Essential oils have become increasingly popular over the past decade for their purported health and wellness benefits. Two of the biggest names in essential oils are Aromatics International and Young Living. But how do these two brands compare when it comes to quality, price, and product selection?
This comprehensive guide examines the key similarities and differences between Aromatics International and Young Living to help you determine which brand may be better for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Aromatics International | Young Living |
| Year Founded | 1985 | 1993 |
| Founder(s) | Aromatherapy experts | Donald Gary Young |
| Product Selection | 300+ oils and blends | 300+ oils and blends |
| Oil Quality | Pure, undiluted oils. Multiple tests for purity. | Seed to Seal production process. Internal and 3rd party tested. |
| Distillation Method | Low temp, low pressure. No solvents. | Steam, cold pressing, resin tapping. No solvents. |
| Accessory Products | Diffusers, skincare, books | Supplements, household, personal care |
| Pricing | $5-$150 per bottle. Bulk discounts available. | $10-$300+ per bottle. Wholesale with membership. |
| Company Type | Retailer | Multi-level marketing |
| Sourcing | Global farms | Company-owned and partner farms |
| Shipping | Free over $100 | Free over $100 for members |
Overview Of Aromatics International
Aromatics International was founded in 1985 by aromatherapy experts who wanted to provide pure, high-quality essential oils. The company sources many of its oils directly from farms around the world, focusing on sustainable and ethical growing practices.
Some key facts about Aromatics International:
- Product lineup includes over 300 single note essential oils and oil blends.
- Oils are 100% pure and undiluted. The company conducts multiple tests to verify purity.
- Prices range from $5-$150 per bottle depending on oil type and volume.
- Oils are available in retail sizes (5mL to 120mL bottles) or bulk sizes (5L+).
- The company has an extensive line of aromatherapy accessories like diffusers and books.
- Based in Coulsdon, UK but ships products worldwide.
- Not an MLM company – products are sold through online store or retailers.
Overall, Aromatics International is known for its commitment to quality and aromatherapy expertise. Their large product selection and competitive pricing also make them popular, especially among aromatherapy practitioners and casual essential oil users alike.
Overview Of Young Living
Young Living was founded in 1993 by Donald Gary Young, who popularized the idea of therapeutic grade essential oils in the 1990s. Young Living has since grown into a multi-level marketing company with over 3 million active members.
Here are some quick facts about Young Living:
- Product lineup includes over 300 single oils and blends.
- Oils are 100% pure and undergo rigorous quality testing.
- Prices range from $10-$300+ depending on oil and volume.
- Sold in 5mL to 15mL bottles for individual use or larger bottles for diffusers.
- Extensive wellness product lineup including supplements, beauty products, and household cleaners.
- Based in Lehi, Utah. Products are sold globally through MLM network of distributors.
- MLM company – most products are sold by members/distributors.
Young Living helped introduce essential oils to the mainstream North American market. They are known for their meticulous quality control and seed-to-seal production process.
How Aromatics International And Young Living Compare
Now that we’ve provided an overview of each brand, let’s directly compare Aromatics International and Young Living on some key factors:
- Product Quality
Both Aromatics International and Young Living emphasize the purity and quality of their essential oils. However, they take slightly different approaches when it comes to processing.
Aromatics International
- Tests oils in independent labs to validate quality.
- Uses low temperature and low pressure distillation techniques to preserve oil integrity.
- Does not use any solvents during extraction.
Young Living
- Has internal and third party testing to verify purity.
- Utilizes proprietary Seed to Seal production process which controls growing, harvesting, and distilling.
- Uses steam distillation, cold pressing, and resin tapping. Does not use solvents.
While both companies produce high quality oils, Young Living’s rigorous Seed to Seal process gives them an edge when it comes to quality control. However, independent tests show that both companies have oils that are pure and potent.
- Oil Selection
Both brands offer expansive lineups with over 300 single oils and blends to choose from. They cover all the most popular oils like lavender, lemon, peppermint, frankincense, and tea tree. When it comes to more exotic or less common oils, here is how the selections compare:
Aromatics International
- Broad selection of flower oils like helichrysum, rose, jasmine, neroli
- Variety of wood and tree oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, fir needle, copaiba
- Good assortment of citrus oils including bergamot, grapefruit, lime, verbena
- More limited offering of spice and resin oils like myrrh, galbanum, benzoin
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Young Living
- Extensive flower oil selection with over 50 options
- Wide variety of wood and tree oils like spruce, idaho balsam fir, dorado azul
- Diverse citrus lineup with 20+ oils like tangerine, pink grapefruit, lemon myrtle
- Large assortment of exotic spice and resin oils like myrtle, spikenard, opoponax
Young Living has a slight edge when it comes to oil selection, especially for harder to find or more exotic oils. But Aromatics International covers all the basics along with a solid rotational lineup of more uncommon oils.
- Accessory Products
In addition to essential oils, both companies offer a range of complementary accessory products:
Aromatics International
- Diffusers: Ultrasonic, nebulizing, candle, lamp ring styles. Priced $20-$100.
- Skin care: Body lotions, bath salts, facial oils. Blends with essential oils.
- Books: Usage guides, research books, aromatherapy references.
- Limited selection of household products like soaps, candles.
- Accessories like storage cases, droppers, labels, gift sets.
Young Living
- Diffusers: Variety of ultrasonic, dewdrop, and evaporative diffusers priced $40-$300.
- Skin care: Lotions, creams, serums, masks infused with essential oils.
- Supplements: Essential oil-blended supplements for wellness and weight management.
- Household: Laundry soaps, dish soaps, cleaners, bath and shower products.
- Accessories like roll-on bottles, cases, jars, gift sets.
Young Living has a much more extensive lineup of non-oil products, especially their proprietary health supplements and household products. Aromatics International focuses more on aromatherapy accessories and books.
Also Read: Comparison Between Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 and 50
- Pricing
Both companies are fairly price competitive, but here is how their pricing structures compare:
Aromatics International
- Retail oils prices range from $5-$150 per bottle depending on oil type and volume.
- Wholesale pricing available for bulk orders over $200. Discounts around 10-25%.
- Frequent sales and specials like buy 1 get 1 half off or free gifts with purchase.
- Lower cost samples available to try new oils. Sample packs start around $3-$5.
- Free shipping on orders over $100. Standard shipping around $5-$10.
Young Living
- Retail oil prices range from $10 to $300+ depending on type and volume.
- Wholesale pricing (24% off retail) when you become a member for $50/year.
- Purchase more oils to reach different bonus levels with free products.
- Sample sizes available for $2-$5 to try select oils.
- Free shipping over $100 for members. Non-members pay flat $7.50 shipping per item.
The pricing is very competitive between the two brands for most standard oils. Aromatics International rewards larger orders with bulk discounts, while Young Living offers discounts for yearly memberships. This makes Young Living a better choice if you plan to buy frequently.
- Company Reputation & Values
In addition to product quality and selection, the ethics and transparency of the companies are important to consider:
Aromatics International
- Founders are experts in aromatherapy, essential oil chemistry, and plant medicine.
- Values education – provides detailed information on oil properties and uses.
- Does not make outrageous health claims about oils. Provides safely guidelines.
- No multi-level marketing – products sold through online shop or retailers.
- Woman-owned company based in the UK.
Young Living
- Founder introduced essential oil therapy movement in the 1990s. Credited for popularizing oils in North America.
- Emphasizes alternative wellness and natural living lifestyle.
- Some controversial health claims have damaged reputation slightly.
- MLM model relies on distributors recruitment for sales. Risk of overhyped claims.
- Utah-based wellness company run predominantly by males.
While both companies aim to provide quality essential oils, Aromatics International is viewed as the more ethical choice by avoiding MLM marketing tactics. However, Young Living’s founder did help bring essential oils into the mainstream.
Also Read: Comparison Between Vitality Extracts And Young Living.
Which Brand Is Better?
With this comprehensive comparison in mind, is Aromatics International or Young Living the better brand for essential oils?
For the average essential oil user looking for quality at a reasonable price, Aromatics International gets the slight edge. Their expansive oil selection, lower prices, frequent sales/discounts, and aromatherapy expertise make them an excellent choice without the pressure of MLM sales.
However, for someone looking for exotic or harder to find oils, or who wants to purchase frequently at wholesale prices, Young Living offers a great MLM membership program. Just be prepared for the sales pitches that often come with multi-level marketing companies.
Ultimately, both Aromatics International and Young Living offer high quality essential oils. Choosing between the two brands depends most on your budget, preferred buying experience, and any specific oils you hope to source. Try out sample oils from both companies to find your favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Aromatics International is considered one of the leading essential oil brands. They have a long-standing reputation for quality, purity testing, sustainable sourcing, and aromatherapy expertise. Their oils consistently perform well in independent laboratory tests.
Young Living’s biggest competitor is doTERRA, another major essential oil MLM company. doTERRA was actually founded by former Young Living executives who split off in 2008. Now doTERRA and Young Living battle for market share in the MLM essential oil space.
According to doTERRA founders, the split had to do with concerns over Young Living’s business practices and ethics. They accused Young Living of improperly paying distributors and falsifying reports, among other issues. Young Living denied these claims.
Some top recommended essential oil companies include:
Aromatics International, Plant Therapy, Eden Botanicals, Rocky Mountain Oils, Stillpoint Aromatics.
Look for companies that demonstrate a commitment to quality, purity testing, sustainable sourcing, proper labeling, and reasonable health claims. And sample oils before buying to find your favorite scents and potencies.
Also Read: Comparison Between Vitality Extracts And doTERRA Essential Oils.
Conclusion
Aromatics International and Young Living take slightly different approaches to sharing essential oils but both offer quality options. For a more affordable and accessible buying experience, Aromatics International is a great choice.
But Young Living provides the perks of a yearly membership program if you plan to buy frequently at wholesale cost. Ultimately both brands can provide you with excellent essential oils to support your health and wellness.