August 19, 2023category__product

Essential Oil Buyer’s Guide: How to Select High-Quality Products

Essential oils have become increasingly popular over the years, due to their various uses and benefits. Whether you are looking for an aromatherapy treatment or want to use essential oils as part of your self-care routine, it is important to select high-quality essential oils that will give you the best results. In this article, we will go through essential oil qualities, factors to consider when selecting essential oils, and where to buy them. With these guidelines in mind, you can be sure that you are getting top-notch products.

Understanding Essential Oil Qualities

When looking for essential oils, it is essential to have an understanding of the various qualities that can impact their purity and efficacy. Different parameters must be taken into account, including extraction methods, GC/MS testing, and certifications.

Extraction methods are important when searching for quality essential oils: steam distillation, cold-pressing, and solvent extraction being some common techniques used, each boasting its own set of advantages and disadvantages based on heat applied during processing as well as speed which affects shelf life.

GC/MS testing is another means of gauging purity level in essential oils by checking for chemical compounds present in extracts; any contaminants would be flagged up on a report for further review. Suppliers should provide reports indicating no contaminants are present if you wish to buy high-quality essential oils from them.

Certifications also play into the quality of an essential oil. Organic and non-organic essential oils fall into two separate categories depending on how plants were grown to produce them, which can impact the quality of the essential oil. Organic ones are produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and go through a stringent certification process to become USDA Certified Organic. Always research suppliers before buying to check which certifications they have in place.

What to Look for When Buying Essential Oils

When selecting essential oils, it is important to consider a few key factors in order to ensure you are buying high-quality products. Follow these steps to help narrow down your search:

Check labels for certifications or seals of approval from reliable organizations can help guarantee the quality of the oil. This includes looking for certified USDA Organic and Cruelty-Free essential oils.
Be cautious of companies that say their essential oils are “therapeutic grade” or “aromatherapy grade.” There is no government-regulated organization that grades essential oils. Ensure they have proper reasoning for that label and also meet the other standards in this list. Read this article for more information.
Read the label — it should include the plant used to make the essential oil’s common and Latin name. It should also clearly list all of the ingredients, say 100% pure, the country of origin, and the lot number. If you don’t see this information on the bottle, you can also check the company’s website to verify.
Avoid essential oils they say “fragrance oil” or “perfume oil,” as it’s likely a sign the product is not 100% pure.
Look for essential oils in dark amber, glass bottles, this ensures the essential oil is protected from light and heat damage. Avoid essential oils in plastic bottles — some essential oils can actually dissolve plastic.
If purchasing in health food or wellness stores, check the bottle for dust as it could indicate the essential oil is old and susceptible to oxidation.
Research a company’s reputation and reviews in order to get an idea of what customers think about their product offerings.
Consider the cost vs. quality of an essential oil. While cheaper oils may seem attractive at first, they could be low-grade and not provide the desired effects.
Check to see if the essential oil contains any compounds that could cause allergic reactions or photosensitivity. Some companies go the extra mile to remove these kinds of ingredients. For instance, Cliganic removes bergaptene from its’ bergamot essential oil so it’s not photosensitizing.

Where to Buy High-Quality Essential Oils

You can find great essential oils online, in wellness shops, and even in health food stores. However, it is paramount to purchase from a reliable source. Although there are many suppliers and retailers to choose from, not all of them offer top-quality products. Just be sure to use the criteria shared above when selecting one.

At Cliganic, all of our essential oils are 100% pure, USDA Organic, and third-party tested for purity, so you can be confident you’re getting a quality product. Plus, you can easily find key details such as country of origin and extraction method right on our website.

Final Thoughts

By taking all of these factors into account when purchasing essential oils, you’ll be better equipped to choose a high-quality essential oil. Ultimately, doing research on suppliers and understanding what to look for is key to finding the best possible product. After you have found a trusted and top-notch essential oil, the next step is to understand how to use it safely. Read this article for some expert tips: Essential Oil Safety for Beginners.