Frequently Asked Questions

Synthetic or chemical fragrances are constructed in a lab by "copying" the most potent portions of a plant molecule. Typically this a minute portion of the entire molecule. For example, let's consider rose.

Of the hundreds of compounds that make up the chemical structure of a rose, the most potent are geraniol and citronellol, which make up about 65 to 70% of the rose's scent. Yet they are only 2 of hundreds of constituents.

So in order to "copy" the fragrance, the chemist re-engineers the molecules of less expensive materials (such as petroleum or chlorine or less expensive plants like citronella or palmarosa in the case of "natural isolates") to match as closely as possible the molecular structure of geraniol or citronellol.

Have you ever heard someone refer to the smell of a synthetic rose perfume as "grandma's rose"? Well, that's because their nose detects that it doesn't smell exactly like a real rose. And of course it doesn't, because its make-up is less than 70% of a real rose's complex chemical structure.

If you want to know more about fragrance chemicals, read our FAQ "Why do some companies use synthetic instead of natural materials?"

Ajne's natural perfumes are crafted entirely of completely whole, unadulterated botanical essential oils obtained via the distillation of real plants and their parts and blended with as many as 85 other entirely natural extracts in classic French perfumic style to give the finished perfume perfect balance, complexity and lasting power.

Great question! If anyone ever guarantees you that you won't be allergic to their product, run - don't walk - from their store or website! It's impossible to promise allergic safety unless the person knows specifically what causes their allergy and then the company can ensure that ingredient is not in the item.

If you know what your allergic to, tell us and we can let you know if that ingredient is in the formula. Keep in mind that pollen is eliminated via the distillation process. So all of our liquid products are pollen free.

Ajne has many chemically sensitive clients. We can't tell you how many times a person has stood outside our showroom door, longingly looking inside. They're worried to come in because they say fragrances give them headaches or other reaction. Next thing you know, they've been inside for 3 hours trying virtually every product we have. "I can't believe I don't have a headache (or the sniffles or a rash)," they say. Perhaps in some cases, it's because Ajne essential oil fragrances are chemical free and pollen free. The American Academy of Dermatology says fragrance chemicals are "the number one cause of contact dermatitis." Ajne fragrances do no contain synthetic fragrance chemicals.

If you are chemically sensitive and you want to try Ajne, we recommend a very tiny patch test on a sensitive area like the inner wrist. If you have any problem, discontinue use immediately. If you're fine, try a tiny bit more. Let it sit for 24 hours. Patch test a number of times over a week or two. There's no need to rush. Take it slowly. And consult your trusted physician. Our large samples with free shipping are a fantastic way to try without any financial risk. Worst case scenario is that you find you can't wear them - so you apply the full cost you paid for samples to candles or certified organic skin care or a collectible bottle or a gift. Best case scenario is that like many others, our formula works perfectly for you.

The primary reason for using synthetic materials is cost and ease of use in production. One benefit is that synthetic ingredients don't have color. Essential oils do. Once you have a formula, you won't need to adjust it for every batch because synthetic ingredients are the same every time you receive them. And they typically cost 4 to 20 times less than natural materials. Synthetics also don't have to be grown or farmed. So they are not subject to climate.

Yet the #1 reason is that you can't patent the essential oil of a plant. Synthetic fragrance molecules are patented. Have you ever noticed that a bunch of perfumers  launch perfume with the same new ingredient all at the same time, i.e. the trendy new neroli musk? That's because a major aroma chemical supplier engineered a new molecule. All the designer perfumers that buy from them rush to launch it. If you'd like to know some of the potential drawbacks of synthetics, read our other FAQ regarding perfume or our blog article  "All About Natural Perfumes."

Natural perfume construction requires a lot of hands on adjustment, blending and expertise. The materials must be grown. They must be harvested. They must be distilled. And the perfumer must handcraft and adjust each batch to replicate the previous batches as closely as possible - very similar to wine making where there are vintages. It's a lot of work, but we think it's worth it! Ajne makes only natural and organic perfumes.

We get this question a lot! First, we offer both oil based perfumes and spray perfumes. So we're not selling here to sway you one way or the other. Here's the skinny - you decide:

The quick answer is no. But to give a more complete explanation, let's start by examining the ingredients that make up a perfume:

A) The perfume itself - this is also sometimes called "perfume oil" or "scent composition" or "fragrance". In the case of a natural perfume, it is the essential oils and absolutes without any carrier. In the case of synthetic fragrance, it is the fragrance oils or aroma oils (also may be called perfume oil).  (Please note: Ajne does not make synthetic perfumes)

B) The carrier - This is either some type of oil for an oil based perfume such as some dabs (dabs can be alcohol based too) and most roll-ons. Alcohol is used for a spray perfume. Gel/paste is the carrier for a solid perfume balm.

C) Water - Water may be added to alcohol to meet VOC (volatile organic compound) regulations or to make the formula more gentle or to dilute the formula to make it less expensive such as in Eau de Parfum (typically 18 to 25% perfume/scent - the rest carrier, water and additives), Eau de Toilette (typically 12 to 18% perfume/scent) and Cologne (typically 2 to 12% perfume/scent). Perfume is typically 25 to 35% scent.

D) Additives - This could be an emollient (softener/moisturizer) such as glycerin or isopropyl palmitate. It could be an emulsifier (helps blend the ingredients and stabilize them). It could be color, preservatives or phthalates (improve the lasting power of perfumes, but are highly toxic cellular mutagens). (Please note: Ajne does not use emulsifiers, colors, artificial preservatives or phthalates)

So as you can see, it is COMPLETELY FALSE that oil perfumes are more concentrated than alcohol based perfumes simply because they contain oil. The scent concentration is what determines how concentrated the formula is - not whether the carrier is oil, alcohol or gel. And let's be clear that there MUST BE A CARRIER. Pure oils are too powerful to be used on the skin in their undiluted form.

So the answer is that it's really about your personal preferences.

For example, if you drink alcohol beverages, you get much more alcohol in your system by drinking than you'll ever get from your perfume. But if you just want to avoid alcohol in perfume, then an oil based perfume is probably what you want based upon your preferences. The benefits of oil is that it is moisturizing and you can dab or roll it on very specifically.

But if you are avoiding alcohol because you think alcohol isn't as good, will be too drying or is less natural than oil, that's not always true. First of all, the perfume oils themselves could be artificially derived molecules. (Read more of our FAQs to learn about that) The carrier oil itself could be petroleum based such as mineral oil or it can be natural like coconut or jojoba. It depends on the alcohol used. And remember we discussed emollients above? These can make some alcohols very gentle.

Alcohol is always plant based. It comes from fermenting and distilling plant material. It can even be organic. And an effective spray will have alcohol. Some alcohols may have terrible additives. We recommend you look for organic alcohol on the label or those that say SDA 40b. SDA 40b does not contain phthalates and it only has a small amount of a bittering agent that makes it undrinkable. (That's required by law).

We offer both 100% natural plant based fragrance oils and 100% natural perfume sprays - always natural and chemical free. Sprays are not better, but they may be longer lasting and stronger because they micronize and spread the the scent particles more effectively. This question is totally a question of personal preference.

So spray or roll or do both. It's up to you.

Unfortunately "natural" means different things to different companies. I worked alongside a chemist that once told me, "Petroleum is completely natural. It's made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. It is just compressed animal and vegetable matter." Well that's partly right, but it forgets that petroleum is horribly manipulated and terrible for your skin and organs

Let me share a recent experience that sheds light on this question. A vendor that we sometimes purchase essential oils from added some new items called "All Natural Fragrance Oils." (We love this vendor and feel they always try to be honest. So I'm a bit afraid they'll read this and think I'm criticizing them. I'm not! It's just a great example.) I wrote the vendor and asked them how these "all natural" fragrances were made. They wrote back and said that [according to the requirements of various governing bodies], "all natural" must not contain any synthetic ingredients or processes. I was confused because none of the governing bodies were certifying the item and they weren't making them either. So I pressed for more info. When I did, this is the answer I received:

"We are not the manufacturer of these oils. We are just the distributor. I do not have the intimate knowledge of the bio-makeup and chemistry of the oils that you are looking for, as a manufacturer would. I can tell you that they have a natural carrier like  MCT/Fractionated Coconut Oil. Somehow, I think this in no way answered your question. This is the best I can do to explain. I am no scientist.... I try though (wink wink)."

This is the challenge with the natural product industry. Too often, we take the word of another party with little additional research because we like them. It's like we just don't want to know "wink wink".

At Ajne, we want to know and we always get assurances in writing and via testing such as GCMS or certification by a reliable authority such as USDA or EcoCert. We do the leg work so you don't have to.

So the moral of the story is: Don't blindly trust something someone tells you. I've seen dozens of "expert" blogs that are just dead wrong regarding some posts. (And other blogs are well-researched and right on!) Remember that many of the salespeople you trust (like your MLM rep) are simply repeating what they've read or been told or maybe they attended a product knowledge class. They don't have any real education in the subject.

I am proud to say that not only does our team have 50+ years of combined experience in cosmetics manufacturing, but Jane Hendler is an accredited and Certified Master Essential Oil Therapist and natural perfumer. You can always count on Ajne that natural means natural.

A well-constructed natural perfume can be very long lasting. It depends ion the plant oils in the blend and the construction - including the balance of top, heart, bridge and base notes. For example, we make a perfume called Savoir. It's 100% vegan and natural. Many clients report lasts 24 hours or more. Other constructions may last less long, just as you'll find with some synthetic perfumes. Remember that top note focused perfumes (whether synthetic or natural) tend to last less long because they don't have the necessary balance of base tenacity.

But don't confuse the issue of "lasting" and "bloom" or "potency". There is no doubt that some synthetic perfumes "bloom" into the air around the wearer. Have you ever walked around a corner or into an elevator and you can still smell the perfume of the person that's no longer there? That's the potency. Natural perfumes don't bloom the same way. In fact, typically unless you "slather" them on, no one will really smell you unless they enter your personal space. The scent stays close to you. At Ajne, we think that's a good thing.

And remember that warmth and moisture increase the lasting power and potency of scent. If you have ever worn your fav scent in a tropical place, you know what I mean. So apply to pulse points and enhance with a matching lotion if you want to increase potency and lasting power. They won't all last like Savoir, but a well-balanced natural perfume composition should show plenty of staying power.

An Essential Oil is the liquid scent and the healing properties of a plant extracted via cold press, hydro, steam or CO2 distillation.

They require a tremendous amount of plant matter to yield a small amount of liquid. For example, to obtain the essential oil of rose, you would need a 10 x 10 foot  3 meter x 3 meter) room space filled about 1 foot high (1/3 meter) with rose petals and flowers. All that material would distill down to just a few ounces (90 ml) of liquid.

This is why they are so powerful and were anciently used as medicines. Many essential oils have scientifically proven healing properties as published in numerous reputable studies such as those listed by the US Library for Medicine.

Essential oils are made up of compounds or constituents. In their pure form, the compounds are unmanipulated and crafted entirely by nature and evolution. Lavender (for example) has approximately 100 compounds. The sweetest and most odiferous are linalool and linalyl acetate.

Linalool and linalyl acetate can be created synthetically in a laboratory or isolated from plant material. These synthetically obtained materials are known allergans. And some cosmetic chemists argue that these synthetically obtained materials are identical in chemical structure to the compounds found in naturally distilled essential oils. However, Naturopaths and holistic healers argue that science still does not account fo the other constituents, constructed by nature over thousands of years of evolution, that would be found within the natural essential oil. What are they for? Holistic healers that the other compounds may help soothe or balance the more harsh materials - as essential oils have very few allergic reactions when used as recommended according to the US Library of Medicine.

There may be no difference at all, but let's take this question very literally.

There is no certifying agency that oversees using the word "natural". So any company can say "natural" and mean various things. At Ajne, when we use the word "natural" or "organic" we mean that the item contains organic ingredients, and is free of synthetic chemicals, petro-chemicals, pesticides residues, animal ingredients and non-plant derived ingredients. No Ajne item is ever tested on animals.

It's the same with the word "organic". It may mean certified organic, but  - just like "natural" - may just be a word a company is using and may mean different things - especially if it's just part of the company's name, i.e. XYZ Organics.

"Certified organic" should mean that some accredited certifying agency has certified the item. But BEWARE! We recommend USDA or EcoCert certification as they are standardized, reliable certifying bodies. Personally, I don't give much credence to the unknown or hardly known certifiers out there. And please note that the USDA website says: "USDA has no authority over the production and labeling of cosmetics, body care products, and personal care products that are not made up of agricultural ingredients, or do not make any claims to meeting USDA organic standards. USDA has no authority over other certification bodies not claiming USDA certification at this time." So this means that saying "organic" without listing USDA is NOT regulated.

Here is some info from the USDA website. USDA has 3 levels of certification:

1. "100 percent organic" -- Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients.

2. "Organic" -- Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List.

3. “Made with organic ingredients” -- Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.” These products MAY NOT display the USDA Organic label.

Ajne has many certified organic products. They are marked as certified by USDA or EcoCert - which is a USDA certified company. In fact, it's one of the most difficult world-wide certifications to obtain. Our certified organic products display the USDA label on our website and meet the #1 "100% Organic" or #2 "Organic" standards.  All Ajne products - even those not currently certified - meet the #3 standard of "Made with Organic Ingredients".

Absolutes are extracted from plants by use of a solvent such as alcohol, hexane or CO2. The solvent is then separated from the plant material by vacuum or in the case of CO2, by removing atmospheric pressure, so it turns back into a gas. In a well done absolute, the remaining solvent is nearly unmeasurable, meaning it should have only a few parts per million. A poor solvent distillation may have lots and you typically smell it! CO2 absolutes have no residual solvent whatsoever.

Some aromatherapists do not consider absolutes - regardless of the quality and even those obtained by CO2 - to be suitable for therapuetic use. 

The reason for the absolute distillation process is that cold press and steam cannot obtain the scent of many plants. A few plants that cannot be distilled with steam are Jasmine, Carnation and Tuberose. However, a beautiful scent may be obtained by Absolute distillation. Hydro distillation (somewhat similar to making a sun tea) produces only a tiny yield making it very expensive - sometimes 10 to 100 times more costly. For example, hydro distillation may cost upwards of $20,000 USD per kilo, whereas a CO2 distillation would be about $8,000 for the same material. (still quite expensive - but less!) The absolute process of distillation allows the distiller to increase their aroma palette and obtain magnificently scented oils with unique scent properties from entirely natural materials.

A nature identical essential oil may mean a number of things. One method means it's obtained via creating a "natural isolate" or blending "natural isolates" together. For more information about "natural isolates", read our FAQ - "What is a natural isolate?"

Another method is described as follows by a well known fragrance material and essential oil supplier (Ajne does not use "nature identical essential oils" or "natural isolates" in our formulatons):

"Nature Identical Essential Oils are blends of Essential Oils and various aromatic compounds. When compared to Fragrant Oils that are 100% synthetic, Nature Identical Essential Oils have fewer synthetic compounds, while still offering a superior aroma. Please note that because Nature Identical oils are blends of essential oils and aroma chemicals, Nature Identical Essential Oils are not suitable for therapeutic applications."

A natural isolate is a liquid scent that is obtained via isolation of a specific plant compound. The source material must be far less expensive than the original plant source in order for the process to be cost efficient. Otherwise, there would be little purpose for the technology. For example, one of the most potent constituents of rose is geraniol. Geraniol is also found and can be isolated from citronella and palmarosa, which are far less expensive than roses. It can also be constructed synthetically as an aroma chemical. Since geraniol makes up about 31 to 35 percent of a rose's composition, you might say geraniol smells 35 percent like a rose. Isolated and synthetically-constructed geraniol are both classified as an allergan according to the European Union and D2B (toxic materials causing other effects) according to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Canada's workplace safety portal.

First, we offer both oil based and non-oil based perfumes. So we're not selling you one way or the other. We're just answering the question with facts. You decide what you prefer.

An oil based fragrance is a perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette or cologne made with an oil as a carrier. They are typically dab or roll on. At Ajne, we only make perfume strength formulas.

We find that many clients are confused about "oil based fragrances" due to the clever marketing that was originally done to launch the category a number of years ago. Who says marketing isn't effective, right? So let's break down some myths.

Myth 1: Oil based perfumes are more concentrated than other alcohol based perfumes. False. This myth arises from someone not understanding the difference between the perfume oil (the pure scent compounds - obtained from essential oils and absolutes for natural perfumes or synthetic fragrance oils for chemical perfumes) and the carrier that the perfume oil is blended into. Every perfume must have a carrier because undiluted perfume oils or synthetic oils are too powerful to put directly on the skin. So they are diluted with a carrier such as coconut oil or jojoba oil for a natural perfume or mineral oil for a synthetic formula. Many people hear the term perfume oil, and they believe the entire formula is oil based. About 20 to 33% of the formula is the pure perfume oil and the remainder is the carrier such as coconut oil or jojoba oil or alcohol in the case of a spray perfume. This is true for both types.

Myth 2: Oil based perfumes are more gentle than alcohol based perfumes. False. It depends on the formulation. Oil is more moisturizing than ethyl alcohol. But consider other factors such as: Is the oil petroleum based such as mineral oil? Does it have any undesirable additives such as preservatives or phthalates? Is the alcohol organic? Does the alcohol have emollients like glycerin that make it more gentle? As you can see, it depends. Our Ajne perfume oil roll-ons and our alcohol based sprays are both very gentle. If you have severely dry skin, I would recommend a perfume oil roll on or a spray applied over a matching Ajne lotion.

Myth 3: Oil based perfumes last longer because they are more concentrated than alcohol based perfumes. False. Myth 1 basically answers this common misconception. People believe this because they think the "perfume oil" in the formula is the entire formula. As explained above, it's not. I would say I typically find sprays last longer because they create micro-particles that spread more evenly, but I love using roll ons too. Lasting power mostly depends on the construction of the perfume. More tenacious heart and base notes, typically make a longer lasting blend.

Myth 4: The perfume I buy is a spray, but they told me it oil based. So it's less harsh. False. First, don't believe that it's "oil based" just because it has an "oily" feel. This is achieved with the use of emollients such as glycerin (natural) or dimethicone (petroleum). If it sprays, it likely has some type of alcohol. Natural oil just won't come out of the nozzle effectively without spattering. It's too thick. You can use a synthetic dimethicone for example - but it is petroleum based. And as for harshness, it depends on the formulation. Alcohol is more drying than jojoba for example. But with the addition of quality emolients, much of that can be avoided.

The names loosely refer to how much pure essential oil aroma blend (in the case of a natural fragrance) or synthetic perfume oil blend (in the case of a chemical fragrance) is in the formula as compared to the amount of carrier, which is the base oil, alcohol, gel, paste, water or other additives that may make up a company's formula.

All fragrances must be diluted to varying degrees for two reasons: 1) Both pure essential oils and synthetic fragrance oils are too powerful to be placed undiluted directly on the skin, and 2) Pure essential oil or synthetic fragrance oil would be 4 to 40 times more expensive. The level of dilution determines the price of the fragrance and defines whether the end formula is considered a perfume (25 to 33% pure scent vs carrier), eau de parfum (18 to 24% pure scent vs carrier), eau de toilette (12 to 17% pure scent vs carrier) or cologne (2 to 11% pure scent vs carrier).

Please note that fragrance quality and strength has little to do with whether a fragrance is oil based, gel based, paste based (for solid perfumes) or alcohol based. They all have carriers, which for some companies my include water, emollients, emulsifiers, color, preservatives or even phthalates.

Ajne only makes perfume strength fragrances. Ajne offers both oil based roll ons and USDA certified organic alcohol based perfume sprays. Ajne does NOT use artificial color, emulsifiers, preservatives or phthalates. For more information about oil based perfumes and alcohol based perfumes read our other FAQs.

Unfortunately "natural" means different things to different companies. I worked alongside a chemist that once told me, "Petroleum is completely natural. It's made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. It is just compressed animal and vegetable matter." Well that's partly right, but it forgets that petroleum is horribly manipulated and terrible for your skin and organs

Let me share a recent experience that sheds light on this question. A vendor that we sometimes purchase essential oils from added some new items called "All Natural Fragrance Oils." (We love this vendor and feel they always try to be honest. So I'm a bit afraid they'll read this and think I'm criticizing them. I'm not! It's just a great example.) I wrote the vendor and asked them how these "all natural" fragrances were made. They wrote back and said that [according to the requirements of various governing bodies], "all natural" must not contain any synthetic ingredients or processes. I was confused because none of the governing bodies were certifying the item and they weren't making them either. So I pressed for more info. When I did, this is the answer I received:

"We are not the manufacturer of these oils. We are just the distributor. I do not have the intimate knowledge of the bio-makeup and chemistry of the oils that you are looking for, as a manufacturer would. I can tell you that they have a natural carrier like  MCT/Fractionated Coconut Oil. Somehow, I think this in no way answered your question. This is the best I can do to explain. I am no scientist.... I try though (wink wink)."

This is the challenge with the natural product industry. Too often, we take the word of another party with little additional research because we like them. It's like we just don't want to know "wink wink".

At Ajne, we want to know and we always get assurances in writing and via testing such as GCMS or certification by a reliable authority such as USDA or EcoCert. We do the leg work so you don't have to.

So the moral of the story is: Don't blindly trust something someone tells you. I've seen dozens of "expert" blogs that are just dead wrong regarding some posts. (And other blogs are well-researched and right on!) Remember that many of the salespeople you trust (like your MLM rep) are simply repeating what they've read or been told or maybe they attended a product knowledge class. They don't have any real education in the subject.

I am proud to say that not only does our team have 50+ years of combined experience in cosmetics manufacturing, but Jane Hendler is an accredited and Certified Master Essential Oil Therapist and natural perfumer. You can always count on Ajne that natural means natural.

There may be no difference at all, but let's take this question very literally.

There is no certifying agency that oversees using the word "natural". So any company can say "natural" and mean various things. At Ajne, when we use the word "natural" or "organic" we mean that the item contains organic ingredients, and is free of synthetic chemicals, petro-chemicals, pesticides residues, animal ingredients and non-plant derived ingredients. No Ajne item is ever tested on animals.

It's the same with the word "organic". It may mean certified organic, but  - just like "natural" - may just be a word a company is using and may mean different things - especially if it's just part of the company's name, i.e. XYZ Organics.

"Certified organic" should mean that some accredited certifying agency has certified the item. But BEWARE! We recommend USDA or EcoCert certification as they are standardized, reliable certifying bodies. Personally, I don't give much credence to the unknown or hardly known certifiers out there. And please note that the USDA website says: "USDA has no authority over the production and labeling of cosmetics, body care products, and personal care products that are not made up of agricultural ingredients, or do not make any claims to meeting USDA organic standards. USDA has no authority over other certification bodies not claiming USDA certification at this time." So this means that saying "organic" without listing USDA is NOT regulated.

Here is some info from the USDA website. USDA has 3 levels of certification:

1. "100 percent organic" -- Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients.

2. "Organic" -- Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List.

3. “Made with organic ingredients” -- Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.” These products MAY NOT display the USDA Organic label.

Ajne has many certified organic products. They are marked as certified by USDA or EcoCert - which is a USDA certified company. In fact, it's one of the most difficult world-wide certifications to obtain. Our certified organic products display the USDA label on our website and meet the #1 "100% Organic" or #2 "Organic" standards.  All Ajne products - even those not currently certified - meet the #3 standard of "Made with Organic Ingredients".

Unfortunately "natural" means different things to different companies. I worked alongside a chemist that once told me, "Petroleum is completely natural. It's made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. It is just compressed animal and vegetable matter." Well that's partly right, but it forgets that petroleum is horribly manipulated and terrible for your skin and organs

Let me share a recent experience that sheds light on this question. A vendor that we sometimes purchase essential oils from added some new items called "All Natural Fragrance Oils." (We love this vendor and feel they always try to be honest. So I'm a bit afraid they'll read this and think I'm criticizing them. I'm not! It's just a great example.) I wrote the vendor and asked them how these "all natural" fragrances were made. They wrote back and said that [according to the requirements of various governing bodies], "all natural" must not contain any synthetic ingredients or processes. I was confused because none of the governing bodies were certifying the item and they weren't making them either. So I pressed for more info. When I did, this is the answer I received:

"We are not the manufacturer of these oils. We are just the distributor. I do not have the intimate knowledge of the bio-makeup and chemistry of the oils that you are looking for, as a manufacturer would. I can tell you that they have a natural carrier like  MCT/Fractionated Coconut Oil. Somehow, I think this in no way answered your question. This is the best I can do to explain. I am no scientist.... I try though (wink wink)."

This is the challenge with the natural product industry. Too often, we take the word of another party with little additional research because we like them. It's like we just don't want to know "wink wink".

At Ajne, we want to know and we always get assurances in writing and via testing such as GCMS or certification by a reliable authority such as USDA or EcoCert. We do the leg work so you don't have to.

So the moral of the story is: Don't blindly trust something someone tells you. I've seen dozens of "expert" blogs that are just dead wrong regarding some posts. (And other blogs are well-researched and right on!) Remember that many of the salespeople you trust (like your MLM rep) are simply repeating what they've read or been told or maybe they attended a product knowledge class. They don't have any real education in the subject.

I am proud to say that not only does our team have 50+ years of combined experience in cosmetics manufacturing, but Jane Hendler is an accredited and Certified Master Essential Oil Therapist and natural perfumer. You can always count on Ajne that natural means natural.

There are 5 types of scent diffuser. They may look very similar. Fnd out what's on the inside before purchasing. For a more detailed answer to this question, read my blog article: How to Select the Best Diffuser for You. 

1. The most common scent "diffuser" is actually a humidier. You put a few drops of essential oil in the water inside it. A ceramic diaphram vibrates ultrasonically to create a cool water vapor that pours out with a few particles of scent in it. This is my least favorite type of scent device because if you don't clean them daily, they emit mold into your space. Read this Consumer Reports article for the details.

2. Reed diffusers may be used with Essential Oils or synthetics. Drawbacks: You must flip the reeds daily. They only work for a small space.

3. Fan Diffusers blow air over a pad or over a pre-scented gel cartridge. If there is a pad, you can drip Essential Oil on it. Pre-scented cartridges are always chemicals. The drawbacks: Fans are loud. Fans use a lot of energy - batteries or plug in. I find it very difficult to regulate the scent level of fan diffusers. It's strong when the cartridge goes in or you first drip scent onto the pad. Then it gets weaker and weaker each passing hour/day. And the drip pad type serve only a small space.

4. Vacuum Diffusers are the types with a glass bulb on top and tiny glass tubes inside the bulb. They work for thin essential oils, but not well with oily synthetic scents or thicker essential oils. They use an aquarium pump to create a vacuum that causes the scent to mist into the air. I like that the mist can be pure essential oil, the drawback is A) they're loud, B) the tiny tubes clog and the pump gives out, or C) the glass breaks. I've never seen one last very long without diligent cleaning.

5. Nebulizing diffusers are the best in my opinion. They use a high powered pump to micronize pure essential oils or liquid scent. What comes out is pure aroma - no mold - not water vapor. They can be small and inexpensive or super powerful and more expensive. Many are computerized. If it's a good model, they are nearly silent. And they'll last for years with little cleaning. If you use EOs, they are pollen free, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. They help clean your air.

Because they're not really diffusers. They are vaporizers. What you see coming out is water vapor. It just has a few particles of scent in it. Consumer Reports tested a bunch of them and every single one began emitting mold after the first day of use. Now if you empty them every day, clean with soap and let them dry completely, you can avoid mold. But who is going to do that? Better option: our nebulizing diffusers. They emit beautiful pure aroma that is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-viral. It kills germs and mold on contact. No mold ever!

It depends on how big your space is, but most clients use about 1/2 to 1 ounce (15 to 30ml) per month to sufficiently scent a space equivalent to about 2 - 3 large rooms (i.e. 1000 to 2000 sq ft) if they run their diffuser daily. We build our machines to be very efficient. They conserve aroma by emitting a burst of aroma and then pausing between bursts as the aroma blends into the air. They make aroma particles so small, they literally become scented air. That's why they are so economical and efficient to use. You can select a pre-set schedule or customize one with your phone for many of our diffusers. Many even allow you to set the time of day they come on and go off and the days they work or not.

We have not tested our aromas on COVID-19. What we can tell you is that a colleague of ours did tests in cooperation with some hospitals in California that proved blends of essential oil effectively killed the MRSA virus - and that's a pretty nasty one. Many other tests have had similar results and can be viewed on the NIH (National Institute of Health) website. All essential oils have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. And some are downright potent in that regard, yet still smell wonderful and are safe as they are emitted from diffusers. We supply a group of hospitals with blends that they diffuse to enhance mood and they also help purify the air. Plus they are always pollen free.

We recommend that you should always be extra safe if you have a known allergy. Consult your physician if you are unsure and follow the NAHA guidelines for safety. Here are a couple of relevant facts: 1) Essential oils are distilled from the plants, but all pollen is removed during the process. If your allergy is due to pollen, you may be able to experience the essential oil without the same side effects. 2) Our diffusers emit very small amounts of aroma with pollen-free particles less than 1 micron in size. When you consider the size of a room, if the aroma were made of salt, an average person is experiencing an equivalent of a few grains via inhalation. 3) Of the hundreds of locations we serve around the world - hotels, businesses and even hospitals, we have not yet received even 1 single report of an allergic reaction. This is not a scientific study, but it does give some insight into the safety experience of hundreds of thousands of people the have inhaled our aromas.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within 48 business hours of receipt. We often ship sooner; many orders ship the day of receipt. Orders are processed during our normal Shipping Center production hours of: Monday to Friday - 10:00 am to 5 pm. All times are Pacific Standard Time. Please note that customized items may take longer to process and ship.

We ship USA orders and some Canada orders via USPS. USPS shipment transit times are typically 2-3 days. Some Canada and all other orders for shipment outside the USA will be shipped with DHL. DHL transit times are typically 4 to 7 days. Please note these transit times do not take into account unusual events such as weather and they are in addition to processing times.

If you need your order to arrive by a specific date, please email us or call us at 831.624.2100 x 250.

You may view your order status by logging in and clicking into My Account. Please remember: You must be logged in with the same username and password you used when you placed the initial order you are looking for.

To see info regarding your order open your Order History, click the symbol of an eye at the right.  A detailed page of your order(s) will open. Select the specific order. You will see all the detail regarding the order, as well as the tracking information in the comments line. (please note we enter the tracking number once we ship) If clicking the tracking number does not function as a link to the shipper, simply cut and paste it in the tracking box on the shipper's website.

You should receive an email regarding the tracking info directly from the shipper when your order is shipped. If we can help in any way, please contact us by email or call us at 831.624.2100 x 250.

Information regarding shipping rates is listed on the Delivery Info Page. We provide free shipping in the USA for orders over $150. We provide free shipping to Canada for orders over $250. We provide free shipping to Europe and Asia for orders over $500. Some restrictions may apply.

We provide free shipping in the USA for orders over $150. We provide free shipping to Canada for orders over $250. We provide free shipping to Europe and Asia for orders over $500. Some restrictions may apply

A bar appears across the top of the page when you add items to your cart that will tell you how far you are from the free shipping amount.

If you require expediting shipping, please email us or call us at 831.624.2100 x 250. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Additional charges may apply.

Most items may be shipped to Military APO / FPO addresses, but some restrictions may apply. Orders being sent to Military APO / FPO addresses must be shipped via the United States Postal Service and in some instances cannot be shipped via 2nd Day or Overnight Priority service. If you require expedited shipping, please email us or call us at 831.624.2100 x 250.

At Ajne, we say don't purchase a full-sized item you haven't tried!

Some blogs, magazines and perfume collector's organizations have called our samples "the Internet's best sampling program". Take advantage of it!

Here is how it works: The program functions similarly to a wine tasting experience. For a small fee of $25 to $35 - you select 3 to 4 large samples in a generous 3ml (1/8 oz) to 5ml (1/6 oz) sizes. When the samples arrive, the box contains a savings code equal to the full cost of the samples. The savings code may be applied to any subsequent purchase of $60 to $70 or more made within 60 days of receipt of the samples. And shipping is free.

We offer samples at a rock bottom price to take the risk out of trying our items. As such, we reserve the right to substitute samples in the event that one sample is selected multiple times. Please note that a few of the ultra-rare blends may have a small surcharge, but any additional amount is included in the value of the savings certificate. Sample sets cannot be returned or refunded. Please be aware that in the event that you don't like any of the samples you receive, you can order more and use all your codes or buy any merchandise and apply the entire discount.

We've done everything in our power to minimize any risk of trying our products. If you need help selecting the best samples for you, we invite you to contact us at Customer Service or call us at 831.624.2100 x 100. To view or learn more about samples, click here.

Please please please order samples if you are not sure you will like an item or if you haven't tried it before. Samples protect both you and us from unnecessary waste, losses and dissatisfaction! They are free upon redemption of coupon and have free shipping too!

Regarding returns: We guarantee that the products you receive from us are in new, unused and perfect sanitary condition. We gladly replace any defective or damaged item(s). For damages, see FAQ on Damages. We are sorry that opened/used, non-defective items may not be returned. So as stated above - please take advantage of our awesome sampling program.

Any return must be initiated within 1 week of receipt of goods. Please contact us to receive a returned merchandise authorization number prior to returning your items. Authorization may be obtained by completing the Returns form, or by emailing to notify us. If applicable, we may ask you to take a photo with your mobile phone and email it to us at service@ajne.com so we can improve our production and shipping procedures.

Please please please order samples if you are not sure you will like an item or if you haven't tried it before. Samples protect both you and us from unnecessary waste, losses and dissatisfaction! They are free upon redemption of coupon and have free shipping too!

Exchanges are welcomed on any item returned in sealed, unopened and re-merchantable condition. (The condition will be determined upon receipt of the returned merchandise.) If you demand to return full-sized, used liquid goods, please understand that if we are able to accommodate your request, we may need to charge a restocking fee equal to shipping and/or making that item a tester - because we can't put it back on the shelf. Any exchange must be initiated within 1 week of receipt of goods. Please contact us to receive a returned merchandise authorization number prior to returning your exchange. Authorization may be obtained by completing the Returns form, or by emailing to notify us. If applicable, we may ask you to take a photo with your mobile phone and email it to us at service@ajne.com so we can improve our production and shipping procedures.

Ugh! So sorry! We really try to pack things with tons of padding.

If damage occurred to any item(s) in your shipment, please contact us immediately at Customer Service, call us at 831.624.2100 x 250 or complete the Returns form. If possible, please snap a photo of the broken items and damaged box with your mobile phone and email it to us at service@ajne.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but please understand that the shipping carrier (i.e. USPS, DHL or Fedex) may require that they see photos of the damage prior to allowing a credit to be issued. So, a picture says a thousand words. We appreciate your efforts and purchase and will do everything in our power to make it as easy as possible.