Essential Oils

An essential oil is a concentrated, aromatic extract taken from plants—usually from flowers, leaves, bark, roots, or peels—using methods like steam distillation or cold pressing. These oils capture the plant’s natural scent and many of its characteristic properties in a highly potent form.
In cosmetic products, essential oils are used primarily to:
  • Provide fragrance (natural scenting instead of synthetic perfumes)
  • Support skin and hair benefits, such as soothing, refreshing, or purifying effects, depending on the oil
  • Enhance the sensory experience of a product, adding a feeling of luxury, freshness, or relaxation
Because essential oils are very concentrated, they’re used at low percentages and are typically diluted in carrier oils, emulsions, or formulations designed for safe topical use. When properly formulated, they can add both functional and emotional value to personal care products. 🌿
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Clove Bud Oil

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Price range: $21.33 through $42.66
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Eucalyptus Essential Oil

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Price range: $19.20 through $38.39
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Lavender Oil

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Price range: $8.99 through $28.52
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Lemongrass Oil

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Price range: $15.17 through $30.34
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Orange Oil

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Price range: $12.70 through $25.40
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Rosemary Oil Red

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Price range: $6.00 through $714.37
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Tea Tree Oil

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Price range: $19.28 through $38.56

Essential Oils – Technical & Clean Standards Overview

Essential oils are concentrated aromatic extracts obtained from plants, including flowers, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and peels. They are produced through physical extraction methods such as steam distillation, cold pressing, or CO₂ extraction, capturing the plant’s characteristic fragrance and functional constituents.

In cosmetic formulations, essential oils are used primarily for fragrance, sensory enhancement, and complementary functional benefits, while being carefully dosed due to their high potency.

Technical Properties

  • INCI Names: Vary by botanical source (e.g., Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil)

  • Physical Form: Clear to pale yellow liquid (varies by oil)

  • Solubility: Oil-soluble; insoluble in water

  • Volatility: High (aromatic compounds evaporate readily)

  • Extraction Methods: Steam distillation, cold pressing, CO₂ extraction

Essential oils are chemically complex mixtures of terpenes, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and other naturally occurring aromatic compounds.

Functional Role in Cosmetics

Essential oils are used to:

  • Provide natural fragrance

  • Enhance sensory and emotional experience

  • Support product positioning in botanical and clean beauty formulations

  • Contribute secondary functional properties (e.g., refreshing, soothing, or purifying effects, ingredient dependent)

They are commonly used in creams, lotions, balms, serums, cleansers, soaps, hair care, and aromatherapeutic products.

Typical Use Levels

Use levels vary by oil, product type, and regulatory requirements:

  • Leave-on products: 0.05–1.0%

  • Rinse-off products: 0.1–2.0%

  • Fragrance blends: Often below 1.0%

Essential oils must be used in accordance with IFRA guidelines and appropriate dermal limits.

Clean Standards & Safety Profile

  • IFRA Compliance: Essential oils are subject to IFRA Standards for safe fragrance use

  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Many essential oils and constituents are reviewed and considered safe as used

  • Environmental Working Group (EWG): Ratings vary by oil; many commonly used oils rate low to moderate hazard depending on concentration

  • GRAS Status: Some essential oils are GRAS for food use; GRAS does not apply to cosmetic safety

Because essential oils are potent, clean standards emphasize responsible formulation, transparency, and appropriate concentration.

Common Certifications & Sourcing Standards

Certifications depend on supplier and botanical source and may include:

  • Organic (USDA Organic / COSMOS / Ecocert) – when sourced from certified organic crops

  • Non-GMO – plant source dependent

  • Vegan – plant-derived with no animal inputs

  • RSPO – applicable when palm-derived processing aids are involved

  • Sustainably Sourced / Fair Trade – supplier specific

  • ISO / AFNOR Standards – identity and purity specifications for certain essential oils

Retailer Clean Compatibility

Essential oils are generally accepted under retailer clean standards when:

  • Used within IFRA-recommended limits

  • Clearly listed by INCI name

  • Not used to replace required preservation systems

  • Sourced responsibly and transparently

Retailers may apply additional scrutiny for leave-on facial products, baby care, or sensitive-skin applications.