The use of essential oils for aromatherapy has been increasing in popularity since the past few decades with many individuals buying essential oils to concoct personalised blends and remedies for various ailments.

Even though it seems like a convenient way to treat a common cold or a persistent headache, how would one determine if the essential oils that they are buying are pure or just a fraud?

Here are a few methods you can use to determine the quality of the essential oils before buying them.

Pure Essential Oils Are Stored In Dark Amber Glass Bottles

When looking for a reliable essential oil supplier, take note of where and how the essential oils are stored. Essential oils are always sold in dark coloured glass containers. The best type of containers to store essential oils are usually amber or dark blue because they can protect the essential oils from ultraviolet rays that might degrade the essential oils in the long run. Anything that is stored in plastic containers are definitely not pure essential oils because once pure essential oils come into contact with plastics, it won’t take long before the plastic starts to break down.

Pure Essential Oils Do Not Leave Any Residue On Paper

The easiest way to spot if an essential oil is pure or fake would be to conduct a ring test on a white strip of paper. Typically, shops selling essential oils will carry scent strips for their customers to use when sniffing essential oils. Use these scent strips to your advantage by dropping one drop of essential oil onto the surface and leave it to dry. If a visible ring of residue appears after the essential oil has dried, then you know that the oil has been diluted with a carrier oil. Given its volatile nature, pure essential oils do not leave any residue when it dries.

Pure Essential Oil Does Not Feel Greasy Or Oily

Another experiment you can try would be to test the greasiness of the essential oils by rubbing them between your fingers. If you feel that the essential oil is greasy, it is very likely that a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, has been added into the essential oil. Carrier oils tend to give essentials oils a silky, oily texture. Pure essential oils are quick to absorb into the skin and do not leave a greasy feeling.

Pure Essential Oils Contain Zero Artificial Substances

Many places market fragrance or perfumed oil as pure essential oils to unsuspecting customers. The main difference between such oils is the presence of artificial substances. Pure essential oils do not contain any diluents, therefore, if there is any form of synthetics found in them, then they are not considered pure. Fragrance or perfumed oil, on the other hand, contains man made synthetics and alcohol. They are relatively cheaper in price compared to essential oils, and they definitely do not bring out any therapeutic benefits as compared to pure essential oils.

Sourcing for a good essential oil is not difficult once you have mastered how to differentiate which oils are pure and which are not. It is always important to do a bit of research to know how and where these oils are being extracted; and always compare the prices across brands to know what are the market prices of these essential oils.

Do remember that even if 2 essential oils carry the same name on their labels, their extraction methods, origin and species of plant might be different. This would result in a slightly different note when you compare them, but that does not mean that one is better than the other. Take your time and pick the one that best fits your body chemistry. From there, you will know that you are using an essential oil that is pure, and of superior quality.

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