Edens Garden vs doTERRA: Everything You Need To Know
Shopping for essential oils is unlike shopping for groceries or other daily necessities. Essential oils are powerful tools that can radically transform your well-being. From aiding mood and emotions to improving immunity and sleep, there’s little aromatherapy can’t do.
But this is only possible when using pure, high-quality essential oil. On top of that, it helps if you’re purchasing from a responsible company that’s committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing.
To put it simply, narrowing down the right pure essential oil company takes research. To help you, we’ve created a Venn diagram of sorts, that compares Edens Garden to other aromatherapy companies and shows you what separates us from the rest. Let’s dive in.
Edens Garden vs doTERRA: Everything You Need To Know
In this short guide, we’re comparing and contrasting Edens Garden to doTERRA. Read on for our full analysis.
#1 Production
Most essential oil companies today use machines to pour and bottle their oils because it’s fast and efficient. However, this method comes with a few setbacks like cross-contamination and often fewer quality control checks. Here’s why.
Unless you have separate pouring and bottling machinery for every oil (an unlikely feat), you’re using the same machinery to bottle multiple oils which leads to cross-contamination. And unless you’re checking every bottle that comes off the conveyor belt, the quality of most bottles of oil goes unchecked.
Edens Garden’s oils are hand-poured to prevent cross-contamination. This ensures that the therapeutic values and purity of our oils are precisely how nature intended. It also ensures accurate volumes are poured. Our pouring beakers and equipment are meticulously cleaned and sanitized using natural cleaners between oils. Furthermore, protective equipment is always worn, so each bottle that comes in contact with a human touch is free from contaminants.
doTERRA essential oils are bottled by machines.
#2 Direct To Consumer Pricing
Since our inception, Edens Garden’s desire has been to offer our high-quality essential oils at affordable prices. Because we believe everyone deserves the healing and restorative benefits that aromatherapy provides. And we’ve achieved this by adopting a direct-to-consumer business model that doesn’t have distributors or middlemen, brick-and-mortar stores or wholesale.
While we understand the benefits that MLMs provide, we’ve decided to offer wholesale pricing for everyone while still rewarding you on your purchases in the form of big discounts on future orders and huge sales throughout the year. We also introduced discounted bulk sizes on our most popular products to give those who purchase in large quantities a price break.
doTERRA is a multi-level marketing company that pads its prices in order to pay its top distributors and middlemen.
#3 Women-Owned & Operated
Edens Garden Essential Oils was founded in 2009 by Grace Martin with a desire to make affordable, quality essential oils more accessible. In her words,
“When I founded Edens Garden, I didn’t have a big investor or huge staff but my goal was to share high-quality, affordable essential oils. The medicinal and healing qualities of essential oils can beautifully transform lives, and I wanted more people to experience that. Providing affordable access to wholesome, safe and toxic-free aromatherapy options is my way of sharing my passion for nature with others.”
Today, Grace is at the helm of a close-knit team of strong, remarkable women who share that same passion. We’ve stayed committed to that original vision, and it’s at the cornerstone of all that we do.
What we do at Edens Garden would not be possible without an incredible team. From our in-house aromatherapists to our dedicated bottling and shipping team, to our graphic designers and accountants, each member helps bring nature’s benefits to your fingertips.
Several of the founders of doTERRA had previously held executive roles at Young Living.[1]
#4 Small Business
Since our inception in 2009, we’ve stayed true to our small business status and we’re proud of that. Rather than take on investors, we’ve maintained original ownership and self-funding, allowing us to stick to our end goal of offering quality oils, putting people over profit and doing it all without cutting corners.
doTERRA earns nearly a billion dollars in revenue annually.[2]
#5 Product Offerings
Edens Garden is an essential oil company first and foremost. We offer a much smaller and more curated selection of aromatherapy products, with an emphasis on our pure essential oils and blends. Each item that is formulated, selected and approved is born out of research and a dedication to providing our family of customers with the very best.
We are endlessly working to provide the best selection of oils and blends. Staying true to our original mission of being the best essential oil company possible, Edens Garden stays committed to offering pure, quality single essential oils and purposeful blends.
doTERRA has reached far beyond essential oils to offer a wider array of products. From vitamins, supplements, gum and apparel to laundry detergent, dish soap and wool dryer balls, their offerings continue to grow.
#6 Quality & Testing
Edens Garden was one of the first essential oil companies to offer transparent, third-party GC/MS test results on every batch of single essential oil we offer. These reports are made available at all times, directly on every single oil’s product page.
Additional testing is also performed on every batch of oil we offer to ensure purity and quality. These tests include:
- Refractive index
- Specific gravity
- Optical rotation
- Organoleptic
Each test is then reviewed by third-party essential oil chemists and our in-house team of aromatherapists for purity and quality.
doTERRA began offering GC/MS reports within the past few years and does not make their GC/MS reports available directly on their website to view before purchase. Rather, their reports are made available when you input an oil’s lot number (found on their essential oil bottles) on a separate website.
#7 Return Policy
We offer a 30-day (no questions asked) return policy. If it is within 30 days, we will happily accept any return for you, no matter the reason. Once we receive the product back, we’ll issue a refund to the original payment method.
doTERRA offers a 30-day return policy for unopened and unused products. In order for returns to be fully refunded, the product must still be “marketable,” meaning its packaging is intact, it has current doTERRA labeling and it cannot be past expiration. If the product is no longer marketable, a 90% refund is issued, minus shipping costs and paid bonuses.[3]
#8 Ingestion
One of the primary comparisons essential oil users note about Edens Garden is that we emphasize topical use and inhalation over casual ingestion. Studies and research have proven that essential oils are quite effective when inhaled and applied topically. Aromatherapy experts have also found that there are far more safety precautions to take when ingesting essential oils, as opposed to inhaling or applying them topically.
We believe there are times when essential oils can safely and effectively be taken internally, but we suggest this be done under the counsel and advice of a certified aromatherapist.
doTERRA and its distributors often recommend casual ingestion of essential oils for health and flavoring food and drinks. This has been linked to many occasions of adverse side effects.
#9 Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade
At Edens Garden, we’ve been asked countless times throughout the years if our oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG). And each time we’ve answered “no,” oftentimes there’s a sense of doubt on the other end.
However, we (and all essential oil companies) are unable to use this registered term because it is owned by doTERRA. This does not mean that our oils are not rigorously tested and of the highest quality and purity available – they are all of these things – but that we risk legal action if we use this term.
Choosing An Essential Oil Brand
There are many aromatherapy companies offering good quality oil, diffuser options and carrier oil selections that smell nice. And we’re grateful that essential oils are so readily available for people to enjoy. But at Edens Garden, we’ve raised the bar and set new standards year-in-and-year-out. Each and every essential oil blend and single oil we offer is analyzed and approved by a certified aromatherapist and team of essential oil chemists to ensure purity from harmful chemicals. So you can rest assured your Edens Garden oils are the very best with every batch. Learn more about our standards here.
We are grateful that we still hold the same passion and commitment to the purity of our essential oils that we did when we started in 2009. Thank you for walking with us along this journey!
SOURCES:
- Difference between Young Living and Doterra. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/difference-between-young-living-and-doterra
- DŌTERRA REVENUE. https://www.zippia.com/doterra-international-careers-21683/revenue/
- Section 6: Product Return Policy. https://www.doterra.com/US/en/policy-manual/product-returns
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About the Author, Bella Martinez
Bella Martinez is a Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skincare Formulator and Edens Garden’s lead aromatherapist. An industry expert, Bella has spent years training and learning in the aromatherapy field, which she continues annually. Her passion is taking evidence-based aromatherapy and making it approachable for all.
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21 comments
Bre
I have almost all of the blends and single eo. I only recommend this company and having been using them for years and nevvver recommend ingestion.
Simone
I’ve been using EG for many many years, and I have seen its growth as the industry develops. I’ve bought nearly all the oils EG has available. I appreciate EG and recommend it to my clients because of all the reasons above. Ive met people that use the other company, and alt ought I never bought from them, I have seen their oil bottles and it always bothered me that I never new which oils composed the blend… it’s not specified on the label. All I would hear was the sales person rhetoric of how they are the best. I’ve look for the oil reports and have even requested for them, I was just ignored and they were not available on their website at the time.
I do appreciate EG for this article because the base of some companies is just marketing and training people to say things and act like aromatherapists, which most are not.
Michelle
As a Registered Dietitian who has recommended EOs and working with aromatherapists, #8 is why I refuse to engage with doTERRA. Thank you for doing this in a way that does not negatively portray the social selling industry. And #9 was very helpful new info. Keep up the good work!
Dawn
Dear Staff,
I have been purchasing Edens Garden for about 10 years. I LOVE every oil you have and LOVE and appreciate the quality of all the products and the fair pricing. In all these years I only had one issue of leakage and that was NOT anyone’s fault, when I contacted the company I had replacement oils and a return shipping label the very next day!!!! WOW.
Thank you for being a fabulous, honest, amazing company. I LOVE everyone there and I tell everyone I come into contact with when discussing essential oils and health that they need to check out your website…..I do pass it on.
Thank You, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Dawn:)
Arlene
Thank you so much for writing this and explaining. In my experience with talking with a doTerra seller I found they can be quite pushy which I get because this is their way to earn a living. Each of them say the same thing “we’re certified therapeutic grade, can the oil you use say that?” I never realized they own that verbiage!! So now I know! I have used doTerra and other brands but honestly I love Eden’s Garden and I appreciate so much that you try to make it as affordable as possible. I was one of those who has asked to PLEASE write an article on how you compare and I’m so glad you did!
Jolan Smith
I was a Doterra user for years until I found Eden’s Gardens. Your oils, I believe, are superior to their oils.
The only product I do really miss is the Deep Blue rub. I would love to see one from you!!
Kristen
Thank you for this! Although I’ve always stayed away from MLM companies because they are very much, cultish, I like seeing you putting your own awareness out there, especially with DoTerra. I also never use Young Living oils. I have been using essential oils for over 15 years, and always research the best brands. Yours is one of the best! I also use others such as Now and Gurunanda, because they’re also up to your standards—at least from my research. Thank you again!
Ian
Thank you for this article!! I know many people who are members of the cult oil distributors and because of ingesting them, would have severe allergic reactions and still think an oil is the cure and keep ingesting them until they end up in the hospital. Topical and inhalation are the only way to go. Thank you for all you do! You’re my preferred source of oils <3
Traci
Thank you so much for this blog post!
Edens Garden
Hi Betsy! Thank you for your kind words. We do offer previous GC/MS reports upon request and can retrieve them for you based on the date you purchased them if there’s no lot number available. Feel free to reach out to us and we’ll happily get them for you!
Edens Garden
We appreciate your feedback, Gary. Admittedly, it is difficult to create an article like this and stay neutral but our main purpose in posting this is for doTERRA users who have questions about Edens Garden.
Cyndi
Thank you for the amazing article! Very informative and researched. What a joy to know you and support you!
Michelle
I used to be a doTerra wellness advocate but I gradually stopped once I discovered Eden’s Garden. I actually think you have a wider array of essential oils and I prefer most of your blends. I love your purity testing and prices. I also appreciate that you are a local small business. So glad I found you!
Meredith Colon
This was an excellent comparison and helped me understand
Thank you
Renee
Eden’s Garden is the absolute best essential oil company. I tell everyone about them. Everything from the products, the mission, and their business model leave me with a good feeling. Try them-you’ll see what I mean!
Chuck Longton
At one time I actually signed up as a doTERRA distributor, but I never purchased anything beyond the starter pack. I had been involved in MLM before and had second thoughts about going down that path again, so I chose not to and began searching for a different source of essential oils. I found your company. I don’t know if you keep your correspondence records or not but I was one of the people that peppered you with scores of questions, some of them very technical, and I was always satisfied with your answers. One of those questions was the CPTG labeling. I already knew you couldn’t use that label for legal reasons, so I asked about all the processes that enable that categorization. You guys scored 100% on every question. That’s when I placed my first order and have never looked back. That was a few years ago and I’ve never purchased from anyone else since then. I’m not a huge user, because I don’t require much, but when I do need something I don’t hesitate to go directly to your site and order it. I’ve recommended you company and products to every member of my family and all my friends. I’ve no idea if any of them followed thru and ordered (I don’t ask personal questions that aren’t my business), but I always speak highly of you whenever the subject comes up. In me you have a permanent customer. I consider you guys to be THE standard to meet in terms of quality products, customer support and dependability. Whenever I need anything that you have I will only get it from you and nobody else. Please don’t ever change your business model. You guys are perfect just the way you are.
Jami
Eden’s by far is one of the best in the market. I would not buy DoTerra or YL for al the reasons you mentioned! Keep making great products.
Betsy
I love Eden’s Garden! I have loved Eden’s Harden since I first discovered you when I first entered the world of essential oils! I recommend you to people all the time. I was so glad when you got your first aromatherapist on staff!
The only thing above that sounds like dōTERRA has the winning mark is in regards to the GC/MS. I appreciate that you provide the most recent on the website, but I lose confidence in my lot versus your test. Not enough to not purchase your oils obviously! But as a science minded individual, I really wish I could get the GC/MS for my individual bottle of oil that I received (some of which have been many years ago at this point). Since I am not an aromatherapist, and this is all for personal use, and mostly for emotional use, “expired“ oils are not that great of a concern to me. Which means an old GC/MS would still be valuable to me!
DōTERRA has done a number of business things because of you, in my mind… you making individual GC/MS per lot would definitely make me happy!
Looking backward, I would be excited about a set of GC/MS that were did noted by date at least. I could check the files that were just before I purchased my bottles to see them. I’ve been around since longer than your latest label design! Your last two I think! I was even around when you took the ingredient list off for a short period of time lol. I look forward to continue following you and purchasing oils from you for a long time to come! Just don’t ever get rid of your jojoba carrier oil. I won’t buy it from anyone but you!
Gary
It looks bad upon you when you see a need to attack DoTerra even though you did it softly.
If your oils and service are that good, then there is no need for any article such as this.
While I am all in favor of supporting women in business, a little too much emphasis is placed upon this.
Many people can see that in the wrong light today.
I do find value in most of your other articles, but this one, I don’t think was done correctly.
Tanja
That’s all, why I order from Edens Garden and not any other brand. Thank you for being true to your vision.
Jessica Walter
April 5, 2023 at 8:56 am
Thanks for this article. I always had a hard time excepting that DoTerra was the best. I struggled buying from them because they were so expensive. I had a friend suggest Eden’s Garden to me 7-8 years ago and I haven’t boughten from DoTerra or Young Living since. Thank you for providing oils at a great price and staying true to yourself and brand!