SOiL Organic Aromatherapy: Frequently Asked Questions

At SOiL, we believe in full transparency and third-party verification to back our claims of purity and sustainability. Our certifications include:

• Ecocert Greenlife – COSMOS ORGANIC certification for cosmetic products, ensuring they meet rigorous organic and ecological criteria.
• KIWA BCS Öko-Garantie certification for agricultural organic production, confirming that the essential oil crops we grow meet international organic farming standards.
• Fair for Life certification, recognising our commitment to fair trade principles, ethical labour practices, and social responsibility.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, which ensures that our production processes meet quality and hygiene standards expected for cosmetic and natural health products.

These certifications reflect our dedication to producing authentic, safe, and sustainable aromatherapy products.

Key considerations include:

• Certification: Look for third-party organic certification, not just claims.
• Purity testing: Reliable brands share GC/MS results and batch documentation.
• Transparency: Know where and how the oils are sourced.
• Sustainability: Responsible brands care for people, plants, and planet.
• Experience: A brand rooted in aromatherapy, not just trend marketing.

Conventional essential oils may be grown using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs, and may be extracted with chemical solvents. They often lack traceability or purity assurance.

Certified organic essential oils, like those from SOiL, are produced without harmful chemicals, from farm to shelf. They undergo annual audits by independent bodies (e.g. Ecocert Greenlife) to ensure ecological, ethical, and safety standards are upheld.

Organic oils support personal wellness and environmental health. Choosing certified organic:

• Reduces exposure to pesticides and synthetic residues.
• Supports soil health and biodiversity.
• Aligns with ethical and sustainable farming practices.
• Offers greater assurance of purity, especially when tested and certified

The word “organic” is not legally regulated in all countries, which means some products may claim to be organic without meeting strict standards. That’s why SOiL has chosen to be certified by Ecocert Greenlife under the COSMOS ORGANIC standard – to give our customers peace of mind and proof of integrity.

To be certified COSMOS ORGANIC by Ecocert, a cosmetic product must:

• Contain at least 95% organically produced plant-based ingredients.
• Contain a minimum of 20% organic ingredients in the total formula.
• For rinse-off products, contain at least 10% organic ingredients.

This ensures that a product genuinely upholds organic principles from farm to shelf. SOiL only labels products as organic if they fully comply with these rigorous certification criteria.

All SOiL products are certified organic, with the exception of:

• Myrrh essential oil, which is conventional due to the current lack of an ethically and sustainably harvested certified organic source.
• Products that contain ingredients that cannot be certified organic, such as hand sanitiser, which contains natural alcohol.

All of SOiL’s pure essential oils and carrier oils are 100% certified organic by Ecocert Greenlife. Our formulated and blended products are also certified organic and contain 95% or greater organic content, fully complying with COSMOS ORGANIC standards.

Therapeutic grade” is a marketing term and not a recognised quality or safety standard. No official regulatory body certifies essential oils as “therapeutic grade.”
At SOiL, we ensure quality through certified organic farming, full traceability, and independent testing. Our essential oils are 100% pure and meet strict international standards for safety and integrity – without relying on unregulated terminology.

Natural fragrance allergens are the individual aromatic compounds that make up an essential oil’s unique profile. For example, linalool is a key component of lavender oil, and without it, the oil would not be considered true lavender. These naturally occurring constituents are not added artificially – they are intrinsic to the plant’s chemistry.

Under EU labelling regulations, responsible companies must disclose any of the 82 recognised fragrance allergens when they exceed specific thresholds in a product. This information appears at the end of the ingredient list to help protect consumers with sensitivities or allergies.

At SOiL, we follow these labelling guidelines strictly – not because these allergens are inherently harmful, but because transparency and consumer safety are fundamental to our values. Our customers deserve to know exactly what’s in the product – even the natural components.

Essential Oils can come from many plant parts, including:

• Flowers (e.g. lavender, jasmine, rose)
• Leaves (e.g. eucalyptus, tea tree, geranium)
• Fruit rinds (e.g. lemon, orange, bergamot)
• Seeds/Berries (e.g. fennel, black pepper, juniper)
• Bark/Wood (e.g. cedarwood, cinnamon)
• Resins (e.g. frankincense, myrrh)
• Roots/Rhizomes (e.g. ginger, vetiver)

Some plants even yield multiple oils from different parts. For example, bitter orange produces neroli (flower), petitgrain (leaves), and bitter orange oil (peel).

SOiL does not recommend the internal use of essential oils — not just ours, but any brand.

This is not due to a lack of quality. Our oils are certified organic and meet the highest international standards for purity and safety.

Our stance is based on serious safety concerns. Essential oils are highly concentrated and may be harmful if ingested without professional supervision. Internal use should only occur under the guidance of a qualified medical professional or clinical aromatherapist trained in essential oil pharmacology.

Potential risks of internal use include:

• Damage to internal tissues or organs
• Interaction with medications
• Toxicity or adverse reactions

We align with global safety authorities like the Tisserand Institute, and local authorities the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Aromatherapy Society of South Africa, all of whom prohibit the promotion of internal use for public safety.

Some essential oils are used in regulated commercial food flavourings, but this is done at extremely low concentrations and under strict formulation controls. For example, one drop may be added to a full recipe – typically first dispersed in a suitable medium like vegetable oil or alcohol.

However, this does not mean that all essential oils are safe for culinary use. Even the purest, certified organic oils must be handled with caution when it comes to ingestion.

Important: There is no such thing as “food grade” essential oil.

This is a marketing term – not a recognised safety or regulatory classification.

Adding essential oils to recipes is not the same as using herbs or natural extracts, and should only be done under the guidance of a qualified professional trained in internal use of essential oils.

No. Essential oils should never be added to water and consumed — not even a single drop. Because oil and water do not mix, the oil remains undiluted and can adhere to internal tissues, potentially causing irritation, chemical burns, or internal toxicity.

Even the highest-quality, certified organic essential oils are not inherently safe to ingest. The risk comes from how they are used – not the brand or purity.

SOiL aligns with global safety experts the Tisserand Institute, as well as local authorities the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa and the Aromatherapy Society of South Africa, all of whom strongly advise against this method of use.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts and should be used with extra care during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and when caring for babies or young children. Due to the sensitivity of these life stages, not all essential oils are suitable, and proper dilution is essential to minimise any risk.

We strongly recommend consulting a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional before using essential oils in these circumstances.

Some essential oils that are generally considered suitable -when correctly diluted and used under professional guidance – include:

• Pregnancy (after the first trimester): Lavender, Neroli, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Geranium, Ylang Ylang
• Babies (3 months and older): Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Mandarin
• Children (2 years and older): Lavender, Frankincense, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood

Essential oils that should be avoided include: Camphor, Parsley Seed, Hyssop, Pennyroyal, Wintergreen, as well as Eucalyptus (for children under 10) and Peppermint (for children under 6)

Safety Note:

Essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted before use – especially for babies, children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, the elderly, or those with sensitive skin. Some oils are not suitable for these groups. Always patch test before first use, avoid contact with eyes, and keep out of reach of children. For safe and appropriate use, consult a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional.

Stop use immediately. Apply carrier oil to the affected area – do not use water. Seek medical help if symptoms persist.

If ingested: Do not induce vomiting. Drink milk and seek emergency help.

If in eyes: Gently wipe with a cotton pad dipped in carrier oil or rinse with cool water.

• Use 3–6 drops per 100ml of water
• Diffuse for 30–60 minutes at a time
• Ensure proper ventilation
• Choose child- and pet-safe oils

Some essential oils can be harmful to animals – especially cats, birds, and small pets.

Avoid using: Tea Tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Wintergreen, Citrus oils, Clove, Cinnamon, Pine, and Thyme.

Safety tips:

• Diffuse in well-ventilated spaces
• Use small amounts, for short periods
• Let pets leave the room freely
• Never apply oils directly to their fur or skin
• Avoid using oils around birds entirely

Always check with a vet trained in essential oil use before using oils around pets.

• Store in dark glass bottles
• Keep lids tightly sealed
• Protect from heat and sunlight
• Keep away from children and pets
• Essential oils are flammable – store safely

Essential oils serve two key roles: fragrance and therapeutic action. In cosmetics, they add natural aroma (as in bath products or sprays) and deliver beneficial properties for the skin, mood, or body (as in creams, ointments, massage oils).

You can shop online at www.soil.co.za or find a stockist near you via our Stockists page

Yes, we do offer international shipping; however, this is not available directly through our South Africa-based online store. For international orders, please contact us directly to arrange your purchase and discuss shipping options. Rates, delivery times, and minimum order quantities will vary depending on the destination and shipping terms.

We accept returns within 7 days of purchase for unopened, unused products. Please refer to our Returns Policy for full details.

You can reach our team via the Contact Us page – we’re happy to guide you on the best products for your needs.