Essential Oils and Carrier Oils

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Your Questions Answered

Essential Oils

1. Are your essential oils 100% pure?

We sell different grades of essential oils that are fit for purpose. We have 100% pure essential oils as well as commercial grade natural essential oils.

The 100% pure essential oils are premium-grade, 100% pure oils that have been extracted via the steam-distillation or cold-pressed method according to BP (British Pharmacopeia) or USP (US Pharmacopeia) Standards. They do not contain any additives nor have they been diluted with any other oils. They are directly extracted from the plant.

The commercial grade natural essential oils are not a direct extraction from the plant but instead, are a manufacturer’s blend of natural constituents that have been extracted, or steam distilled from various varieties of the botanical. These oils offer a cost-effective alternative to an otherwise unaffordable essential oil for application in cosmetics and personal care.

Below is a table of our current batches of essential oils and their characteristics. On mobile devices, turn the device sideways to view the full table.

Updated: 28 Feb 2024

2. What is the difference between “pure” and “organic”?

Pure and Organic have different meanings. Organic means that the oil has been extracted from plants that have been farmed and grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. And at every step of the production process, the oil hasn’t been exposed to non-organic materials or processes. Pure oils have been extracted directly from the plant but however, can either be organic or conventional depending on whether the plant comes from organic sources or has been exposed to organic production processes or not.

Certified organic means that the oil has been produced by a certified manufacturer according to the Rules and Regulations set by a governing body for organic status. All our organic products come to us certified by suppliers who are certified by either the Australian Certified Organics association or the overseas equivalent.

3. Are your essential oils therapeutic grade?

In Australia, there is no governing body that regulates the different grades of essential oils. The term “therapeutic grade” is a marketing term and a common descriptor that helps to describe suitable applications for essential oils. Therapeutic applications of essential oils generally use 100% pure essential oils whilst other applications for skincare, haircare, personal care and household care, both commercial grade and 100% pure essential oils are perfectly suitable.

4. Can your essential oils be taken internally?

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils and have the potential to cause serious harm. In addition, N-essentials is not licensed to sell any products for internal use. Based on these reasons, we do not recommend that our essential oils are to be ingested internally.

5. Can I apply essential oils directly onto the skin?

Since essential oils are highly concentrated oils, they should not be applied directly onto the skin as they can cause skin irritations. Instead, they should be mixed with our carrier oil before applying. A rule of thumb to use is 1-2% of essential oil to carrier oil. This makes an oil mixture that is good to massage into the skin whereby the carrier oil helps ‘carry’ the essential oil onto the skin and helps prevent the essential oil from ‘flying off’ ie from dissipating.

6. I have sensitive skin. Can I use essential oils on my skin?

Mix the essential oil with a carrier oil using the rule of thumb suggested above. Using this mixture, we recommend that a small patch test be done on the inner side of your elbow to see if there is any reaction. If your skin starts to turn red and become inflamed, do not use the oil any further.

7. What’s the best way to look after essential oils?

Essential oils should be stored in a dark-coloured container/bottle and be kept away from direct sunlight. These oils will oxidize, deteriorate and loose their beneficial properties over time if stored in direct sunlight or be exposed to oxidization. If essential oils have sun shining directly onto them, the exposure over a period of months will dramatically speed up the process of oxidization due to the oil continually heating up and cooling down. Best to store these oils in a dark-coloured bottle, in a cool dark place and in a tight, air-sealed container to prevent oxidization.

Carrier Oils

Below is a table of our current batches of carrier oils and their characteristics. On mobile devices, turn the device sideways to view the full table.

Updated: 16 Nov 2023