They have a reputation for being “pure and natural," but many essential oils are derived from fossil fuels—and there's almost no way to tell which ones.
It's true! Like Edible oils constitute much bigger share of the hexane market. I was just focusing on essential oils because it was the subject of this particular research rabbit hole. Happy to take on edible oils in the future.
Awesome! I do think we need to keep scale in mind when choosing battles in this climate struggle - just how much hexane is involved in vegetable oil processing would be fascinating to know, and helpful to consumers who aren’t aware of the practice.
Never even heard of essential oils before. Thank you for the enlightening article which depressingly shows how fossil fuels are attached to seemingly everything in some way.
Great report, Emily. I always wondered who manufactured essential oils, and had no idea what it encompassed. This really requires a hairy eyeball when looking at shampoos and other personal products from here on out. Thanks!
Combustion of fossil fuels is by far the worst use of them vis-a-vis heating the planet, and I suspect using them to make plastic is the next worst use for the environment, so while I learned something from this piece, I find it a bit of a distraction from the most pressing harms associated with petroleum.
I definitely agree that there are far worse things! But I don't think informing people of hidden petrochemicals in their everyday lives is a distraction. If anything I think it helps engage new audiences with climate change. Plus, like I said in the piece, I just wrote it because I went down a bit of a rabbit hole and found it interesting :)
I am glad to know. Ick! I do not want petrochemicals in my lavender oil! I’m going down a rabbit hole of my own with this. My sister is an Ayurvedic doctor and might know some things too.
Sister doctor says: "Sad but true. Very next to impossible to find out." She feels confident about Florapecia oils because she knows the owner, David Crow.
Speaking of food for thought, though, what about the fact that hexane is used to extract vegetable oils that we consume in far larger quantities than these food additives! I believe all but the “cold-pressed” oils are processed with hexane? here’s just one item that comes up when I search https://ecolink.com/info/why-is-hexane-used-for-extraction/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-fmZBhDtARIsAH6H8qgrSyVT6HE_yghwQEQMtdY9ZlmJa0Z-bd3yj2davAmxYkfAkvFCd1caAkVfEALw_wcB
It's true! Like Edible oils constitute much bigger share of the hexane market. I was just focusing on essential oils because it was the subject of this particular research rabbit hole. Happy to take on edible oils in the future.
Awesome! I do think we need to keep scale in mind when choosing battles in this climate struggle - just how much hexane is involved in vegetable oil processing would be fascinating to know, and helpful to consumers who aren’t aware of the practice.
I honestly never gave much thought to the topic of essential oils, but this is on my radar now. Good food for thought.
Never even heard of essential oils before. Thank you for the enlightening article which depressingly shows how fossil fuels are attached to seemingly everything in some way.
Gah! This is so frustrating. I’m shocked, but not surprised. Fossil fuels are so pervasive, it feels like they’ve wormed their way into everything.
Super interesting - get ‘em!
Great report, Emily. I always wondered who manufactured essential oils, and had no idea what it encompassed. This really requires a hairy eyeball when looking at shampoos and other personal products from here on out. Thanks!
Combustion of fossil fuels is by far the worst use of them vis-a-vis heating the planet, and I suspect using them to make plastic is the next worst use for the environment, so while I learned something from this piece, I find it a bit of a distraction from the most pressing harms associated with petroleum.
I definitely agree that there are far worse things! But I don't think informing people of hidden petrochemicals in their everyday lives is a distraction. If anything I think it helps engage new audiences with climate change. Plus, like I said in the piece, I just wrote it because I went down a bit of a rabbit hole and found it interesting :)
I am glad to know. Ick! I do not want petrochemicals in my lavender oil! I’m going down a rabbit hole of my own with this. My sister is an Ayurvedic doctor and might know some things too.
I’m thinking I can infuse herbs the same way I do cannabis. I’m going to try.
And perhaps you could write about that. I know I would be interested to learn more.
Sister doctor says: "Sad but true. Very next to impossible to find out." She feels confident about Florapecia oils because she knows the owner, David Crow.
Yes, Sadgrove also told me the best way to go is to just find a company you trust, and sounds like your sister has done that!
Yep, harness your interests and see where it takes you.