10 Best Essential Oil Brands

Searching For the Best Essential Oil Brands

Essential oils have become a staple in today’s home. Used to improve a room’s air quality, comfort, or just for the scent, choosing to buy from one of the best essential oil brands means you may discover enlightening blends, purer ingredients, or even pay a little less. 

The practice of using essential oils goes way back, originating in the ancient civilizations of Persia, Egypt, and India where healers would put herbs, roots, and flowers in oils. It wasn’t until the 11th century that distillation became common practice. 

By the time the 1800s rolled around, 100 different essential oils were in circulation, though they moved away from their medicinal use to being added to perfumes and foods.

“Essential oils are extracts that give plants their fragrant aroma. They can be a natural therapy for the mind and body thus reducing stress, anxiety, and inflammation,” said Dr. Anna Chacon, a registered dermatologist.

“Along with these benefits, they antimicrobial properties which can kill bacteria, fungi, and viral pathogens.”

Meet the Expert: Dr. Anna Chacon, MD

Dr. Anna Chacon is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Chacon enjoys practicing all aspects of dermatology. She is licensed to practice in 50 US states, and is quickly becoming the leading teledermatologist in the nation.

Dr. Chacon obtained her concentration in Economics and medical degree from Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education. That led to a research fellowship in dermatologic surgery at the University of Miami and the completion of an internship in surgery and a dermatology residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Chacon completed her dermatology residency at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, where she served as chief resident.

Today, we’ve almost come full circle, many of us using specific essential oils for healing purposes, but you’ll still find them in personal care products.

No matter how you choose to use your essential oils, I have a great lineup for you here in my list of the 10 best essential oil brands. Let’s unscrew the cap and dive in. 

10 Best Essential Oil Brands

1. Wholesale Botanics

There are countless essential oil brands, so what is it about Wholesale Botanics that made it land our #1 spot? While the family-run brand is relatively new on the scene, they already have a great reputation for their responsibly sourced, cruelty-free, and high-quality essential oils. 

They’re also the most affordable. Offering bulk pricing to all, you’ll find some serious savings when choosing the large sizes of their premium essential oils, though their smaller sized bottles are still comparable to other top-tier brands. 

Along with excellent prices, the quality of their oils really helps this brand stand out. Sourced from vetted local and international growers and distillers, every essential oil they offer is third-party GC-MS tested (the gold standard in essential oil testing) for safety and potency. After testing, their essential oils are bottled in the Pacific Northwest.

Both single customers and businesses rely on Wholesale Botanics for products they can trust—not to mention their gorgeous labels and display boxes. They stock over 100 types of essential oils, including favorites like Peppermint and Lavender, as well as blends for Purity, Immunity, and even Headache relief. Their sizes range from 0.5oz all the way up to 400lbs. 

By avoiding middle men and MLM schemes, they offer the most affordably priced bulk premium essential oils on this list. Half ounce bottles start at $6.99 but you’ll notice even greater savings (up to 75% less than competitors) when you buy larger quantities. 

Highlights

• 100+ types of essential oils 
• Sizes from 0.5oz-400lbs
• World-class quality
• Cruelty-free & responsibly sourced
• GC-MS tested for purity & safety
• Bulk prices (save up to 75%)
• Gorgeous packaging

2. NOW Foods

Now Foods is perhaps one of the most known names on my list of best essential oil brands. You’ll have likely seen it at your local pharmacy alongside its wide range of supplements. People gravitate to NOW Foods because of its low prices, but they also appreciate the high quality of its products.

Launched back in 1968 by Elwood Richard, NOW Foods has always been on a mission to feed locals affordably. That’s how they gained such a great rep. 

Hop onto the brand’s website and you’ll quickly learn how dedicated to transparency it is. Its essential oil collection is quite large with 118 products, including both regular and organic options. You’ll find all the regulars like basil and bergamot, as well as some modern picks like blue tansy, and blends such as Bug Ban and Clear the Air. 

Offering steam-distilled, 100% pure oils, prices range from $5-$36 for a 1 oz bottle.

Highlights

• 118 essential oils
• Awesome blends
• Organic options
• Affordable
• Steam-distilled
• 100% pure  

3. Vitruvi

I’m a sucker for good packaging and Vitruvi certainly has it. Using tinted black glass bottles with bold white lettering, if you prefer something a little more upscale to keep on display, I recommend checking out this brand. 

Treasured for its arty diffusers, to add a totally calming vibe to your space, you might want to consider adding one to your cart. Vitruvi was founded in 2014 by Sean and Sara Panton. The brother-sister duo brought it to life with the mission to transform our lives through scent, uplifting the spaces we spend the most time in. 

Since quality is kind of what this brand is known for, it makes sense that all of its oils are therapeutic grade, pure and GMO-free. Most of their line is organic too, and you’ll find both single-origin oils and wellness blends. 

Expect to find a smaller range of single-origin oils like lavender, spruce, and cedar for $13-$45, along with blends like dusk, moonbeam, and retreat for $22-$34.

Highlights

• Single-origin & blends
• 100% pure
• Non-GMO
• Organic options
• Therapeutic grade

4. Public Goods

You might know Public Goods as a hub for all things green. The e-marketplace offers a full lineup of sustainable homecare, personal care, grocery, and pet products to clean up your spaces and routines.

It operates by way of membership, and once you sign up, you’ll have access to the entire inventory, which is packaged in biodegradable sugarcane bottles. Launched by Morgan Hirsh in 2015, a Public Good membership costs $80 per year, but you’ll enjoy lower prices on high-end products.

You won’t find an overwhelming amount of essential oils in its collection, just 7 single-origin oils, but I had to include it in my list of best essential oil brands because I’m in love with the company’s approach. All of the oils are 100% pure and organic, and none of them have ever been tested on animals. 

Shop here if you’re looking for go-to scents like peppermint, lavender, or rosemary and want to keep your home organic for less. Grab any 1 oz bottle for $9-$15.

Highlights

• Vegan & cruelty-free
• 100% pure & organic
• Offers single-origin scents only
• Affordable with membership
• Glass bottles

5. Plant Therapy

Plant Therapy aims to heal through the power of plants. With a wide selection of wellness products, essential oil is one of their largest categories including single origin, blends, and organic options. They even have an oil of the month club. 

Valued for its educational resources, Plant Therapy gives you a 360° look at each of its products, helping shoppers learn about them before they buy. That’s something I really like about this brand. It doesn’t feel like they’re trying to just sell you, they believe that knowledge is the first step towards change. 

So who’s behind the brand? It was founded in 2011 by Chris Jones who stocked his company with a full range of intriguing oils not found in any of the other best essential oil brands on my list like balm mint bush and bourbon geranium. Click on any that look interesting and you’ll see where the plant is from, how it was distilled, and its safety test results. 

Plant Therapy might just be the most expensive option on this list, many of their 1 oz bottles sell for $30+.

Highlights

• Great variety of single oils & blends
• 100% pure essential oils
• Third-party tested for safety
• GMP certified
• Powered by renewable energy
• Gives back

6. Aura Cacia

Aura Cacia is all about sustainable, uplifting ingredients. Founded in 1982 in California, the brand is now owned by Frontier Natural Products and is based in Iowa.

Before launching their brand, the folks originally behind Aura Cacia traveled the world to discover where the best essential oils were produced. Tracking their sources, they now purchase ingredients from some of the highest-quality growers on the planet.

In this case, high-quality means sustainable growing, fair labor, and pure products. Testing every batch for purity and quality, Aura Cacia uses alcohol extraction and vacuum distillation to capture their unique essences.

You’ll find 81 different 100% pure essential oils in their collection, along with 20 purposeful blends. A 0.5oz bottle costs between $4-$20.

Highlights

• Single-origin oils & blends
• Organic options
• Affordable options
• Tested for purity & quality
• Transparent about sourcing
• Supports fair labor practices
• Sustainable sourcing

7. Saje

Saje is a brand dedicated to increasing your wellness. Launched in 1992 by Kate Ross DeBlanc, the brand has a sterling reputation in the US, where some of their products are now considered OTC medicine. 

Based in Vancouver, Saje has a full line of travel-friendly roll-ons and 10ml targeted blends and single origin scents. From lavender and eucalyptus to Liquid Sunshine, a bottle is $10-$38.

Highlights

• Wide variety of blends
• Clean & pure
• Travel-friendly options
• Vegan

8. NEOM

NEOM was brought to life in 2005, and you may know the brand because of its innovative diffuser. Founded by Nicola Elliot, the brand specializes in focused remedies for common issues like sleep, energy, stress, and mood. 

You’ll discover 19 different oils in the line, all of which are aromatherapeutic. If you’re into this brand, consider adding the diffuser to your cart as well for a totally zen-like experience. 10ml bottles are $22.

Highlights

• Blends only
• Aromatherapeutic quality
• 100% natural
• 4 distinct lines

9. Revive 

Revive makes many best essential oil brands lists because of its sourcing and strict testing practices. Allowing you to shop directly with them instead of a middle man, you’ll get high quality oils for lower prices here. 

Founded by Alexandria George, its essential oils were created with purpose, and you’ll shop through a wide selection of singles and blends—all of which are therapeutic grade. Most 10ml singles cost about $10-$30.

Highlights

• 100% pure oils
• Sustainably sourced
• Bottled in the US
• Therapeutic-grade
• Steam distilled

10. Young Living

With over 95 different types of oils, Young Living offers both single origin oils and blends. Known for their premium products, the brand is easily one of the most talked about names when it comes to the best essential oils brands due to their seed-to-seal process. 

They’ve been around since 1993 and have offices around the globe. If you’re truly concerned about the purity of ingredients, this brand is a great place to shop. Prices range from $12 to $214 for a 5ml bottle. 

Highlights

• Single-origin oils & blends
• Affordable options
• Cruelty-free & vegan
• Transparent about sourcing & distillation

What Is an Essential Oil?

To put it simply, essential oil is the essence of a plant that’s been captured in a carrier oil, such as lavender essential oil or bergamot essential oil. Each oil is concentrated and possesses some of the benefits of the root, herb, or flower, and by applying them topically or aromatically, you may reap those benefits.

What is Considered the Best Essential Oil? 

Every essential oil buff has at least one form of peppermint in their collection. Known to purify the air, increase energy, and uplift spirits, it’s cooling and calming and is perhaps the most popular essential oil used today.

Which Brand of Essential Oil is the Best?

The best essential oils brands are all great in their own right, but the best of the best needs to check all of the boxes. For me, that means having a wide selection, offering organic oils, following sustainable practices, and using tinted glass bottles. 

Plant Therapy meets all of those requirements, going a step further and providing test results and education about essential oils and wellness in general. 

Do Essential Oils Have Any Health Benefits?

According to Dr. Chacon, essential oils are used not only for their refreshing scent. These are also known for their many health benefits such as:

• Boosting the mood
• Improving job performance through reduced stress and increased attentiveness
• Improving sleep
• Killing bacteria, funguses, and viruses
• Reducing anxiety
• Reducing inflammation, nausea, and headaches

Essential oils are often applied to the skin or used in aromatherapy and inhaled through the nose.

How to Use Essential Oil? 

Essential oil can be used in many different ways. You should never, ever, eat or drink essential oils. Here are a few things you can do with them:

1. Inhale them directly from the bottle
2. Use a diffuser
3. Put a few drops in your humidifier
4. Dilute with water & apply to your skin
5. Add a few drops to your shampoo

That said, remember to patch test essential oils on your skin before dousing yourself in them.

“Essential oils are safe when used externally in low concentrations but for skin applications, the concentration should be no higher than 5%,” Dr. Chacon said.

How Do I Pick a Good Essential Oil? 

Essential oils are used for different reasons, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs. I’ll walk you through some key factors to consider while making your decision.

Brand  

Some of the names on this list of best essential oil brands have been around for 60+ years and have more credibility than others. If that’s something you value, then stick with them. If you’re looking for a brand whose values align with yours (sustainable sourcing, giving back, transparent) then make sure you go for one that meets all your needs.

Know the Difference Between Essential Oil and Fragrance Oil

Essential oil is much different than fragrance oil, though once they were one and the same. Fragrance oils are often synthetic and made to mimic the scents of natural oils, like rose or lavender. None of the best essential oil brands carry fragrance oils, but if you choose to branch out, be sure to steer clear and choose only pure essential oils. 

Latin Name

All of the best essential oil brands make buying essential oils as easy as possible. That often means leaving off the oil’s Latin name and just writing exactly what it is, like bergamot or lime. This shouldn’t impact your decision, but just know that if you see a Latin word on the ingredients label, brands do this to follow protocol. 

Informative Labels

Looking for a little education with your essential oils? Since you’re buying online, you have the benefit of reading up on any type of oil you like. With that said, some brands offer more information than others about what each oil does and where it comes from. If you want to make your search as easy as possible, I suggest choosing these brands.

Smell 

Some people choose essential oils because of how they smell. If you want something to deodorize your home, you likely won’t choose an essential oil with a fragrance you don’t like. Since you’re shopping online, you won’t have the benefit of sampling an oil before you buy it, so I recommend doing your research before committing. 

Don’t Let the “Grade” Fool You

You may have seen the words “therapeutic grade” pop up one or two times on my list of best essential oil brands. But here’s the thing: no US governing agency actually certifies essential oils. Brands slap this label on themselves based on the quality of their oils.

Method to apply essential oils

You can use essential oils in any of the ways we outlined for your above, but not every oil was made to be universally applied. Some, like peppermint, can be both used topically and in a diffuser while certain blends are not. Decide how you’ll be using your oil and then choose accordingly.

Price

The good news about essential oils is that a little goes a long way. The bad news is that if you use them daily or have large rooms, you’ll likely run out quickly. I’ve included a spectrum of options on my list of the best essential oil brands so you can get what you need without thinking too hard about it.

FAQ

How can I inhale essential oils? 

Yes. You can either inhale them directly from the bottle or put them in a diffuser. You never want to ingest essential oils as they can lead to poisoning even in small amounts.

How do I apply essential oils topically? 

All essential oils can be applied topically, but only some are ok to be used without dilution. To be safe, you should always dilute your essential oils with another carrier oil. For adults, dilution rates are as follows:

• 10%: 60 drops to 6 tsp carrier oil
• 5%: 30 drops to 6 tsp carrier oil
• 2.5%: 15 drops to 6 tsp carrier oil
• 1%: 6 drops per 6 tsp carrier oil

If you do not dilute your oils before applying them topically, you may experience a rash as essential oils are highly concentrated.

What carrier oil should I use? 

You can use your carrier oil of preference. Many people use coconut oil, some use argan oil, but you can even use shea butter or any other vegetable oil you like. 

What are the techniques to use essential oils on skin?

If you are using your essential oils for massage, dilute them with a 1% ratio of 6 drops per 6 tsp of carrier oil. Use the oil as you would any other to massage tense external areas. Never use essential oils on your private parts or open wounds.

For a little pick-me-up, dilute your essential oils to the ratio of your choosing and gently dab them behind your ear, on the inside of your wrists, or on your temples.

If some oils are so powerful, are essential oils safe for kids?

Not all essential oils are safe for kids. That’s why I like brands such as Plant Therapy that have a kids’ safe line. Shop within this collection if you have kids in your home. 

Are essential oils safe during pregnancy? 

No. If you are pregnant, you should not use essential oils. Be sure to inspect the ingredients in your shampoo, conditioner, and personal care products to ensure they are free from essential oils. 

How long does essential oil last once it’s opened? 

Essential oils have a typical shelf life of two years after they’ve been opened. Since certain ingredients begin to oxidize, they will either become rancid or lose their healing properties.

What’s a good essential oil to try for beginners? 

Lavender is a great essential oil for beginners. It’s gentle and soothing and is perfect for helping you calm down before bed. You can use lavender essential oil topically, put it in a diffuser, or even mix it in with shampoo. 

How We Chose the Best Essential Oil Brands 

Before choosing any brand, we scour the web and all the biggest e-tailers to ensure we know all the available options on the market. We look at customer reviews, star ratings, brand ethos, processes, materials, accessibility, and so much more. We weigh the pros and cons, so you don’t have to, helping you make informed shopping decisions.

Final Thoughts

Adding essential oils to your daily routines can be highly beneficial. With calming, rejuvenating, and healing properties, the best essential oil brands are here to help boost your wellness.