How Essential Oils Are Made
December 18, 2019 12.45pm
Now more than ever there is a distinct focus on essential oils and their many benefits. Though the majority of us understand just how simple it is to pick up essential oil and read about what it has to offer, few people actually know what goes into essential oils. While certain scents are reminiscent of familiar fruits or flowers, some are beneficial for a variety of reasons. These oils that you can easily get at most any store actually require a lot of equipment and fairly complex processes to create them. For this article, we are going to break down how your favorite essential oils are made.
The most popular way to make essential oils is a process called steam distillation. For this process, the creator will take the plants while they are still fresh and filled with essence to begin the distillation. In this approach, steam is created by boiling water underneath the plants. The steam will naturally arise, and when it does this, it will take the essential oils with it.
After that, the steam will return to a solid form, making it easy for the oil to be separated from the water. This makes for easy collection and provides the creator with a solid amount of essential oil. Another popular approach to getting essential oils is the use of physically extracting the oils by force. You can do this by squeezing the source to obtain the oils from it. While this is a commonly used approach, it is only effective for certain kinds of materials.
For some types of plants or leaves, this will not work because there is not enough moisture within them to make the process effective. However, for juicier subjects, it can be remarkably effective and preserve the integrity of the oil.
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing essential oils is that not all essential oils are made with a natural process. Some companies use a process involving solvents. This means that the creator will use chemicals to pull the oils from the source rather than relying on a more natural method. Considering the fact that many of us breathe these in or rub them on our skin, this can be a point of particular concern for most people. It is important to always be an educated consumer when shopping for products, and make sure that your purchasing pure, unadulterated essential oils like those available here on ArizonaSoapSupply.com.
Essential oils can be collected in a variety of ways depending on the source and the person making them. As these products continue to grow in popularity, it seems likely that additional methods will be introduced that might prove to be even more beneficial for the everyday consumer. They're the perfect ingredient for soap making, custom aromatherapy blends, perfumes, lotions, and cosmetics.
Take the time to educate yourself on the products that you are buying before deciding how and where they're most effective. In some instances, it can be a matter of personal preference, but in others, it might be a matter of safety. Sign up for our classes for soap making and skincare to learn how to include your favorite essential oils in soaps and lotions today.