Essential oils are everywhere nowadays. You can find them at the grocery stores, farmers markets, yoga studios, gyms and maybe even at your family doctor or dentist office. But how do I know which brand is the best? Unfortunately, a lot is left up to the consumer to figure out because there are not strict government guidelines when it comes to making claims, bottle labeling, purity testing, oil safety and sourcing practices. So what ends up happening is the consumer tries oils from several brands until they finally find the quality they are looking for - - that can be expensive, time consuming and potentially a little unsafe. 4 Important factors to consider in choosing an essential oils company Sustainable and responsible sourcing (Where do their oils come from?) Extensive and thorough testing (Do they test their oils for adulteration and contamination?) Clear and accessible safety and usage information (Do they show customers how to use the oils safely?) Transparency (Do they use third-party testing? Do they make test results public?) Unfortunately, many essential oils on the market are heavily contaminated or adulterated with synthetic chemicals. Pure essential oils will allow you to reap the full benefits that nature has to offer, and you can be confident knowing that they are safe to use to use with your family. Remember, you usually get what you pay for, and essential oils are no different. doTERRA essential oils are the safest, purest and most effective essential oils in the world. 1. Sourcing Where your oils come from is a big deal. doTERRA sources its essential oils from all over the globe. In fact over 140 oils from over 45 nations! This is to ensure that the essential oil is grown in the best conditions possible and where the plant thrives most, thus creating an essential oil that will contain the highest quality chemical profile for maximum health benefit and effectiveness. Over 93% of the farmers supplying doTERRA with its oil do so exclusively. That means no other company can match the same quality. 2. Purity The purity of an essential oil is the most important and most difficult to obtain characteristic. An essential oil that isn’t pure means you run the risk of putting synthetics, heavy metals, or adulterants onto or into your body, which can provoke irritation, adverse effects, or even sickness. Unfortunately, adulteration and unethical practices are all too common in the essential oil industry. Due to a lack of accepted standards in the industry, doTERRA created its own testing standard called Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) that certifies the oils are 100% free from fillers, adulterants, synthetic ingredients, or harmful contaminants. This standard holds true for every single bottle. Because of their purity, doTERRA essential oils are used by doctors, nurses and hospitals worldwide. 3. Testing Standards On every single batch of essential oil an array of 9 extensive third party laboratory tests are conducted to ensure purity, effectiveness and a long shelf-life. This is unprecedented among all other essential oil companies. No one goes further to guarantee purity in every bottle. When you use doTERRA essential oils, what the label says is in the bottle is exactly what's in the bottle. Every time. 4. Potency Just because an oil may be 100% pure, doesn't mean it's effective or potent. In fact, most companies are neither. To create potency the oil must come from that part of the world where the plant is native and thrives the most. Plus, the farmers must be well experienced and committed to planting, cultivating, harvesting and distilling the oil in just the right way, every time. This is part of the reason why doTERRA oils are the most potent in the world. What you'll find is that oils from other companies, when compared with doTERRA oils, may not even smell similar. You may wonder... if this is really Peppermint oil, what was I using before? Also, with other companies you may have to use several drops of the same oil just to get the equivalent of what you'd get with 1 drop of doTERRA oil. Experience the Potency Yourself! Place 1 drop of doTERRA Breathe oil (or any doTERRA oil) in the palm of your hand Rub your hands together Cup your hands tightly together and cover your mouth and nose Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold. Exhale through the mouth Once you try doTERRA, you'll never go back! 5. Safety Because of the purity of doTERRA essential oils, they are safe for all ages and can be applied aromatically, topically and also used internally. Just be sure to follow common safety tips for sensitive skin, children and appropriate practices for topical and internal use. Refer to the doTERRA Skin Sensitivity and Application Chart Which ones can I use internally? If you see a Supplement Facts on the back of a bottle, then it's recommended for internal use. Oils can be taken with water, in food, directly under the tongue or in a veggie capsule. Being able to use doTERRA essential oils safely internally, can have a tremendous health benefit. Be careful not to take "hot" oils like oregano, cinnamon, thyme or clove directly under the tongue. These oils are caustic and can burn or severely irritate sensitive skin, like the mouth and throat. 6. Sustainability & Co-Impact Sourcing doTERRA is committed to the long term access of CPTG quality essential oils. As more and more people start using essential oils, it's important that plants and lands are not over harvested, farmers are treated ethically and fairly, and that long term plans are in place to ensure a sufficient sustainable supply. To ensure that small scale farmers and harvesters in disadvantaged areas are treated ethically, doTERRA has introduced an initiative called Co-Impact Sourcing. Co-Impact Sourcing develops long-term, mutually beneficial supplier partnerships while creating sustainable jobs and providing reliable income in underdeveloped areas. doTERRA is committed to the ethical treatment of its suppliers by providing on-time payments at fair prices. Growers and harvesters are encouraged to form cooperative groups to share collective benefits and bargaining power while improving skills and capacity. doTERRA created the Co-Impact Sourcing Initiative and the following 8 principles to ensure responsible practices in all our sourcing communities: Generating Jobs: Reduce poverty by creating and sustaining jobs Providing Fair, On-Time Payments: Offer consistent, fair payments to producers, including prepayments Building Supplier Capacity: Support farmers, producers, and distillers through training and financial support Sustaining Long-Term Partnerships: Provide multi-year contracts with growers and distillers based on solidarity and respect Ensuring Fair Labor Conditions: Create healthy and safe working environments, free from harassment and discrimination Promoting Cooperatives: Guarantee respect the right for all employees and producers to join and form co-operatives Furthering Environmental Stewardship: Promote energy efficient technologies, renewable energy, and waste minimization Facilitating Community Development: Support community development projects in sourcing communities such as schools, health clinics, training facilities, and clean water systems We take pride in sourcing the most pure, potent, and effective essential oils in environmentally and socially responsibly ways. 7. Giving Back The doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation is working to empower people and communities worldwide to make a positive change. Through partnerships for global impact, matching support for Wellness Advocate Projects, disaster relief, health, anti human trafficking, and by facilitating community development projects in Co-Impact Sourcing areas - people are empowered and lives are changed. Every time you order doTERRA essential oils you are directly supporting these organizations. Adding an extra $1 donation to each order we can change the world! See how you can get involved: doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation Corporate Partners Mentors International Days for Girls Operation Underground Railroad 8. Innovation doTERRA hasn't only raised the standard on quality, but has also launched several new and exciting ways essential oils can be used and incorporated into every day life, like never before. Through new and exciting innovations of oil-infused products lines, we can enjoy the benefits of essential oils in practically all areas of our life. From skin care to supplements and hair care to home living. You can makeover your medicine cabinet and home with doTERRA quality products. doTERRA Single Essential Oils doTERRA Propriety Blends doTERRA Personal Care Products 9. Affordable Like the old saying goes..."You get what you pay for". Buying cheap oils gets you cheap results. When it comes to using essential oils for your health, you don't want to take any risks. Are doTERRA oils expensive? Nope, in fact, they can be more affordable and more effective than modern medicine. Plus, no side effects, no co-pays and deductibles, no expiration (if stored properly), and hopefully less visits to the doctor. When comparing to other oil companies, remember: Quality is unmatched One drop goes a long ways. You'll be using less drops for the same application doTERRA mostly sells 15 ml bottles. That means about 250 drops / applications per bottle. If you take a bottle of Lemon essential oil, that means only .05 cents per drop! Pennies per dose. Members save even more. As a doTERRA Wholesale Member you'll save 25% off retail pricing. Plus, you'll have the option to participate in doTERRA's monthly Loyalty Rewards Program and earn an additional 10-30% back on all your shopping! Join for free with the purchase of any doTERRA enrollment kit. How to become a doTERRA Member 10. Continuing Education Education is key in doTERRA! If you know how to use your oils and which ones to use for what, you'll be empowered to care for your health. With doTERRA, there are endless opportunities to learn more online, in person or at events. doTERRA has a world renowned library of DIY blogs, studies, articles, reference guides, webinars, events, social media posts and more each year. You'll always be discovering with doTERRA! Here's just a sample. Oil Blog eBooks Essential Oil Specialist Certificate Apps Reference Guides YouTube Channel About doTERRA Founded in 2008, doTERRA was built on the mission of sharing therapeutic-grade essential oils with the world. After only a few short years of launching, doTERRA became the #1 essential oil company in the world and continues to be so because of its unequaled quality, education and innovation. Essential oils have become a common household name today because of these efforts. With over 7 millions members and growing, doTERRA essential oils continue to empower homes and changes lives around the world!