Reading Essential Oil Labels & Quality

Quality words on an essential oil bottle can sound reassuring without meaning much. This page is the overview: what the sources we read say about names, claims and testing, and where to go for detail. It does not rank brands or name products, because we have no independent testing of products to base a ranking on.

Start with the plant's scientific name

A botanical (Latin) name tells you which plant the oil came from. For example, NCCIH lists Melaleuca alternifolia for tea tree oil and Lavandula angustifolia for lavender. [1][2] Common names can hide differences: one case report about a toddler is titled as a poisoning by "lavandin" extract, a different lavender plant (Lavandula × intermedia, per GBIF), while the poison center article describing it says lavender. [3][4] Names also change. GBIF now treats Salvia rosmarinus as the accepted name for rosemary, with Rosmarinus officinalis as a synonym. [4] Our page on reading an essential oil label goes through each label line.

"Natural", "organic" and "pure"

FDA says it has no regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics. [5] FDA also says there is no regulatory definition for "essential oils" as a term. [6] We found no regulatory definition of "pure" in the sources we read. Treat these words as descriptions the seller chose, not as a guarantee of safety or benefit.

"Therapeutic grade" and "certified pure"

We looked for an official grading scheme and did not find one in the sources we read. That is different from proving none exists anywhere. See the full claim check: Therapeutic Grade and Certified Pure Claims.

What testing studies have found

Published laboratory studies have found adulteration in some commercial oils. Common adulterations are adding cheaper oils or synthetic materials, and diluting with vegetable oil. [7] In one study of six oils sold as sandalwood, none met the international standard it was compared with. [8] These are small studies of particular products and markets, so they do not tell us how common the problem is overall. Details are on Essential Oil Purity and Adulteration.

Synthetic and fragrance oils

NIEHS says synthetic oils are not considered true essential oils. [9] A "fragrance oil" is a different product; see Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils.

Claims on the label

In the US, FDA treats a product making claims such as easing pain or helping you sleep as making drug claims. [5] That is a reason to be cautious about labels that promise to treat conditions. Our page on essential oil claims checked covers common ones.

Age, heat, light and air

NCCIH says skin reactions to tea tree oil may be more likely if a product is old or has been exposed to heat, light or air. [1] The National Cancer Institute says the chemical compounds in essential oils can change as they get older, and that many essential oils do not have an expiration date. [10] We give no shelf-life numbers, because we did not find a source giving them. Poison Control advises keeping oils locked up, out of the sight and reach of children and pets. [3]

What quality cannot tell you

A test result can describe what is in a bottle. It does not show that an oil works or is safe for you. Poison Control says it can be hard to know exactly what is in an essential oil bottle, including the plant species and any contaminants. [3] If you have a skin reaction, Poison Control advises stopping use and gently washing the oil off. [3] For safety, see Essential Oil Safety; for the evidence, see Research.