Terms FAQ

At Essentially Natural, we understand that some product terms can sound really similar - and that can become confusing.

Here's a brief breakdown of a few key terms and differences, to help clear things up.

What is the difference between Food Grade and Food Safe?

Food Grade means an ingredient/product has been certified and approved by a third-party certification body as safe to eat. It's gone through proper testing and was manufactured under conditions suitable for human consumption - so it's safe to use in food or products meant to be eaten or sold for ingestion.

Food Safe, on the other hand, means the ingredient is pure and clean enough that it isn't deemed hazardous to ingest - but it hasn't been produced specifically for food use, nor has it undergone the rigorous (or thorough) testing or certification process required to be classified as food grade. While safe for consumption (at the user's own discretion), we do not recommend or support using food safe ingredients in any foodstuffs intended for sale to the public.

Is Organic better than non-Organic?

"Organic" means the product has passed official audits and certification to show that it was grown and processed using approved organic methods - like organic pesticides, non-GMO seeds, and sustainable farming.

At Essentially Natural, we're deeply committed to supporting sustainable and ethical farming. But we also understand that obtaining official organic certification is time-consuming and expensive, which can make good-quality products even more costly - especially for small local growers.

So, while not all our products are certified organic, they're still grown or sourced in a way that's nurturing, sustainable, and low in chemical input. If you're ever unsure, just ask - we're happy to share the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for any product so you can see exactly what's inside.

Is a Hydrosol different from a Floral Water?

Yes!

A hydrosol is a byproduct of steam distillation - a process where steam passes through plant material, releasing its aromatic compounds. As the steam cools, it separates into essential oil and hydrosol (which is the water part).

Floral waters, however, are formulated by blending a small amount of essential oil into water, often with a bit of alcohol to help the oil mix properly.

While both hydrosol and floral waters are high-quality and effective, hydrosols are typically viewed as "true distillates" as they often have additional therapeutic properties when compared to floral waters.

What is the difference between an Essential Oil and an Absolute Essential Oil (and why is it so expensive)?

As mentioned, Essential Oils are often obtained through steam distillation.

Absolute Essential Oils, however, are extracted using solvents (usually food-grade alcohol) because the plants involved - often delicate flowers like jasmine or rose - can't handle steam. They're either too fragile or don't yield much oil through distillation.

The process includes:

• Soaking the plant in solvent to pull out not just aroma, but waxes and pigments too.
• Evaporating the solvent to leave a waxy substance (called a concrete).
• Processing the concrete again with alcohol to extract just the aromatic compounds - resulting in the absolute.

Why it's more expensive:

• It uses a lot of plant material for just a little extract.
• Many of these flowers have a short harvest window and must be hand-picked.
• The process is time-consuming and yields a very concentrated product used sparingly.

Is a Standardised Essential Oil different from Pure Essential Oil?

Yes, they are different.

Pure Essential Oil is what you get straight from a single distillation of plant material. No alterations. But that also means variation - each batch may smell or look slightly different depending on factors like the weather, soil, and harvest time.

This can be a problem if you need consistency, especially for product formulations. That's where Standardised Essential Oils come in.

Standardisation can involve:

• Blending batches to balance variations
• Reintroducing natural compounds that are usually present (like linalool or menthol) to meet a consistent chemical profile
• Removing unwanted compounds that might affect shelf life or scent

No synthetic compounds are added - only natural components are adjusted for reliability. Both options are high-quality - it just depends on what you're looking for.

Is Mineral Oil the same as a normal Carrier Oil?

No, it is not.

Mineral oil is a petroleum-derived byproduct - basically refined crude oil. It's synthetic, non-renewable, and contains no nutrients for your skin. It's cheap, yes, and often used as a barrier (like in baby oil), but it's comedogenic and offers no skin support.

Carrier oils, on the other hand, are plant-based (meaning renewable) and packed with skin-loving nutrients like fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. They don't just sit on your skin - they help nourish it, soothe inflammation, and support your skin's barrier and microbiome. Different carrier oils also have different comedogenic ratings, so you can tailor them to your skin's needs.

Are all Preservatives the same? Are all Preservatives toxic?

Not at all - and we get your concern.

Conventional cosmetics often use synthetic preservatives like parabens. While they're great at stopping mould and bacteria, there are growing concerns about how even small amounts might affect our bodies.

But not all preservatives are bad.

At Essentially Natural, we prioritise gentler, naturally derived preservatives that are skin-friendly and effective. We're realistic - natural doesn't always mean safe - but the preservatives we use are carefully chosen for their low likelihood of causing irritation. That said, everyone's skin is different, and some people may still be sensitive to certain ingredients (which is why we always recommend doing a patch test before using a new product or ingredient).