Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions2020-11-04T13:43:40-06:00
What are essential oils?2020-11-04T09:23:59-06:00

An essential oil is the extracted essence of plant material that is made into an aromatic substance – essential oils are the fragrant component of plants.

How do I use essential oils?2020-11-04T09:24:52-06:00

There are many uses for essential oils, including use in natural cleaning products, mixing them with unscented lotions or massage oils, use in electronic essential oil diffusers, baths or showers, or topically when blended with a carrier oil. Each bottle of essential oil that we sell comes with an insert explaining the best uses for the specific oil and recipe ideas, along with any contraindications.

What is the difference between “Certified Organic” and “Wild-crafted” oils?2020-11-04T09:56:07-06:00

Organic Certification is a verification process that our essential oil growers and distillers go through to ensure all Organic standards are met through the full practice of producing the essential oils. This means that there are absolutely no adulterants or pesticides found in any part of the plant growing and distillation process, and the plant material has been grown and farmed organically. Each organic farm must be certified annually. Wild-crafted oils are sourced from plants that grow in the wild – these plants don’t need pesticides or fertilizers, and thus they are naturally organic.

What quality testing methods are used?2020-11-04T09:57:08-06:00

rareESSENCE essential oils are subject to stringent, advanced-scientific testing to verify the quality, potency and purity. This testing and evaluation includes; GC – MS (Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry) Analysis, Specific Gravity, Refractive Index, Optical Rotation, Relative Density and Solubility.After the sample passes the scientific analysis, the final test is the “Odor Evaluation” conducted by our Certified Aromatherapists. Only the finest oils become rareESSENCE Essential Oils and make it into our products.

Where do your essential oils come from?2020-11-04T09:57:56-06:00

Our essential oils are sourced from all over the world, as each plant species thrives in different soil and climate conditions. Certain regions are known for having superior conditions to produce the best plant and resulting essential oil. For example, Bulgaria excels in making the finest Rose oil in the world and Australia is known for Eucalyptus oil. Each bottle of our essential oil lists the Country of Origin, along with the specific botanical species that the oil was extracted from – there is also more information about each oil in the product packaging insert.

How many drops are in each bottle? How long do they last?2020-11-04T09:58:39-06:00

There are about 225-250 drops of oil in each 5 ml bottle of essential oil. In general, if stored in the amber bottles and not exposed to high heat, the oils can last at least 2 years or even longer. Citrus oils tend to not last as long as other oils. A few oils like Vetiver and Patchouli can actually improve with age. The lifespan depends on how often and how much is used, but the expiration dates depend on each essential oil – these are listed on each bottle.

How should essential oils be stored?2020-11-04T09:59:42-06:00

Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or closet. Our dark amber bottles help to keep light out and extend the lifespan of the oils.

Can I ingest essential oils or use them in cooking?2020-11-04T10:01:01-06:00

While all of our essential oils are of the highest quality and purity, we always recommend that ingesting essential oils ONLY be done under the advice of a health care professional. Essential oils are extremely potent, and can be toxic if ingested improperly. When using essential oils in recipes for cooking, remember that these are extremely concentrated plant extracts and a little goes a very long way.

What is the difference between a fragrance oil and an essential oil?2020-11-04T10:05:51-06:00

Essential oils are extracted from plant material whereas “fragrance oils or synthetic fragrances”, sometimes referred to as “parfum”, “fragrance”, or “nature identicals”, are typically made from synthetically created chemicals compounds. The majority of synthetic fragrances are derived from petrochemicals and may produce allergic reactions, cause scent sensitivities or undesirable hormonal effects – especially in children. Essential oils have recognized therapeutic benefits, whereas fragrance oils have no known benefit. rareESSENCE only uses the highest quality pure essential oils in all of our products.

What are the best places to apply oils for absorption?2020-11-04T10:07:23-06:00

When using essential oils topically, we recommend that you blend your oils with a carrier oil or unscented lotion (see our dilution guidelines included in each package). This blend can be used on pulse points such as the wrist, on the neck below the ear, bottom of the feet, or inside of your arm. For an aromatherapeutic massage, a dilution of 1- 2% in carrier oil like our Massage Oil Blend makes for a wonderful aromatic massage.  Always keep essential oils away from eyes or mucous membranes like the nose.

Can you use undiluted oils on the skin?2020-11-04T10:13:24-06:00

Full strength essential oils are very potent and powerful, and may cause adverse reactions if applied topically “neat”, or undiluted. We do not recommend that anyone apply essential oils undiluted unless they have been guided to do so by a medical professional or certified aromatherapist – it is always best to perform a patch test in these cases, as well. In general, dilute oils following our included dilution guidelines for best results.

Are essential oils safe to use on my pet?2020-11-04T10:34:30-06:00

Many pets can be sensitive to essential oils, so we suggest practicing extreme caution – never spray or use essential oils directly on your pet. Consult your veterinarian about using essential oils in a pet-friendly household with an electronic diffuser or room mist. It is best to use the essential oils in a room before the animal enters so that there is time for the scent to dissipate slightly. Never let your pet ingest oils, as they can be especially toxic to their smaller bodies and organs.

What is the difference between a soy candle and a paraffin candle?2020-11-04T10:35:28-06:00

Paraffin, is the final by-product of petroleum or oil refining. Burning paraffin candles releases harmful pollutants into the air including cancer causing, Benzene and Toluene. Also, most paraffin candles have synthetic fragrances which may emit phthalates into the air. Soy wax is made from soy beans, a 100% renewable resource. Our GMO-free soy is grow right here in the Midwest, supporting American farmers. Soy candles are extremely clean burning. They also burn at a lower temperature, which means your soy candle will last longer. Soy candle wax is biodegradable, easy to clean up and gentle on the earth. Of course, we only use pure essential oils in our candles to create our enchanting aromas.

How long should I burn my rareESSENCE candle?2020-11-04T10:36:31-06:00

Soy wax has a “memory”. The first time you burn your candle, allow the pool of wax to extend to the rim off the candle. This usually translates to burning one hour for every inch of the candle’s diameter. Burning your candle from 2-3 hours at a time is a good guideline.

Where are rareESSENCE candles made?2020-11-04T10:37:29-06:00

All of our pure and natural products are made in our facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Why are some of the rareESSENCE perfumes colored? Are they dyed?2020-11-04T11:06:48-06:00

We do not use any dyes or coloring. Many essential oils are brightly colored, thus allowing the perfume to take on take on different hues. Our Amani perfume, for instance, gets it serene blue color from Australian Blue Cypress essential oil.

What is aromatherapy?2020-11-04T10:54:13-06:00

The term “aromatherapy” first originated with the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in 1937 after he suffered a burn on his hand and plunged it into a container of Lavender essential oil. He noticed how quickly the burn healed and this spurred his interest about the healing power of essential oils, inspiring him to coin the term “aromatherapy”.  French surgeon Jean Valnet used essential oils to help heal soldier’s wounds during World War II and became an advocate for their use. Today, the term is used to describe how essential oils assist in balancing the mind, body, and spirit holistically through inhalation or topical application.

Is CBD Legal?2020-03-04T10:51:09-06:00

Until recently, hemp and many products made from hemp, like CBD, were illegal in the United States despite their non-intoxicating properties. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD was made legal on a federal level. Though, a stipulation of the bill allows for states to regulate CBD at their own discretion, and more strictly if they choose. As such, there are still some states slow to adopt the federal laws, and whose laws impose greater restrictions on hemp and CBD products. Please check with your local, state regulations to ensure compliance.

Is rareCBD organic?2020-03-04T10:51:09-06:00

The majority of our CBD products are certified organic by an official USDA organic certifier to the “Made with Organic” category. In many of our products, all ingredients except the hemp extract is certified organic. This is because hemp is newly regulated in the US and just became eligible for organic certification. The hemp farms we source from at rareCBD practice an organic cultivation and handling system plan, and are in the process of becoming organic certified. Of course the process of achieving certification takes time. We are very proud to have achieved organic status for our CBD products, and we are committed to producing clean, green, sustainable, US-made CBD products for the benefit of our people and our planet.

Why THC free?2020-03-04T10:51:08-06:00

THC-containing products are problematic based on current state and federal laws. Many employers, athletes and others need drug tests to be clean and free of THC. Others simply prefer not to ingest THC for personal reasons. Many other products that contain full spectrum oils (low percentage THC) will result in testing failures. With so many people wanting CBD, and yet so many still needing to be free and clear of THC, we developed a product line that would offer the broad-based hemp plant constituents (terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, etc), while removing THC.

Please note, however, that some drug tests are so sensitive they will pick up on trace amounts of THC or falsely identify THC (mistaking CBD for THC) on a test after someone has ingested broad spectrum or even isolated CBD products. That being said, if you have to pass a drug test that screens for THC, please know you are taking a chance when using any CBD product.

How do I know your products are THC Free?2020-03-04T10:51:08-06:00

We have two unique labs test our product to confirm there is no THC found. Our certificates of analysis show a detection limit for THC of 0.001%. The secondary testing we do further tests THC to show it is non-detectable at 1-2 parts per million (ppm).
Please note, however, that some drug tests are so sensitive they will pick up on trace amounts of THC or falsely identify THC (mistaking CBD for THC) on a test after someone has ingested broad spectrum or even isolated CBD products. That being said, if you have to pass a drug test that screens for THC, please know you are taking a chance when using any CBD product.

What is broad spectrum oil?2020-03-04T10:51:08-06:00

Broad Spectrum oil removes all detectable traces of THC, while preserving the other naturally occurring compounds (terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, fatty acids, etc) in the plant. With this, we offer the winning formula that the market and the law demands.

How much CBD is right for me?2020-03-04T10:51:08-06:00

Every body is different, and our varying physiology and genetic make ups influence how our bodies process, absorb, and utilize different compounds. This is true for CBD, and as such we recommend you start taking small amounts daily, and at regular intervals, to see how your body responds. We adopt the adage, “start low and go slow”. Importantly, we also encourage all consumers to do their own research when it comes to using CBD. We advise you work with your healthcare provider to determine how best to use CBD for your particular needs, especially if you’re taking medicine or have a medical condition.

How much CBD is in a dropper?2020-03-04T10:51:08-06:00

For our Liquid Drops, the dropper is metered, so you can see and refine how many milliliters of oil you’re getting. A full dropper contains 1ml of oil.

How much CBD is in a drop?2020-03-04T10:51:07-06:00

For the 1000mg Liquid Drops products, there is approximately 1.7mg CBD per drop. For the 300mg Liquid Drops products, there is approximately 0.5mg CBD per drop.

Is your CBD water soluble?2020-03-04T10:51:07-06:00

There’s nothing inherently wrong with water-soluble products, but the process of making an oil water-soluble adds additional ingredients that we would like to avoid when possible. Further, water solubility does not mean more readily-absorbent in the body (think of olive oil, or any other oil or fat we eat – we don’t need it to be “water-soluble” to be absorbed). Water solubility is useful if you need to a substance to be evenly distributed in water (for example, for a beverage or other water-based product). We currently do not have this need, and prefer to have a clean and honest ingredients panel on our products.

What is our extraction method?2020-03-04T10:51:07-06:00

We use a combination of CO2 and ethanol extraction. This allows us to get the most out of the hemp plant, while also removing the THC.

What other terpenes are you utilizing?2020-03-04T10:51:07-06:00

Some companies “augment” their product with additional terpene isolates (in which the single chemical compound is isolated, and then added into the product). Our products only include naturally occurring terpenes found in the plant material and oils we use – we do not add any CBD or terpene isolates to our product. You can see the various natural terpenes in our COAs.

What is Hemp Extract?2020-03-04T10:51:07-06:00

Hemp extract is the oil extracted from the aerial parts of the hemp plant that is rich in CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, fatty acids, and flavonoids. This is the “CBD oil” ingredient we use to formulate all our CBD products.

What is Hemp Oil?2020-03-04T10:51:06-06:00

Hemp extract is sometimes also called “Hemp oil”. Though, this can be confusing as hemp seed oil is also frequently called hemp oil. As its name implies, hemp seed oil is the oil of the hemp seed, often used as a cooking oil, and which doesn’t contain the CBD in quantities that consumers demand.

How do I clean up soy wax spills?2020-11-04T10:48:34-06:00

Unlike paraffin wax, which can be impossible to remove, soy wax cleans up easily with soap and water. Let the wax harden, scrape off any excess wax, and wipe the area with hot soapy water.

What is natural perfume?2020-11-04T10:49:06-06:00

rareESSENCE Perfumes are 100% natural and contain only pure essential oils and absolutes in an organic jojoba or organic and biodynamic alcohol base.  Each perfume is handcrafted by our Artisanal Perfumers in small batches to ensure the highest quality and ultimate olfactory experience. We also enhance each perfume with FES Flower Essences, which promote emotional well-being.

What’s the difference between rareESSENCE natural perfumes and other perfumes?2020-11-04T10:47:55-06:00

Typically, conventional perfumes are mass produced and include synthetic aroma chemicals. These blends usually contain a vague “fragrance” ingredient on the label. These fragrances are created from synthetic aroma compounds, often from petrochemicals and can include phthalates. Natural perfume contains ingredients sourced from nature – pure essential oil aromas, flower essences, and absolutes. There are no synthetic ingredients that effect scent sensitivities or pose harm to the body.

Do natural perfumes last as long on the skin as synthetic perfumes?2020-11-04T11:07:41-06:00

Natural perfumes are less harsh and tend to dissipate more quickly than conventional perfumes because they don’t contain phthalates or scent boosters. We recommended applying rareESSENCE Perfumes on pulse points, in your hair or on a scarf. Each perfume reacts differently depending on one’s natural body composition, and although they may require more frequent applications, they are totally free of toxic, synthetic chemicals.

What is the difference between essential oils and typical fragrance oils?2020-11-04T11:12:22-06:00

Essential oils are 100% natural and come from a variety of plant sources. Synthetic fragrances, sometimes referred to as “nature identicals”, are made from chemicals. Synthetic fragrances are stronger smelling and have been known to produce allergic reactions as well as releasing harmful pollutants into the air. rareESSENCE only uses the highest quality pure essential oils in ALL of our products.

How are rareESSENCE Reed Diffusers different from the diffusers I find in many home stores?2020-11-04T11:11:56-06:00

Conventional reed diffusers, even if they are created with essential oils, typically use a solvent base of dipropylene glycol. This is the same ingredient that is considered the “less-toxic” ingredient in antifreeze. Some also contain petrochemical derived or SD 40 alcohol. They often contain phthalates – a known hormone disrupter in the human endocrine system. rareESSENCE Reed Diffusers contain an innovative base of unique essential oils that help our aromatherapy essential oil blend flow up the reeds and disperse into the air. There are no toxins or chemical bases in our products whatsoever.

Can I use rareESSENCE Reed Diffusers on my skin?2020-11-04T11:11:28-06:00

While our reed diffusers are created with only pure essential oils and use no alcohol or solvent bases, we do not recommend using the oils on your skin. Essential oils should always have a carrier (like jojoba oil) when used on skin, as some may have mild reactions to these

How long do rareESSENCE Reed Diffusers last?2020-11-04T11:10:48-06:00

Our 90ml diffusers last approximately 4-6 months, and our smaller 30ml diffusers can last between 1-3 months.

Do I need to flip the reeds? How often?2020-11-04T11:13:46-06:00

Flipping the reeds boosts the scent and keeps oil flowing up to the top, allowing the aroma to disperse. We recommend that you flip the reeds after the first hour or so of use, and any time after that for a fresh burst of fragrance! Our 90 ml diffusers contain 2 sets of reeds, so that you can change them out half way through the oil.

What if I spill my reed diffuser? Is it harmful to my family, pets or furniture?2020-11-04T11:14:35-06:00

If you happen to spill oil from a diffuser, immediately wipe it up to prevent children or pets from ingesting it. Essential oils can remove the finish from some surfaces or furniture. Be very cautious with wood finished surfaces or fabrics to prevent staining or damage.

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