Discover the critical differences between Young Living Essential Oils and doTERRA Oils. Our detailed comparison, filled with the latest stats and data, will guide you to the brand that best suits you. Find out what most websites don’t cover about these popular essential oil brands, and feel reassured in your decision-making process.

In the world of essential oils, two brands dominate the talk: Young Living and doTERRA. Both companies are known for their high-quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils. But how do they compare in reality? This article will explore the key differences between Young Living and doTerra oils, empowering you to choose your needs. We’ll also cover some little-known facts that most sites miss, giving you the information you need to make an informed decision.

The essential oils market is experiencing a significant upsurge, projected to leap from $12.47 billion in 2024 to $27.82 billion by 2032. This growth is fueled by a rising demand for natural, holistic wellness, a trend that Young Living and doTerra are at the forefront of. Each brand has a distinct approach to sourcing, quality, and product range. Young Living champions its Seed to Seal® quality, while doTERRA prides itself on its Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® (CPTG) standards.

One significant aspect that sets these brands apart is their business models. Both Young Living and doTERRA operate as MLM companies, relying on independent distributors to sell their products. While this model can enhance customer service and community, it may also lead to higher prices due to the commission structure. Both brands offer a diverse range of products beyond essential oils, including personal care items, supplements, and household products, making them versatile choices for holistic wellness enthusiasts.

Young Living Essential Oils Vs doTerra Oils: Which One Is Right for You?

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this post. It is for information only, not medical advice. It is not a substitute for your doctor’s care plan or advice.

Are you interested in high-quality pure essential oils? Have you asked the question? Do essential oils work?

The answer is yes. This review is on Young Living Essential Oils vs. doTerra Oils. 

Will compare the top two essential oil brands in the pure essential oil industry.

So that you may make a sound decision about quality essential oils.

Let me start by saying I am a skeptic at heart. I am also discerning when it comes to sorting through all the information out there to find out what really works and what really doesn’t. I trust that you, as a reader, share this discerning nature.

I am concerned about manipulations in the alternative medical field, as are many others.

But I’m also concerned about manipulations in Western medicine. I know there are abuses on both sides.

Young Living and doTERRA.

If you’ve been researching essential oils, you’ve likely encountered YL and DT.

You’ve heard people say, “Young Living is the best!” or “DoTERRA is the purest .”

Young Living was founded in 1993, and doTERRA was founded in 2008. They are two medium-sized multi-level marketing companies.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, these companies take in “tens of millions of dollars in annual profits from the sale of rival products.”

What To Look for In an Essential Oils Company

The Essential Oils Company Should Sell Quality Oils

The oils need to be as high quality as possible without being expensive. They should be:

• Extracted properly under low temperature and low pressure,
• produced from plants grown in their native locations where they grow naturally
• made from wild-crafted natively grown. And not removed entirely when harvested and organic plants if it’s possible.

Essential Oils Should Be Pure

The oils must not have anything added to them or taken out that should be “left in”.

It is deceptively ordinary for oil “experts” or oil companies to add things to essential oils to make them “go farther” and thus cheaper to produce.

These companies can either increase revenue by selling a “mediocre” product at a high price or offer a low-grade product at a great price.

Essential Oils Should Be Sold at an Affordable Price

The oils should be within the reach of most consumers’ budgets.

As with everything else, there are unpredictable grades of quality. The company that I have chosen is of the right high quality.

However, even the company’s owner acknowledges that they are comparable. Even higher-quality oils are available.

However, the prices of these oils are so high that they are unaffordable to most people.

Essential Oils Should Be Effective

The oils must work. This is important. We want the oil to do something and not just smell nice.

The Company Should Provide Education

Ideally, the oil company will offer opportunities to learn how to safely use oils and provide healthy options for treating medical and emotional issues.

The Dark Side of The Oils Industry

I don’t have documentation for all this, but here are some of the essential oils industry’s “dark sides.”

Potential Problems with the Oils Industry

Some of the companies distill at high pressure and elevated temperature. To get more oil out faster.

Despite it being known in the oil industry, low temperature and low pressure are the way to go.

Some oils are contaminated with chemicals, fragrances, or cheaper oils.

Some oil companies allow oils to be labeled “pure” even though the bottle contains only 3% pure oil.

There are health food store-brand oils labeled “pure,” but they’re tested with 75% propylene glycol.

If the price seems too good to be true, it is.

False Certificates

Some oil company owners have sold a small amount of two oil types to a smaller company.

“Complete distillations” or “redistillation” vs. “first distillations.” There is no official standard for how oils are distilled.

Oil is being reheated to make them smell more pleasant.

Chemical Solvents

Some companies are distilling with solvents.

Safety Violations

Some companies need good reputations.

I did some detailed reading, which I found and realized about the two companies.

Young Living vs. doTerra

Time On the Market

doTERRA quickly grew in market share. Reaching a younger demographic with attractive marketing.

Young Living has existed for over 20 years and has had much time on the market.

Striking Similarities

Many of their products and blends had the same similarities.

Leadership

The founders of doTERRA were once Young Living executives.

Variety

Young Living has more choices than doTERRA.

Cost

doTERRA was only a dollar or two less than Young Living; however, there wasn’t a significant difference.

Marketing

Although doTERRA uses the term “CPTG” as its trademark, it has been proven that this isn’t a certification of any type.

No other company could use the term “CPTG” to describe its products.

doTERRA has built its reputation on being a “quality” product.  However, it was discovered that doTERRA and Young Living.

Both use synthetic elements for some of their essential oils.

This isn’t dreadful, but it’s safe to say there is no such thing as total purity in the essential oil market.

Business Details

doTERRA

doTERRA was founded by David Stirling, Emily Wright, Gregory P. Cook. Dr. David K. Hill, D.C., Robert J. Young, Mark A. Wolfert, and Corey B. Lindley.

David Stirling was the Chief Operating Officer at Young Living, Emily Wright was Mary Young’s personal secretary, and Dr. Hill and Gregory Cook were also employed at Young Living.

Young Living

Young Living was incorporated by the husband-and-wife team, Gary and Mary Young.

Product Quantity and Variety

DoTerra has less exclusive essential oils. This means the company does not offer some essential oils.

Quality Assurance

doTERRA

doTerra contracts with local growers around the world. To grow the raw materials for some of their essential oils.

They also rely on local growers for their expertise in growing. Harvesting and distilling at the proper time.

They prefer to use, where possible, raw materials grown in their home-grown locations.

Third-party distillers distill some essential oils. Some oils are purchased through third parties.

They exclusively use the Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade branding (CPTG). As their seal of personal approval over the purity and potency of the essential oils they sell.

Young Living

Young living owns farms where raw materials are grown and has exclusively collaborated with growing operations. 

Not all oils are personally grown or from co-op/partner farms. Some are sourced through vendors but still adhere to the Seed to Seal standard.

Young Living distills oils on its own and on partner farms. Its partner farms are subject to the same quality/growing/distilling standards as its owned farms.

They use the Seed to Seal branding to represent their approval of the purity and potency of the essential oils they sell.

Lab Quality Testing

Both doTERRA and Young Living order quality lab tests.

doTerra

doTerra’s lab testing is done by Dr. Robert Pappas and other analysts.

Young Living

Young Living does internal testing at its labs on its farms and orders third-party testing from third-party labs.

Charitable Efforts

Both doTerra and Young Living are involved with philanthropic activities.

doTerra

doTerra Helping Hands Foundation, their work spreads abroad both locally and internationally.

Young Living

The Young Living Foundation runs five projects worldwide.

My Personal Preference!

I have a preference between the two. I want you to be able to use this comparison to make the right decision for you and your family, no matter where that leads you.

Both companies are legit. The qualities of dōTERRA or Young Living essential oils are incredible.

I would trust Young Living oils on my children just as much as dōTERRA.

They both grow “beyond organic” and extensively test their oils.

I know neither of them has contaminated oils. Like you would find at the grocery store or sometimes health food stores.

Both companies provide products that help people. Young Living and dōTERRA offer products that can seriously change peoples’ lives. 

If you’re skeptical and can’t believe that essential oils can make a difference in your life, I challenge you to try them. You won’t regret it.

Both companies have teamed up with hospitals and scientists further to advance the research and knowledge base of essential oils. This is so important!

Both Young Living and dōTERRA. Are involved in encouraging more extensive research on the benefits of oils.

Both have started to get their hands in traditional hospital settings. Which I think is fantastic!

So, those are some ways the companies are reputable and why I trust them both.

However, I chose a company to work with, dōTERRA.

So why did I choose them over Young Living or any other company?

Why I Chose doTerra Essential Oils

dōTERRA grows indigenously. This may not seem important, but dōTERRA works closely with their farmers and distillers.

They ensure the plants are grown to specification, harvested at peak, and properly distilled in each plant’s location.

Why Is This Important?

If the same plant is grown in two locations, it will not yield the same levels of beneficial compounds in both locations.

Plants blossom better in their native regions and habitats, but this does not mean they won’t grow elsewhere.

However, you can expect different plants of different quality from these two distinct locations.

Soil organisms and nutrients, humidity, rainfall, sunlight hours, and altitude all influence the plant.

They also play a factor in the oil extracted from that plant.

Young Living owns most of their farms, which can also be good.

However, they grow most of their lavender on their farms in Utah, whereas dōTERRA sources from France.

dōTERRA works closely with farmers. dōTERRA does co-impact sourcing.

Relief & Revive Kit (LRP Only)

They work with farmers often stuck as middlemen in oil bidding wars.

doTERRA makes solid contracts with them. Most importantly, they pay the farmers YEAR-ROUND, something no other essential oil company does.

Unfortunately, most farmers grow plants for the essential oil industry. They are poor most of the year and must cut production to survive.

My gut and the fact that I’ve used and enjoyed doTerra products were my final decision-maker.

I went with my gut—that is, after my good friend in holistic healing, Audree Lee, introduced my family and me to doTerra.

It’s not that Young Living is a lousy company or low-grade in any way.

When I researched the two companies, I felt at home with dōTERRA. I knew it was the company for me.

Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita)

Before I even researched doTerra, I used their Family Essentials Kit. My favorite is peppermint and balance. I love them!

I recommend starting with the essential oils “starter kit,” which comes with some of the most popular oils.

I recommend the Healthy Start Enrollment Kit or Home Essentials Kit.

They work with farmers often stuck as middlemen in oil bidding wars.

doTERRA makes solid contracts with them. Most importantly, they pay the farmers YEAR-ROUND, something no other essential oil company does.

Unfortunately, most farmers grow plants for the essential oil industry. They are poor most of the year and must cut production to survive.

My gut and the fact that I’ve used and enjoyed doTerra products were my final decision-maker.

I went with my gut—that is, after my good friend in holistic healing, Audree Lee, introduced my family and me to doTerra.

It’s not that Young Living is a lousy company or low-grade in any way.

When I researched the two companies, I felt at home with dōTERRA. I knew it was the company for me.

Before I even researched doTerra, I used their Family Essentials Kit. My favorite is peppermint and balance. I love them!

I recommend starting with the essential oils “starter kit,” which comes with some of the most popular oils.

I recommend the Healthy Start Enrollment Kit or Home Essentials Kit.

I believe in the product so much. I am now a wellness advocate for the doTerra brand.

You can shop for essential oils and wellness products on my website.

If doTerra lacks the essential oil you are looking for, check out Young Living.

I found oils there that doTerra doesn’t carry.

If you are interested in learning more about the business opportunity offered.

I am an Independent Contractor and want to ensure you can get started efficiently.

This is all for my review on Young Living vs. doTerra Essential Oils.

What are your thoughts on essential oils? Do they work?

Is this review/comparison enough for you to make a sound decision?

In Conclusion

Both Young Living and doTerra offer high-quality essential oils. They have unique benefits and business models. Young Living emphasizes its Seed to Seal® quality. doTerra prides itself on its CPTG standards. Knowing these differences can help you choose the best brand for your wellness goals.

If you want to add essential oils to your wellness routine, doTerra Essential Oils can help. Their strict quality standards ensure you get pure, potent oils. They can support your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Buying doTerra Essential Oils through my blog’s affiliate links will support my work. I earn a commission on those links.

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