What are the most common solvents used to adulterate essential oils? Do they pose any health concerns?
Solvents used to adulterate essential oils are generally colorless and odorless and therefore not easily detectable without resorting to gas chromatography testing. Solvents we’ve found in essential oils include: Diethyl Phthalate(DEP) Propylene Glycol(DPG) Isopropyl Myristate(PEA) Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol(PEA) Butylated Hydroxy Toluene(BHT) Methylene Chloride Toluene Ethanol Benzyl Chloride Nitrobenzene Methyl Ethyl Ketone These solvents range from relatively benign (ethanol) to very hazardous (toluene) chemicals. Regardless of individual health effects, they do not belong in essential oils and could effect both the health benefits of the oils and may cause allergic or toxic reactions in some individuals. Solvents are extremely hard to detect without GC (gas chromatography) testing. At Aura Cacia, we GC test every shipment of our oils to make sure that each essential oil we sell is 100% pure and unadulterated.
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