Essential Oils
If you’re the kind of person who wishes every day could be spa day, then you’re in luck. Incorporating essential oils into your home, beauty routine, and DIY projects is an easy way to bliss out—without the hefty price tag. Essential oils are sometimes referred to as “EOs” for short, and are extracted from several parts of the plant (like leaves, blossoms, stems, and roots). Proponents believe they possess therapeutic benefits, and can help do everything from soothing sore muscles to helping you fall asleep to reducing stress. EOs are potent and highly concentrated, which means a little goes a long way.
Ways to Use Essential Oils at Home
There are myriad ways to bring the benefits of botanicals into your day. Here are just a few!
- Diffuse citrus scents (e.g. lemon, orange) to help energize your morning
- Add some drops of eucalyptus and lavender to your evening bath
- Add lemon essential oil to your laundry cycle for a fresh scent
- Before bed, create a relaxing blend from chamomile, lavender, and vetiver
Top Essential Oil Brands
Thrive Market has extremely high standards when it comes to stocking pure essential oils. No matter which brand you choose, you can rest easy (thank you, lavender) knowing these options are the cream of the crop.
Aura Cacia
Every option in Aura Cacia’s line is made from pure botanicals. And with each purchase, you’re helping empower women to improve their lives through the brand’s Positive Change Project.
Now Foods
Before protein powders and alternative sweeteners were readily available in local supermarkets, Now Foods was crafting essential oils from what nature has to offer. The scents range from citrus to floral and everything in between.
Ancient Apothecary
Fermentation is an ancient process to help food break down into more absorbable components. Ancient Apothecary applies this technique to its essential oils, which undergo dual-stage, live fermentation before they’re bottled and shipped to your door.
Best Organic Essential Oils
With so many options to choose from, it might take a while to find your favorite scent, but these three are a great place to start.
Thrive Market Organic Lemon Essential Oil
This organic lemon essential oil has a bright, fresh aroma and a low pH, which gives it antibacterial properties—so it’s perfect for adding to DIY cleaning recipes. Diffuse it in the morning or add a few drops to a carrier oil in your palm and then inhale to help you feel more energized.
Aura Cacia Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit that’s the size of an orange, but green in color. Used in DIY cleaning supplies—like shower cleaner or all-purpose spray—It can help discourage mold and mildew from forming.
Ancient Apothecary Holy Basil Essential Oil
The holy basil shrub is also known as tulsi, meaning “the incomparable one.” It’s native to India and has been used historically in Ayurvedic medicine.
Best Sustainably Farmed Essential Oils
When you’re looking for the purest essential oils, choose brands (like these!) that farm plants using sustainable methods.
Aura Cacia Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Every bottle of Aura Cacia’s essential oil starts by sourcing pure ingredients from farmers and suppliers all over the world. With balanced floral notes, lavender is known for helping to usher in feelings of calm and relaxation.
Thrive Market Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
Like all of our organic essential oils, this one is made from non-GMO ingredients. We harvest, sort, and then gently extract each botanical using steam distillation to keep the aroma fresh.
Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil
This leaf-derived essential oil is organically grown in the plains of eastern Australia, and can be used in DIY skincare products or household cleaning mixes.
You Might Like
From a DIY bath bomb recipe to a guide to everything you need to know about aromatherapy, these posts will have you up to speed on essential oils in no time.
Aromatherapy 101
New to aromatherapy? Start here. This beginner’s guide breaks down what you need to know to get started with essential oils at home.
5 Essential Oils for a Relaxing Weekend
Stay in and get cozy with these five essential oils that’ll help you transform your home into a relaxing oasis.
DIY Essential Oil Bath Bomb
Draw yourself a hot bath and drop in a homemade bath bomb. The simple ingredients like EVOO and essential oil will fizz and foam while you soak.