With so many essential oil brands to choose from, how does one make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the best essential oil brands and which essential oil brands to avoid?
We’ve put together this comprehensive brand comparison of the best essential oil brands with all the information needed to make an informed essential oils purchase. We looked at how brands test the authenticity of their essential oil products, their customer service policies, pricing ranges, and where possible their philosophy within the marketplace.
Essential oils are popular today (and growing in popularity) because they are a natural way to fragrance the air and because of the healing, soothing, or stimulating properties they contain. These properties come naturally from the plants the oils are sourced and derived from.
As people become more conscious of the products they use in their homes, and the chemicals they expose themselves to, essential oils will increasingly be seen as an alternative to some of these synthetic products.
Best Essential Oil Brands
There are tons of essential oil companies out there. We’ve listed what we believe to be the best ones here, and written full reviews which can be found below.
Top 10 Most Popular Essential Oil Brands:
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Young Living Essential Oils
(Large Brand)
Young Living has changed the face of the essential oils industry by bringing quality oils at scale to the public. Established in 1994, Young Living works globally and seeks to control every aspect of the production of its oils. From owning their farms to the standards they impose on their distillation process and distribution, quality is ensured at each step of the process.
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doTERRA Essential Oils
(Large Brand)
DoTERRA is known for its pure oil standards, and the research that goes into each product they offer. They have a wide selection of single-ingredient oils, as well as a good number of proprietary blends designed for specific healing purposes.
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Edens Garden Essential Oils
(Medium – Small Sized Brand)
Edens Garden was established in 2009 and is headquartered in San Clemente, CA. Eden’s Garden is known for its transparency in ingredient sourcing, and third-party independent quality testing of all oils they produce.
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Plant Therapy Essential Oils
(Small Sized Brand)
Plant Therapy is on the smaller side of Essential Oils Brands, with the stated goal to “not to be the largest essential oil company… but to positively impact the lives of as many people as humanly possible”.
They’re known for their stringent testing of the oils they produce, and for working with trusted farmers and growers around the world.
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Now Foods Essential Oils
(Large Brand)
Now Foods is known for being widely available, and for being a solid quality choice for essential oils. They can offer oils at an affordable price because of their scale, and you know each oil has been tested by Food Industry standards.
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Rocky Mountain Oils
(Small-Medium Sized Brand)
Rocky Mountain Oils is headquartered in Orem, UT. They are known for their standards of purity, and for their expert crafted blends which they produce at affordable prices. Each of their oils is third-party GC/MS tested to ensure quality.
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Healing Solutions Essential Oils
(Medium Sized Brand)
Healing Solutions is a medium-sized (non-multi-level marketing) company whose aim is to provide a wide selection of essential oils that are each GC/MS tested to ensure quality. They have excellent customer service and provide a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
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Radha Beauty Essential Oils
(Medium Sized Brand)
Radha Beauty does more than essential oils, offering skincare lines and bath balms as well. Their essential oils are produced and formulated for their revitalizing qualities and can be used as a package along with their other beauty products. Each Radha Beauty Essential oil is internally quality control tested.
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Majestic Pure Essential Oils
(Medium Sized Brand)
Majestic Pure is a cosmeceutical company based in California, whose aim is to offer personal care products with healing properties.
Each of their essential oils is paraben-free, GMO-free, and cruelty-free.
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Plant Guru Essential Oils
(Small Sized Brand)
Plant Guru is a family-run business that offers over 100 single ingredient essential oils to choose from. All oils are independently third-party tested.
A Note About Essential Oil Standards and Guidelines
A lot of good essential oils brands will test their oils in-house, or have their oils tested by a verified third-party for purity and quality standards.
As of yet, today there are no regulatory guidelines on essential oils for brands to adhere to and no set definition for claims like “Therapeutic Grade” or “Clinical Grade”.
It’s been known for some companies to add fillers, synthetics, and unnatural constituents to their oils, which dilutes the purity.
Many of the best brands reviewed below have created their testing formulas and operate with transparency about their test results. In an industry with few regulations, it’s nice to see these essential oil brands putting rigorous testing practices in place, simply because the discerning consumer has come to demand it.
Choosing an Essential Oil Brand for Therapeutic Use
Essential oils are often associated with and even marketed for therapeutic use. Technically, this is misleading, as no governmental agency officially recognizes and approves essential oils for therapeutic use.
Despite the lack of recognition, essential oils are still considered beneficial for multiple aspects of life. Be wary of companies selling their essential oils with a label saying they are intended for therapeutic use. This is because that may just be a marketing scheme.
The most important factor to ensure that your oils are okay for therapeutic use is purity. For the most part, your best bet is to choose a brand whose oil purity has been tested and verified. Make sure that your essential oil is real and not mixed with toxins used as fillers, as this can be harmful to your body.
Choosing the Best Quality Essential Oil Brands
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Essential Oil Purity
While there are no industry rules to regulate essential oil testing or the purity of essential oil products sold, there are measures that many brands are taking to help consumers understand the product they are buying.
The most common testing practice is GC and MS. GC stands for Gas Chromatography, and MS stands for Mass Spectrometry. GC is a method of separating the volatile compounds in essential oils into individual components, and Mass Spectrum measures the masses within a sample. MS testing can be applied to pure samples as well as complex mixtures.
Each of these tests, although difficult to read the analysis report if you’re not a chemist, gives the purity levels of essential oil, and can identify any ‘unnatural’ properties.
Good brands will take advantage of these testing methods to reject defects, and only release the purest oils for consumers.In the US, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating foods, food additives, cosmetics, drugs, and vitamin dietary supplements. Some brands that sell essential oils must follow some regulatory guidelines set by the FDA (Like NOW Foods, which has an essential oils line), but depending on the use of the product, FDA guidelines may not apply to essential oils.
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Non-GMO Essential Oils
When brands speak about using non-GMO plants – they’re referring to non-genetically Modified Organisms. Non-GMO plants are preferable when producing essential oils because genetically modified plants may have enhanced or altered levels of certain compounds vs. the 100% natural plants.
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Essential Oil Prices
The prices of essential oils vary – look at the price guide for each of the brand reviews above – and you’ll see how they can differ. Every brand thinks of profit margins, and making a profit is how they stay in business.
Top recognizable brands such as Young Living and doTERRA cost the most, but some great mid-size brands offer just as quality oils for a lot less. (For example, Rocky Mountain is a medium-sized brand that is price-conscious, and its quality is incredibly good.)
When considering quality and price, the top brands may go a lot farther where you only need to use a few drops, compared to needing to use more oil from a lesser quality brand to achieve the same effect.
For those of you who are just starting… experiment.
First of all, find a brand that fits your budget. Then begin experimenting with a variety of essential oils to benefit from their healing properties. Once your nose becomes accustomed to the powerful aroma of essential oils, you can move forward and look for another brand that offers a higher potency, and longer shelf life. Or you may discover the first brand you choose, is the best one for you. Not everyone likes the same potency, and if you don’t want a scent that packs a punch, then why pay a high price tag?
As with anything, start small and you won’t go wrong.
Pure essential oils can be purchased in bulk at wholesale prices, or retail prices.
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Overall Oil Quality
There are a few factors in determining the quality of an oil. Yes, it has the stamp 100% pure – but how pure is pure these days? When researching brands, it’s good to look for where their suppliers, growers, and extractors or distillers are based.
For the best crops to grow they need to be in the right climate. They need to be growing in nutrient-rich soil and need to be harvested at the right time of year.
Extraction is one of the key elements of the essential oil process. For example, in a steam distillation extraction, if the steam is too hot it may ruin the extracted produce. A brand that knows this, and cares about it, will be a brand that supplies quality essential oils.
Another way to look for quality is through a brand’s testing practices. Although there are not currently any regulatory standards in regards to the purity of essential oils, it is always a winner when a brand says it tests its essential oils for purity measures, such as GC and MS testing. Independent third-party testing is even better.
GC and MS testing seem to be becoming a ‘voluntary’ industry standard with so many brands going down this testing route. And, it’s something that consumers can keep an eye out for when considering the quality of an essential oil brand.
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Service and Support
Customer service matters, along with a quality product of course. When we make a purchase, if that purchase is easy, we notice. If the purchase is difficult, we notice. Making the purchasing process easy is something that good brands consider, especially when purchasing online.
When we’re returning customers, we want to be treated differently, with more loyalty than a new one. So, look out for reward programs, discounts for repeat purchases, and member sign-ups. Some brands offer lots of tips and tricks to help customers get the best from their essential oils.
If you want to return a product, you want the brand to willingly accept it (especially if you are not satisfied). Brands with a 100% money-back guarantee are always a good place to begin. Just make sure you check the Terms and Conditions to determine if ‘any product, for any reason is returnable.
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Reputation and Reviews
Most brands have ‘our story’ on their website. This allows the customer to get to know who they are buying from. So, get to know your brands by what they have to say, and don’t be afraid to do some research to find out what their customers think about them. There are plenty of review sites available where you can learn about customer experiences – so go and check them out before making a purchase.
Just remember that no matter how hard one tries, one cannot and will not please everyone. So, as a rule of thumb, use the 80:20 rule. If 80% of people are happy, then give it a go.
The Right Essential Oil Quality For Your Needs
To select the right brand of essential oil for what you are trying to do, you must first know the reason you are buying an essential oil and what you want to accomplish. You want to know the grade of the oil and trust the supplier you plan to buy from. We have put this guide together to help you make a wise decision for your purchase.
For a pure grade oil, avoid words like “fragrant oil,” “perfumed oil,” or “identical oil.” These words send up a red flag that the products are not pure (unadulterated, clean, genuine, or natural).
Be extremely cautious with those suppliers promoting “essential oils” with therapeutic or aromatherapy grades. There is no government regulating body (such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to tell you what you are getting with their labels since they are not involved. Not all companies are deceptive with their words. You will need to assess the sellers’ statements based on these questions you should ask yourself.
Why Will You Use an Essential Oil?
If you are only going to be using essential oils to make candles or soap, or to make your home smell better, then you can be perfectly fine buying fragrance-grade oils. You will not need therapeutic grades of oil for room fresheners, shampoo, and detergents.
Deciding your purpose, the next step is to determine what oil is applicable for that purpose. The 100% pure therapeutic oils can be expensive due to the extraction methods from the plants. They are not needed for home craft applications but are probably what you want for diffused healing use. For some specific oils, purity is more important as well. For jojoba oils, for instance, selecting only the purest oils is important.
For a full list and chart of essential oil uses and benefits and what they’re used for, check out here.
What Grade of Essential Oil Do You Need?
If you plan to use the essential oil for your kids, the family, or your four-legged furry friend, it is better to purchase the 100% therapeutic oil. For alternative health uses or use in a spa or salon, use 100% essential therapeutic oils. Therapeutic oils are distilled under more strict guidelines without solvents. Procuring from a reputable essential oil supplier will cost more, but it’s worth it in the end. You get what you pay for.
Essential Oil Grades and What They Mean
- Grade A—is a pure unadulterated oil that employs a rigorous distillation process
- Grade B—the natural food grade essential oil that is organic and certified with a small number of trace chemicals
- Grade C—the perfume grade that is highly concentrated, and unaltered, but contains some chemicals and solvents
- Floral Water—These are water-soluble fragrances also called Flower Water and are low-quality essential oils synthetically made (not from nature) and are used for skin products
Avoiding Sub-Standard and Synthetic Oils
You may not realize it, but a lot of essential oils are synthetic. This is because they are extremely convincing and can be passed off as expensive and genuine very easily.
Synthetic oils, as well as cheaper, sub-standard oils, may contain toxins. This means your essential oil, if synthetic or substandard, may be harmful to your skin and may not provide the aromatherapy benefits generally sought after for essential oils.
While it can be very hard to distinguish between a real essential oil and a sub-standard or synthetic one, there are signs that you need to look out for.
Type of Container/Name
Real oils will generally be sold in small containers, likely four oz. or smaller, with a dark-colored tint to the container and an eyedropper. A real essential oil will also commonly include the Latin name of the desired plant on the container.
Generally, containers for real essential oils will include a label saying it is 100% pure oil, mentioning how it is wild-crafted, and/or a USDA seal. Once you get a chance to open the container, if the cap is screwed on, it should be sealed with something called an “orifice reducer.”
In addition to that, cheap plastic or rubber will not be used on real oils, as it can break down and affect the oil.
Price
As a general rule of thumb, it will be very rare to find real essential oils at a very low price. In other words, be wary of how much you are spending to make sure that you truly are getting a real product.
Smell
Sometimes, your natural intuition will be able to pick up on whether an oil is fake. However, there are very convincing fake ones as well.
A factor that may tip off synthetic oils, if you cannot tell naturally, is this: if you have bought the oil multiple times, synthetic oil will always smell the same. Odds are, a real oil will never smell the same, but these are very subtle differences.
Purity Test
Trickle a drop of the oil onto a white sheet of paper and let it dry. If an oil ring is left, it is likely not a real oil.
1. Young Living Essential Oils Review
Young Living was founded in 1993 and produces some of the best, most authentic essential oils on the market.
Their ‘Seed to Seal’ process was created from three core principles: Sourcing (growing their crops on their farms in the richest indigenous regions across the world), Science (harvesting their crops at optimum times of the year for the best quality plants), and Standards (they extract oils using the best standards and distillation processes in their technologically advanced distillery in North America).
The secret to the purity of their essential oils is found on their farms where they only cultivate and harvest premium botanicals. They go a long way to provide an excellent customer experience both with product and service, which is why they offer dual-language assistance on their website in both English and Spanish through live web chats, toll-free numbers, or email contact.
The names Young Living, Thieves, and Valor are owned by Young Living Essential Oils.
Pros
- Young Living practices a seed-to-seal process and are fully aware and in control of the products that they create
- They own their farms worldwide and control the sourcing of ingredients
- They do no rebottle
- They have been in business for over two decades (founded in 1993) and are established in the essential oils market
- Young Living has one of the largest inventories of essential oils with over 86 singles and 78 blends
- Young Living uses amber glass bottles for their essential oils
Cons
- Young Living is a multi-marketing level company
- They tend to have relatively expensive essential oils
- They occasionally run out of stock due to high demand
2. doTERRA Essential Oils Review
Founded in 2008, doTERRA has managed to develop a global botanical network of farmers, growers, and distillers.
DoTERRA operates its proprietary certification process to test essential oil quality. Known as Certified Pure Therapeutic-Grade (CPTG), this protocol ensures a standard level of purity and authenticity in their oils.
Given that the essential oil industry has no regulating or oversight body, protocols like this are often the best way to gauge the purity of the oils you’re buying.
If you are not 100% satisfied with a product, you can return it for a full refund or 100% credit on a future purchase.
If you want to know how DoTERRA stacks up against Plant Therapy, check out our in-depth comparison.
The names dōTERRA, On Guard, Deep Blue, Slim & Sassy, AromaTouch, and DigestZen are owned by dōTERRA.
Pros
- doTERRA uses a Certified Pure Therapeutic-Grade (CPTG) standard for every product
- All ingredients are sourced ethically in over 40 countries from trusted growers and farmers
- A great selection of DoTERRA quality blends
- Best practices in crop harvesting are carried out to ensure the best ingredients
- All essential oils are extracted through steam distillation or cold press
- They use amber glass bottles
- They offer a customer rewards program
Cons
- doTERRA is a Multi-level Marketing company
- There is a required $35 registration fee for membership – this also includes a 25% discount on all retail priced orders. Some orders may deduct the membership fee, depending on the amount and whether you buy directly online or through a third-party affiliate
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended dōTERRA Essential Oils on Amazon
3. Edens Garden Essential Oils Review
Based in San Clemente, California, Edens Garden is an essential oil company that prides itself on valuing people over profit. In 2009 it set a goal to provide quality products at affordable prices.
They source their plants directly from organic growers and distillers and do not compromise on their high-quality products. Their oils are stored at a precise temperature with minimal light to ensure their therapeutic properties. All essential oils carry a certificate of analysis and details of the analysis are available on request. Their oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and do not contain additional bases, fillers, or additives.
They offer a child-friendly line with a variety of different concentrated blends.
If you are not satisfied or happy with their product, you can return it within 30 days of purchase.
Pros
- Edens Garden has a massive collection of over 150 essential oils to choose from
- Often runs promotions with discounts, deals, and bonuses
- Have a decent selection and range of organic essential oils
- They have great customer service and are very receptive to feedback
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Edens Garden Essential Oils on Amazon
4. Radha Beauty Essential Oil Review
Radha Beauty launched in 2014. In just four years they have secured success on Amazon’s number one Best Seller list. Rebekah Letch, Co-Founder of Radha Beauty, works will farmers and collectives all over the world to ensure sustainability, and the highest quality plants to produce essential oils.
Originally from Singapore, Rebekah was raised with the knowledge that the earth provides agents for natural beauty, and that beauty and youth can be sustained with nature’s remedies. It’s this philosophy that she wants to share with the world and her customers.
The company carries out rigorous testing of all its products to ensure the essential oils are not contaminated with synthetic constituents or artificial properties. What you get is guaranteed 100% pure essential oil.
Pros
- Each essential oil is internally tested for quality control
- All oils are labeled with which extraction process was used (i.e. steam distilled or cold-pressed)
- They state on their website that no oils are diluted, meaning a high level of purity
- Will ship to 180 countries
- They offer a 100% money-back guarantee
- products are all-natural, organic, and cruelty-free
Cons
- Essential oils are only sold in sets, not single bottles
- Their range of essential oils is fairly limited
- Low level of transparency into their sourcing, extraction, and testing methods
Recommended Radha Beauty Essential Oils on Amazon
5. Majestic Pure Essential Oils Review
Majestic Pure is a USA-based company that offers premium quality essential oils from pure botanical ingredients.
It prides itself on producing essential oil formulations steeped in rich family history with a heritage dating back to herbal doctors of earlier times.
Quality assurance is a priority. Essential Validation Services (EVS) is a third-party independent laboratory that carries out quality assurance and controls testing on all these products.
They sell online and provide a guarantee for your satisfaction with their products.
Pros
- Each essential oil is independently tested for quality control, and the results are published on the website.
- Majestic Pure occasionally runs promotions on their products like offering free shipping
- Oils are sold in amber glass bottles
- Each essential oil on the website presents the Botanical Name, Country of Origin, Mood, Aroma, Blends Well With, Approximate Shelf Life, Ingredients, and How to Use Section
- All oils are guaranteed to be paraben-free, GMO-free, and cruelty-free
Cons
- Availability of specific oils can sometimes be an issue
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Majestic Pure Essential Oils on Amazon
6. Now Foods Essential Oils Review
Now Foods started its natural foods and supplements business in 1948. They are based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and provide high-quality personal care products and essential oils to health-seeking consumers. Now Foods’ primary business is in the production of nutritional foods and vitamin supplements but produces essential oils as well.
They use a unique technique for growing specific plant species, harvesting them, and then distilling the plants in the off-season. They use a combination of cold-pressed extraction and steam distilled extraction.
NOW maintains long-lasting relationships with many of its growers (with proven track records) to help ensure the quality and availability of the raw materials used for essential oils.
They test every essential oil to ensure it is always 100% pure. They have in-house testing facilities equipped with the latest analytical instruments to help assess the purity, identity, and safety of the essential oils.
NOW is guided by The Essential Oils Compendium written by Ernest Guenther, Ph.D., and Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients edited by George A. Burdock, Ph.D. These help them in determining the species of the plants for the oils they create.
NOW adheres to the philosophy that purity and plant identity are the most significant components in the production of 100% pure essential oils.
Pros
- Now has a wide selection of certified organic essential oils
- Each oil is internally tested for purity
*Testing and Purity guides are available to the public to download from their website - Now Products are available in many retail locations as well as online
- Each Essential Oil bottle is labeled with appropriate cautionary language, regulatory guidelines, and usage instructions
- Have very affordable pricing on essential oils
Cons
- Periodically receive complaints about their essential oil fragrances being of poor quality
Recommended Now Foods (NOW®) Essential Oils on Amazon
7. Art Naturals Essential Oils Reviews
Art Naturals is located in Los Angeles, California, and continually strives to improve the natural quality of its essential oils products.
Every batch of essential oil received is independently tested and authenticated through its GC testing measures. GC testing reports are published per batch number and these analysis reports are made available for download on the company website.
They promise high quality at affordable prices with a 100% money-back guarantee. All products are BPA-free, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly.
Pros
- Members of their VIPurist program receive special offers, first access to new products, and weekly promo deals>
- Unopened items can be returned within 90 days
- Free shipping on all orders over $20 in the USA
- They use amber glass bottles for their essential oils
- Beautiful packaging for gift-giving
Cons
- Occasional limited stock availability
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
- Usage instructions not included with the oils
Recommended ArtNaturals Essential Oils on Amazon
8. Healing Solutions Essential Oils Review
Quality is the foremost concern of Healing Solutions, and they provide a wide range of essential oils.
They state that their oils are aromatically superior and more effective than other oils in the marketplace – and if you disagree – you can have your money back.
They offer their products at low prices to customers and can maintain this competitive edge because they only sell directly to consumers.
They are so confident about their products that they offer a lifetime refund guarantee. All essential oils are tested by GC and MS standards, and all analysis reports are available on their website on each essential oil page.
Pros
- All Healing Solutions essential oils carry a purity guarantee
- Essential oils are in house GCMS tested with results published on the website
- The distillation facility is certified by GMP, FDA, and ISO 9001 and is Kosher
- Sources essential oils from trusted growers around the world
- They use amber glass bottles
- Offer quality products at low prices
- Good range of products including ylang-ylang oil, eucalyptus oil, vetiver oil, and peppermint essential oil
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Healing Solutions Essential Oils on Amazon
9. Native American Nutritionals Essential Oils Review
(Note: Now Rocky Mountain Essential Oils. See No. 10 RMO Review Below.)
Native American Nutritionals sells only single essential oils. They come only from small farms that are free from chemical fertilizers, pesticides, contaminants, pollutants, and added synthetic chemicals.
Pros
- Native American Nutritionals buys ingredients directly from small organic farms rather than large agra-farm producers
- They carry Blue Tansy essential oil
- Have a reputation for selling high-quality un-adulterated oils
- They bottle their products in blue bottles, which are of higher quality than amber bottles offered by other brands
Cons
- Oils have been known to run thin at times, making it hard to get a precise number of drops for things like diffusers
10. Rocky Mountain Oils Review
Rocky Mountain Oils are sourced from small organic farms around the world.
All of their essential oils are graded 100% pure.
Their strength is harvesting produce from smaller farms where quality control can be better maintained. They test hundreds of samples to find the best supplier oils and orders are placed from approved samples. Once bulk orders arrive, samples are sent to a third-party laboratory for another round of GC and MS testing. They also carry out multi-spot-checks as part of a standard operating procedure.
Details are given on their website about GC and MS testing results for ingredients and oils, showing true transparency and authenticity.
Pros
- Rocky Mountain Oils sources ingredients directly from small organic farms rather than large agra-farm producers
- They have a commitment to quality through their S.A.A.F.E. program
- Each of their oils is GC/MS tested by a verified third-party, independent lab, and results are published on their website
- They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
- Large selection of essential oils with over 100 single oils and 75 blends
- Free shipping on all orders in the USA
- Oils are bottled in amber glass bottles
- There is a 90 day returns policy, even for opened bottles
- Diffusers come with a 1-year limited warranty if they break or are defective
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Rocky Mountain Oils on Amazon
11. Plant Therapy Essential Oils Review
Plant Therapy is a small family-owned company that provides 100% pure, undiluted essential oils that are of the highest quality.
To ensure that each of their essential oil products meets their high standards, Plant Therapy works with world-renowned essential oil expert Robert Tisserand and several third-party analytical laboratories for GC and MS testing.
All oils are cultivated and extracted to maintain 100% pure, undiluted properties and Plant Therapy guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.
If you have questions or concerns, Plant Therapy has Aromatherapists on their team to respond to, and solve issues that arise.
As pure essential oils have powerful properties, there are times when these can be harmful to the sensitivity of a child’s skin, which is why Plant Therapy has formed a full product line of KidSafe synergies for the well-being of children.
Pros
- Plant Therapy offers a 100% satisfaction guaranteed – or your money back
- They offer fast, free shipping for your convenience
- They offer ‘Aromatherapy Assistance’ for you to understand how each oil works
- They offer gift certificates so you can purchase presents for others
- They run a promotion for 10% off your first order
- They operate a 90-day return policy for unwanted or unsatisfactory products
- They use distillers and farmers who have repeatedly proven to provide excellence in essential oils as a way to maintain their quality assurance standards
- All testing reports are made available to the public from the essential oil pages on the website
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Plant Therapy® Essential Oils on Amazon
12. Aura Cacia Essential Oils Review
Starting in 1982, Aura Cacia merged with Frontier Natural Products Co-op in 1993.
Aura Cacia uses a global sourcing strategy to source the best botanicals where they grow naturally at optimum strength.
For 39 years they have built and maintained relationships with growers and farmers from around the world and in doing so continue to provide excellent quality products while helping to support farming communities.
They produce a thorough dilution guide for customers who prefer to reduce the potency of the essential oils and offer blending guidelines for those wanting to create tried and tested formulas, as well as experiment with unique blends.
Testing is carried out to ensure each essential oil is pure and unadulterated. Every pre-shipment is tested, and then every shipment is tested again. They follow the GC testing practice as well as sensory evaluation, optical rotation, and specific gravity. 37 of their 127 essential oil types are classified as organic and certified by USDA.
They are a company that produces high-quality premium blends and offers great customer service.
Their products have been “certified organic” by Quality Assurance International (QAI).
Aura Cacia accepts returns within 60 days of purchase.
Pros
- Their products are widely accessible in major food stores
- They have an organic range of over 37 choices
- They do not rebottle their products
- They do not test on animals
- They follow strict testing measures for quality assurance standards
- All orders can be returned within 60 days for unwanted or unsatisfactory products
- They offer free shipping on orders over $49
- They have a live chat facility available on their website
- Pricing is affordable
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Aura Cacia® Essential Oils on Amazon
13. Prime Natural Essential Oils Review
Prime Natural consistently offers high-quality products.
Established in Beaverton, Oregon originally as Prime Cosmetics, Prime Natural is now one of the leading essential oil brands.
They source their ingredients globally and the extraction process is done in the USA.
They provide an assortment of fresh, pure essential oils at a reasonable price, that have no additives or chemicals to dilute the purity.
Pros
- Their Breathe Blend is particularly good for helping with breathing and nasal congestion
- Above-average quality; soothing, calming, and relaxing
- Cost is a competition with other brand name oils
Cons
- Limited transparency into ingredient sourcing and extraction process
Recommended Prime Natural Essential Oils on Amazon
14. Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oils Review
Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oils began in 1987 and has since worked continuously for the advancement of sustainable organic agriculture.
It carries the largest selection of certified organic, high-quality essential oils in the marketplace, producing nothing but organic oils.
These essential oils are a part of the OTCO and USDA organic programs. It is also working with the non-GMO project to verify a selection of its products, as certain ingredients from plant crops are known to be at risk of GMO contamination.
They have a great return policy, where anyone can return the products within 60 days of purchase.
Pros
- Mountain Rose Herbs has a wide selection of over 111 pure therapeutic-natural oils
- Has a wide selection of certified organic essential oils
- All bottles come with a dropper for ease of measurement
- Provide ample information about organic and pesticide-free sources on the website
- They use amber glass bottles
- All products are Vegan certified
- They offer a 60-day return policy – for any reason
- They don’t charge a restocking fee on returns
- Essential oils are affordably priced
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
- They do not produce essential oil blends
Recommended Mountain Rose Herbs® Essential Oils on Amazon
15. Fabulous Frannie Essential Oils Review
Fabulous Frannie started their business to provide 100% pure and natural essential oils to their customers. They claim that the essential oils they sell are made in small batches by people who care about their creations. Small batches mean that quality control is easier to manage.
To support their passion and drive for the creation of 100% pure essential oils they put each one through GC and MS testing practices, carried out by their ‘trusted’ vendors, and a certificate of analysis is created per batch, per oil.
Fabulous Frannie wants to give customers the freedom to wear the oils wherever they go, without missing a moment. To fulfill this, they sell a line of essential oil ‘aroma jewelry’ so you can continue to breathe in the scent whilst wearing pendants, rings, or other decorative devices.
They provide great customer service and you can return the product within 7 days after purchase if you are dissatisfied.
Pros
- They have rebottling options
- Subscribers to their email mailing list receive 15% off on orders
- They use amber glass bottles
- All products are animal cruelty-free
- All products are certified Vegan
- They operate a 7 day returns policy for unsatisfied customers
Cons
- They do not have their blends of essential oils
- There offer limited ‘single’ essential oil choices
- They only accept returns in 7 days for immediate dissatisfaction. No other reason is valid due to the oil’s perishable nature
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Fabulous Frannie Essential Oils on Amazon
16. Plant Guru Essential Oils Review
Plant Guru is a small family-run business with no multi-level marketing and fair and competitive prices.
It started its business online providing 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. Its philosophy is to treat customers respectfully with the best quality at a cost affordable to the everyday person.
Their oils are produced globally from respectable plant-producing farms. They claim that ‘All essential oil is considered pure after extraction, regardless of the quality of the plant used.
Their suppliers comply with USDA standards and all essential oils are third-party tested using GC MS methods. No pesticides or chemicals are used and no GMOs are added to their 140 essential oils and blends.
Plant Guru uses no carrier oils, bases, chemicals, or synthetics in their top-quality oils.
Plant Guru offers many gift sets, weight loss sets, respiratory sets, beginner trio, kitchen sets, earth and wood sets, top 6, and top 14 for your essential oil pleasures.
(The oils are less expensive on Amazon and more expensive on Plant Guru’s website, but it balances out with the freight/no freight cost.)
Plant Guru Essential Oil Variety Set – 6 Pack
If this is your first time trying this brand, a good recommendation is to try their 6-pack variety set. The set provides you with 6 – 10mL (0.33 ounce) amber bottles of 100% pure therapeutic grade lavender, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, sweet orange, and rosemary.
The oils can be used in a diffuser, in the bath, added to massage creams used for aromatherapy, used with body butter, and are great for making soap.
Certification and Documentation
Adhering to strict quality control, Plant Guru provides technical documentation and certificates of analysis, MSDA (Material Safety Data Sheets), and country of origin for each item they carry. The oils are wildcrafted and certified kosher through their sources.
Customer Satisfaction
When you are not satisfied with their products, you can return the products for a full refund and they will reimburse your postage within your purchase of 30 days.
Pros
- Great prices on essential oils
- Offer a wide selection of over 140 essential oils
- They offer free shipping
- They use amber glass bottles
- They have a 10% promotion on orders over $50 (as of May 18, 2018)
Cons
- They provide limited information on how to use essential oils
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
We hope that this review has been helpful and that you enjoyed spending time learning more about essential oil product lines. Plant Guru™ wants your utmost satisfaction with their 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils at an affordable price. Happy shopping from a best seller!
Recommended Plant Guru™ Essential Oils on Amazon
17. Miracle Essential Oils Review
Miracle Essential Oils is a family-owned and operated company. Their website is simple but their social media presence is vibrant. Check them out on Facebook or youtube to see the videos they create on how to blend oils, add oils to fun things like playdoh, or how to infuse a room with your favorite fragrances.
Miracle believes in testing the authenticity of its products. Testing is done using GC-MS practices.
The oils are 100% non-GMO, GMP certified using sustainable farming.
Pros
- Offers singles sample packs of 8 oils
- Each essential oil comes with a plastic insert (orifice reducer) to measure drops
- They use amber glass bottles
- They carry out internal analysis and testing for quality and authenticity
- Each oil blend comes with a certificate of authenticity
- Blends are labeled with ingredients, country of origin, and usage instructions
- All essential oils ingredients are sourced from 30 locally-owned farms around the world
- All oils are 100% non-GMO
- They have a great social media presence for you to share your views and learn tips
- Occasionally run big price discounts and special offers
- Offer essential oil collections (Wake Up Wellness, Sleepy Time, Beauty Rest, Rest and Recovery more)
- Sells one ultrasonic diffuser (many oil companies do not sell ultrasonic diffusers, so this is a plus)
Cons
- A limited selection of organic oils
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
- There is limited information on the website about returns and shipping
- Multi-Level Marketing company
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18. Pure Body Naturals Essential Oils Review
Pure Body Naturals is a Houston, Texas, USA-based company.
They do state that they do not use parabens, ethanolamines, formaldehyde, or SLSs and that all essential oils are made simply and ethically from the farming of crops to the distillation process.
Therapeutic grade top 6 essential oil basic sampler kit
They have achieved Amazon Bestseller with their therapeutic grade top 6 essential oil basic sampler kit.
Pros
- All formulas and blends are produced with natural and organic ingredients
- They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Free shipping is offered on orders over $30
- All oils are packaged and presented in a nice storage box
- Subscribers to their email list receive 15% off their next order
- Sell two different package sets of six oils
Cons
- Limited single essential oil options – currently only 8 (May 18, 2018)
- No testing or supplier information is made available on the website
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Recommended Pure Body Naturals™ Essential Oils on Amazon
19. Hopewell Essential Oils Review
Hopewell Essential Oils uses pure plant extracts, unaltered and tested for purity and therapeutic qualities.
The family-owned company began in 1999 (located in Waco, Texas USA) as a Heritage General Store for a rural community. As time went on, they saw demand for essential oils grow and channeled their business into the essential oil brand we see today. In 2004 it changed its name to Hopewell Essential Oils.
Since then, they’ve come a long way in producing a line of essential oil blends and single essential oil products. With quality in mind, they test each oil batch made with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC MS) testing.
Hopewell Essential Oils only buy from distillers and distributors who farm ethically and sell oils extracted from plants that have not been sprayed or treated with any chemicals or pesticides. In following these principles, the plants they use are harvested and distilled at the best time to assure quality and therapeutic value.
They sell oil blends and singles. The company does not sell on Amazon, so to buy their essential oils, you must visit their website.
Pros
- They offer a large selection of single oils and blended oils
- Sold in amber glass bottles
- All essential oils are Non-GMO
- They have a strict quality assurance measure through internal testing practices
- All produce is grown on biocide-free farms
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
20. Starwest Botanicals Essential Oils Review
Starwest Botanicals started their essential oil business in 1975 in Sacramento, California, and have been going strong ever since (for over 40 years).
Its botanical and herb experts maintain relationships with suppliers in over 20 countries and work closely with quality control staff before and after product arrival.
All essential oil produced is tested within their in-house laboratories as well as by third-party independent labs. They audit all suppliers annually to ensure they continue to meet Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements, which is a system that controls the standards of manufactured goods.
The company purchases directly from suppliers so they can offer the best prices to their customers and maintain standards in quality control.
They sell an array of over 109 pure essential oils and over 22 pure organic essential oils. They also sell aromatherapy fan diffusers and nebulizing diffusers.
Pros
- They offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all products
- They offer a selection of over 122 single oils with a selection of 22 certified organic oils
- Labels have clear usage instructions
- They offer free shipping on orders over $75
- They operate a 60-day refund policy
- Many oils are produced using steam-distillation or cold-pressing, keeping the plant’s essence and therapeutic value
- Excellent customer service for returns, refunds, or replacement
- Offers blends and single oils
- Competitive pricing
- Essential oils packed in glass amber bottles
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
- Do not offer essential oil sampler packs
21. Kis Essential Oils Review
Kis oils offer high quality for low prices. They own their bottle-filling facility in Brooklyn, NY, so control the production process of their essential oils.
There is no multi-level marketing which makes it easier for them to adopt a cheaper pricing strategy for its customers.
These fine oils are available in single aromas, blends, or sample packs.
Pros
- Not a multi-level marketing company
- They provide products at affordable prices
- They offer free shipping within the US
- They use amber glass bottles
- They offer a return system (which requires returns to be authorized)
- Essential oils on their website are sorted by their extraction process, amongst other things, so the user can see how the oil was extracted (i.e. cold-pressed, steam distilled, etc.)
Cons
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
- Do not ship internationally
- No testing practices are made clear on their website
- Limited transparency around essential oil purity
Recommended Kis Oils Essential Oils on Amazon
22. ArOmis Essential Oils Basic 6 Kit Review
ArOmis offers 100% pure premium therapeutic grade oils sold individually or in packs of 6.
The oils are collected from maintainable farms in Africa where the soil is rich in minerals and nutrients needed for the best quality crops. Then they are sent to the Aramis South African distillery for production. All of ArOmis oils are then certified organic in Holland.
ArOmis states, “We have a mission of sustainability that is fully expressed in our small agroforestry farmer-produced essential oils. In the spirit of fair trade and environmental stewardship, using African oils grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas encourages local farmers to use less land more wisely and to preserve the indigenous forests by growing high-value crops in harmony with the surrounding forests replacing Maize (corn) and other fertilizer and slash and burn crops.”
There is a certificate of authenticity on every batch of essential oil.
Use the oils topically with carrier oils or add directly to the aromatherapy ArOmis Nebulizer essential oil diffuser.
ArOmis Essential Oils Basic 6 Kit
This kit includes lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, peppermint, lemongrass, and sweet orange and is a wonderful starter kit for newbies using essential oils.
Each essential oil can also be purchased separately on Amazon. The organic plants use the steam distillation process to maintain the integrity of the pure oil. Sweet orange is cold-pressed from the rind.
Each bottle of oil is in an amber 10mL (0.34-ounce) bottle. Always store the bottles out of the sun in a cool dry place with the lids on tightly.
(The lovely box measures 6-inches long x 3-inches wide x 1- inch tall and it weighs 10 ounces.)
ArOmis Sleep and Breathe Essential Oil Kit
This kit has 6 varieties of oil designed to support healthy and restful sleep by promoting relaxation and healthy breathing.
The variety set uses relaxing floral scents to lull you to sleep and give you sweet dreams. The oils in the kit include lavender, eucalyptus, ylang-ylang, bergamot, clary sage, and geranium.
Pros
- They offer live chat via the website for sales or service related queries
- They offer a 30-day return policy
- They offer free shipping on orders over $50
- They use amber glass bottles
- All oils are certified organic
Cons
- No testing information is available
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
Buy ArOmis Essential Oils Kit on Amazon
23. Butterfly Express Essential Oils Review
Butterfly Express is located in Clifton, Idaho. They not only provide a vast range of essential oil and essential oil blends but they also pride themselves on providing essential oil education.
Co-owner Valarie Sharp wrote the book butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, and since the day of its release, both the book and the business have taken off. They provide education about herbal medicines which adds to the all-around customer experience, and they are dedicated to giving all customers high-quality natural 100% pure essential oils.
They offer over 80 synergistic blends and over 100 individual separate oils.
The oil company stands behind its oils if you are not satisfied with your product, simply call the customer service department.
Le Tranquility Blend
One of the favorite Butterfly Express blends is Le Tranquility for its great smell and calming effects. It is composed of blue tansy, geranium, German chamomile, lavender, palmarosa, patchouli, sweet orange, tangerine, and ylang-ylang.
Pros
- Butterfly Express offers online classes on essential oils and other topics
- Each essential oil is labeled with country of origin, part of plant utilized, plant family, aroma, and a listing of all ingredients
- They offer a varied product range of essential oils including more than 100 single oils and 80 synergy blends
- Offer great customer service. An instruction booklet is provided with every purchase on how to provide feedback
Cons
- No information is available on their website for testing and quality assurance practices
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
24. PLANTLIFE Essential Oils Review
Plantlife was born in a kitchen in 1994 using raw ingredients to produce products with the perfect blend of science and nature.
Today, after several decades they continue to produce great blends, but on a much larger scale. They combine the science of herbology and aromatherapy with “old world” formulas to produce 100% pure essential oils that are steam-distilled or cold-pressed.
They ensure that essential oil production is manufactured in small batches so they can maintain the quality today that they produced back in 1994.
They guarantee all oils to be 100% pure, claiming products are free from preservatives, carcinogens, synthetics, and chemicals.
The company’s mission is to create consistently all-natural products that are good for you, using 100% pure essential oils that are steam distilled.
The oils are free of synthetics, parabens, and dyes, GMO-free, and SLS-free (sodium Laureth sulfate).
Gift wrapping is available.
Be Well Essential Oil Gift Set
The Be Well Essential Oil Gift Set has 6 essential oil blends designed for wellness and health.
The blends are Breathe Easy, Well Being, Sport Relief, Energy, Balance, and Awake. They come in a brown earthy storage box and each bottle has a European dropper for controlling the amount used.
All oils are shipped in an amber glass 10 mL (0.338 ounces) bottle where sunlight cannot destroy the oils. Keep your box of oils in a cool, dry environment, out of the sun.
Pros
- Subscribers to the email list receive 25% off their next order
- All essential oils come in amber glass bottles
- They offer free shipping on all orders over $50
- They operate a 30 day returns policy
- All products are certified Vegan
- All products are animal cruelty-free
Cons
- Limited transparency into testing for quality assurance on their website
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third-party producers for ingredients and extraction
25. Priime Essential Oils Review
Priime’s philosophy is based on traditional Eastern Medicine. It represents the pinnacle of nature’s gift, ancient wisdom, and today’s science, cultivating the perfect balance. They guarantee purity, potency, and unparalleled quality in association with the ARIIX 100% potency promise.
They offer a seed-to-finish product, straight from organic fields, through the distillation process and into their hands for testing. Every batch sent for sampling is tested rigorously by independent, third-party certified laboratories to ensure that what the customer receives is 100% pure. All essential oils are free from artificial ingredients, fillers, and toxins. There is a downloadable quick reference guide to capture the healing properties of all four blends created by Priime.
Pros
- All essential oils are organic
- Offer new buyer promotions of 30% off on Priime blends
- They use blue glass bottles which are of higher quality than amber used by a lot of essential oil brands
- Astringent internal testing process is in place for quality assurance standards
- There is a quick reference guide available on their website to support customers in understanding the healing nature of each of their four blends
- They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only four blends are currently sold: Escape, Ice, Sentry, and Calm (as of May 18, 2018)
- No single oil is currently available (as of May 18, 2018)
- Unable to purchase from the Priime website (this is simply a brochure site)
- They do not have a seed-to-seal process and rely on third party producers for ingredients and extraction
26. Ovvio Essential Oils Review
Ovvio Oils is a new company we recently looked at and were impressed by. Read the full Ovvio Oils review for more.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy is highly recommended; does not recommend using oils internally, even if you use pure essential oils and organic essential oils. It is sold on Amazon if you would like to learn more.
READ MORE: Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Books for Beginners to Advanced Users
Essential Oil Storage Tips
If like me you began your essential oil journey with a row of oils on your bedside table, you may want to consider a more suitable storage option. To get the maximum benefits out of the oils, it is necessary to store them properly. Here are the basics of storing essential oils the right way:
- Keep them in a darkened space. The color of the amber or blue glass bottles blocks out the sun which prevents the deterioration of the product.
- Citrus oils are prone to oxidation. To avoid damage caused by temperature fluctuations, it is best to store citrus products in the refrigerator.
- The carrying cases and aromatherapy boxes are specially designed for essential oils, and wooden boxes are best for keeping the oils at their best
For example, the Welledia AromaStorage Essential Oil Wooden Box pictured above is natural wood intricately designed to hold more than 24 bottles. This box is custom made of thick quality pine wood and can hold 24×5 – 30 mL bottles or it can hold 12×5 – 30 mL bottles. It also has low dividers providing easy access to the smaller bottles. There are pads to hold the smaller bottles in place. The metal clasp and handle make it easier to carry from one place to another.
Essential Oil Diffusers
Diffusing essential oils is a great way of circulating the scent around a whole room. With a diffuser, you can widen the reach of essential oil healing properties and feelings of well-being. Diffusers come in many shapes and sizes these days and are incredibly easy to use.
When using an aromatherapy diffuser, the oil is released in a fine mist into the air enabling the healing properties of the essential oil to affect everyone in that room. Diffusers are useful for those with short or long-term ailments, as well as simply creating a relaxing and calming environment with soothing scents that promote wellness and wellbeing.
Some popular features include auto shut-off timers, color-changing led lights, cool mist functionality, and intermittent use timers. Make sure your aromatherapy diffuser is made of BPA-free plastic and be cautious when placing it in children’s rooms (selecting the diffuser is key here).
Types of Diffusers for Essential Oils:
- Nebulizing Diffusers
- Ultrasonic or Humidifying Diffusers
- Evaporative Diffusers
- Heat Diffusers
A Note on Carrier Oils
When you choose oil for cooking, you evaluate which one would be best based on factors like its smoke point and flavor. The same idea applies when choosing a carrier oil to create your beard oil for fathers day or applying the oil to your skin. A carrier oil helps disperse the essential oil into your skin evenly, reducing the impact of a direct application. Using a carrier oil is especially important for hot oils, like peppermint essential oil, and rare oils, like frankincense essential oil.
Some of the commonly used carrier oils include:
- Coconut oil – coconut oil is renowned for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also deeply moisturizes dry skin. Use this with essential oil for application as a carrier oil, or whip it with jojoba oil, lemon essential oil, lavender essential oil, or eucalyptus for nice body butter.
- Olive oil – olive oil is commonly found in kitchens despite its undesirable smoke point. It does, however, make a great carrier oil. Alternatively, mix with peppermint oil or frankincense for masculine, moisturizing beard oil. Olive oil benefits both dry skin and hair.
- Avocado oil – Avocado oil is used to create a lot of beauty products benefitting dry skin and hair. Mix with lemon essential oil and lavender essential oil for the best benefits.
Summary
The essential oil industry is changing. Consumers are demanding quality and pure essential oil, and most brands are providing just that.
Hopefully, the reviews of each brand will help you on your way to understanding what essential oil companies’ offerings may suit your budget. If price is your goal, be sure to check out the small price guide on each brand review and avoid multi-level marketing essential oil companies. This will give you an indication of the difference in price between brands.
If social and global community awareness is a top priority then take a look at where these brands select their growers and how their sales support the communities they buy from. But if it’s just down to wanting 100% pure essential oil, then make sure the brand you choose is putting some checks in place to assure their essential oil products are free from synthetics, fillers, and other toxins.
Regardless of what factor is at the top of your list, you’ll find everything you need on this review page. The next step – head over to your new favorite brand website and check them out. Read the reviews, and then make a selection. Remember to invest in a quality essential oil diffuser and educate yourself on carrier oils. Happy essential oil shopping!