Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't find your answer here, please feel free to contact us.
🌿 Essential Oil Basics
What are essential oils and how are they made?
Essential oils are concentrated aromatic extracts taken from plants. Depending on the plant, the oil may come from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, fruit or resin.
Steam distillation is one of the most common extraction methods, while citrus oils are often expressed from the peel.
The result is a highly concentrated oil containing naturally occurring aromatic compounds from the plant. Each essential oil has its own unique aroma and properties, which is what makes blending so interesting.
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What is the difference between an essential oil and a fragrance oil?
Essential oils and fragrance oils are not the same thing.
Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant material and contain the naturally occurring aromatic compounds of that plant.
Fragrance oils are created primarily to produce a particular scent and may contain synthetic fragrance ingredients.
At Add Oils, we use only pure essential oils. You will never find synthetic fragrance oils in our formulations.
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What does “100% pure and natural” actually mean?
When we describe our essential oils as 100% pure and natural, we mean the essential oils are derived from natural plant material rather than being synthetic fragrance oils.
However, natural does not automatically mean suitable for everyone or every situation. Essential oils are highly concentrated and need to be used appropriately, particularly around babies, children and during pregnancy.
Quality and formulation matter, which is why every Add Oils blend is created by a qualified Aromatherapist using carefully selected ingredients.
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Do essential oils expire and how should they be stored?
Essential oils don't necessarily “expire” in the same way as food, but they can oxidise over time. Exposure to heat, light and air can gradually affect their aroma and quality.
Keep your essential oils and aromatherapy products somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
At Add Oils we use dark amber bottles to help protect the oils from light. Its best to avoid blends in clear bottles, as they do not assist in keeping out the deteriorating sunlight.
Always keep essential oils safely out of reach of children.
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👶 Children & Family Safety
What essential oils are suitable for babies and young children?
Babies and young children are more sensitive to essential oils than adults, so the choice of oils and their concentration needs to be carefully considered.
At Add Oils, our Tiny & Kids collection blends are formulated specifically for their intended age group, with careful consideration given to the essential oils used, dilution and how the product will be applied.
We also consider the aroma itself. A blend needs to be gentle enough for little ones while still being pleasant and enjoyable to use.
If you’re unsure about using a particular essential oil with your child, we recommend speaking with a qualified Aromatherapist or healthcare professional.
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Can I use an essential oil roller on my child every day?
This depends on the product, the essential oils used, the concentration and the age of the child.
Add Oils children's rollers are formulated specifically for their intended age group and should always be used according to the directions provided with the product.
When it comes to essential oils, more isn't better. Using the recommended amount is important.
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Why are Add Oils products formulated differently for different ages?
Our needs change as we grow, and so does the role aromatherapy can play in our lives. Add Oils is designed to grow with your family, from gentle support through teething and childhood, to confidence and self esteem during the tween years, and emotional wellbeing and the mental load for mums.
Scent is a big part of the Add Oils experience. Children often respond differently to aromas than adults, so we choose oils that are not only appropriate for their age, but are enjoyable and appealing to little noses too. Because when children enjoy the way something smells, they’re much more likely to make it part of their everyday ritual.
We also adjust the dilution of our products according to the age they are designed for, as younger children require lower concentrations than older children and adults.
That’s why we have created specific ranges for babies, kids, tweens and adults, with each one designed around the needs and preferences of that stage of life.
​Should I avoid essential oils during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time when extra care should be taken with essential oils. Some oils are not recommended during pregnancy, while others may be appropriate at particular concentrations and stages.
There isn't one simple list that applies to every person and every situation, and the essential oil, concentration, method of use and stage of pregnancy all matter.
As a general rule, topical use of essential oils should be avoided during the first trimester. For the remainder of your pregnancy most essential oils are safe to use at a dilution rate that is safe for Children.
If you're pregnant and unsure about a particular essential oil or blend, we recommend speaking with a qualified Aromatherapist or your healthcare professional before use.
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Can I use essential oils while breastfeeding?
Extra care is recommended while breastfeeding. The appropriate use of essential oils depends on the particular oil, concentration and method of application.
If you're breastfeeding and have questions about a specific essential oil or product, it's best to seek individual advice from a qualified Aromatherapist or healthcare professional.
🧠Aromatherapy, Mood & Mindset
How does aromatherapy affect mood and emotions?
Our sense of smell is closely connected with areas of the brain involved in emotion and memory. When we inhale an aroma, information about that scent is processed by the brain through the olfactory system.
This is one reason a particular smell can instantly remind you of a person, place or moment.
Aromatherapy uses this relationship with scent to create intentional experiences. A familiar aroma can become part of a calming bedtime ritual, while a bright citrus blend might become associated with starting the day.
Our response to scent is personal, which is part of what makes aromatherapy so fascinating.
Why can a smell trigger a memory or emotion?
Have you ever smelled something and instantly been taken back to a particular moment?
Our sense of smell has strong connections with areas of the brain involved in memory and emotion. Because of this close relationship, aromas can become powerful reminders of people, places and experiences.
This is also why the ritual surrounding aromatherapy can be meaningful. When you repeatedly use a particular aroma during a positive or calming moment, that scent can become associated with the experience.
How do essential oils interact with the brain?
When we smell an essential oil, aromatic molecules interact with receptors in the nose and signals are sent through the olfactory system to the brain.
The olfactory system has strong connections with areas involved in smell, memory and emotion. This helps explain why different aromas can create such different experiences.
It doesn't mean an essential oil can simply switch an emotion on or off. Aromatherapy is much more nuanced than that. At Add Oils, we see scent as one part of a broader ritual that can help create intentional moments throughout the day.
Why do certain aromas feel calming while others feel uplifting?
There isn't one aroma that will make everyone feel exactly the same way.
Our response to scent can be influenced by the aromatic profile of an essential oil, personal preferences, memories and previous experiences.
Lavender, for example, is often described as soft and soothing, while citrus oils tend to have bright, fresh aromas. Woody oils can have a more earthy and grounding character.
Blending allows us to combine different aromatic notes to create a particular overall experience.
Can aromatherapy help create a calming daily ritual?
Absolutely. In fact, the ritual is one of our favourite parts of aromatherapy.
Applying a roller before school drop off, misting a room before bedtime or taking a moment to breathe in a familiar aroma can create a small pause in an otherwise busy day.
It doesn't need to be complicated. A few intentional seconds to pause, breathe and check in with yourself can be enough to create a meaningful moment of self care.
Why does Add Oils pair its products with affirmation cards?
Because we believe aromatherapy can be about more than the aroma alone.
Our affirmation cards give you something positive and intentional to focus on while using your blend. For children and tweens, they can also introduce simple positive self talk and encourage healthy daily habits.
The combination of scent, words and repetition turns an everyday product into a simple, intentional ritual.
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Can scent and positive affirmations work together?
We believe they can create a powerful personal ritual.
Scent can become associated with a particular experience, while an affirmation gives your mind something positive and intentional to focus on.
For example, applying a confidence focused roller while repeating an affirmation such as “I am capable” creates a simple ritual combining scent, words and intention.
It doesn't need to be complicated. Sometimes a few seconds of intentional self care can make a difference to how you approach your day.
Can essential oils support emotional wellbeing during the menstrual cycle?
Aromatherapy can be a lovely way to create moments of self care and connection throughout the month.
Different aromas can evoke different feelings and associations. Some people may naturally gravitate towards soft floral aromas, while others prefer fresh citrus or grounding woody notes.
Rather than thinking about aromatherapy as something that needs to fix a particular stage of your cycle, we prefer to think about choosing an aroma that supports how you want to feel in that moment.
🌸 Formulation & Ingredients
Why does Add Oils use fractionated coconut oil in its rollers?
Fractionated coconut oil is a lightweight carrier oil that works beautifully in topical aromatherapy products. It helps dilute the essential oils to an appropriate concentration and provides a smooth base for application.
It is also naturally low in scent, allowing the aroma of the essential oil blend to remain the focus.
At Add Oils, the carrier oil is an important part of the overall formulation. The essential oils, concentration and carrier are all considered together when creating each roller.
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How do you choose which essential oils to use in each blend?
Every blend starts with a purpose.
The aromatic profile, individual characteristics and intended age group are all considered when selecting the essential oils for a formula. We look at how the oils complement each other, how they smell together and how they fit the experience we want the product to create.
The result is a blend that is intentional rather than simply a collection of oils that smell nice together.
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Why are Add Oils products made in small batches?
Small batch production means every stage of making your Add Oils products is carefully overseen in our Melbourne studio. From blending and bottling to labelling and quality checks, each product is made with care and attention to detail.
Making in small batches also means products are made fresh as they’re needed, rather than sitting in storage for months.
For Add Oils, handmade is about more than how a product is made. It’s about knowing what goes into every bottle and taking pride in what leaves the studio.
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Why do Add Oils products come in dark amber bottles?
Essential oils are sensitive to light, particularly UV light, which can contribute to oxidation and changes in the oil over time.
Our dark amber bottles help protect the contents from light while also providing a practical, reusable format for everyday use.
We recommend storing your products away from direct sunlight and excessive heat to help maintain their quality.
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💛 The Add Oils Approach
Why does Add Oils create specific aromatherapy ranges for children and tweens?
This is one of the things that makes Add Oils different.
The brand was created with family life in mind, with a particular belief that emotional wellbeing and healthy self care habits can be introduced early.
Children and tweens experience big emotions, changing friendships, school pressures and growing independence. Add Oils aims to give them simple, age appropriate tools they can use as they navigate these stages.
The School Essentials and Tween ranges combine aromatherapy with positive affirmations and simple rituals that encourage confidence, mindfulness and emotional awareness.
For Add Oils, wellness isn't just about the products we use. It's also about the habits, language and rituals we develop as we grow.​
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Why are Add Oils products paired with affirmations?
Affirmations are a simple way to introduce positive language into everyday life.
Each affirmation is selected to complement the intention behind the product and create an opportunity to pause and focus on something positive.
For tweens and teens especially, this can help make emotional wellbeing feel approachable rather than something that only gets talked about when things are difficult.
What makes Add Oils different from other aromatherapy brands?
Add Oils brings together aromatherapy, emotional wellbeing and positive mindset in a way that is designed for everyday family life.
The range is formulated by a qualified Aromatherapist and includes dedicated School Essentials and Tween collections, alongside products for babies, children and adults.
But it's not just about the oils. Each product is designed to create a simple ritual, with affirmations and thoughtful details that encourage people to pause, check in and make self care part of everyday life.
That's the heart of Add Oils: natural aromatherapy with a practical, positive approach to emotional wellbeing.
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