Can lavender essential oil have white color like milk?

AbdullahAbdullah Member
in Skin
I recently purchased some lavender essential oil from a new supplier but the color is white like milk. Is this color normal for pure lavender essential oil?

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  • LawLaw Member
    I’m not a chemist, so I hope you get a more educated answer. 

    I would have the same questions & concerns if the white color.. is there an ingredient list?. Here’s a site that speaks of the differences & types of oils sold https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/using-lavender-for-aromatherapy
  • Bill_TogeBill_Toge Member, Professional Chemist
    no, pure essential oils are clear
    that looks like an emulsion of some kind
    UK based formulation chemist. Strongest subjects: hair styling, hair bleaches, hair dyes (oxidative and non-oxidative) I know some stuff about: EU regulations, emulsions (O/W and W/O), toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, other toiletries
  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    @Bill_Toge thanks 

    Are all pure essential oils clear or some of them like lavender? 
    I did purchase some vetiver EO and it is also like oil and not clear.

    Is there any way to check to make sure if it is emulsion or pure eo?


  • jamesmijujamesmiju Member
    Abdullah said:
    @Bill_Toge thanks 

    Are all pure essential oils clear or some of them like lavender? 
    I did purchase some vetiver EO and it is also like oil and not clear.

    Is there any way to check to make sure if it is emulsion or pure eo?


    I’m did you get this resolved?  I’d say if you mix it with water and it combines easily then it is an emulsion
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    edited August 2021
    100% NOT pure essential oil.

    What was it advertised as?  When I see the words ....lavender essential oils....plural....leads me to believe this is promoted as some mix...with some EO's in it.

    Looks like a liter?  How much did that cost you?  In the US...a liter like that, from a top notch seller would cost about US $90.
  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    edited August 2021
    @jamesmiju it as emulsion as @Bill_Toge said. 

    I did asked them how they are producing it. At first they said it is a secret and didn't want to tell, but when finally they said this much that at finall stage when essential oil and hydrosol are separated we do a trick and can't tell the details of it because it is our business secret. When i asked them what is the benefit of it?  they said it reduces the cost of essential oil.

    It also combines easily with water. 
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    Abdullah said:
    @Bill_Toge thanks 

    Are all pure essential oils clear or some of them like lavender? 
    I did purchase some vetiver EO and it is also like oil and not clear.




    NO!  Some are indigo blue! :)   Think chamomile and blue tansy.

    Some are pink...think Wintergreen.

    They have different colors.


  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    @Graillotion do they add their color to final product too if used @ ≤0.5% noticably?
  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    Graillotion said:
    100% NOT pure essential oil.

    What was it advertised as?  When I see the words ....lavender essential oils....plural....leads me to believe this is promoted as some mix...with some EO's in it.

    Looks like a liter?  How much did that cost you?  In the US...a liter like that, from a top notch seller would cost about US $90.

    This was around $15/kg. 
    We regularly purchase from India at around $25/kg. Very satisfying quality. 
    I haven't compared it to the one from US.
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    Abdullah said:
    @Graillotion do they add their color to final product too if used @ ≤0.5% noticably?
    They blue ones....ABSOLUTELY.... I actually use it as a functional colorant in my pain cream....150 gm batch becomes QUITE blue ...with 5 drops.

    The wintergreen...No.

  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    @Graillotion that is very good.
    Can you share a photo of your cream that how ot looks
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    edited August 2021
    Abdullah said:
    @Graillotion that is very good.
    Can you share a photo of your cream that how ot looks
    Looks like this....and I think a blue container enhances the effect.

    But I dispense from a clear plastic bag...into jars...and it is a nice light blue in the bag.


  • RedCoastRedCoast Member
    Yes, some essential oils are actually clear, but it depends on the location (where it was grown) and how it was processed.
    Lavender EOs are really fun to use, especially when you get the more unusual varieties... Seville lavender is my favorite of the lavenders, because it's so different. Think lavender + mixture of wine and tray of dried fruits. Very interesting to work with.
    Pure essential oils are very pricey, and it's the norm for liters (of EOs in general) to run into the hundreds of $. Some lavenders are "cheap", but it does depend on the "type": relevant certifications (organic, Ecocert, etc), growing location (some countries just simply produce better lavenders than others), and how it was processed.
  • PhilGeisPhilGeis Member, Professional formulator
    Do you guys get much analytical composition data with your essential oils?
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    PhilGeis said:
    Do you guys get much analytical composition data with your essential oils?
    I get all mine from New Directions Aromatics....so Yes...and that is why I use them.

  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    Graillotion said:
    Abdullah said:
    @Graillotion that is very good.
    Can you share a photo of your cream that how ot looks
    Looks like this....and I think a blue container enhances the effect.

    But I dispense from a clear plastic bag...into jars...and it is a nice light blue in the bag.


    Thanks
  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    @RedCoast thanks
  • RedCoastRedCoast Member
    PhilGeis said:
    Do you guys get much analytical composition data with your essential oils?

    Yes, I do. The reputable suppliers will provide all the necessary documents right on the front page. I get most of my EOs via Eden Botanicals and Whole Sale Supplies Plus.
  • EmotelleEmotelle Member
    Essentials oils are not milky. Some are clear, non-viscous, others can be viscous. Lavender oil is clear, and colorless.  Usually they are sold in amber glass bottles,  sometimes they come in aluminium jars in larger quantities and you need to transfer to glass bottles. This is not essential oil. Did they write their ingredients? It looks more like an emulsion to me. Probably an emulsion with synthetic Lavender oil and coloring. 
  • AbdullahAbdullah Member
    @Emotelle yes it was emulsion. 

    Why do i need to transfer EO from aluminum jar to glass bottle? 


  • mikethairmikethair Member
    And look at the bottle type and colour of this so-called essential oil. This should tell you something straight away.
    Dr. Mike Thair
    Cofounder & Chief Formulator
    Indochine Natural
  • EmotelleEmotelle Member
    essential oils are only kept in aluminium jars for ease of shipping, particularly so if you buy by the litre. It needs to be transferred to amber or dark glass bottle to prevent reactions with other materials, and to keep away from the sun. Also if you buy in large quantities, always transfer to smaller bottles to reduce airspace.
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