How to Buy Essential Oils

Essential oils contain volatile aroma compounds derived from plants and are liquids in concentrated form. These are known as essential oils as they possess the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which they have been derived, however, they might not carry the similar chemical properties. Essential oils are widely used for aromatherapy and other therapeutic uses, where it is believed that the aroma from the oil has curative effects on the body. The popular example is rose oil, which has been used since long to cure mental depression and provide peace and tranquility to the body. These essential oils are further used in incense, perfumes, in giving flavors to food and cosmetics.

Though essential oils are readily available at the aromatherapy stores, caution should be exercised while buying them. This is because the quality of the oil varies drastically from one company and vendor to the other. At times, the labeled price is also not the true indicator of the quality of the oil. The adulterated or contaminated oils can have harmful side effects too. There is a wide disparity prevalent in the market, so the user should be highly cautious while buying essential oils. To know more on how to buy essential oils, make use of the tips given below.

Buying Essential Oils

The best way to buy an essential oil is to determine why you want it. Different essential oils are used for different purposes, so you should find out which one will best suit your needs.
Choose the product from a reputed company, as the quality of the product and the company’s reputation makes it worth buying.
Check out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These oils are not pure essential oils.
Do not buy oils that are stored in clear glass bottles, as they allow light to damage the essential oils. Instead buy oils stored in amber (brown) or dark colored glass bottles. Some oils are even stored in aluminum bottles, which is said to be acceptable only if the interior of the bottle is lined.
Do not buy essential oils that are stored in plastic bottles, as the oils can dissolve the plastic, thereby contaminating them.
Avoid buying essential oils with a rubber eyedropper bulb in the top, as the oil can dissolve the rubber dropper, leading to contamination.
If possible and easily available, go for organic oils instead of non- organic oils, as the former are superior in quality.
If you are buying the essential oils online, make sure that the vendor has enlisted the botanical name, country of origin and the method of extraction, as these factors determine the quality of the product.
When buying essential oils, make sure the oil does not have dust on the top of the bottles. This indicates that the oil has been left unattended for long. As time passes, many oils lose their therapeutic properties and their aroma diminishes. To prevent this, ensure that the bottle has been sealed.
After determining the oil you want to buy, try to get an idea of the going price. Compare the available prices and find out the general price range.

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