I’ve bought essential oils at my local health food store. (But I probably won’t do this again, unless it’s an emergency. That’s because I worry the oil may not be fresh, since I have no idea how long it’s been sitting on the shelf.)
I’ve also purchased essential oils through various online retailers. And I’ve found some excellent deals on eBay.
Although I don’t mind saving money, I won’t do this at the expense of my family’s health. So I make sure the oils I buy on eBay are fresh and that they’re usually listed directly from the supplier.
Should You Buy Essential Oils on eBay?
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase a product I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you.)
For instance, I recently purchased Plant Guru Stress Relief Synergy Blend on eBay. Plant Guru is a reputable company that sells 100 percent pure therapeutic grade oils.
The blend I bought was listed by Plant Guru. I wouldn’t have ordered it from a third-party seller. That’s because there’s a huge problem with essential oil fraud. (More on this later.)
But the two brands that I show on this page – Plant Guru and Plant Therapy – are listed by the same companies that sell them. No third party gets involved. Also, you can see how often a particular listing is sold in a day. This is a bonus. It means there’s enough turnover so that you’re buying a fresh bottle of oil. That’s also the reason I don’t like to buy my essential oils at my local health food store.
Buying Essential Oils on eBay
There’s usually no good reason to pay top dollar for essential oils. You don’t have to, especially if you steer clear of the multilevel marketing brands. You certainly don’t want to pay top dollar if you plan to use your essential oils in homemade cleaning products.
Even if you plan to use your oils for massage, or in a diffuser, you still shouldn’t have to spend a lot, unless you’re buying a precious oil. However, you should always buy from a trusted supplier. I get my oils from a handful of companies. Since I’m using their products myself, I feel comfortable recommending them to my readers.
Buying MLM Oils on eBay
Essential oils from the two main MLM players can also be found on eBay. I do like the frankincense oil sold by one of these companies. But one experience left me shaken. Remember when I mentioned essential oil fraud? Because this is such a huge problem, it’s better to buy an MLM oil from a trusted independent distributor, and not on eBay.
I ordered a small bottle of this very pricey oil. But after using it just a couple of times, it ran out. I began to wonder if perhaps the seller had done a little “rebottling.” If that was the case, I don’t know what would have been added. A lesser quality frankincense? Or, something else?
Anyway, lesson learned. Going forward, I’ll be very careful buying MLM oils on eBay. I did buy a second bottle of frankincense from someone else. I had no complaints. The seller obviously took his MLM business very seriously because he tried to recruit me. So you need to exercise caution. If you find a reputable seller, stick with them. I still think it’s better to buy MLM oils in person. But if you don’t know a good distributor, maybe you can find one online.
On the other hand, I felt very comfortable ordering the Plant Guru stress blend, which I mentioned above, since it’s sold directly from the company. Below you can see three Plant Guru blends. The picture shows a set of three. But they can also be ordered individually. What I like about buying essential oils on eBay is that many companies have a buy 3 get 1 free deal. I don’t tend to see this other places, just on eBay.
Plant Guru Essential Oil Blends
Essential Oils for Sale on eBay
Oils from the big-name multilevel marketing companies can be found on eBay. You can also find popular brand names, such as Plant Therapy. I’ve bought a lot of my oils from this company, which sells top-quality products. Plant Therapy oils are tested twice. One test is done by a third party. The kit below would be great for someone just starting their essential oil collection, or for someone who wants to save money on Plant Therapy’s most popular oils. (Generally, kits are less expensive, compared to buying individual bottles.)
There are many aromatherapy brands I haven’t yet tried yet. As I learn more about essential oils, I’ve realized that you don’t have to buy them from the MLM companies. Very good options exist outside of the MLM circles. But you do have to shop carefully. That’s why I feel totally confident recommending Plant Therapy products on eBay.
eBay Young Living Essential Oils
Nearly all of the time, I stay away from MLM oils, eliminating the tiers of commission found in multilevel marketing chains.
Young Living Sacred Frankincense is an excellent product, though. It’s also sold through an MLM network. One researcher at the University of Oklahoma found that this brand of frankincense has the ability to kill cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells alone. Frankincense comes in many grades and the extraction process is particularly intricate. Young Living does make very good frankincense. (But I don’t recommend getting it on eBay. Instead, if you want YL products, find a distributor and build a relationship.)
Pure Essential Oils on eBay
If you decide to buy a lesser known brand on eBay, however, I’d recommend you first do a couple of things. You can communicate directly with the seller. Ask some questions about testing. Read the reviews. Investigate the company a little. Does it work with a a professional aromatherapist? How can you be assured that you’re buying 100 percent pure oils?
Also, when buying an essential oil, it should come in amber glass bottles, not clear glass or plastic. The cap should be plastic, and not metal.
The company should also have a website that contains information about its oils. If it cares enough about customer service, and reputation, a website should be part of the package.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
