Sell essential oils online, described straight

1. 01

   Describe the scent, not a remedy

   Say what an oil smells like, where it comes from and how people use it in a diffuser or a blend. Leave out claims about sleep, mood, pain or illness: in the US those can make an oil a drug, and in the UK and EU medical claims are for licensed medicines only.

2. 02

   Give the facts serious buyers check

   For each oil, list the common and botanical name, the part of the plant, how it was extracted, the country of origin and the batch number. People who know oils compare these first.

3. 03

   Put safety notes on every product

   Say to dilute before using on skin, to keep oils away from children and pets, and that some citrus oils make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Link a page on safe use from every product.

4. 04

   Use sizes and blends as options

   List each oil once, with bottle sizes as options and stock for each. Give your own blends their own products, names and ingredient lists.

5. 05

   Make kits for beginners

   A starter set of a few oils with a carrier oil or diffuser helps people who don’t know where to begin, and it makes an easy gift.

6. 06

   Check shipping before you list

   Many essential oils count as flammable liquids for transport. Ask your carrier what they accept, especially by air or abroad, before you choose your shipping countries and rates.

• No health claims

  In the US, the FDA treats an oil sold to relieve, prevent or treat a condition as a drug, and the FTC acts against unproven health claims. In the UK and EU, medical claims are reserved for licensed medicines. Describe scent and use, and nothing more.

• Hazard labels for neat oils

  In the UK and EU, many neat essential oils are classed as hazardous chemicals, so their labels need CLP hazard pictograms and statements, and some need child-resistant caps and a tactile warning. Check each oil’s safety data sheet.

• Oils for the skin are cosmetics

  A roller blend or body oil meant for the skin follows cosmetics rules: FDA rules including MoCRA in the US, and a safety assessment, a Responsible Person and notification before sale in the EU and UK.

• Skip “therapeutic grade”

  “Therapeutic grade” and similar labels aren’t official standards. Show quality with the botanical name, the batch and test reports such as GC-MS results, which you can share when customers ask.

General information to help you get started, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, state and product, so check the ones that apply to you.