Here is why I don’t sell essential oils.
I’ve been using essential oils for five years. I use them almost every day, and I absolutely love them.
But even though a lot of bloggers sell essential oils, I don’t–and I likely never will.
It is not uncommon for me to be asked to sell essential oils under one of my blogging friends. I respect many of these ladies who sell oils, but here is why selling essential oils isn’t for me:
1. Selling isn’t my passion.
Writing is. Sharing information is. Connecting with you is.
Do I ever sell things on this blog? Well, yes, I do. I sell eBook bundles twice per year as well as my own eBooks, and I occasionally promote products from other bloggers and businesses, but selling on this site is not my primary income stream.
One reason I love blogging so much is that I can still make an income from home without my readers having to spend a penny (you can read about my six income streams here). If I were to rely on selling essential oils, that would not be the case.
2. I don’t like pushing just one brand.
If you follow me on social media–especially on Instagram, where I give a more personal peek into my life–you might have seen me use the hashtag #notbrandloyal.
I honestly despise brand wars of all sorts. I prefer to call myself people loyal as opposed to brand loyal.
It wasn’t long after I began using essential oils that I came to realize there is a huge rift between two major essential oils brands.
There are some brands that also claim they have the best of the best oils on the market. I simply do not believe it’s true that there is only one essential oils brand out there that meets the needs of every single family.
For a long time, I remained silent on the issue, but about six months ago I finally decided to make my thoughts about this public in my “essential oils wars” post.
Whenever I hear brand reps speak poorly of another brand, it’s a huge turnoff for me.
3. I am not a health and wellness expert.
While I do write about a variety of health and wellness topics on this site, I strive to do so from personal experience and research with cited sources. As a former journalist, I see no wrong in me writing about these topics, with the disclaimer that I am not an expert.
However, if I were to sell essential oils, I would feel obligated to spend hours researching and training to make sure I was an expert in the proper usage of essential oils.
Even though I feel comfortable and confident in using essential oils myself and in using them with my family, I would not want to sell a health and wellness product to others unless I were one hundred percent equipped to answer all of their questions.
And, at this point in my life, I simply do not have time for the training I would need to feel qualified enough to do so.
You can learn more about the healthy benefits with the current Herbs and Essential Oils Super Bundle!
4. I actually enjoy supporting others.
I have many friends who sell essential oils. These are ladies whom I highly respect.
I have several real-life friends who sell essential oils–including our mother’s helper–and I have many other blogging friends who sell them as well.
I am fully aware that I could be making more money by selling essential oils on my site than by referring my readers and friends to others who sell them. But, quite frankly, I just don’t.
The Lord has provided for our family’s needs in other ways, and I am excited to be in a position to help grow other moms’ businesses as well.
5. Staying sane for my family (and myself!) is more important to me than turning a profit.
Hold onto your seatbelts for this one: I’ve been told I could be making upwards of $30,000/month just on selling essential oils, based on the size of my blog platform.
But you know what? Life is more than money.
My goal is life is not to get rich; it’s to please the Lord and glorify Him.
When I was a teenager, I had the following quote taped to the chest of drawers beside my bed: “Only one life will soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Right now, I know that I would not be being obedient to God’s calling on my life if I were to sell essential oils, and that is the bottom line.
Over the weekend, I stumbled across a blog post written by a woman who had just given up her successful essential oils business. Why had she? Her business was stealing time and joy from her family life.
This post helped solidify what I’ve been thinking for years: There is only so much of me to stretch, and there is none left right now.
This blogger, Denise, is currently healing from adrenal fatigue, which can be brought on by stress and overcommitment. I am recovering from adrenal fatigue right now as well, and her post resonated with me completely.
Please do not hear me say that every person that sells essential oils is not living in God’s will. To the contrary, God may be calling some of you to sell them.
Maybe the thought of running a blog or writing a book might send you into major stress-out mode, but you would be amazing at selling something like essential oils! Everyone needs to make a living for their family, and I see no wrong in selling something like essential oils to do so–if it’s what God is calling you to do.
But I know for a fact that this is not His will for me right now, and I want to walk in obedience to him.
Besides blogging and my role over at Ultimate-Bundles, I am finishing up a book proposal. These things alone are already more than overflowing my plate.
If I were to take on more, I would be neglecting my family and my health. I have been there, done that with other projects. I don’t want to do it again.
If you want to see why another blogging friend of mine has decided not to sell essential oils, check out Crystal’s post!
What Essential Oils Brand I Really Use
I also want to focus on safe practices. I’ve mentioned often that I love using essential oils, but I have not ever formally revealed which brands I use. Until now.
I strive to be completely transparent with you all, so I want you to know that I primarily use Doterra* oils and Plant Therapy oils and some Rocky Mountain Oils.
Even though I don’t sell essential oils, I have friends who do, and I love supporting them. We love essential oils, but we aren’t brand loyal. I am more friend loyal.
(* Note: I do have a DoTerra account, but mainly so I get wholesale pricing when I buy them. It helps my friend, but I’m not pushing to sell them and don’t make any money from them.)
I fell in love with many of DoTerra’s blends–namely Serenity, DigestZen, Deep Blue, On Guard, and Breathe.
But I also love and use Plant Therapy oils, especially their KidSafe blends. I feel like Plant Therapy oils are also of a good quality and are extremely affordable compared to many other brands.
Over the years, I have also tried Aura Cacia, NOW brand, Young Living, and Spark Naturals. But if you were to come check out my oils stash, you would see a variety of oils.
This is not to say that other brands are not good. However, I want to be honest with you all on which brands I actually use right now.
Danielle
How do you know it’s a good oil? As in….I put lavender on and slept well and so it’s good lavender? I’m just wondering “how you know.” Is there a way to KNOW?
Sarah
I use essential oils and I researched where my oils come from and how they are harvested. Do they use pesticides? Do they use 1st distillation? Do they own their own farms? I think a most effective “good” oil depends on the potency. You need to know if they add any other synthetic oils in your bottle. Any EO brand can say they are 100% pure but only put 5% of that pure oil in that bottle while filling the rest with other oils. It’s good to do your research. After much research myself, I personally use Young Living.
Megan
Danielle – This blog: http://www.learningabouteos.com/ is a great resource! It’s my go-to. Totally unbiased reasearch and non-brand affiliated info on all kinds of EO info!
Kim Ehlers
I buy my oils at beeyoutiful.com (they have their own brand of oils). They’re affordable and the quality is great – I’ve used them for years. I also love them because this company, like Erin’s friends, strongly encourages appropriate use of oils – respecting just how powerful each is. They’re a wonderful resource to help me better educate myself on how to use oils safely and affectively. Another positive, they’re never disrespectful towards other brands.
Jill York
Beeyoutiful is the main brand I buy from too! I also have some doTERRA oils and love those as well.
Jackie Leyba
Thank you for this article. I have been wanting to try essential oils and I am SO confused with all of the brands that are out there. I know that the internet at times is not a real good source for true and accurate information. I’m going to look into the brands that you have listed and others. THanks!!
laurie
I have a little home business making organic lotions, natural skin care products and essential oil remedies. It’s called Humble Homestead.
I love your blog and often share your blog posts regarding essential oils.
Mainly I use Plant Therapy because they have a certified organic line that is affordable and sold in 5ml-100ml bottles. This keeps my production cost low so I can keep my prices reasonable. It’s very important to me that people are able to afford my products. Healthy living shouldn’t break the bank, IMHO.
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
Erin, I think it shows a lot of wisdom not to overcommit yourself and to not feel like you have to have a hand in everything available to you. I’ve been encouraged to sell products on Etsy a number of times but have never felt like it was a good time to take it on. Then, almost invariably, something happens and I’m relieved that I decided not to take on something that would be so demanding of my time (besides three kids, pregnancy, homeschooling, managing our home, blogging and so on! 😉 ).
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
This post resonates with me so well, Erin. I feel exactly the same way. I recently began teaching at our local Christian school, I enjoy writing for my blog as well as a few books I am working on, and I am homeschooling our sons. We can try to do so much good that we end up doing very little good. I think it is so important to consider what is best for our families as well as what the Lord is leading us to do. It’s okay to say no to something – even when it is good.
Love the quote you had on your dresser as a teen. What a wonderful thought to shape your future and your life!
I love essential oils. I mostly use Aura Cacia because it is both in my price range and available through Azure Standard.
Thanks for the post, Erin. I always appreciate your grace and your transparency. May He continue to fill your cup to overflowing!
Amy
I’ve been working with Neals Yard Remedies for the past few months and loved the quality so much that I am now representing them personally. I also was torn on adding my personal products as a business venture. Im finding that the more I am learning and researching, the easier it is to speak to others and feel like I may be helpful on improving their quality of life.
Kristen @ Smithspirations
This is an excellent post, Erin. My favorite part of what you said was that you know you don’t have the training you’d want to have to sell essential oils. I think outside, independent training is so important for oils since they can influence our health so much! Even with the outside training I have, I also don’t have any interest in selling essential oils for various reasons, but I also think it’s perfectly fine for another to make a living selling them.
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents
I knew this would be an excellent post. 🙂
Erin
😉 Perhaps that’s because you had a sneak peek while I was writing it? LOL!
Dawn
I have used Now Foods Essential oils for 20 Years. I would also use Mountain Rose Herbs organic oils and Have used Aura Cacia as well but dont care for the smell of the Aura Cacia as i do with Now E.O’s, but thats a preference i think. I do worry about those 2 MLM companies oils because they defy the rules of 1,000’s of years of traditional E.O. usage, where they suggest ingesting and using their oils neat! (NOT SAFE!!!) and Anytime medical Dr.’s hail it I really have to question whether the products are truly natural or some new genetically modified version, afterall..They been trying for years to take our rights away to use supplements and such. The other thing is that ridiculous claim that they are the only company with that safety label…. Uh yeah, they created it thats why, it doesnt mean anything, just a deceptive selling point, so right there i want no part of them. Get me once.. shame on you, get me twice…. Shame on ME! once i realized that safety label was a deceptive farce they created out of thn air.. I knew they were trying to decieve from the get go. No thanks, ill stick to what has been around for a long time and doesnt violate the real and traditional rules of Safe and effective Aromatherapy. Many oils are excellent, id steer clear of any Private MLM sales companies if you want the actual aromatherapy expierience, and you will save lots of money and do no harm which is the real jist of true medicine. I feel my calling is to warn people to think about this stuff seriously as many “CHRISTIANS” are selling these oils without asking these things and seem to have no conscience about it. Aromatherapy has been around for years, even back in biblical days they used these oils, but they did no harm with them, they used them sparingly and they were fine long before Doterra and Young living seen an opportunity to profit off of them. This christian wouldnt dream of making a claim like that, i am never to lend my members to representing lies, but only TRUTH, thats not TRUTH AS I SEE IT, BUT THE TRUTH IN WHOLE AFTER I SEARCH THE ENTIRE MATTER OUT! I challenged one of these sisters to think and go look and she just fliped out and said “IM NOT GONNA CHANGE MY MIND!” well that’s sad, because she has a huge audience too and can cause as much harm as she believes she is good, and thats tragic in far to costly a way. I believe we are getting a plant therapy factory here this summer and i know the folks who made the oils prior were called posergy, and they had great oils as well, so look forward to trying them in the future as well.
Thanks for your article, keep serving the Lord in your calling, because it is true only what is done for Christ will last 😉
Castile Soap UK
Dear Erin,
Thanks for sharing, these pointers. The world offers endless opportunities but as saints we have to be so careful not to take too much on. We are at a much simpler stage and find that tea tree 200ml and lemon oil 200ml suffice for the month. Plus some of the castile we are starting to sell in the UK.
Amanda
I stumbled upon your blog and really enjoy it! Thanks for your honest info on oils, I’ve just started using some and it is hard to objectively figure out what to use because there is a lot of bickering between some brands.
Off topic, but it seems the shelf you store your oils on is a letterpress drawer, it’s where printers would store the individual letter blocks for printing presses.
Thanks again, love your blog!
Erin
So glad you found it useful.
Jeanette
Thank you!!! My first experience with EOs was when I moved to a new area and attended a “class” my friend, a new rep, held. I was impressed with the oils I tested and let her talk me into buying a collection instead of a handful to start with. I realized her advice was based more on making the sale than my best interest. In the end I felt like I got ripped off and the experience pretty much killed our friendship.
Carol
I also am not loyal to one brand. I like DoTerra, Young Living AND Rocky Mountain oils (also known as Native American Nutritionals). The first 2 mentioned cost more because you are helping someone build a business, which is good. The Native American oils are less expensive because you are buying direct. All 3 have similar blends and purposed uses, and I like all 3 companies for different products.
Katie
I could have written this entry myself. DITTO all of your reasons. I use doTerra because I started with them and like them but also like plant therapy a lot. They have great customer service. I find I really like doTerra blends and plant therapy single oils. I also go easy on the ingestion and support your thoughts there. Also love your periscope sessions. Maybe in the future you can do an oils one?
Cheryl
Love this! I have been approached to sell so many different things throughout the years. I’m just not a salesperson. I’ve been building my essential oils stash through Melaleuca and still trying to figure out all the best uses for them. I’ve never been comfortable with ingesting eos.
Stacy
Thanks for being transparent. I too, use oils from several companies but would rather not make it part of my business plan. I do love to support my friends who are in the business and love it when they allow me to order with their monthly order so I save on shipping. 🙂
Erin
That’s awesome they let you order monthly! How kind!
Betty Gibbs
I spent several seconds trying to remember how I landed here. Oh yes, additional information on EOs. Excellent blog and I will continue my research, in particular several brands you mentioned. But today I have received what was needed more – a breath of fresh air. Erin, I recognize a tapestry here being woven by God to minister His heart. I am signing up to receive your posts by email. I expect to receive moments of refreshing with each one. As a blogger of hope and encouragement while on this journey, I’m reminded often that “we’re in this thing together.” You are doing an amazing job! 🙂
Erin
This email made my night! Thank you, Betty, for your kind words!
Aisha
I enjoy reading your posts! I love your honesty and realness. I’m always motivated to speak my truth after reading your posts. Thank you!
Lisa
I love how you are following your heart and sharing it openly.
I’ve been using essential oils from a few different companies for a little over a year and I’m just blown away how well they can fit into my lifestyle.
God Bless
Why Essential Oils
I see you do not use the Young Living brand. May I know why?