I use essential oils all the time. I put them in products I make, I use them when I am sick, I clean with them, and I diffuse them. The funny thing about essential oil is that it's not even oil! They got stuck with the name simply because they don't mix with water. Essential oil is a liquid that is distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, or roots of plants. Not all essential oils are created equal, some contain fillers and some are synthetic. You should only use pure, organic, therapeutic grade essential oils. I use Young Living oils but there are lots of oils on the market. Do your research before you buy. Below are signs to tell if the oil is fake.
Color - Place a single drop on white printer paper and let dry. If there’s an oily ring left behind, it’s not a pure essential oil. It means it has hidden nut, seed, or vegetable oil in it and its not a true pure essential oil.
Price - While high cost doesn’t signify high quality, it’s smart to be wary of an essential oil with a super-low price tag. Essential oils are almost inevitably pricey: It can take a roomful of plant material to fill just one bottle of essential oil, and if the botanical is scarce, it further drives up cost.
Sign - Make sure the plant’s Latin name is listed on the label or, if you’re shopping online, the webpage. If only the common name is listed (for example, "lavender essential oil") you might be shelling out for a lower-cost hybrid. And if it doesn’t specify that it’s an essential oil, it isn’t.
Container - All essentials must be stored in glass containers, because the oil’s strong chemical compounds break down and react with plastic. What’s more, glass should be dark blue or amber to protect the oil from degrading ultraviolet radiation.
Feel - Place a drop of vegetable, nut, or seed oil on the pad of one index finger, and place a drop of essential oil on the other. Rub the oils with your thumbs, noting the differences (or similarities) between the feel of each. True essential oils have a little slip. But for the most part, they shouldn't feel thick or greasy.
How its cultivated - Since essential oils are plant-derived, avoiding pesticide contamination by buying organic only makes sense. Many companies carry the official USDA seal, but here’s an insider secret: Oils labeled "wild-crafted" are also a safe bet. It means the plant was harvested in the wild, rather than farmed. You can pretty much assume they’ve been unsprayed. The organic label means a price bump, but you can be strategic about when to save or splurge. If nothing else, make sure you buy organic citrus oils as it’s been shown that they tend to contain pesticides.
How it pours - When you unscrew an essential oil’s cap, ideally it will be sealed with an orifice reducer, a plug that controls how many drops come out at once. This is helpful for dosage, yes, but it also prolongs the shelf life of oxidation-prone oils by limiting their exposure to air at all times. It’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t have one, but do watch out for any essential oils with built-in dropper pipettes. The little tubes are typically made of plastic or rubber, which can both break down and release synthetic impurities into the oil
I found this information in an article 7 Signs Your Essential Oils Are Fake. You can read more here.
