Essential Oils - FAQS

An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds extracted from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted by steam distillation, and they find use in a variety of medical therapies or as natural aromatics. Camia therapeutic grade essential oils are USDA certified organic, PETA Certified, GMO-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and they come in plastic-free packaging.

No, you cannot apply any essential oil directly on the face or hair. Essential oils are too potent and applying them directly to the skin can cause redness, eruptions, and other reactions. Always mix 2-3 drops of essential oil in a ‘carrier oil’ like olive oil, or coconut oil before using them. The standard dilution is 2% V/V

No. Oils used in cooking (i.e. olive oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil) are vegetable/ fatty oils. Although they often come from the same plants, essential oils are volatile compounds, meaning they evaporate very quickly and are not fatty at all. Essential oils cannot be used for cooking.

Usage depends upon the types of medications being used, age of the intended user, health history, allergies to items like trees or flowers, and many other considerations. If you have questions about which essential oils are right for you, we recommend being in touch with a certified aromatherapist to discuss your situation.

No one can tell if an essential oil is “pure” or not merely through physical examination. The only way out is to carry out necessary tests at approved laboratories.  The test that needs to be done on essential oils is Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (also known as GC/MS testing). This testing shows the breakdown of the essential oil to its last constituent down to .01% V/V.

We do not recommend ingestion of any essential oils at all. One must have a good understanding of medication interactions, and the duration of dosing in order to proceed with ingesting essential oils. We suggest you speak with a qualified medical practitioner if you are considering ingesting any essential oil.

The use of essential oils in children requires careful consideration. Kids usually have thinner skin and therefore will absorb essential oil constituents more readily. Their immune system is also still developing. Therefore, we recommend avoiding most topical use or diffusion of essential oils in children under two years of age.

• Check the extraction method – steam distilled essential oils are known to retain their nutrient profile post-extraction.
• Look for certification – check labels to know if oil is certified organic or natural. If it is certified, check if it is certified by a credible organization or not.
• Check the labels – the oil should be 100% pure, GMO-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and packed in plastic-free packaging
• Grade of oil- The oil should be of therapeutic grade, packed in dark colored glass bottle to prevent any degradation from heat or light.

We recommend doing a patch test to see if you are sensitive to essential oils. This test would help in avoiding any irritation or allergic reaction. Essential oils may burn or cause skin-irritation when applied directly. Thus, it is recommended to dilute them with a carrier oil before skin application

Tea tree oil has natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which could help address several skin conditions such as acne and boils. Tea tree oil helps in the treatment of both dry and oily skin by reducing itching, and eczema.  Cedarwood essential oil helps fight against refractory acne (recurring acne) and other skin breakouts. Frankincense oil has natural antibacterial and antiseptic qualities that help fight acne and reduce blemishes. Frankincense oil also reduces redness and produces an even skin tone.

Rosemary essential oil has astringent properties due to which it can help tighten the skin and improve the quality of your muscle tone. When massaged into the body Rosemary oil leaves your skin feeling firmer and generally rejuvenated. Rosemary oil should be diluted with distilled water before use.

Organic lemongrass essential oil has purifying properties which make it perfect for skincare. These properties help remove impurities, detoxify the skin and leaves it feeling fresh, young and clear. Lemongrass oil also has antibacterial & antifungal properties and is shown to be effective in treatment of inflammatory skin conditions.

Lemongrass oil has soothing and calming properties, along with a dreamy scent. Apply a few drops on your pillow or use it as a diffuser oil in aromatherapy for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Frankincense is a powerful natural restorer with a spicy, musky scent that works wonders for your skin health. However, we recommend a combination of Frankincense essential oil with our cold-pressed carrier oils for best results. Frankincense helps in skin relaxation, regeneration, and in softening of facial lines. Due to these properties, the oil is also used in various anti-ageing solutions. This essential oil is highly potent and should be used only after dilution with a carrier oil.

Lavender oil can aid in skin lightening. It can reduce discoloration, and dark spots. Free radicals are partly responsible for fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles on the face. Lavender oil is a natural antioxidant, which helps protect the skin from the free radicals. To use lavender essential oil, mix a few drops of the essential oil with coconut oil, before application on the skin.

Cedarwood essential oil helps reduce skin dryness that may often lead to cracking or peeling of the skin. Cedarwood essential oil is a very versatile oil with a rich, woody aroma. It can be used on all skin types after diluting with a carrier oil or by adding a few drops to your favorite skin lotions.

Rosemary oil is a scalp stimulant and one of the top essential oils that aid in hair thickness and growth. Rosemary oil acts by increasing cellular metabolism, which stimulates hair growth and promotes healing. Researches have shown that rosemary oil may work as well as minoxidil, a conventional topical hair loss treatment.

A mixture of rosemary oil, lavender oil and cedarwood oil will be the best combination for preventing hair loss. Rosemary oil acts a stimulant, Lavender oils fights infection and controls bacteria of the scalp. Cedarwood essential oil promotes shiny hair, treats dandruff & scalp ulcers and helps in regulation of sebum production on the scalp. Combination of these oils should be diluted in any carrier oil like Olive oil or Coconut oil before use.

There are many essential oils that help in controlling dandruff, like Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Tea tree oil.

• Dry Scalp – Cedarwood essential oil has natural moisturizing qualities. If the cause of dandruff is dry scalp, then Cedarwood oil should be preferred. Cedarwood Essential Oil promotes shiny hair, helps hair growth, treats dandruff & scalp ulcers, and helps in the regulation of sebum production in the scalp.
• Dry scalp accompanied with inflammation – Tea tree oil is effective for dry scalp and helps in reducing inflammation. It also helps reduce the occurrence of dandruff and may fight head lice.
• Oily hair – Rosemary oil helps to treat dandruff and greasy hair. Rosemary oil acts as an astringent on the scalp, it controls itching, and also smoothens the scalp.