NOW conducted a recent round of testing on 28 lavender essential oil products purchased on Amazon, using GC-MS/FID (Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry/Flame Ionization Detection) analytical testing.

The goal was to determine whether products marketed as Lavandula angustifolia, or “pure lavender essential oil,” were consistent with the composition expected of authentic lavender essential oil according to ISO standards for French/Bulgarian lavender oils.

Lavender essential oil is one of the most recognized and widely used essential oils in aromatherapy and personal care products. Genuine lavender oil has a balanced chemical profile dominated by compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, along with characteristic terpene distribution unique to lavender. Because it’s popular and expensive, lavender oil is vulnerable to economic adulteration, by means such as dilution

Samples were analyzed using GC-MS/FID with a non-polar analytical column. The MS detector was used to identify individual compounds, while the FID detector was used for semi-quantitative evaluation of the overall composition. This testing focused on confirmation of authentic lavender species; the presence of carrier oils, mineral oils, or extender materials; and synthetic or fragrance-related compounds not expected in pure lavender essential oil.

Only three of 28 brands met the ISO criteria for authentic Lavandula angustifolia essential oil with no evidence of adulteration.

Among the remaining products:

• 11 samples (55%) showed profiles that appeared to contain lower-grade lavender materials, blended lavender-type oils, or non-authentic lavender species.
• 12 samples (60%) showed evidence of dilution with carrier oils, mineral oil-type substances, fatty esters, and other extender materials.
• 13 samples (65%) contained synthetic fragrance-related compounds or compositional patterns not expected in genuine lavender essential oil.
• Eight samples either contained no Lavandula angustifolia or didn’t claim to do so.

Eight of the tested brands were from China, and four were from India. Of these brands, all failed testing due to extremely low natural lavender constituents or the presence of fragrance blends rather than true essential oils. These imported brands were four of the five lowest-priced products. The three products that passed, including NOW, were among the four highest-priced on Amazon.

Buyers should be cautious when purchasing lavender oil products on Amazon, NOW stated, and these findings underscore the importance of analytical testing in the essential oils marketplace. The company will share its reporting with Amazon and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).