Pure™ Essential Oils - Frequently Asked Questions: What Is An Essential Oil?
Pure™ Essential Oils - Frequently Asked Questions: What Is An Essential Oil?
“Therapeutic grade” and “certified therapeutic grade” testing standards are defined by the
very companies who invented the terms – they have no actual certification value. In fact,
you’ll find inconsistent definitions for these made-up terms. In some instances, “therapeutic
grade” includes two quality tests, while other sources reference as many as seven tests.
There is currently no governing body that certifies the production and quality of essential oils nor
a standard system for grading them, and we believe it is deceitful to use language that would
imply that there is.
Without a central certification body, we turn to the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) and Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) for reputable quality specifications
available for many essential oils. When an ISO or AFNOR standard is not available, we compare
our oils to historical testing data from essential oils experts to ensure PURE Essential Oils are
always the highest purity and quality oil available.
What testing does Melaleuca conduct to ensure that its PURE Essential Oils are the best quality?
PURE Essential Oils are the highest quality oils available. Each one is 100% pure oil extracted
directly from the botanical plant source and is guaranteed to contain NO synthetics or impurities.
They meet stringent quality specifications and are put through a battery of quality tests:
GCMS testing (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry)
Chirality testing
Heavy metal/pesticide/herbicide testing
Organoleptic testing
Optical rotation and refractive index testing
Specific gravity testing
Microbial testing
The FDA states the following regarding GRAS listed substances: “The quantity of a substance
added to food should not exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish its intended
physical, nutritional, or other technical effect in food.”
This recommendation is in no way a reflection on the quality of Melaleuca’s PURE Essential Oils.
Instead, it follows the guidance of professional aromatherapy organizations and independent
industry experts who specialize in essential oil safety.
There are very few companies that make the dangerous claim that straight essential oils should
be ingested. The practice of casually recommending oil ingestion is careless and irresponsible.
Essential oils contain a variety of highly concentrated, powerful constituents that, when used
improperly, can lead to injury and long-term negative health effects.
Does Melaleuca grow its own plants to make PURE Essential Oils?
Just like we have done for the last 30 years, we carefully choose our partners based on a strict
set of guidelines to guarantee that you are getting the best quality oil available and that the
farmers are using sustainable and ethical farming practices.
How do I know if a particular essential oil should be used with a carrier oil?
Each oil has a unique set of recommended uses to help you get the most out of your PURE
Essential Oils. For information on how to use a particular oil, start by reading the product label,
which will give you some basic usage directions. If you’re looking for more information, visit
Melaleuca.com/EssentialOils and click on your specific oil.
For dilution suggestions, refer to the label or product detail page of PURE Fractionated Coconut
Oil or PURE Sweet Almond Carrier Oil for dilution instructions.
Also, please refer to the “Use” and “Commonsense Caution” on each product label. If it is your
first time using a particular oil on young or sensitive skin, dilute properly and apply to only a small
patch of skin to ensure no reaction occurs before the oil is applied more broadly.
How do I know if an essential oil will or has the potential to irritate my skin?
Each person can respond differently to an essential oil. Please refer to the “Use” and
“Commonsense Caution” on each product label. If it is your first time using a particular oil on
young or sensitive skin, dilute properly and apply to only a small patch of skin to ensure no
reaction occurs before the oil is applied more broadly.
What should I do if I experience skin discomfort or irritation after using an essential oil?
You should discontinue use of that particular oil if irritation occurs. You can dilute and calm
essential oils that have already been applied to the skin by adding a few drops of a PURE Carrier
Oil to the affected area.
I’ve heard I should avoid sunlight after using some essential oils. Is this true?
Yes, some oils, especially citrus oils, can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and magnify
the effect of harmful ultra-violet rays. Oils that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight are
marked with the "Photosensitive" icon on the oil’s product detail page at Melaleuca.com and note
the increased chance for photosensitivity in the “Commonsense Caution” section on the product
label. Be careful to avoid sunlight for 12 hours after applying the oil to your skin or until the oil has
completely washed off.