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wikiHow to Buy Essential Oils

Three Parts:Determining Your NeedsResearching Your Essential OilsFinding a Reputable RetailerCommunity Q&A


Part 1
Determining Your Needs

  1. 1
    Think about why you want to use an essential oil. Different oils suit different needs so it’s important to know what you wish to achieve by using essential oil. For example, lavender can be used in a diffuser to relax and reduce anxiety and sage essential oil can be used as an antiseptic in wounds or as an anti-inflammatory.[2]
  2. 2
    Talk to an herbalist or a natural foods grocer. There are many uses for essential oils. You may be interested in dealing with a specific medical issue using essential oils, you may want to incorporate essential oils into your skin care routine, or you might want to use them for cleaning your home. These are only a few different ways they can be used. You can describe your wishes to an herbalist, who can make recommendations about which oils to use and how to combine them with other oils to achieve the results you desire.
    • On the other hand you might be interested in ways you can use a specific essential oil that you enjoy. For example, you may really love the smell of lavender, but don't know how it can be used. In this case, you can also search the internet, but be aware that not all information on the internet is accurate! Herbalists are typically well-educated on how to use plants and their oils, so don't underestimate the information they can provide.[3]
    • Find out about any warnings a specific oil comes with. For example, some oils are not suitable for ingestion, and others should not come into contact with skin.
    • Find out about interactions with medications. If you are taking any medications, make sure the oil does not interact negatively with them.
    • If you are pregnant, make sure the oil is safe for you to use. It is not recommended to use any oils in the first trimester, and oils such as cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and sage should be avoided throughout the pregnancy as they could cause contractions.[4]
  3. 3
    Consider different types of oils. Depending on your needs, you may find that more than one kind of oil is suitable. In this case, unless you have a clear reason for choosing one over the other, use price as a decision-maker. Essential oils vary widely in price, so you could save a lot of money by purchasing the less expensive one.
  4. 4
    Consider alternatives to pure essential oil. There are many cheaper alternatives to essential oils that can do the same thing, such as hydrosols, absolutes, and fragrance oils. You can also purchase essential oils that are diluted in a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or almond oil. In some cases, these may be a better choice, particularly if you plan to apply the oil to your skin.
    • A hydrosol, hydrolat, or water essence (e.g. rose water, lavender water, etc.) is a by-product of the distillation process. When plants are distilled, the vapor condenses into essential oils and hydrosols, which are then separated. If dilution is not an issue (e.g. as in some aromatherapy methods), these can serve as cheaper alternatives.
    • Absolutes are highly concentrated essential oils, which are extracted with solvents, usually from flowers. These can be more expensive than essential oils, but can also be diluted more, and still serve the same purposes.
    • Fragrance oils (also known as floral waters) are typically synthetic compounds which have an aroma similar to essential oils. They are cheaper than essential oils, but not usually suitable for therapeutic or culinary uses (e.g. they are not safe for consumption or for skin application).
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Part 1 Quiz

If you are pregnant and interested in using essential oils, you should:

Try again! If you are pregnant, it's definitely important to avoid cinnamon, clove, rosemary, and sage. These scents and their chemical makeups have been known to cause contractions, so limit any exposure. There other things to keep in mind as well. Pick another answer!

Close! Pregnant women should take care to research anything they plan to ingest or spend a lot of time around during their pregnancy. A doctor can clarify if the essentials oils that you are interested in are safe for use. You can never be too sure though, so keep other things in mind as well. Click on another answer to find the right one...

Almost! If your doctor or midwife gives you the green light to use essential oils, they will probably also recommend that you avoid them for the first trimester. Still, you have to be especially careful if you are pregnant, and there are other things to consider as well. Try again...

That's right! If you're pregnant and decide to use essential oils, it's very important to keep yourself safe and protected. Use caution by staying in touch with your doctor and remembering the side effects some scents may case. Read on for another quiz question.

Part 2
Researching Your Essential Oils

  1. 1
    Learn about the oil you want to purchase. Take the time to understand how the oil you are after is distilled, what type of plant is used, and where in the world it comes from. Essential oils vary greatly in quality depending on which parts of the plants are included.
    • For example, lavender oil can be made from the flowers or from the flowers and stalks of the lavender plant. In this case, lavender essential oil made from only the flowers is of higher quality.
  2. 2
    Learn about the extraction method. Was the oil distilled using steam or water? Typically, oil distilled using steam is of higher quality. However, there are exceptions to this. For example, essential oils made from the flower typically have to be distilled with water so they don’t stick together.[5]
  3. 3
    Find out if the oil you are interested in has a chemotype. Not all oils will have one, but oils produced in several different countries likely will as they may have a different chemical profile as a result of where they were grown.[6] If you are interested in a very specific oil for a very specific reason, and the oil has a chemotype, make sure you are getting it for the profile you need it for.
    • For example, rosemary can have different chemical properties depending upon the environment in which it was grown. When looking at the different rosemary chemotypes, chemotype will be abbreviated as, "ct." followed by the chemotype. "Rosemary ct. camphor" is good for treating aches and pains, while "Rosemary ct. verbenone" is useful for its skin regeneration abilities.[7]
  4. 4
    Research the going price. Once you have determined the right oil for you, try to find the best price for it. Check locally and online, but make sure you’re comparing the same product. Make a list of the best prices and where you found those prices. However, beware of oils that are significantly cheaper than the others, as this may be a low-quality oil. On the other hand, the most expensive oil may not necessarily be the best one.
    • Is the quantity the same?
    • Is the dilution of the essential oil the same?
    • Are you comparing the same oils?
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Part 2 Quiz

Most of the time, essential oils distilled in steam are higher quality. What is an exception?

Try again! Chemotypes refer to the environment in which the plant was grown, not the way they are distilled. This may be a factor in deciding which ones to get, depending on your need, but it doesn't necessarily indicate quality. Try again...

Nope! Oils, such as lavender oils, that are made from the stalks of plants will definitely benefit from steam distilling. Still, there are others resources that require a different technique! Guess again!

That's right! Oils made from the flowers have to be produced in water so the petals don't stick together. Otherwise, oils produced in steam are usually higher quality. Read on for another quiz question.

Part 3
Finding a Reputable Retailer

  1. 1
    Read reviews. Decide whether you want to shop online or purchase locally. Read reviews online of the shop you are interested and ask around to see if anyone you know has recommendations or thoughts about a particular retailer.
  2. 2
    Read product descriptions carefully. The bottle should include important information such as: botanical name of the plant, the country of origin, date of distillation, date of expiration, and the chemotype, if applicable.[8]
    • The botanical name is a latin name given to each species. For example, true lavender is lavandula angustifolia, mandarin is citrus reticulata and grapefruit is citrus paradisi. Knowing the botanical name of the plant used in your essential oil is important because many species have the same common name, but vastly different uses.
  3. 3
    Consider how the oils are stored. Essential oils should always be kept in dark glass bottles and out of direct sunlight in order to maintain their potency.[9] Oils sold in other packaging should be considered suspect.
  4. 4
    Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to email or stop by to ask questions. It is particularly important to find out whether or not the retailer performs GC/MS testing. This stands for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and although it has its own problems, is a generally well-accepted way to test the quality of the oil. Also consider the following:
    • Does your essential oil supplier sell all essential oils in appropriate sizes? Essential oils require a huge amount of plant matter to produce. If the retailer sells huge bottles at rock bottom prices, it is unlikely that the oil is of good quality.
    • Does your essential oil supplier have representatives traveling worldwide to personally inspect the fields and distilleries where the herbs are grown and distilled? Small shops may not have the resources to do this, but bigger shops and suppliers that do are likely to have high quality oils.
  5. 5
    Consider the willingness to answer questions. Does your essential oil supplier provide knowledgeable staff to answer your questions about use, and supply as much information as possible free of charge? If not, or if they are hesitant to answer questions or pushy about making a purchase, consider going somewhere else.
  6. 6
    Be suspicious of retailers who sell all of their oils for the same price. Different oils require more or less plant matter, some plants are not as difficult to grow, and some are not as difficult to process. Therefore, prices can and should vary significantly if the retailer is selling high quality oils.[10]
  7. 7
    Find out about shipping costs. If you want to purchase your oils online, find out the shipping costs first. Industrial suppliers may charge upwards of $50 shipping regardless of the weight of the shipment.
  8. 8
    Look for retailers who sell only organic or unsprayed oils. They will cost more, but these oils are better because pesticides can become more concentrated in essential oils.[11]
  9. 9
    Smell the oils. If you are shopping in a store, smell the oils you are interested in. Does it smell rich, organic, and delicate or does it smell strongly of chemical or bland (e.g. like canola oil)? High quality oils will have a rich but delicate smell.
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Part 3 Quiz

Why is it a good idea to know the botanical name of the plants for which you are purchasing oils?

Not exactly. Most of the time you will be able to recognize the plant by smell alone. Still, it's important to buy your oils from a reputable source. Verify your sources by checking reviews and researching their company. You should learn the botanical names of plants too, but this is not the main reason why. Choose another answer!

Correct! Plants for which you may be buying oils often share the same common name. You'll want to verify that you are purchasing the oil for your specific needs, which can be done with a quick glance at the botanical name. Read on for another quiz question.

Not quite. It's definitely a good idea to research and read the reviews of your essential oil provider before buying from them! You'll want to make sure the product you are receiving is safe and high quality. Still, there are other ways to approach the issue of professional knowledge. Try another answer...

Nope! Some essential oils can be eaten, but whether or not you can ingest an essential oil depends on the original plant. While some are safe, others are extremely toxic and could cause permanent harm. Before you eat anything, research and determine if it's safe. If you're unsure, you can always ask your doctor -- better safe than sorry! Choose another answer!

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Do these oils prevent breast cancer?
    Zora Degrandpre, N.D.
    Naturopathic Doctor
    There is no evidence that any essential oil can prevent breast cancer. Breast cancer risk factors are complicated and can include the time when a woman's period began, how many children she has given birth to, whether she breastfed her babies, her diet, and the environment.
  • Is peppermint oil is good for hair growth?
    Zora Degrandpre, N.D.
    Naturopathic Doctor
    While there are very few studies addressing this, it does appear that peppermint oil may be helpful for some people with hair loss or poor hair growth.
  • What essential oil companies do you recommend for someone who is just starting in oils?
    wikiHow Contributor
    From my experience, it depends on how much research you want to do on your own. If you want immediate answers to some of the specific points in this article such as; origin, part of the plant, extraction, and various therapeutic uses, I would recommend starting with Young Living followed by doTERRA. Young Living seems to have a larger variety of single oils, as well as blends compared to doTERRA. Another, reputable company that makes similar blends is Ovvio.
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    • If you are considering the purchase of an essential oil that costs more than you are comfortable spending blindly, consider first purchasing only a sample. If no sample quantities are listed at your supplier, ask them; they may be happy to prepare a sample for you.
    • Purchase essential oils in bottles with a dripolator plug in the top. These are vastly superior to bottles with eyedroppers. A dripolator will regulate the flow of essential oil and prevent spillage of the whole bottle even if the cap is off. However once an eyedropper cap is removed the top of the bottle is open and can easily spill. It is also more dangerous around children, should they ever get their hands on them.
    • Look for the words “pure essential oil”. If the bottle says “fragrance oil”, “fragrant oil”, “perfume oil”, or even “aromatherapy oil” it is likely that the product is synthetic. Which may or may not be OK depending on your needs.
    • Look for "100% essential oil". Many more precious oils are diluted at 3-5% in a base oil such as jojoba, to make the price more attractive. But such oils are useless in a vaporizer as they are simply not strong enough.
    • You can test the quality of your oil by placing a drop on a piece of paper. A pure oil will evaporate and leave behind little or no mark while a diluted oil will leave a greasy mark.[12]


    • Beware of oils that are sold in clear glass or plastic. Essential oils may need to be protected from sunlight, which can quickly damage them. Essential oils degrade most plastics quickly.
    • Keep essential oils away from children. Some essential oils can cause damage to eyes and skin, while others can be deadly. Make sure your oils are stored safely.
    • Be aware that no “therapeutic grade” essential oil truly exists. While almost all oils will advertise themselves as such, this is only a marketing scheme.[13]
    • Very few oils can be used on the skin undiluted. Failing to do so may cause a bad reaction. Only lavender, German chamomile, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose geranium oils are safe to use without diluting them in carrier first.[14]

    Article Info

    Categories: Essential Oils

    In other languages:

    Español: comprar aceites esenciales, Italiano: Acquistare gli Oli Essenziali, Русский: купить эфирное масло, Português: Comprar Óleos Essenciais, Deutsch: Ätherisches Öl kaufen, Français: acheter des huiles essentielles, Bahasa Indonesia: Membeli Minyak Asiri

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