Frequently Asked Questions
Essential oil usage
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are natural substances extracted from flowers, leaves, fruit peels, seeds, wood core, roots, bark, tree resin, and other parts of plants, containing active ingredients at high concentrations. These are volatile aromatic substances with highly concentrated active compounds.
How are essential oils produced?
Essential oils are extracted through various distillation methods such as steam distillation (steaming plant parts like flowers, leaves, fruit peels, roots, etc.), cold pressing (pressing fruit peels, seeds, etc.), and other methods like solvent extraction or supercritical CO2 distillation. They are valuable essences, with only a small amount obtainable from a large volume of plant material. For example, it takes approximately 100–200 kg of lavender flowers or 3–5 tons of rose petals to produce just 1 kg of essential oil.
areme’s current essential oils are all steam distilled.
How are essential oils different from perfumes?
Essential oils are essences extracted from aromatic components of natural materials like plants. Perfumes are compounds synthesized from various essential oil/fragrance ingredients that are natural, semi-synthetic, synthetic/artificial, created according to the intention of the perfumer.
What is the difference between absolute, essential oil and CO2 extraction?
- Essential oils are concentrated aromatic oils extracted through steam distillation from various parts of plants, such as leaves, flowers, fruit peels, and roots. They capture the natural fragrance and beneficial properties of the plant in a pure, potent form.
- Absolutes are aromatic extracts obtained using solvents. This method is used for delicate flowers such as jasmine, lotus or tuberose, which can be damaged by the heat, pressure, or moisture involved in steam distillation. Solvent extraction allows for the preservation of their fragile aromatic compounds.
- CO₂ extraction is a modern technique that uses liquefied carbon dioxide (supercritical CO₂) as a solvent to extract essential compounds from plants. This method leaves no solvent residue and captures the aroma and beneficial properties of the plant in a form that is closer to its natural state.
What is the difference between organic essential oil and pure essential oil?
- Organic essential oils are essential oils derived from organically grown plants, cultivated without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. These oils are certified by recognized organic bodies like USDA Organic or Ecocert.
- Pure essential oils are simply unadulterated – free from added chemicals, solvents, or fragrances – but their source ingredients may not be organic.
What is the difference between essential oil and carrier oil?
- Essential oils are concentrated, volatile aromatic compounds extracted from various plant parts like leaves, flowers, fruit peels, or roots. Each oil carries the distinct aroma and potential therapeutic properties of its source plant. Due to their potency, essential oils typically require dilution with non-volatile carrier oils before topical application.
- Carrier oils, such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil, are vegetable oils derived from seeds, fruits, or kernels. Their mild scent and non-volatile nature make them ideal for safely facilitating essential oil absorption into the skin.
How long do essential oils retain their fragrance?
Essential oils release their fragrance very quickly, and the scent can last up to 1-4 hours, depending on the type of oil.
What are the benefits of essential oils?
According to the Aroma Environment Association of Japan, essential oils extracted from natural materials have several effects:
- Calming effect: Soothes the nervous system, helping the mind and body to relax.
- Digestive and appetite stimulation effect: Stimulates stomach and intestinal activity, enhances appetite, and improves stomach function.
- Hormonal regulation effect: Regulates hormone secretion in the body.
- Immune activation effect: Strengthens and activates the immune system.
- Antiviral and insect repellent effect: Resists and inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, and repels mosquitoes and insects.
- Antibacterial and antifungal effect: Inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi (mold, yeast).
Each essential oil has many specific uses and benefits. Customers are advised to refer to more information on the areme website and seek professional advice from experts.
How should I use essential oils?
Customers are advised to refer to areme's essential oil usage guidelines here.
Do I need to buy a diffuser to use essential oils?
Depending on your usage, if you wish to diffuse the scent, it is recommended to use a specialized device like a steam diffuser, an electric diffuser, or passive diffusers like those made from wood or ceramic. For more information, check out areme's essential oil accessories here.
How much essential oil should be used in a diffuser?
Depending on the space where the scent is being diffused and the diffusing device, you can adjust the amount of essential oil from 1-5 drops. Additionally, the amount used also depends on the type of essential oil; for instance, oils from the Citrus group (orange, lemon, pomelo) diffuse very quickly but have a relatively short scent duration, so you might need to add a small amount frequently to maintain the scent in the space.
What is the shelf life of essential oils?
The shelf life of essential oils ranges from 2-5 years depending on types of oil. Once opened, due to the volatile nature of essential oils, it is best to use them within one year. Furthermore, essential oils from the Citrus family (such as lemon, grapefruit, sweet orange, bergamot, etc.) are prone to oxidation and have a shorter shelf life (about 6-8 months depending on the type).
How should essential oils be stored?
Store essential oils in dark glass bottles in a cool or room temperature location (ideally below 24 degrees Celsius), away from heat and direct sunlight.
Can essential oils be used for body massages?
Essential oils can be used for massage or hot/cold compresses for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.
- Compress method: Pour hot/cold water into a basin and add 1-3 drops of essential oil, soak a towel in it and wring it out. Gently apply the towel to sore spots for hot/cold compresses.
- Massage and relaxation therapy: Dilute essential oils in carrier oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, etc., according to the appropriate dosage and concentration. For cases with sensitive skin prone to irritation, seek expert/medical advice before use.
Suggest some carrier oils to use with essential oils
- Jojoba oil: Suitable for most skin types, even sensitive skin, thanks to its light and non-greasy texture. Jojoba oil is miscible with face sebum, giving it high balancing and moisturizing properties.
- Coconut oil (cold-pressed): Suitable for dry skin and body massage thanks to its high moisturizing properties. However, coconut oil may not be the best oil for facial use, especially oily and acne-prone skin, as it has been shown to clog your skin pores and cause acne breakouts.
- Almond oil: Suitable for normal to dry skin. It’s rich in vitamin E, A, and fatty acids, ideal for softening, moisturizing and enhancing skin elasticity.
- Grapeseed oil: Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin thanks to its light, fast-absorbing texture that won't clog pores. This oil contains antioxidants that protect skin.
- Olive oil: Suitable for dry or aging skin thanks to its high antioxidant content (such as vitamin E and polyphenols). However, for oily or acne-prone skin, it is advisable to do a patch test first as olive oil can clog pores in some people.
- Argan oil: Suitable for sensitive and aging skin. Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidants, helps soften skin, increase elasticity and minimize signs of aging.
What is the proper dilution ratio?
Aromatherapy essential oil dilution typically ranges based on application: intended use, user (adult, child, pregnant, sensitive skin), and application area. For adult skin, a 1–3% dilution is common. However, lower concentrations are advisable for pregnant women, children, and individuals with sensitive skin to prioritize safety.
The Essential Oil Association of Japan (AEAJ) recommends the following dilution ratios for topical (skin and body) application of essential oils:
- Body use: under 1% of dilution ratio
- Facial and sensitive skin use: from 0.1% to a maximum of 0.5%
How to calculate dilution concentration:
Essential oil (ml) ÷ Total mixture volume (ml) × 100 = Concentration (%)
*** For convenience, 1 drop of essential oil is estimated equal to 0.05ml
Can I dilute essential oils with water?
Essential oils don't readily mix or dissolve in water. Therefore, diluting essential oils in water is not effective. However, diffusers and steam inhalation methods cleverly utilize the volatile nature of essential oils to disperse them into the air via water. In these applications, the essential oils aren't truly dissolving but rather being carried by the water vapor.
Essential oil safety
Can essential oils be applied directly to the skin?
Due to the highly concentrated nature, areme strongly advises customers NEVER TO APPLY UNDILUTED ESSENTIAL OILS directly to the skin. If you wish to use essential oils for massage or relaxation, they must be diluted in carrier oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, etc., at the appropriate dosage and concentration. For example: 1% (15 drops/100ml) for body oil and 0.5% (8 drops/100ml) for facial oil.
Customers should limit the use of essential oils around the eyes or on sensitive areas of the body. areme encourages customers to perform a skin irritation test (patch test) before use by applying diluted essential oil to a small area of the skin (on the forearm or behind the neck) and waiting 24 hours to see if there is any allergic reaction before using it on the whole body.
Can pure essential oils be used in food?
Depending on the regulations of different countries, some pure essential oils can be used as food additives, such as garlic oil, ginger oil, rosemary oil, etc., or for mouthwash, such as peppermint oil, perilla oil, etc. However, their use should be limited or used in very small amounts under the consultation of a specialist.
As recommended by the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ), areme advises customers NOT TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS in food, even when diluted, or use them with other types of food, or for mouthwash.
- If you accidentally ingest essential oils, rinse your mouth thoroughly with plenty of water if oil remains in the mouth.
- If children, pregnant women, or pets accidentally ingest essential oils and show unusual health symptoms, take them to a doctor/veterinarian immediately. Provide the medical professional with the essential oil or details about what and how much was consumed.
Can essential oils be used for pregnant women, newborns, and children?
areme encourages customers who are pregnant, children, or those with allergies or under medical conditions to consult a doctor/specialist before using essential oils. If allowed, essential oils should be used in small amounts or at a lower dilution compared to regular uses. Note that due to their irritative properties, some essential oils should not be used for small children under 7 years old, such as peppermint, tea tree, cinnamon, pepper, star anise, etc.
Are there any issues with using high doses of essential oils continuously over a long period?
areme encourages customers to AVOID USING THE SAME ESSENTIAL OIL CONTINUOUSLY for a long time or in large doses. Continuous use of the same oil can lead to the development of 'antibodies' and increase the risk of allergic reactions.
Should essential oils be used for sinusitis?
areme advises customers who are prone to allergies/irritations or have underlying conditions to consult a specialist or doctor before using essential oils.
Is there a possibility of allergic reactions when using natural essential oils?
Yes. Although derived from plants and completely natural, essential oils are still concentrated blends of bioactive chemical compounds (such as limonene, linalool, eugenol, citral, menthol...) extracted from leaves, flowers, peels, or roots. While they offer pleasant aromas and therapeutic benefits, essential oils are highly concentrated and may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals, even in very small amounts, depending on their sensitivity and usage. Common allergic reactions include:
- Allergies due to individual sensitivity: Just like natural substances such as pollen, honey, or seafood, some individuals may have allergic reactions to specific components in essential oils.
- Allergies/irritation from improper use: Applying undiluted essential oils directly to the skin or using them in excessive amounts at once can cause skin or respiratory irritation.
- Allergies due to phototoxicity from citrus oils: Some citrus essential oils such as bergamot, lemon, and lime—especially those extracted via cold pressing—contain furocoumarins (e.g., bergapten), which can react with UV light (especially UV-A), potentially causing redness, dermatitis, or skin hyperpigmentation. When using these oils on the skin, avoid direct sunlight exposure for at least 12 to 24 hours afterward.
***Citrus essential oils that are steam-distilled or labeled as FCF (Furocoumarin-Free) are generally safer compared to those extracted via cold pressing.
Important: When using essential oils on the skin, always dilute them properly and perform a patch test on a small area before full application. For individuals with known sensitivities or allergies, it is advisable to consult a specialist before use.
What are some common symptoms of essential oil allergic reactions?
Some common symptoms of essential oil allergic reactions include:
- Redness, burning, itching or rash after direct contact.
- A stinging or burning sensation at the area of application.
- Rash, mild swelling, or hives
- In some cases, inhaling essential oils may result in symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, or mild shortness of breath.
Notice: While essential oil allergies often present as local reactions, prompt treatment is crucial to prevent potential progression to severe complications.
What should I do if I believe I’m experiencing an allergic reaction to essential oil?
When there are signs of skin allergy after using essential oil, customers are advised to:
- Immediately stop using the essential oil suspected of causing allergies.
- Cleanse the skin area of contact with cool water and mild soap.
- If the symptoms progresses or spreads, seek advice/treatment from medical professionals.
- Keep record of the essential oil used for easy tracking and future precaution.
How to minimize/prevent essential oil allergic reactions?
To minimize the risk of allergic reactions to essential oils, areme recommends the following precautions:
- Never apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin, especially on sensitive areas or open wounds.
- Always dilute essential oils properly and at the correct dosage before applying them to the skin or body, using carrier oils such as jojoba, almond, olive, or coconut oil.
- For individuals with sensitive skin or known allergies, conduct a patch test on a small area of skin (e.g., the inner wrist) and wait at least 24 hours to observe any reaction before full use.
- Store essential oils in a cool, dry place away from direct light to prevent oxidation, which can cause irritation. This is especially important for citrus oils such as orange, lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit—avoid sun exposure for 12–24 hours after applying these oils to the skin.
- Avoid using the same essential oil repeatedly or in large quantities over an extended period of time.
- Choose pure, high-quality essential oils from reputable brands with clear sourcing and production standards.
How do I know if my essential oil has degraded?
Although essential oils are naturally antibacterial and antioxidant, they can still oxidize, change in scent, and lose their effectiveness over time if not stored properly or used beyond their recommended shelf life. Some common signs that an essential oil has deteriorated include:
- A noticeable change in scent, different from the original aroma
- The appearance of an off or unpleasant smell
- A thicker or more viscous texture
- A change in color compared to its original state
If your essential oil shows any of these signs, it is best to stop using it immediately to ensure your safety.
What is the oxidation of essential oils?
Essential oils can oxidize when exposed to air, leading to a gradual decline in scent quality over time. Oxidation occurs when oxygen reacts with certain chemical components in the oil. For example, alcohol compounds in essential oils can oxidize and transform into aldehydes, significantly altering the aroma. Simply put, some components in the oil may change upon contact with oxygen, making the scent sharper or more unpleasant.
The rate of oxidation depends on the level of air exposure and the reactivity of each specific component in the oil. However, high temperatures and sunlight can accelerate the oxidation process.
Oxidized essential oils not only lose their fragrance and therapeutic benefits but can also cause skin irritation. Therefore, it’s important to store essential oils in a cool place, away from direct light, and to use them promptly after opening.
areme's products
How long does a typical bottle of areme essential oil last?
Depending on the consistency (thin or thick) of each type of oil, each milliliter of essential oil typically yields around 15–20 drops.
areme essential oils come in two bottle sizes:
- 3ml bottle: Approximately 45–60 drops
- 10ml bottle: Approximately 150–200 drops
Depending on frequency and intensity of use, a 3ml bottle can last around 10–15 days, while a 10ml bottle can last up to one month.
Are areme essential oils guaranteed to be 100% natural?
Yes. areme essential oils are 100% natural with no artificial or synthetic fragrances. Our production process is strictly controlled from raw material selection to final distillation, overseen by expert engineers and specialists from Vietnam and Japan, following areme’s responsible manufacturing standards.
Are areme essential oils safe to use? What kind of documentation does areme provide to prove product safety?
At areme, transparency is a core value that ensures the quality and safety of our essential oils. To give customers peace of mind, we clearly disclose the origin of ingredients and production process, and strictly follow quality control standards throughout. Each product is labeled with a batch number for easy traceability and quality assurance. Expiration dates and safety usage instructions are also clearly printed on the packaging to help even first-time users apply the oils safely.
Additionally, we publish detailed information such as: ingredient origin and growing region, cultivation methods, full composition analysis (COA – Certificate of Analysis) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). All of these documents are available on the product detail pages on areme’s official website.
Where do areme’s essential oil ingredients come from?
Most of the raw materials used in areme essential oils are locally grown in Vietnam and Japan, following organic, natural farming practices without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Some other ingredients, such as lavandin and rose, are EU organic certified (Ecocert)—these certifications are clearly stated on our website.
Are areme essential oils tested on animals?
areme proudly upholds the “Cruelty-free” philosophy and is committed to building an ethical and responsible production process. Throughout our entire supply chain—from cultivation and production to R&D and product distribution—we never test on animals and do not commission any third parties to conduct animal testing on our behalf.
This commitment is not only implemented internally at areme but is also clearly communicated and contractually required of all our partners and suppliers to ensure full compliance with our cruelty-free policy.
Is areme packaging recyclable?
We actively encourage you to give our packaging a second life. Each box comes with a scent card, which, apart from providing product information, can be repurposed as a book mark; an aroma tag to infuse your bags/closets/drawers; or a way to subtly scent your fabric masks, etc.
areme’s essential oil bottles are made from recycled glass cullet (crushed or broken pieces of glass melted down to produce new glass products), manufactured in Japan through a closed-loop process under strict production standards to ensure health safety and minimizing environmental impact. Designed to be convenient for waste classification after use, these bottles allow you to separate its components (cap, dropper, sealing ring) easily.
Why are areme essential oils more expensive than other brands?
While areme essential oils may have a higher price point, this reflects the exceptional value derived from our dedication to:
- Uncompromising ingredient quality: We select only organically grown, high-quality raw materials, rejecting anything substandard to ensure the purest scent.
- Scientific precision in production: Our advanced R&D-driven distillation process, overseen by expert technicians, maximizes efficiency and guarantees superior oil refinement.
- Transparency and quality assurance: Our rigorous quality management system, backed by publicly available COA, MSDS, and GC-MS certifications, includes dual quality checks to ensure consistent excellence.
- Eco-Conscious and protective packaging: We utilize recycled and aesthetically pleasing packaging (FSC paper, premium Japanese recycled glass) that safeguards the oil's quality and prevents leakage.
- Ethical and sustainable practices: We are committed to our "DO GOOD TOGETHER" motto by fairly compensating farmers for their organically grown, native raw materials, promoting regional economies and environmental regeneration.
This holistic approach ensures Areme essential oils offer a delicate, true-to-source fragrance with distinct, pure notes suitable for therapeutic use.
Why does my essential oil smell or look different than last time?
areme essential oils are made entirely from natural plant-based ingredients grown through organic and nature-respecting methods. Because our raw materials are influenced by natural conditions—such as regional climate, soil composition, seasonal rainfall, and sunshine—there may be slight variations between harvests. As a result, small differences in scent may occur from batch to batch.
However, these variations are typically subtle and do not affect product quality. areme works closely with farmers and suppliers to monitor and minimize any factors that could impact the oil’s quality, ensuring that every bottle meets our high standards for consistency and performance.
Shopping guide
Do you have physical stores?
areme’s products are currently available at selected stores/concept stores in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi (Vietnam) and Osaka (Japan). Please kindly refer to our Store locator for the most up-to-date information on our current retail locations.
How to purchase?
Online purchase:
- Website purchase: Visit our website and add your products to cart. *Payment methods accepted: Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, bank transfer.
- Message us via Instagram/Facebook with details of your order.
If you need support or advice on online shopping, don't hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, email or phone number/Zalo +84 938 77 00 29.
Offline purchase:
Please kindly refer to our Store locator for the most up-to-date information on our current retail locations.
Do you have any current promotions?
We offer the following permanent promotions:
- 10% off your first online order (valid only on our official website, Instagram, and Facebook).
- Free shipping on orders over 2,000,000 VND / 11,000 JPY (applies to deliveries within Vietnam and Japan and can be combined with other offers).
We also offer special promotions for specific occasions. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, or subscribe to our email list for the latest updates.
How to enjoy areme’s offers?
10% welcome offer:
- Website orders: Enter the code “areme” in the "Discount code" field at checkout, or click here and the code will be automatically applied at checkout.
- Instagram/Facebook/Zalo orders: Our staff will apply the discount when finalizing your order.
Free shipping offer:
- Website order: Automatically applied at checkout when your order reaches the qualifying amount.
- Instagram/Facebook/Zalo order: Our staff will apply free shipping when finalizing your order/
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay (for orders via our website). All available payment options for your location will be shown in the checkout. If you are ordering from either Japan or Vietnam, we also offer a bank transfer option.
Do you issue an invoice for my order?
Yes. We provide electronic invoices. Website orders receive them via email, while social media/messaging orders get them through their respective channels.
Corporate clients, please send your invoice details to hello@areme.co.jp.
Do I receive payment confirmation and shipping information?
Yes. Once areme receives full and successful payment, you will receive an order confirmation email to the email address you provided. We will also email you the shipping information once packaging is complete and dispatched.
Can I specify my preferred delivery date and time (etc. weekends, working hours)?
Yes. Kindly indicate your desired delivery date and time in the "Notes" section of your shopping cart. Alternatively, you can provide this information to our consultant when messaging to make a purchase.
Can I make changes to my order (quantity, products, delivery address, v.v.) after confirmed payment?
You can only modify your order (quantity, products, delivery address) within 12 hours of payment, before we finalize packing and dispatch. Please review your order carefully during checkout and notify us immediately if you need any changes.
Do you accept cash on delivery?
We currently do not accept cash on delivery. Please kindly complete your payment so we can proceed with your order. Thank you for your cooperation.
Gifting
I am planning to buy areme products as gifts. Do you offer gift packaging?
Yes, areme offers gift packaging. You can explore some of our pre-designed gift sets here, or select other areme products and let us know your specific packaging requests. We'll be happy to create a suitable design to meet your gifting needs.
What is special about areme’s gift sets?
Crafted with modern sophistication and tailored to distinct scent themes, areme's gift sets offer a curated selection for every occasion. Each uniquely assembled set unveils a captivating journey into the diverse and impressive world of natural aromas.
Do you offer corporate gifting?
Our dedicated R&D, production, and design teams are ready to fulfill your specific corporate gift requirements for any project. Contact us via email at sales@areme.co.jp for personalized consultation.