How to Spot Fake Essential Oils (Most Are!)

 

Introduction: 

Why Most Essential Oils Are Fake

The essential oil industry is largely unregulated, meaning many companies cut corners by:

• Diluting oils with cheap carrier oils (like almond or coconut oil)

• Adding synthetic fragrances (lab-made chemicals that mimic scents)

• Mislabeling oils (selling "lavender" that’s actually a blend of synthetic linalool)

A 2018 study tested 35 popular essential oil brands and found:
✔ Only 3 brands sold 100% pure oils
❌ Over 80% were adulterated with synthetic chemicals or fillers

If you’re using oils for cleaning or health, fake oils won’t work—and could even be dangerous.

7 Ways to Spot Fake Essential Oils

1. Check the Price (Too Cheap = Fake)

Pure essential oils require pounds of plant material to produce:

• 1 lb of lavender oil = 150 lbs of lavender flowers

• 1 lb of rose oil = 5,000 lbs of rose petals

🚩 Red Flag: If a 15ml bottle of "pure" rose oil costs less than $50, it’s almost certainly fake.

2. Read the Label (Look for These Key Words)

✅ 100% Pure Essential Oil (no additives)
✅ Botanical Name (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia for true lavender)
✅ Country of Origin (real oils list where they were distilled)

🚩 Red Flag:

• "Fragrance oil"

• "Perfume oil"

• "Nature-identical oil" (means synthetic)

3. The Smell Test (Pure Oils Evolve)

Real essential oils:

• Change scent after 10-15 minutes (top notes fade, deeper aromas emerge)

• Smell complex, not just one overpowering note

Fake oils:

• Smell artificially strong at first (like cheap perfume)

• Stay the same or fade quickly

4. The Paper Test (Detects Carrier Oil Dilution)

1. Place 1 drop of oil on white paper

2. Let dry (30 min)

✅ Pure oil: Evaporates completely, leaving no residue
❌ Fake oil: Leaves an oily ring (means it’s cut with cheap carrier oils)

5. The Water Test (For Heavy Adulterants)

1. Drop oil into a glass of water
   ✅ Pure oil: Floats on top (doesn’t dissolve)
   ❌ Fake oil: Sinks or clouds the water (contains alcohol or solvents)

Note: Some oils (like clove) are naturally heavier—this test isn’t perfect for all oils.

6. The Black Dot Test (Detects Synthetic Dyes)

1. Place 1 drop on white paper

2. Let dry

✅ Pure oil: Leaves a faint or clear mark
❌ Fake oil: Leaves a dark, stained spot (often contains artificial dyes)

7. The Freezer Test (For Common Diluters Like Coconut Oil)

1. Place oil in the freezer for 2 hours
   ✅ Pure oil: Stays liquid (true essential oils don’t freeze)
   ❌ Fake oil: Gets cloudy or solidifies (contains cheap carrier oils)

Brands That Consistently Test as Pure

Independent lab tests confirm these brands sell authentic, undiluted oils:

1. Plant Therapy (affordable & GC/MS tested)

2. Edens Garden (no MLM markup)

3. doTERRA & Young Living (high-quality but expensive)

🚨 Avoid: Most Amazon/Walmart oils (tests show 90%+ are fake).

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What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you suspect your oils are fake:

1. Contact the seller for a refund

2. Report fraud to the FDA (for health claims)

3. Switch to a trusted brand (see list above)

Final Tip: Always Ask for GC/MS Reports

Reputable companies provide third-party lab reports (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) proving purity.

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