Influencers Say Essential Oils Don’t Work – How Out of Touch Are They?

The advent of social media has changed the way we live, think, and share ideas. Information flows faster than ever, and anyone with a phone and internet connection can now read, research, and share their thoughts with the world. This has led to the rise of influencer culture—people who build a following by talking about topics they are – well, sometimes – passionate about.

While this trend has its benefits, such as spreading awareness and connecting people, it also has its downsides. Being an influencer has become a trend or even a status symbol. As a result, many people jump on the bandwagon without doing proper research. They share their personal opinions as facts, and their followers often accept these opinions without question. This is where things get risky—especially when influencers speak about health-related topics like essential oils.

Are these influencers right to dismiss essential oils? Or are they missing a bigger picture? Let’s take a closer look.

What’s Inside Essential Oils?

Essential oils come from plants. They are made by extracting the natural oils from different parts of a plant—like the leaves, flowers, bark, or roots. These oils carry the plant’s scent and its healing properties. Though they are used in small amounts, essential oils often contain powerful compounds that can help the body in many ways.

Here are some common active ingredients found in essential oils and how they help:

• Menthol (found in peppermint oil): Menthol has a cooling effect. It helps relieve headaches, clear nasal passages, and reduce muscle pain. It’s often used in chest rubs and pain relief balms.

• Eugenol (found in clove oil): Eugenol has natural pain-relieving and antiseptic properties. It is used to treat toothaches and gum infections and is often included in dental care products.

• Limonene (found in citrus oils like lemon and orange): Limonene has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can help boost mood, improve digestion, and even support the immune system.

• Linalool (found in lavender oil): Linalool is known for its calming effects. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and helps people sleep better.

• Cineole or Eucalyptol (found in eucalyptus oil): This compound helps open up airways and is commonly used for coughs, colds, and other breathing problems.

Though the amount of these active ingredients is small in each drop of oil, they can still make a difference when used regularly and correctly. For example, people who use lavender oil at bedtime often report better sleep over time. Similarly, regularly inhaling eucalyptus oil during flu season can help reduce symptoms and support breathing.

In short, these plant-based compounds may not be miracle cures, but they do play a helpful role in managing health, especially when used as part of a healthy routine.

Can Essential Oils Help Fight Cancer?

Some essential oils contain natural compounds that have shown anti-carcinogenic (cancer-fighting) properties in lab studies. This means they may help slow down the growth of cancer cells or even help destroy them. While essential oils are not a cure for cancer, some studies suggest they can play a supporting role in cancer care or prevention.

Here are a few essential oils and what research says about them:

1. Frankincense Oil (Boswellia species)

Frankincense oil has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Modern studies show that it contains compounds like boswellic acid, which may help kill cancer cells and stop tumors from growing.

• Study: A 2011 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that frankincense oil induced cancer cell death in bladder cancer cells.

2. Thyme Oil (Thymus vulgaris)

Thyme oil contains thymol and carvacrol, which are known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These compounds also show potential in fighting cancer.

• Study: A 2010 study in Nutrition and Cancer found that carvacrol suppressed the growth of colon cancer cells.

3. Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Tea tree oil is famous for its antibacterial qualities, but studies also show it might help in cancer treatment. One of its compounds, terpinen-4-ol, has been found to reduce the growth of certain tumors in lab tests.

• Study: Research in the Journal of Dermatological Science (2003) reported that terpinen-4-ol induced apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.

4. Lemongrass Oil (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass contains citral, a compound that has shown the ability to stop the spread of cancer cells in early research.

• Study: A study published in Chemico-Biological Interactions in 2009 showed that citral triggered cancer cell death in breast cancer cells.

Important Note

These studies were mostly done in laboratories using cells or animals. This means the results are promising, but not yet proven in large human trials. Essential oils should never replace medical treatment, but they may be helpful as a part of a supportive care plan, especially under a doctor’s guidance.

Essential Oils in Everyday Cosmetics

Many people don’t realize this, but essential oils are used in most cosmetic and skincare products we see on store shelves. From face creams to shampoos, body lotions to perfumes—essential oils are everywhere. They are added not just for their pleasant scents, but also for their healing and protective properties.

Here’s how essential oils are used in different types of cosmetic products:

1. Skin Care Products

Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and rosehip are common ingredients in face creams, serums, and toners. They are used for their benefits like:

• Reducing acne

• Calming inflammation

• Helping with dry or oily skin

• Promoting skin healing and glow

For example, tea tree oil is widely used in acne creams because of its antibacterial effect. Similarly, rosehip oil is rich in vitamins A and C and helps reduce scars and wrinkles.

2. Hair Care Products

Shampoos, conditioners, and hair oils often contain peppermint, rosemary, or argan oil. These essential oils can:

• Promote hair growth

• Reduce dandruff

• Improve scalp health

• Add natural shine and softness to hair

For instance, peppermint oil gives a cooling sensation and can stimulate hair follicles.

3. Body Care and Lotions

Essential oils are added to body lotions, bath oils, and massage creams to provide:

• Soothing effects for sore muscles (like eucalyptus or chamomile oil)

• Hydration and softness for the skin (like coconut or almond oil mixed with essential oils)

• A calming or energizing scent (lavender for relaxation, citrus for freshness)

4. Perfumes and Deodorants

Essential oils are a key part of natural perfumes. Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils provide scent from natural plant sources, which many people find gentler and safer. Oils like jasmine, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang are popular in perfumes because they have long-lasting, pleasant aromas.

Why Companies Use Essential Oils

Cosmetic brands prefer using essential oils because they offer multiple benefits in small, concentrated amounts. These oils are:

• Natural

• Skin-friendly (when used properly)

• Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds

They give products a natural appeal, which is important to many modern consumers who are looking for clean, plant-based beauty solutions.

In short, even if you’ve never used a bottle of essential oil directly, you’ve probably used them through your beauty and self-care products. They’re not just trendy—they’re useful.

What (some) Influencers Get Wrong About Essential Oils?

In the age of social media, many influencers speak confidently about topics like skincare, health, and wellness. But when it comes to essential oils, some influencers spread misleading or incomplete information. This can confuse people or even make them avoid something that could be helpful.

Here are a few common mistakes influencers make when talking about essential oils:

1. Calling Them Useless Because They’re Natural

Some influencers claim that essential oils “don’t work” simply because they come from plants. They assume that only lab-made or synthetic chemicals are effective. This is not true. Many modern medicines are actually made from natural plant compounds. Essential oils contain active ingredients that can help with stress, inflammation, and skin problems. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s weak or useless.

2. Ignoring the Science

Some influencers dismiss essential oils without looking at research. In reality, there are many scientific studies that show certain essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer properties. These studies are often done in labs or with small groups, but they still provide valuable insights. Ignoring this evidence creates a false idea that essential oils are just "smelly oils" with no benefit.

3. Expecting Instant Results

Influencers sometimes expect fast results from everything. If a product doesn’t show results immediately, they call it a scam. But essential oils often work best with regular and consistent use. For example, using lavender oil over time can improve sleep quality or reduce anxiety—but it may not work like a sleeping pill that knocks you out in 30 minutes.

4. Overusing or Misusing Them

On the other extreme, some influencers promote unsafe uses of essential oils—like applying them directly to the skin without dilution or ingesting them without medical advice. This can be dangerous. Essential oils are strong and must be used carefully. When used the wrong way, they can cause skin burns, allergic reactions, or even harm internal organs.

5. Making It About Trends, Not Truth

Many influencers follow trends rather than facts. If it’s popular to bash essential oils, they’ll join in—even if they’ve never used them or studied them. This creates a bandwagon effect where opinions spread faster than the truth.

The Bottom Line

Essential oils are not magic potions—but they are definitely not useless. They are tools from nature that can support health and well-being when used wisely. Influencers should be more responsible with their words, especially when those words affect how others think about health products.