If you’ve ever dipped your toes into the world of essential oils, you know how quickly it can get confusing. There are so many brands out there — all claiming purity, quality, and therapeutic benefits. And if you’re like me, you just want something that works, smells amazing, and is easy to get your hands on — especially here in Canada.
Here’s the truth:
I genuinely believe essential oils can have a powerful, positive impact on our lives. From supporting sleep and calming anxious moments to freshening up the kitchen or easing bug bites — they’ve become part of my daily rhythm. I really think everyone should find a brand they trust and get some oils into their home. It doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming — just start with a few and see what you love.
Why Essential Oils Are Part of Our Natural Lifestyle
Beyond their practical uses, essential oils are one of the ways our family stays grounded in the natural world. These aren’t synthetic fragrances — they’re plants in their most concentrated form. Pure extractions of herbs, flowers, roots, and trees that have been used for generations to support wellness and daily life.
When I use essential oils, I feel connected to the land, to traditional ways of living, and to something deeper than just modern convenience. They’re a simple, natural, and beautiful way to bring the outside in — to care for our bodies and homes with something real.
If You’re Hesitant About Essential Oils…
Let’s be honest — essential oils had a moment. Not too long ago, they were everywhere. People were selling them, promoting them, starting side hustles with them, and (sometimes) being a bit too pushy about it all. I know that probably rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
It rubbed me the wrong way, to be honest.
I fell in love with essential oils over ten years ago, and when the marketing hype hit full force, I actually took a step back. It felt like the focus shifted from the oils themselves to the sales model — and that wasn’t what drew me in.
But even as I stepped back from the noise, I never stopped using my essential oils. They’ve remained a staple in our home and a part of our family’s natural rhythm. I can’t imagine ever not having them in my life — and I genuinely believe they deserve a place in yours too.
So if you’ve been hesitant because of the way essential oils were pushed in the past, I get it. I really do. But don’t let that stop you from experiencing the real value they have to offer. And if you’d rather avoid MLMs altogether? No problem. I’ve got a beautiful, non-MLM option to share with you too.
The Two Brands I Trust (and Actually Use)
There are so many essential oil brands out there, especially in the U.S., but here in Canada, access can be a bit more limited — and shipping costs, duties, and delays often come into play. These are the two brands I’ve used for years, and both continue to earn my trust and respect.
I have no doubt there are many great brands out there, especially if you’re in the U.S. or have access to local distillers. But these are the two I have personal experience with — and honestly, between them, I haven’t felt the need to look elsewhere. They meet all my needs when it comes to quality, variety, and transparency.
If that ever changes — or I try other brands I feel strongly about — I’ll update this post. But for now, these are the two that have earned a permanent place in my home.
Young Living: My Longtime Favourite
Let’s start with the one I’ve been using the longest: Young Living.
Yes, they are a multi-level marketing (MLM) company — and I know that’s a dealbreaker for some people. But for me? I’ve used their oils for over a decade, visited two of their farms, and seen the integrity of their practices with my own eyes. Their Seed to Seal promise is more than marketing — I’ve felt it in the quality of their oils.
Their selection is incredible, the quality is top-notch, and as a Canadian, their shipping is seamless. I love knowing I can get everything I need — from lavender to rare oils — quickly and reliably.
They also offer a wide range of non-toxic lifestyle products that I adore. From natural cleaners and laundry soap to supplements and oral care, their product line is infused with the power of their essential oils. We use many of their products throughout our busy days, and I’m grateful they have simplified non-toxic living for us immensely.
Florihana: A Beautiful Non-MLM Alternative
If you’d rather avoid MLMs completely, Florihana is a fantastic option. Based in the south of France, Florihana distills its own oils on-site and offers exceptional transparency. Every oil comes with a batch-specific, downloadable GC/MS report — something I really appreciate — and the quality is consistently top-notch: clean, subtle, and incredibly true to the plant.
They offer a wide variety of essential oils, CO2 extracts, hydrosols, and carrier oils — many of which aren’t available through Young Living. I love having this option in my toolkit.
In my experience, shipping from France to Canada has actually been quite fast (usually within 2–5 days). Just a heads-up: if you’re in Canada too, you may need to pay import taxes or duties when your order arrives. Still, I find the quality and range of what they offer well worth it.
Young Living vs. Florihana: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Young Living | Florihana |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | MLM (multi-level marketing) | Independent, family-run distillery |
| Location | USA (but ships from many countries worldwide, including Canada) | France (Provence) |
| Farming & Distillation | Owns and partners with farms worldwide (this was a HUGE selling feature for me…more about that below!) | Distills their own oils on-site |
| Quality Standards | “Seed to Seal” guarantee — Young Living controls the quality through every step, from planting to bottling. As a farmer myself, I appreciate how quality starts in the field. | Certified organic; GC/MS reports available for every batch, showing excellent transparency. |
| Transparency | Limited public lab testing | Full traceability and lab reports online |
| Range of Oils | Huge selection, including specialty oils and ready-made blends that make it easy for beginners | Great selection of essential oils, with some rare ones not offered by YL; small selection of blends |
| Products beyond Essential Oils | Extensive line of essential-oil-infused products — cleaners, laundry soap, supplements, oral care, skin care (Thieves product line is my go-to) | Large selection of carrier oils, hydrosols, CO₂ extracts, and some skin care (I love their hydrosols and carrier oils especially!) |
| Price Point | On the surface, premium pricing — but with the wholesale discount and % back through Loyalty Rewards, plus no surprise duty fees in Canada, YL often works out the same or even cheaper for me than Florihana | Competitive base pricing — but for Canadian buyers, once you factor in exchange rate, shipping, and duty/customs, the total can be similar to YL (sometimes more) |
| Shipping Times (Canada) | Usually within a week, no extra fees (it depends on your location, but sometimes I get my order the next day) | 2–5 days shipping, but Canadian buyers may need to pay duty/taxes on arrival (incredibly fast, and shipping is free over a certain amount of money. But heads up, my last order got pulled in for an extra check and it took over 2 weeks before I had it) |
| Personal Experience | My obvious first choice. I order monthly from YL, use many of their essential-oil-powered products daily, and appreciate the convenience, variety, and rewards program | I love their oils for the quality, transparency, and unique selection. I usually order when I need something YL doesn’t offer, like specific carrier oils or rare essential oils |
| Great For… | Those who want quality, variety, rewards, and convenient Canadian shipping — and are comfortable with the MLM model | Those who want organic, transparent oils without MLM involvement |
Final Thoughts
Essential oils aren’t just bottles of scent — they’re concentrated nature, carefully harvested and distilled. They’ve earned a permanent place in our home and are one of the many ways we stay connected to a slower, more intentional, and natural way of living.
While I enjoy both Young Living and Florihana, for me, Young Living is my obvious first choice. Even though their retail prices can look higher, the wholesale discount, loyalty rewards, and lack of surprise duty fees (at least in Canada) mean I often pay the same — or even less — than I would with Florihana. Add in the fact that they carry an entire line of essential-oil-infused lifestyle products I use daily, and it just makes sense for me to order from them monthly.
Florihana is a wonderful, transparent, non-MLM alternative, and I’m grateful to have them as an option when I need something Young Living doesn’t carry. But if you’re comfortable with MLM companies, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with Young Living. If MLMs aren’t for you, Florihana is the next best thing I’ve found.
Thinking About Trying Young Living?
If Young Living feels like the right fit, I’d be honoured if you ordered through me using my member number 1691865. It won’t cost you anything extra, and it helps me keep creating resources about natural living, essential oils, and growing our own food. I’m always happy to answer your questions and help you get started.
