The Aromatherapy Business Purchasing Guide

Depending on the aromatherapeutic products you are planning to sell (candles, soaps, shampoos, air fresheners, shave creams, etc.), your aromatherapy business may need different equipment to get started. Here are some of the purchases you should consider making

 

Various kind of Essential oils ($10 - $100 per ounce, depending on the plant) Diffuser ($20 - $30 each) Carrier oil ($2 - $4 per ounce, depending on the oil) Coconut oil, for making hair products ($0.30 - $1 per ounce) Wick ($1 - $5 per bag of 100)

Soy Wax Flake, for making candles $1.50 - $5.50 per pound   Beeswax, for making candles and soap ($7 - $14) Liquid Soap Base ($23 - $34 per gallon) Shea Butter ($2.50 - $5 per pound) Glass Jars, for making candles ($1 - $5 a piece)

Here are some of the most important things to think about when looking for the right essential oils for your business:

PURITY

It is really important to make sure that your essential oils are as pure as it can be- preferably 100%.

Synthetic oils don’t have the natural ingredients that provide the most benefit to your body. Although these oils are less expensive, they can also sometimes cause an allergic reaction to people who have sensitive skin.

LABELING

It is also vital to check the label on the essential oils you get from suppliers. Ideally, the label should contain the following information:

• Name (including the Latin name)
• Country of origin
• Method of extraction (if applicable)
• Date of distillation or manufacture
• Expiration date
• Chemotype (sometimes abbreviated as ct.)

*Note: Although some brands, such as DoTERRA and Young Living, label their essential oils as “certified essential oils,” or “therapeutic/clinical grade,” there is no regulation or standardization for such terms. These phrases are used only for marketing purposes.

PACKAGING

Essential oils should come in dark-brown glass containers to minimize exposure to light, as this can decrease shelf life.

You should also check to make sure your bottles come with orifice reducers. These are small white caps that control the dosage of the oil drops. This prevents accidental pouring and reduces exposure to oxygen during each use.

COST

Natural essential oils are usually very expensive due to their complicated manufacturing process and the sheer quantity of plants involved.

For example, it takes about 250 lbs. of rose blossoms to make one ounce (30 ml) of rose essential oil. Don’t be fooled by steep discounts or cheap bulk products offered by retailers, as this usually indicates a lower quality oil or a synthesized product.

Keep in mind that prices vary depending on the oil. Citrus and lavender-based essential oils are relatively less expensive because they can be massively produced using less plant material.

*Note: More expensive essential oils are not always higher quality.

GC/MS TESTING

Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) Testing are processes that can analyze the chemical makeup of a sample of essential oil to determine its purity.

However, this type of testing generally cannot determine whether an oil is naturally derived from plants or if it is of synthetic origin.

SOURCING

Last but not least, remember to ask your supplier how they source their essential oils.

• Are they organic/unsprayed?
• Are they wildcrafted?
• Does the supplier distil the oils themselves?
• Does the supplier have its own farm?
• If the plants are harvested elsewhere, has the supplier sent representatives to inspect the farms?
• Are the plants and oils certified fair trade?

You will have to decide how much each of these factors matter to your business and your prospective customers before deciding on a supplier for your essential oils.

A SIMPLE HOME TEST

One way to test the purity of your essential oils is to place one or two drops on white paper. If the oil leaves a heavy stain then it is likely mixed with some other kind of oil.

You can also rub a drop between your fingers to test the consistency. Pure essential oil generally does not feel thick or greasy the way that cooking oil does. The only exceptions to this are the thicker, heavier essential oils, such as sandalwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many online suppliers of essential oils, but not all of them are suitable for starting an aromatherapy business. DoTERRA and Young Living, for example, are both multi-level marketing firms that sell their products at a very high price.

Here are some popular independent essential oil suppliers that may be good potential sources for your business:

• Planet Therapy
• Bulk Apothecary
• Edens Garden
• Now Food
• Aura Cacia

Additionally, you can also find essential oils for sale on ecommerce platforms, such as eBay and Amazon. Be sure to look carefully at consumer reviews when buying on such platforms.