from plants grown in their indigenous locations (where they grow naturally)
– made from wild-crafted (indigenously grown and/or not removed entirely when harvested) and/or organic plants if at all possible
I have concerns along these lines about some of the companies that I looked into. For example, Young Living is a very popular essential oils company. In fact, if you recall from my post on A Skeptic Looks at Thieves Oil, and my post on Peppermint, Wintergreen, and More, you will see that I was at first very pleased with their oils.
However, I am concerned that many of Young Living's oils are sourced in the U.S. That is great from the standpoint of keeping shipping costs to the U.S. low, but many of the plants from which their oils are derived are not indigenous to the U.S. and so I think that is one thing to consider.
But let's see what else our “search for the best essential oils company turns up.” One company might not have everything we want…….
2. The Essential Oils Should Be Pure
The oils must not have anything added to them, nor have anything taken out that should be “left in”
Apparently, it is commonplace for oils “experts” or oil companies to add things to essential oils in order to make them “go farther” and thus be cheaper to produce. The companies can either make more profit by selling an inferior product at a high price, or they can offer an inferior product and an apparently “great price.”
I heard and read a lot about oil companies “monkeying around” with their oils in order to make them:
– smell better (By distilling oils longer or heating them, the “herby” smell of some oils is changed to make them more palatable.)
– pass quality and purity tests (Some “oil experts” are apparently smart enough to know what the tests are looking for, so they add things to the oils or alter them in other ways to make them “pass” the tests. This is the case with oregano oil. Some companies will adulterate their oregano oil to have carvacrol levels come to where they want them to be.)
– more profitable by adding fillers like propylene glycol and others
Additionally, oils should, when possible, be extracted with steam only–not with chemical solvents. Who wants more chemical “nasties” on or in their bodies? Not me.
Basically, the essential oils I want to use should be only pure essential oils.
Nothing added. Nothing taken away.
You can read more about the adulteration of essential oils here.
3. The Essential Oils Should Be Sold at an Affordable Price
The oils should be within the reach of most consumers' budgets.
Of course, as with everything, there are varying degrees of quality. The company that I have chosen has very high quality. However, even that company's owner admits that there are comparable, even higher quality oils available, but the prices of these oils are so exorbitant as to make them unaffordable to most people.
4. The Oils Should Be Effective
The oils must work.
Of course, we want oils to do something, and not just smell nice. I can use plain vanilla extract behind my ears for that :-).
Now, this is something that perhaps needs qualification. Of course, when talking about essential oils being effective, there are a lot of things that can go into that–the individual's condition, how the oil is applied, etc., whereas the other means of evaluating an oil (outside of the organoleptic [smell] testing) are more objective.
It's important to note that if an essential oils works, that doesn't mean it's pure. Also, if an essential oil doesn't work, that doesn't mean that it's impure or inferior.
5. The Company Should Provide Education
Ideally, the oils company will offer opportunities to learn how to properly use oils to provide healthy options for the treatment of medical and emotional issues.
Of course, there is a huge amount of such information on the internet and in books like the following.
How's that for a lot of information to chew on? See why this has been tough?
Well, hang in there with me. I'll be back real soon with more information.
The Essential Oil Company I Recommend
If you'd like to find out which essential oil company I went with at the end of this long search, read Announcing “the Best” Essential Oils Company – Part 7 .
You can also read the other parts of the series here:
For more in the series:
– Which Essential Oils Company is Best?
– 14 Ways to Spot Fake Essential Oils
– Young Living vs. doTERRA
– Are MLM Oils Worth It?
– Distillation, Bias, Vomit and Personal Attacks
A Great Essential Oils Book
If you're looking to learn more about essential oils, the following book is a great one to add to your library.
Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art
This book is a complete resource for everyone from students to practitioners. It has more than 90 formulas and covers cosmetics, perfumes, and therapeutic uses.
The authors have a combined 75 years of experience that will help you bring the power of plants to your everyday life in the areas of beauty, healthy, and overall wellness.
Get My Free Essential Oils Report and VIP Newsletter Access
Also, if you go and grab my Free Report on 10 Things to Know About Essential Oils Before You Buy, you will not only get more myth-busting essential oils information, but you'll get access to my VIP newsletter as well–complete with updates, great healthy living offers, of course new posts on essential oils, and more.
What do you think?
Anything you would add to this list?
Is it possible for you to simplify the long conversations you get into, and simply tell us what are the 10 best companies to buy essential oil‘s from?
I have read story after story after story, and haven’t found the answer to that question yet
Hi Dan – thanks for reading. That is a good question but a tough one. When I started this I wasn’t trying to make a list but rather wanted to pick 1 and stick with it. I can see how what you are suggesting would be a benefit but it would be tough to rate them–trying to figure out how much weight to put on different aspects like pricing, testing, education, variety, etc. There is one company I looked at today that seems to have quality oils and education but their site is weird–everything has a retail (high) price that is crossed out w/ a lower price there. Kind of like shopping at JC Penney–where EVERYTHING is on sale but really it’s not.
Other companies sell things that I think are truly bizarre and frankly disgusting. How would I rank that?
I do hope to go back in and tighten up the posts–I didn’t write them planning on how long they ended up being and could remove the posts with the controversies in them or at least put them in a different place. But they happened and I wrote about them.
In any case, this where I went-https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
and these are my purity guidelines. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/pure-essential-oils-testing/
Does that help?
I’ve already read the second link you sent, the first link you sent I could not get too it, the link didn’t work. I tried copying and pasting, that didn’t get me to the site either.
I also know that it could be difficult to rate companies, someone could hold you liable. I wasn’t really asking you to rate any company, just let us know what are the companies that sold essential oils that we’re safe.
I can see you have done lotta research, but some of us don’t have their health and stamina to do the same, so I was trying to rely on your research. Have you checked out the company “essential oil labs”?
Oh no – can you tell me what kind of device you are on and what browser you are using and is it up to date? We had that issue a long time ago but I thought it was all cleared up.
I’m not that worried really about liability but it would be hard to say everything and companies change all the time.
I haven’t heard about them. I would look at the purity standards post and see how they measure up. Everyone and their brother (and sister) are selling EOs these days :).
At the present time, I am just using my iPhone. When I get a chance I will move to my computer, and see if I can copy and paste the link from there.
Will keep u posted. It’s certainly seems you dedicate a lot of time the cause, thx!!
Thanks. I just checked my iPhone and it works so please do update me. Yes, I do spend a lot of time on all of this–trying to outsource what I can while maintaining control on things to have quality :).
i now moved to my pc, the way to respond back is easier, and the link didn’t work, but coping and pasting the link worked. It didn’t seem to link me to what u were addresses, but it was something of your posting that I read already ( I have read a lot of your stuff of recent. I am new to essential oils, but due to health conditions, limited brain and physical energy.
So you tried clicking on the link for the first time on your PC and it didn’t work, but copying and pasting did?
Not sure I understand the rest of your comment. What is going on w/ your health? I can’t medically advise but perhaps can offer some support.
I bit tricky to keep reposting to this web site, any other way to relay info more direct to you?
Sure you can email wholenewmom {at} gmail {dot} com.
Misleading. You profess to tell us the truth about essential oils but fail to compare companies or reach a conclusion. It’s simply another scam to get people to buy something you’re selling and have to scroll through countless pop up ads all for no information. I have a serious health issue and was looking for some answers and truth about which of these growing number of oil companies can be trusted and which are pyramid schemes.
Hello “Bartonella Girl”.
Not misleading at all. I told the story of how this happened and I didn’t mislead anyone. I started out trying Young Living and then went to try doTERRA. Then I bought other oils and had a few companies send me oils. I started calling all over the place and settled on one that I didn’t think I would have settled on.
That’s the basic story.
It is not a scam at all. There is information on every page. If you would like more information, let me know what you are hoping for….I chose a company for my family and I still use their oils and there are other good ones out there, and there are some that have been caught adulterating.
As for Pyramid Schemes, that’s a complicated topic. A true pyramid scheme is one that promises to delivery something but never does. They are illegal. That being said, there are a number of Direct Sales companies that are very very heavy with pushing people to sign up with companies while not focusing on / having many customers. Some of them end up getting in trouble w/ the FTC. I don’t know what ratio the FTC is looking for, however.
As for the ads, I’m sorry about that. I’m working w/ the ad company to figure out what to do and am really digging into it. They aren’t pop up ads, though–they load late so that they aren’t there when the page loads. That is one of my question if that’s the best thing to do or not.
If I can be of any other help, please do reply and I will do my best to help.
Also, I’m sorry you are so ill. From your name I assume it’s Lyme? I know how terrible that can be :(.
I have searched your site but can’t seem to find anything about améo oils sold by Zija. Did you look into them and, if so, what did you find? Thanks!
Hi there. I addressed them in the comments of some of the posts. Basically I don’t understand their claims about cell permeability. So not sure what to make about that. There is no reason why EOs would differ in that ability / in ability. Here is some commentary:
Permeability is not a characteristic that is applicable to an essential oil. The definition of permeability is as follows: capable of being permeated, having pores or openings that permit liquids or gases to pass through.
This could then imply:
1. Their oils are permeable
2. Only their oils can permeate the cells.
Both statements are false as cell membranes are permeable, not essential oils. In order for something to be permeable, or semi-permeable as in cell membranes, there has to be some kind of barrier that will allow particles or molecules of a certain size through the membrane while blocking out objects of anything larger than the “holes” in the membrane.
Any essential oil from any company is capable of penetrating cell membranes.
I don’t know if they are still making that claim but they did in the past. Anyone from their company is welcome to come and address this–thanks!
Thanks for your reply. Those claims don’t really play into my decision. And regardless of whether or not you understand or believe their claims about cell permeability doesn’t really speak on what you found in your research as to the quality, purity, affordability and effectiveness of their oils. Anything on that? Thanks again.
Sure! Well, if a company is making marketing claims that don’t make sense then I don’t consider them to be reputable. What do you think about their claims? Thanks!
I am not a microbiologist, so I don’t believe I have the authority, credibility, or knowledge to speak into their information on cell permeability.
I’m really interested in what you found as to the quality, purity, effectiveness, and affordability of their oils. However, it sounds like because you didn’t understand their scientific claims you did not research them further and cannot really answer my question. Is that correct?
No, I asked people in the aromatherapy business about their claims and they said that they were false. I didn’t look further at that point b/c if a company is saying things that don’t make sense scientifically it doesn’t matter to me if their products work or are affordable. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of companies out there. Some wouldn’t talk to me, some have been known to fail some / many purity tests, some have ethical violations. It’s hard to know where to spend time but I looked into the cell permeability claims and that doesn’t make sense to me. How about this–if you can find out how their cell permeability statement makes sense I’m happy to entertain it. Thanks!
Side note – efficacy isn’t something one person can really measure – it’s subjective. Also, Rx meds are efficacious but you may or may not want to use them based on the side effects. Does that make sense?
I think you misunderstand… I’m not promoting Améo, nor am I interested in proving or disproving their scientific claims. I really just wanted some information on their products. As to efficacy, I only asked about it because it’s one of your 5 standards (listed above, #4) as to what makes a good company. Thanks for your time. I’ll look elsewhere.
Hi again. No I didn’t think that you necessarily worked for them. I just was explaining that if I find that a company’s marketing claims are not based on fact then it doesn’t make sense to go any further. That post was written a very long time ago. I appreciate your mentioning that. I’ll got in and add some more information to it. I don’t think it makes sense to talk about efficacy in the way that most people do b/c there are oils that have been shows to be adulterated, but people say that they work so one has to be really careful making that claim for it being a good oil. But I understand where you are coming from.
Additionally, when saying that they are efficacious, there are a lot of things that can go into that, whereas the other parts of evaluating an oil (outside of the organoleptic [smell] testing) shouldn’t really be subjective. Hope that clarifies.
I mentioned that there are just loads of companies out there. I made it clear at the end of at least one of my posts that I simply can’t evaluate every company out there. It would take full time hours to do it and keep up with all of the changes and new companies out there.
Years ago, several readers asked me about Ameo and I asked several people about it and got the response that I told you, so I didn’t look any further. I think that explains my position clearly. I am not going to buy their oils to see if they work – again, if I did that for every company, I would be broke.
Can I ask why you are not interested in knowing if their scientific claims are valid or not? If you are interested in trying their oils I would think you would care about that, so I’m confused. Thanks for responding!
yes I do
What does RMO for stand for.?
Rocky Mountain Oils – the company highlighted in this post: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
SO, What is the best essential oil company
Hi there – I gave details about it in this post: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/ . Let me know if you have any other questions.
I am really appreciating reading this article so far. I am intrigued to read it all the way though. Thanks for spending the time researching. One thing to note is you mentioned that Young Living only gets their oils in the us. I am not sure of what the fact was when you wrote this article but currently they get their plants for all over the globe. If you look on their website they name their global farms right under their main menu. https://www.youngliving.com/en_US I am intrigued to continue to read about your journey
Hi there. Thanks for reading. I don’t believe that I said that. Can you tell me where you saw that, please? Thanks!
Thanks for rep,ting. I am so sorry, when I reread your statement you say many and not only. I am so sorry I mis quoted you. Thanks again for replying. I really appreciate all your research and how well you tried to handle those who were not kind. I’m sorry they were so harsh to you. I appreciate reading things like this to give me things to mull over and also to dig into and check out. Sorry for mis reading what you wrote. Have a great 4th
No problem! I didn’t think I said that. I am always researching something and I do make mistakes–but I try to clean them up if I find out that I did. Happy 4th to you as well! Hope to see you around again!
Hi Adrienne,
Thank you for all your research! This has helped me a ton! I remember reading in your EO blog that you really like NOW products for carrier oils and such. I assume since you use RMO that you do not also purchase NOW oils? If that is correct, why not use NOW oils? I order from RMO & RMH for my oils but sometimes I’m in a pinch or just don’t want to wait for the oil to ship, in which case, I could run up to the store near me and purchase NOW oils right then. Thoughts on NOW oils?
Hi there. I would look at this post to see my standards. Hope that is of help! Thanks for reading and for the kind words!
https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/pure-essential-oils-testing/
Good morning~ I have read your articles, but still can not determine which company you decided on. Please let me know. Thank you, Sherry F.
Hi Sherry – did you read the final one? Please let me know if you did and still couldn’t tell which company I went with. Thanks! https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/announcing-the-best-essential-oils-company-and-a-great-sale/
Have you checked out Youngevity essential oils. They are pure, wild-crafted, high-quality oils. They are distilled in the correct way(as you described in your article). The company has excellent education offered by experts. They even offer certification courses for those interested in putting the the many, many hours to learn about EO’s. I have compared these to the EOs at my health food store, Young Living and Doterra. They are more potent and give me better results. I would love to hear what you think. Thanks!
Hi Rosemary – I haven’t. Do they have everything in this post? I have a few friends who like that company and I hope to meet the owner someday. I did work w/ a company that Youngevity bought, but it didn’t really work out. I wasn’t a fan of the marketing or the customer service, but I thought that the product was pretty good. Are you a rep? Thanks!