Essential Oil Extraction Method Matters — Pick the Right Citrus Oil for You!

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

For the best, natural essential oils that retain their therapeutic uses, look for the essential oil extraction method: cold-pressed, expressed, or steam distilled.

Which means it’s important to read the labels! Why?  Because not every bottle of “the same oil” will affect your skin, mood, and well-being in the same way.

The essential oil extraction method especially affects citrus essential oils. Not only will the scent be different, but the therapeutic properties and potential applications will be, too.

Let’s look at the differences between the three top essential oil extraction methods — distillation, expression, and cold-pressing to better understand their unique characteristics and uses.

Distilled Essential Oils

Process: Distillation is the most common method for extracting essential oils from plant material. It involves steaming the plant parts (such as flowers, leaves, or roots) to release their aromatic compounds. The steam carrying these compounds is then cooled and condensed, separating the essential oil from the water.

Concentration: Distilled essential oils are typically highly concentrated because the steam effectively captures the volatile compounds from the plant material.

Aroma: While the aroma of distilled oils can vary widely depending on the plant species, they often have a complex, nuanced scent profile.

Applications: Commonly preferred for its versatility and safety in sun-exposed applications, making it ideal for topical use. (Which is cool, because we usually have to address photosensitizing when we consider citrus essential oils.)  Also, a top choice when making candles, soaps, and household cleaning products.

Cold-Pressed & Expressed Essential Oils

Cold-Press Process: The plant material (usually citrus peels) is mechanically pressed to squeeze out the essential oils. This method does not use heat. Instead, it relies on pressure to release the oils without altering their chemical composition.

Expressed Process: It also involves mechanically pressing the fruit peels to release the oils. The main difference is that expression can sometimes include processes that use slight heat or other methods to facilitate oil release. However, the goal is to avoid high temperatures that might alter the oil’s composition. Expression is often used interchangeably with cold pressing when referring to the extraction of oils from citrus peels.

Aroma: Expressed and cold-pressed oils often have a bright, fresh, and fruity aroma characteristic of the fruit from which they are derived. For example, Orange and Lemon oils are known for their vibrant citrus scents.

Properties: Expressed and cold-pressed oils retain more of the natural compounds present in the plant material, including vitamins and antioxidants.

Applications: Often used in perfumes due to their lighter fragrance or therapeutic blends where you wish to retain beneficial plant compounds. They can also be used in food if highly diluted. Read more in the blog, Zesty Citrus Fresh Essential Oils — Tastes So Good!

Choosing the Right Oil — Lime Distilled or Cold-Pressed

Let’s look at an example of how to weigh your options with Lime essential oil. We carry both Lime Distilled and Lime Cold Pressed, which is technically cold-pressed.

Similarities: Both have a bright, zesty aroma and can be diffused or used as a component in cleaning solutions for their purifying aroma.

Differences: Lime, Distilled offers a smoother, more rounded aroma, while Lime, Expressed has a fresher, fruitier aroma. Distilled Lime is preferred for its versatility and safety in sun-exposed applications, making it ideal for topical use and aromatherapy blends. It also has more potent therapeutic benefits.

Here are recipes to help you explore how to use each type of Lime essential oil:

Lime, Cold Pressed Recipe

Garlic and Lime Dip

• 4 Tbs Basic mayo or vegan mayo
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 4 drops Lime Cold Pressed

Crush the garlic with the drops of lime, mix well with mayo. You can use this as a replacement for mayo in your sandwich or as a fun veggie dip.

Lime, Distilled Recipe

Energizing Massage Oil

• 5 drops of Lime Distilled
• 10 ml of carrier oil (sweet almond or jojoba oil)
• Blend the oils thoroughly and use for a full-body massage, focusing on areas with muscle fatigue.

Another example is Bergamot (cold-pressed) and Bergamot FCF (distilled).

Which One is Better

It depends on you! Here are 3 things to think about when deciding between distilled and cold-pressed (expressed) essential oils:

1. Intended application: Will you be using it in a diffuser, in products, or topically? Will you be out in the sun?

2. Aroma preference: Do you want a smoother, well-rounded aroma or something fresher and fruitier?

3. Therapeutic benefits: Are you more interested in potency or natural compounds?

So how do you know which essential oil extraction method has been used —  distilled, expressed, or cold-pressed? On our e3 online store, we always share this information. Look at the top of the page where it says, “Obtained by” to see how the essential oil was extracted.

Are you curious to learn more about how to make informed choices when you choose your next essential oil? Download a copy of our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy. You’ll also receive a coupon for 20% off your first order.