Whether you go to a salon or a home store, essential oils are found almost everywhere. These oils are used for deeper focus, sounder sleep, and improved health.
The craze of this ancient practice of aromatherapy has increased to a whole new level, and today, everyone wants to have the best essential oils. But the real question is, are the oils we getting best? What if the one you just bought was one of the worsts?
That might be depressing, but how to know that the brand you are choosing (from many other brands) is the right one?
Simple! Just know about the brands that you have to avoid.
To assist you, we have come with 10 of the worst essential oil brands that you should stay far away from if you want to get the best essential oils.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive straight in to review.
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Table of Contents
- List of 10 Worst Essential Oil Brands
- 1. It Works
- 2. Nature’s Oil
- 3. Radha Beauty
- 4. Majestic Pure
- 5. Piping Rock
- 6. Now Essential Oils
- 7. Miracle
- 8. Nature’s Truth
- 9. Plant Guru
- 10. Kis
- Most Reliable Essential Oil Brands
- 1. dōTERRA®
- 2. Edens Garden
- 3. Art Naturals
- How to identify fake essential oil?
- 1) Make sure the bottle is made out of glass.
- 2) Check the color of the oil.
- 3) Check the container the oil comes in.
- 4) Check the expiry date.
- 5) Check the aroma.
- 6) Check the ingredients.
- 7) Check the cost.
- 7 Ways to Find High Quality Pure Essential Oil Online
- Research Your Brand Before Buying
- What’s the Difference between Natural and Synthetic Essential Oils?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the shelf life of essential oils?
- Why is essential oil expensive?
- Final Words
- Steven Settles
List of 10 Worst Essential Oil Brands
Note: Considering a whole brand worse might sound wrong. But there are some aspects and specific products of that brand that make it worse. And that is why it receives a lot of negative feedback. We have brought a few such brands together. The brands we reviewed below are not selected based on our personal preferences; instead, every brand is chosen based on consumer feedback.
1. It Works
To begin with, if you are someone with a limited budget, then this brand right here is not the one you should opt for. It Works essential oils are costly, so buy them only if you waste a little money.
Apart from the price, It Works has a minimal selection of essential oils, which makes it very difficult to use these oils for aromatherapy or mood-boosting.
The choice is yours; however, you can still find many premium quality essential oils in the market that won’t cost you much as well.
2. Nature’s Oil
Now unlike the previous one, this brand does offer a wide selection of essential oils. You can use it to make aromatherapy mixes or some essential oil-infused candles, whatever you like.
However, the problem with this brand was that there isn’t enough information about their oils on their website. They haven’t mentioned any information related to the process through which they make their oils.
If you need essential oils in large quantities, then give this brand a try. However, if you are looking for quality, then we would suggest staying away.
3. Radha Beauty
The next essential oil brand to avoid we have on our list is quite popular. It is one of the “Big Sellers” online. Radha Beauty is one of the best aromatherapy and beauty brands out there.
However, our concern is that even though Radha Beauty focuses on quality, its essential oils are pretty expensive.
If we look at the market, many essential oils have the same quality but fall under budget. So why buy one thing at a high price when you can get that at a low cost without influencing the quality?
4. Majestic Pure
Majestic Pure claims to make oils that are organic and affordable. We agree on their oils being cheap. However, organic? That might not be true.
That is not what we are saying. These are the words of the people who have used these essential oils. So would you like to choose a brand with red flags everywhere? Obviously no!
So go for an inexpensive brand that provides quality and doesn’t harm your health.
5. Piping Rock
Piping Rock is a great essential oil brand if we talk about an excellent selection and budget-friendly price.
However, if you buy this brand, you either don’t want quality products or are okay with not-so-decent customer service.
The only ways you can use these essential oils is for cleaning or a good smelling environment. The information that we can get from their website is not enough to ensure the quality of their essential oils. It is not clear whether these essential oils can be used for therapeutic benefits or not.
6. Now Essential Oils
The market price of these essential oils is not digestible to us. Finding premium essential oils at the cheapest rate is impossible.
The only thing that our mind clicks is that the quality they are providing is compromised. Our doubts became more apparent when we came across the recent Consumers Advocate’s reports. Now essentials have tested positive for adulteration.
This overall means that the reason behind their cheap essential oils was inferior quality.
7. Miracle
The following essential brand that you should avoid is Miracle Essential Oils. The crucial oils by this brand are pretty expensive. And the first thing to come to our mind was that the quality might be excellent that is why they have kept the price so high.
However, their quality doesn’t match their price. One of the main reasons that made us include this in our list of 10 worst essential oil brands was them being tested positive for adulteration, which was not shocking, honestly.
8. Nature’s Truth
Nature’s truth essential oils are pretty famous for aromatherapy. And honestly, that is all they are suitable for. The information available on their website is not enough to judge the quality of these essential oils.
And as a company, they never claimed to provide ingestible oils in the first place. So this means it is not clear whether they can be used for therapeutic purposes or not.
9. Plant Guru
So, the ninth brand that we have chosen is the “Plant Guru.” What does the name suggest? A brand that might be an expert in making essential oils suitable? That is true because that is the first thing we thought when we first heard this name.
The only problem with this brand is that they don’t have any information that ensures the quality of their essential oils.
Their essential oils are not that high in price. It is an excellent brand to choose from, but only we were sure about its quality. Till then, you should stay away from it.
10. Kis
One of the very first things you’ll notice on their website is their beautiful tagline, “High-Quality, Low Markups.” But we wish it was true.
Their essential oils come at a moderate price, but there isn’t enough information on their website. If they claim to provide high-quality, then there should be something to explain on their website, right? But there isn’t.
We are not sure about this brand, so you should avoid this brand until there is enough proof.
So these were 10 of the worst essential oil brands that are not a good option to buy.
Now that you have known what to avoid, how about we highlight some excellent brands that you can try? Well, then let’s get started.
Most Reliable Essential Oil Brands
1. dōTERRA®
dōTERRA is one of the best brands for essential oils. As per their slogan, they “strive to bring a new standard of therapeutic grade essential oils to the world.”
dōTERRA makes their crucial oils through low heat distillation, which preserves their potency. The best part is that they provide a detailed report of their sourcing on their website.
If you are looking for essential oils that are pure and effective, then choose dōTERRA.
2. Edens Garden
This California-based brand focuses on providing high-quality essential oils at an affordable price.
Their oils are effective, natural, and safe. Moreover, these essential oils are tested before being bottled. There aren’t any health risks with these essential oils.
The best part is that Edens Garden has a 30-day refund policy, so just in case the essential oils don’t suit you, you can return without being questioned.
3. Art Naturals
The next best brand that we have is Art Naturals. Art Naturals is a California-based beauty and cosmetics company. This brand uses natural ingredients in its essential oils. Their essential oils are eco-friendly and come at a very affordable price.
To ensure the best quality, the oils are sourced from multiple companies worldwide. If you are looking for high-quality oil extracts, then Art Naturals is the brand you need.
How to identify fake essential oil?
There are a lot of essential oils available on the market that can be fake and at a much lower price. And several essential oils have been rigorously researched and proved to be effective.
If you want to identify the best essential oil, there are some tips you can follow:
1) Make sure the bottle is made out of glass.
If it’s not, it could be filled with anything. Even if it’s labeled as being made out of plastic, it might still be filled with something else. Always check the label for details.
2) Check the color of the oil.
Make sure it is a clear color. Yellow or brown oils might indicate they contain some filler. Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated and pure. So, anything other than a clear color is a sign of possible fraud.
3) Check the container the oil comes in.
If it’s a plastic bottle, make sure it has a real essential oils label on it. If it’s a metal container, make sure it has an FDA label on it. The FDA ensures all essential oils sold in the U.S are safe.
4) Check the expiry date.
Essential oils have an extremely long shelf life. It could be 5 years or more. So, make sure the date on the bottle is recent. Never buy essential oils that have an expiry date that is more than 12 months away. They could have added something to extend the life of the oil.
Even if it says it’s fresh, you can never be sure. Always check the date the manufacturer recommends you use the oil. That will be the freshest date of all.
5) Check the aroma.
You might want to buy a sample of the oil so you can sniff it before you buy a full bottle. If the aroma doesn’t smell like an authentic essential oil, don’t buy it.
There are a number of fake oils on the market that have a really pleasant aroma. If the aroma is not pleasant, it could be because the oil is diluted with something else.
So, anything other than a strong aroma is a sign of possible fraud.
6) Check the ingredients.
Never buy essential oils that have fillers or additives in them. All reputable companies use only the highest quality ingredients.
If the ingredients aren’t mentioned on the label, it’s a good indication the company that made the oil isn’t very reputable. Look for a company that uses only organic oils and raw materials.
7) Check the cost.
The lowest-priced essential oils are usually the most suspect. They could be diluted to cut costs. Or, they could have been harvested by unethical means.
Always check the selling price. Then, check how much the oil will actually save you when you use it. If the difference is not significant, it could be a sign the oil is not authentic. Remember, all essential oils should work equally well.
So, if one is working better than the others, there is something suspicious going on.
There are a lot of ways to identify fake essential oils. However, the above are some of the most common signs. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid buying fake essential oil.
7 Ways to Find High Quality Pure Essential Oil Online
Here are 7 ways you can find high-quality pure essential oils.
- Research your brand before buying
- Buy from reputable brands
- Get online reviews from other customers
- Check for purity claims on packaging or product label
- Look for private label essential oil companies on authentic e-commerce websites.
- Avoid cheap brands sold in bulk
- Be wary of oils that are diluted with another oil or chemical
Research Your Brand Before Buying
A big part of finding high-quality essential oils is researching the brand you are purchasing from. You want to make sure you are getting the highest quality oils possible so you will get the most benefit for your money.
There are many different things you will want to look for when researching a brand.
Things like:
The company’s history: How long has the company been in business? Is it a small mom-and-pop operation that has been selling essential oils for 10 years or a multi-national corporation with questionable ethics?
Allergens: Look for certifications from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the Global Organic Standards Board (GOSB). These certifications indicate the company adheres to certain standards of purity and quality. If they are not listed on the product label, the oil is probably not pure.
Country of Origin: Make sure the label specifies the country of origin. Many companies prepare oil in countries with lax environmental regulations that allow them to use less expensive ingredients. Companies that sell “pure” or “ultra-pure” products will usually source their oils from countries with more stringent regulations.
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC): This non-profit organization assesses businesses based on their environmental performance. Their seal of approval indicates a company meets very high standards for quality and purity.
Independent Lab Test: Make sure the independent lab tests the oils. This gives you peace of mind knowing the company you are purchasing from is honest and reputable.
What’s the Difference between Natural and Synthetic Essential Oils?
Synthetic essential oils are made from plant material with additives such as chemical compounds, synthetic vitamins, and synthetic minerals. They also use a variety of chemicals to make the fragrance more appealing.
Natural essential oils are made from plants or plant materials with no additives or chemicals. They’re extracted through natural methods such as distillation, expression, percolation, extraction, steeping, cold pressing, etc.
If you’re not sure which type of essential oil is right for you, consult a doctor or your doctor’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shelf life of essential oils?
Essential oils have a three-year shelf life. However, if stored in a cold, dark location, it can last up to five years.
Why is essential oil expensive?
Essential oils are more costly than other oils because they can be difficult to produce on an industrial scale, making them an exclusive type of product on Earth. These types of products are often produced using distillation methods which require time, patience, and skill.
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Final Words
So, this was all about the worst essential oils that need to be avoided. The brands that we have reviewed above are pretty popular among some people.
However, despite their popularity, there are some places that these brands lack. Most of the brands were included because although they claimed to provide high-quality oils, there wasn’t any proof that could justify their claims.
Apart from the quality, the price was another issue that we found in most of the brands. They were either too expensive or too cheap. And in some cases, the price didn’t match the quality they were providing.
So, whenever you decide to buy essential oils, do check the aspects mentioned above. Besides, to help you out in your search, we have mentioned 3 of the best important oil brands that are worth a try.
If we have missed out on including any brand, feel free to tell us.
Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.