Many of our home and body care products contain Lavender, Lemon and Tea Tree oils. When we go to spas, we are treated with delightful scents and concoctions made of Chamomile, Ginger and Rosemary. We reward ourselves with exquisite perfumes brimming with notes of Rose, Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang. Safe to say that there is an essential oil for every mood and purpose.

Essential oils are truly magical and one of nature’s best gifts but to maximize their benefits, we need more information than what’s available on bottle labels. For essential oil newbies, there are just so many things to learn, so many recipes to make.

Below are 7 Interesting Facts About Essential Oils That Could Surprise You.

•  They are not really oils. –  They may be called essential oils however they don’t have the fatty feel and properties of real oils. They are more like plant concentrates, clear and fluid as they are made of plant parts such as roots, bark, flowers, seeds etc. extracted and/or distilled. Interestingly, they are often diluted using real oils also known as carrier oils.

•  They are not synonymous to fragrance oils. – The terms can be confusing for those who aren’t familiar with EO’s (essential oils) however the two are very different, from price to properties. Fragrance oils are synthetic while essential oils are natural. As expected, cost can vary greatly between these two. Since essential oils are from plants, availability is a huge factor in its cost, especially for rare and hard to grow plants. Consider that a hundred to a few thousand pounds of certain plants can only produce a pound of essential oil. More importantly, you won’t find the therapeutic properties of essential oils in their counterpart fragrance oils. They may smell the same so you can opt for cheaper fragrance oils in aromatherapy and stress management but don’t expect to get from fragrance oils the same benefits/effects you get from essential oils for skin conditions and skin types.

•  They are all natural and can’t be patented. – This explains why essential oils are not fully explored and advertised in the market. No huge pharmaceutical company will spend their resources on something they can’t own. Besides, essential oils are competitors to many drugs they manufacture. Though this is somewhat a disadvantage in terms of research on essential oils for skin conditions and skin types, at least consumers can enjoy essential oils and the natural benefits they offer.

•  They shouldn’t be used on  your skin undiluted. – Though some essential oils are considered safe undiluted (like chamomile and lavender), most are highly concentrated. They are too powerful and likely to cause skin irritations. Common diluting agents for essential oils used in body care products are carrier oils like sweet almond and jojoba oils, butters, waxes and alcohols. Many use the essential oil-carrier oil ratio of one drop to one teaspoon.

• Essential oils last a long time. – Many (yes, there are exceptions) retain their excellent qualities for years and when stored properly, can be used for as long as 5 to 10 years. Since a drop goes a long way, a small bottle of good quality essential oil, albeit expensive, is worth its price. Choose dark glass bottles and keep them away from direct sunlight. Watch out when essential oils are used with carrier oils because the carrier oils do not share essential oils remarkable shelf life.

•  They are not for everyone.  – While essential oils seem harmless especially when used in aromatherapy and stress management, still, there are age and conditions when these are not recommended. Certain essential oils are not safe for infants as well as pregnant and nursing women. If you’re unsure whether an essential oil is safe for you or your child, err on the side of caution or consult a doctor first. Same goes if you have sensitive skin or suffering from allergies.

•  They are not created equal. – When buying essential oils, consider where you plan to use them. For mundane stuff like cleaning and purifying air, you can probably go for less expensive ones but for skin care and perfumes, you may want the best essential oils used in body care products available. Price is often an indicator that one is better than the other brand. However, be careful because this is not always the case either. Check out reputable stores and ask for recommendations from people who are more familiar in buying and using essential oils.

There are several other interesting facts about essential oils and there is no need to worry because you will learn them along the way. I’ll continue to write about essential oils occasionally. I’ve learned that a lot of you would like to know more about them and how they can actually aid in your lives on a daily basis. They have a very special place in my life and Luckily for both of us, Nature saw fit to provide us with their beauty.

That’s it for this week. As Always …

Dedicated to Your Beauty

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care