What Is the Difference Between Homemade and Store-Bought Essential Oils?

The earliest records of aromatic plant distillation date back to the time of Avicenna. Much has changed since then. As humanity progressed, we developed the science of aromatherapy and discovered countless benefits of using natural essential oils. However, along with these advances came synthetic chemicals, including artificial fragrances.

In today's world, people have become more conscious about what they consume, the quality of these products, and whether they are truly pure. There’s a growing trend toward eco-friendly and natural products.

This applies to essential oils as well. Among the vast array of aromatherapy products on the market, it can be difficult to find truly high-quality and pure essential oils. In response, a new wave of home distillers has emerged—people striving to create essential oils and hydrosols by hand, at home. This is the only way to be absolutely sure of the product’s quality and purity at every stage—from planting the seed and harvesting, to the last drop in the bottle. It allows control over both the raw material and the production process.

On one hand, the rise of homemade essential oils reflects growing distrust of store-bought ones and marketing tricks due to issues with quality and potential adulteration. On the other hand, entering the fragrant world of home production immerses us in something much deeper, infused with new energy and meaning. It’s an emotional process, almost like a ritual, where every detail matters. More than that, it transforms our attitude toward both the plants and the final product. An essential oil made by hand carries the fresh, living energy of the plant, something we deeply feel when making oils at home.

This article focuses on exactly that—the difference between homemade and store-bought essential oils. We will examine in detail how they differ, when it’s better to choose one over the other, and discuss the quality of raw materials, the purity of the final product, and the specifics of production in both cases.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Key Differences

When producing essential oils at home, we gain the ability to monitor the quality of the raw materials. That means we can know the exact plant species, whether it was fresh or dried (and if dried—how long ago), and even harvest the plants ourselves, choosing only the best specimens—or grow them ourselves. By controlling the entire production chain, we not only get a high-quality essential oil but also an ecologically clean product.

In large-scale production, quality and purity issues can arise at the very beginning—during cultivation or wild harvesting. To improve yields, farmers often treat their fields with pesticides and fertilizers. Some use only organic compounds, while others may apply toxic chemicals. As a result, essential oils made from such plants cannot be considered clean and may even be harmful to health. And even when the label says the raw material was wild-harvested, we can’t be sure of its purity. Roads, sewage systems, cemeteries, or industrial sites could be located nearby, even in forests, fields, or mountains.

Quality of Raw Materials

Scientific studies show that essential oils from the same plant species can have different chemical compositions depending on the climate and geography. For example, lavender from the highlands of France will smell very different from lavender grown in Bulgarian fields—and their chemical profiles will differ as well. What’s more, if you collect lavender from the same place but on different days or times, you may also get essential oils with different chemical compositions.

As for commercially produced essential oils, sometimes we can trust their quality and purity based on the manufacturer's reputation. But even the best producers can have problematic batches due to changes in suppliers, staff, or harvest failure.

Only in home production can we take into account all the nuances of the raw materials we use—something that is impossible when selecting an oil off the shelf.

Freshness and Aroma

Another major advantage of homemade oils is freshness. Store-bought oils go through a long journey before they reach the shelves or online stores. First, the plant material must be collected—ideally, close to the distillery so it can be processed fresh. But often, it's dried and transported over long distances. That’s not all. Even high-quality industrial oils aren’t sold immediately after distillation. They’re transported, poured into bottles, and shipped again. This process can take weeks or even months.

Now imagine being able to use an oil you just made yourself almost immediately! And this isn’t just a pleasant bonus. Some essential oils begin to lose their therapeutic properties over time—for example, Roman chamomile, which begins to degrade within 3–4 months, especially if stored improperly. The fresher the oil, the more beneficial components it retains and the richer its aroma. This is especially important for energy work and meditation, but also for maintaining therapeutic value.

Large-scale production often lacks many of the delicate aromatic compounds that can be captured when making oils at home. That’s why homemade lavender oil may have a softer, greener aroma than its store-bought counterpart.

Adulteration in Store-Bought Oils

For those who prefer store-bought essential oils, it’s important to be aware of frequent adulteration—additives, synthetic fragrances, stabilizers, and preservatives are commonly used. Some do it to cut costs, others to extend shelf life, or simply to make a profit by deception. That’s why it’s crucial to choose only trusted and transparent producers to avoid harming your health.

What About Beginners?

What about beginners who are just starting their journey in aromatherapy and don’t yet have the experience or a trained nose to detect synthetic oils? In this case, we recommend exploring home production. Getting acquainted with a true, living essential oil from the very beginning helps your body learn to recognize only natural aromas. This is a valuable skill that will help distinguish quality oils in the future.

Of course, even experienced aromatherapy users should try home distillation. It’s an exciting and rewarding process that deepens one’s love for aromatherapy and opens new dimensions of the aromatic world.

Challenges of Homemade Oils

However, alongside the many advantages of homemade oils, there are some challenges worth mentioning.

First, homemade oils require special storage conditions. Because of their purity, they spoil more easily and demand careful handling. In short: use dark glass bottles, store in a cool, dry, dark place, label with production dates, and keep bottles tightly closed. If in doubt—store them in the fridge.

Second, the yield of essential oil from some plants can be very small. This may be disappointing at first, so it’s good to be prepared.

It’s also important to understand that producing essential oil takes time and attention—from selecting or growing plant material to the final stages of distillation. You’ll need a designated space, clean water, and many other important elements. It’s clear that you’ll also need dedication, faith in your abilities, and the patience not to give up after a failed attempt.

Homemade essential oil is always unique and special—it can even be different each time. This is a big advantage when making oils for personal or family use, or for use in homemade cosmetics or aromatic blends. But for large pharmaceutical or cosmetic companies, homemade essential oils are not suitable due to low yields and the inability to standardize or certify the product.

So, if the factors above are critical to you, it might be better to stick with high-quality store-bought essential oils for now.

Summary and Conclusion

But if you’re drawn to the idea of becoming an alchemist—someone who speaks the language of Nature and Science—we invite you into the fragrant world of home essential oil production, a world that simply cannot be compared to large-scale manufacturing.

Let’s summarize what you gain by making essential oils at home:

• Full control and transparency at every stage of production
• Purity, ecological integrity, and complete naturalness of the final product
• A richer, more interesting chemical and aromatic profile
• The freshest essential oils possible
• An incomparable hands-on experience
• A deeper love and appreciation for aromatherapy
• A transformed relationship with plants and essential oils—not just as useful products, but as living, magical elixirs of power and energy
• The ability to conduct meditations and energy practices on a higher spiritual level

Everyone must choose what best suits their mindset and way of life. A conscious approach to essential oil production is the key to success in aromatherapy. We encourage you to listen to your heart and mind—and choose only high-quality, natural aromas, no matter how they are made.