Aura Cacia FAQs

Product  |  Organic  |  Quality  |  Safety

If you need help navigating or ordering from this site, you can call Online Customer Assistance during business hours (8am - 5pm CT, Monday - Friday) at 800-669-3275. We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you don't see the information you're looking for, you can email Customer Care

Product

Q: What is an absolute?
A: Absolutes are not true essential oils, although they are aromatic, volatile and used in aromatherapy and perfumery. They are produced by alcohol extraction, after which the alcohol is removed by vacuum distillation. The extraction is done on something called the concrete — a thick, fragrant material extracted from the plant with a hydrocarbon solvent such as hexane. The concrete contains the essential oil as well as fatty acids and waxes. Alcohol dissolves the essential oil, and the non-fragrant components either precipitate or are filtered out. This method is used for delicate plants (usually flowers), where heat distillation would damage or distort the essential oil, or for plants with a very low essential oil content that makes distillation impractical. The most used aromatherapy absolutes are jasmine and rose. Absolutes such as carnation, hyacinth and gardenia are used in high quality perfumery.

Q: What is your policy on animal testing?
A: None of our products are tested on animals.

Q: Is separation in avocado oil a sign of a quality problem?
A: No. Haziness in avocado oil is of no consequence and is, in fact, an indication of natural, unrefined oil with the complete beneficial constituents. As with any skin care oil — but especially pronounced in avocado oil — some cloudiness may develop if the oil is exposed to cold temperatures. This is most apt to occur when the oil is shipped in cold weather or stored in very cool warehouses stores.

This cloudiness is NOT an indication of poor quality, age or rancidity. Quality problems are indicated by an off aroma and elevated peroxide value. (All Aura Cacia skin care oils are checked for acceptable peroxide levels before being bottled and induction sealed to maintain freshness.)

Usually the cloudiness can be eliminated by placing the bottle in a warm water bath. Precipitate in the oil will also melt when applied to the skin because of body temperature.

Q: Does Aura Cacia distill its own essential oils?
A: We have distilled oils for research purposes, but it isn't practical for us to distill for production. We are not equipped to consistently meet either the quantity or the quality requirements for Aura Cacia oils by distilling the oils ourselves.

Q: Approximately how many drops are in 1/8-ounce, 1/2-ounce, 2-ounce and 4-ounce bottles of essential oil?
A: While the number of drops varies according to the consistency of the oil, the average drops per bottle for the sizes in the question are, from smallest to largest, about 72 drops, 288 drops, 1,152 drops and 2,304 drops.

Q: Is it a problem to have essential oils freeze?
A: No. Since essential oils don't contain water, they don't actually freeze. Cold temperatures can cause one or more constituents to crystallize. The quality isn't affected, although sometimes the crystallized constituents may not blend completely back into the solution once the oil is "thawed." This results in a "cloudy" appearance. Placing the oil in a warm location or warm water bath will eliminate the cloudiness.

Q: Are German and Roman chamomile related?
A: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) are different plants of the same family (Asteraceae) that have similar properties. As essential oils, they are also similar, but they differ in one significant respect. German chamomile oil has a blue color resulting from a constituent called chamazulene that's produced during the distillation process. Roman chamomile has little or no chamazulene, and therefore its essential oil lacks the vivid blue color that characterizes German chamomile oil.

Q: How is lavandin different from lavender?
A: Lavender oil is distilled from the flowers of Lavendula angustifolia, or true lavender. Lavandin is a cross between true lavender and spike lavender. Lavandin has a higher camphor content than lavender oil. It is used on sore muscles and for its sanitizing and deodorizing properties. Lavandin is less expensive than lavender oil and is more abundant. It is often used as an adulterant to, or substitution for, true lavender essential oil.

Q: What is the difference between Tasmanian lavender and the other lavenders?
A: Tasmania first started growing lavender about 100 years ago when a famous lavender expert from England moved his operation to Tasmania, an island off the coast of southern Australia that has a similar climate to England. He brought the seeds that carried the traits he was looking for spent nearly 50 years developing a special variety in Tasmania that has an exceptionally soft, sweet and floral aroma. Since the farm and production is small, the price of Tasmanian lavender tends to be high.

Q: Why do some peppermints smell different than others?
A: Aura Cacia sells a natural peppermint essential oil that has the full, complete aroma profile of Mentha piperita. This aroma is more complex, has all of the components from a single distillation, and is ideal for aromatherapy use. Many consumers are accustomed to peppermint essential oil that has been redistilled to remove certain components of the oil leaving a stronger, menthol aroma, characteristic of peppermint candy. The more complex aroma of the natural peppermint oil may have unfamiliar aroma notes, but it is not an indicator that anything is wrong with the oil. It’s simply a different aroma than the candy-like aroma of redistilled peppermint.

Q: What is rose otto?
A: Rose otto is the steam or water distilled essential oil of the fresh petals of the damask rose (Rosa damascena). It is considered the finest rose oil in the world (and is also the most expensive). Also known as attar of rose, rose otto has an intensely warm, rich, deeply rosy scent.

The term "otto" is derived from "Ottoman" in Ottoman Empire. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, rose oil production spread to the many Ottoman provinces, including — in the mid-fifteenth century — certain areas of what is now Bulgaria. These areas are ideally suited to rose flower production, and they soon became the major producers of rose otto. Today Bulgaria and Turkey provide virtually all of the world's production of rose otto.

Q: Where do your essential oils come from?
A: Some essential oils — such as peppermint, spearmint, Texas cedarwood, and citrus oils — are commercially produced in the U.S. However, most are produced in other parts of the world where the particular plants thrive.

Q: How should essential oils be stored? How long do they last?
A: It's best to store essential oils in closed, glass bottles away from heat and light. While some essential oils may stay good almost indefinitely under ideal conditions, we recommend two years as a good rule of thumb for most oils. Citrus and conifer oils have a shorter shelf life due to certain components that react to oxygen in a way that degrades the oil over time. These oils are best used within 18 months of the manufacture date on the bottle.

Q: Is wild chamomile related to German and Roman chamomile?
A: Although, like German and Roman chamomile, wild chamomile (Ormenis multicaulis) is in the family Asteraceae, it is only vaguely similar to the other chamomiles, differing significantly in aroma, chemical composition and uses.

Q: What is a hydrosol?
A: The leftover water from the steam or water distillation of an essential oil is called a hydrosol. Hydrosols are mostly water, with the water-soluble components of the plant not found in the essential oil. They usually contain a very tiny bit of essential oil — at least enough to give the hydrosol the faint aroma of the oil. They are considered great additions to skin toners and sprays, masks and lotions where they are valued for their astringent, soothing and rejuvenating qualities. Because they are almost all water, they can be used directly on the skin without dilution.

Q: Are your products irradiated?
A: We do not use any ingredients or carry any products that are irradiated.

Q: Why does Aura Cacia use jojoba oil in so many products?
A: Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax rather than a true oil, and it's very similar to the sebum of the skin. Because it forms a light, non-greasy layer that does not clog the skins pores, it's often used in all types of skin preparations. And because it isn't a fat, it doesn't go rancid and thereby helps extend the shelf life of other oils to which it's been added.

Organic

Q: What does "certified organic" mean?
A: "Certified organic" is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The act provides for a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) that develops and recommends the standards for the National Organic Program (NOP) as administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A certified organic designation means that a state or private certification organization that is accredited by the USDA has verified that the product meets its strict organic standards. The certifier inspects the location where the organic product is produced and handled to ensure that all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards are being followed. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to the local supermarket or restaurant must also be certified and inspected annually to ensure continued compliance. (In order to maintain their accredited certifier status with the USDA, certifiers are required to conduct annual on-site inspections of all their clients.)

Q: Who is your organic certifier?
A: Aura Cacia organic products are all certified by the leading third-party organic certifier Quality Assurance International (QAI).

Q: Are organic products produced in other countries required to meet U.S. organic regulations?
A: Yes, all organic products sold as certified organic in the United States are required to follow the U.S. standards and be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier.

Q: Is there any difference between an organic oil and a non-organic oil?
A: Certified organic oils come from plants that are cultivated, harvested and distilled in accordance with certified organic regulations. Certified organic growers must always take long-term sustainability into account as part of the certification process, and supporting organic farmers is a way for the consumer to commit to the health and sustainability of our planet.

Q: What is organic agriculture?
A: In a nutshell, organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm. Or in the words of the National Organics Standard Board, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." More definitions and extensive resource links are available at the USDA's Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools. Further online resources on organics, sustainability, farm energy and alternative crops (including herbs) can be found in the list of Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) publications.

Q: Can you help me understand certain organic claims? For example, what is the difference between 100% Organic vs. Made with Organic?
A: Here are the basic USDA regulations for the four recognized types of organic claims: Products labeled "100 Percent Organic" must show an ingredients list, the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, and the name/seal of the organic certifier. All ingredients must be certified organic (excluding water and salt). Products labeled "Organic" must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. The label must contain an ingredient list that identifies the organic, as well as the non-organic, ingredients in the product and the name of the organic certifier. A minimum of 95% of the ingredients (excluding water and salt) must be certified organic, and any non-organic ingredients used must be approved for use in an organic product by the USDA. Products labeled "Made with Organic (specified ingredients or food groups)" must contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and up to 30% non-organic agricultural ingredients or other ingredients approved for use in organic products by the USDA. The label must contain an ingredients list that identifies the organic, as well as the non-organic, ingredients in the product, along with the name of the organic certifier. If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, the product can specify organic ingredients only on the ingredient panel. The product cannot use the word "organic" on the principal display panel or display any organic certifier seals. 

Essential Oil Quality

Q: What are the most common solvents used to adulterate essential oils? Do they pose any health concerns?
A: We test extensively to ensure that Aura Cacia essential oils are pure and unadulterated. Solvents used to adulterate essential oils are generally colorless and odorless and therefore not easily detectable without resorting to gas chromatography testing. These solvents range from relatively benign (ethanol) to very hazardous (toluene) chemicals. Regardless of individual health effects, they do not belong in essential oils. They could affect the benefits of the oils, and they may cause allergic or toxic reactions in some individuals.

Q: Do you test all Aura Cacia essential oils?
A: We test every pre-shipment sample of essential oils before making a purchase. Then, after we purchase an essential oil, every shipment is tested to make sure it continues to meet all quality and purity standards.

Q: What specific tests do you perform for essential oils?
A: Our essential oil testing includes both physical testing — sensory evaluation, optical rotation and specific gravity — and gas chromatography (GC) testing for every oil. This extensive testing provides complete confidence that our oils are 100% pure and authentic, and we offer a quality guarantee to our customers.

Q: What is a therapeutic grade oil?
A: There is no such grading system for essential oils. Companies sometimes use this term in marketing to try to differentiate aromatherapy oils from essential oils used in flavoring and food. Aromatherapy oils should be pure, complete and unadulterated high quality oils. But because the term "therapeutic grade" isn't based on established standards or regulation, it can be — and often is — used without regard to the quality of the oil.

Q: What is the difference between a fragrance oil and an essential oil?
A: Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, tops, or fruits of plants. They are the highly concentrated, volatile, aromatic components of the plants or plant parts from which they are distilled. A fragrance is a combination of various natural and synthetic aroma chemicals, created in the lab by an aroma chemist. Fragrances attempt to mimic the aroma of an essential oil or the aroma of a plant that doesn't have an essential oil (an apple for example), or to create an entirely new scent. Fragrances are used in perfumery and to scent all types of products, such as toiletries, soaps, room fresheners, paper, tobacco products and paints. Only pure essential oils should be used in aromatherapy. 

Essential Oil Safety

Q: Where are the best places to apply oils for absorption?
A: Essential oils can be applied almost anywhere on the body (avoid the eyes, of course). However, the fastest absorption occurs in areas where you have lots of blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. (Many of these are also called pressure points.) The soles of the feet, the wrists, neck and behind the ears are all great spots for applying oils to improve absorption. Warmth also plays a role — your body doesn't absorb oils as well when it's cold. The underarm is also an ideal place to apply oils; it has lots of blood vessels and is also warm.

Q: Can you put undiluted oils directly on your skin?
A: In general, this should be avoided, and oils should only be used with a recommended dilution based on the particular situation of the person and the intended use of the oil (from 1-10%). A few oils, like lavender and tea tree, can occasionally be applied directly, but in general, dilution is always recommended. With any oil we recommend a skin patch test. Always use caution.

Q: Can you use oils in food products?
A: We don't recommend using essential oils for flavoring food at home due to safety concerns.

Q: Why doesn’t Aura Cacia have health benefits on their labels?
A: Aromatherapy products are regulated by the FDA as cosmetics and must conform to cosmetic labeling regulations. Aura Cacia labels all products in compliance with regulations in order to protect users. Not all companies comply with the law — that's why you may see competing products making claims or statements about the product's supposed benefits that you won't see on an Aura Cacia label.

Q: What causes photosensitivity and what oils cause it?
A: Oils that contain furocoumarins can cause skin reactions if used on skin that is then exposed to ultraviolet light. These photosensitive reactions may be as mild as slight reddening of the skin, while severe cases can result in acute lesions known as bullock dermatitis. This dermatitis will resolve itself in a few weeks; however, the accompanying hyper-pigmentation (brown spots on the skin) can take months or years to fully disappear. Bergamot, which contains the furocoumarin bergaptene, is especially likely to cause reactions. We sell bergaptene-free bergamot (bergamot BF) to eliminate this risk. Other oils we carry that might cause photosensitive reactions include ginger, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin orange and tangerine.