With the arrival of winter and cold weather, many of us break out our humidifiers to combat dry air and its associated symptoms, such as sore throats, dry skin, and congestion. But have you ever thought of adding essential oils to your humidifier to improve its scent and benefits? While the idea may seem tempting, it's actually not recommended.
 
Differences between Humidifiers and Diffusers
 
The main difference between humidifiers and diffusers is their design and function. Humidifiers were created to add moisture to the air, while diffusers were designed specifically to add aromatic oils to the air. This difference affects how they interact with essential oils.
 
Humidifiers come in two main types: cool-mist humidifiers (or evaporative humidifiers) and warm-mist humidifiers. Cool-mist humidifiers use a combination of nebulizers and a wet-wicking filter system to release pure water into the air as a cool mist. Warm-mist humidifiers boil water to release steam and its moisture into the air. Neither of these types of humidifiers are well-suited for adding essential oils.
 
Diffusers, on the other hand, come in two main types: ultrasonic diffusers and atomizing diffusers. Ultrasonic diffusers mix water and essential oils in a diffuser, which uses electronic frequencies to break the water into particles that carry the oils with them as they float into the air. Atomizing diffusers rapidly move air through a trough of essential oil, reducing the oil to a vapor that emerges from the diffuser as undiluted oil.
 
Why You Shouldn't Add Essential Oils to a Humidifier
 
While adding essential oils to your humidifier may seem like a good idea, it can actually be harmful. Essential oils can cause plastic parts in the humidifier, including the water tank and some machinery, to deteriorate over time. In cool-mist humidifiers, the essential oils can clog the filters in the wet-wicking system, causing the humidifier to stop working or break down completely. In warm-mist humidifiers, high heat can alter the makeup of the essential oil, changing its scent profile and potential benefits.
 
However, there are exceptions to every rule. Some humidifiers now come with an essential oil tray, ring, or filter that passes the water mist or steam through a filter that adds essential oil to it. Be sure to check the manufacturer's directions on your humidifier to see if you can add essential oils to it.
 
In conclusion, it's not recommended to add essential oils to a humidifier, as it can cause harm to the device and alter the essential oil's properties. Instead, consider using an essential oil diffuser, which was designed specifically for adding aromatic oils to the air. With a diffuser, you can enjoy the benefits of essential oils without risking damage to your humidifier.
 
To learn more about Young Living essential oils, start your essential oil journey today! 

Lavender is a beloved flower known for its beautiful purple blooms and calming aroma. Not only is it used in a variety of beauty products, but it also has several benefits for your health and well-being. In fact, lavender essential oil is derived from the lavender plant, a member of the mint family native to the Mediterranean. At Young Living's Lavender Farms and Distilleries in Utah, Idaho, and France, the plants are carefully cultivated to create high-quality essential oil. It takes about 27 square feet of lavender plants to produce just one 15 mL bottle of lavender oil.
 
But what makes lavender oil so special? For starters, it can help create a restful environment for sleep and soothe dry skin when applied topically. Its calming scent can also promote relaxation and improve overall well-being. There are many ways to incorporate lavender oil into your daily routine. For instance, you can diffuse it at bedtime, add a few drops to your skin care routine, or use it to create a calm atmosphere in your home. Lavender oil is also great for soothing sunburned skin, adding a floral aroma to DIY projects, and enhancing the health and appearance of your hair and complexion.
 
In the kitchen, lavender oil can add a unique and sophisticated flavor to your dishes. You can also mix it with peppermint oil for a cool, tingling massage that promotes tranquility.
 
Additionally, lavender oil can be used to support a healthy respiratory system, and it may even help alleviate occasional stress and tension.
 
With so many uses and benefits, it's no wonder lavender oil is such a popular choice. Whether you're looking to relax, soothe your skin, or add a touch of floral aroma to your home, lavender oil is a versatile and indispensable oil to have on hand.
 
To summarize, here are 10 reasons why we think lavender essential oil is so great!
 

1. It has a calming and soothing aroma that can promote relaxation and improve sleep.
2. It can be used to soothe dry or irritated skin when applied topically.
3. It can be added to your skin care routine to support a healthy complexion.
4. It can be used to enhance the health and appearance of your hair when mixed with other essential oils.
5. It can be diffused to create a peaceful and calming atmosphere in your home.
6. It can be used to add a unique and sophisticated flavor to your cooking.
7. It can be mixed with peppermint oil for a refreshing and invigorating massage.
8. It can support a healthy respiratory system when inhaled or applied topically.
9. It may help alleviate occasional stress and tension.
10. It has a wide range of uses and can be incorporated into your daily routine in various ways.

 
To learn more about Young Living essential oils, start your essential oil journey today! 

 Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts known for their therapeutic and aromatic properties. They are widely used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and natural remedies, and many swear by their effectiveness. However, like all-natural products, essential oils have a shelf life and can oxidize over time. Oxidation means the oils slowly break down over time as they are exposed to oxygen. 
 
So, do essential oils go bad? The answer is yes. Essential oils eventually lose their potency. The shelf life of an essential oil depends on a few factors, including the type of oil, the extraction method, and how it is stored. Some essential oils can last for several years, while others may only last a few months. We at Sha-Faun want you to get the most out of your Young Living essential oils. Here are some things to consider when it comes to making your essential oils last. 
 
Factors Influencing Essential Oils Shelf Life
 
One factor that affects the shelf life of essential oils is the extraction method. Essential oils can be extracted from plants using steam distillation, solvent extraction, or cold pressing. Steam-distilled essential oils tend to have a longer shelf life than those extracted using other methods, as the high heat used in the distillation process helps to preserve the oil. On the other hand, cold-pressed essential oils tend to have a shorter shelf life. 
 
The type of oil also plays a role in its shelf life. Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil and peppermint oil, are known for their long shelf lives and can last for several years when stored properly. Others, like citrus oils, are more prone to oxidations and should be used within a few months of opening.
 
Prolonging the Life of Your Essential Oils
 
Proper storage is key to ensuring that your essential oils stay fresh and potent for as long as possible. Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. They should also be kept in airtight containers to prevent exposure to air and moisture. At Sha Faun Enterprises, we prefer glass bottles with a dropper or roller top. Glass bottles with dropper tops or roll-on applicators are an excellent choice for storing essential oils, as they allow you to dispense small amounts at a time without exposing the oil to air.
 
How can you tell if your essential oils have gone bad?
 
 There are a few signs to look for:
 

• Change in color: If your essential oil has changed color or has become cloudy, it may be past its prime.
• Change in smell: If your essential oil has a different smell than it did when you first opened it, it may be oxidizing.
• Change in consistency: If your essential oil has become thicker or more viscous, it may be starting to break down.

 
If you notice any of these changes in your essential oils, it's best to discard them and purchase a fresh batch. The good news is that this gives you permission to use your essential oils regularly, so you can be sure to use them before they oxidize on you! 
 
Essential oils do go bad. Proper storage and using them during their prime can help to preserve their potency and effectiveness. Pay attention to storage best practices to ensure you get the maximum benefit from them. 
 
To learn more about Young Living essential oils, start your essential oil journey today! 
 
 

That cool, perhaps slightly tingly sensation you feel when you run a peppermint oil roller on your wrist is what makes oils like peppermint so helpful when you have a headache. That same tingling sensation is the same reason you always use a carrier oil and rarely use oils neat (without a carrier oil).
 
Essential oils are concentrated oil extracts from plants. Because they are highly concentrated, they can cause sensitivities or skin reactions, especially when used without blending into a carrier oil first.
 
To help you avoid strong reactions to essential oils, we’ve put together a list of things you should know to prevent essential oil reactions.
 
Sha Faun’s Tips for Avoiding Essential Oils Reactions
 
1.         Many, if not most, essential oils require dilution with a carrier oil.
When buying essential oils, you should always check the labels to see if you’re using pure or pre-blended oils (meaning they already have a carrier oil). When using essential oils with your kiddos, be extra cautious and use more carrier oil than you would with yourself. Their young skin is not war-torn and aged like ours, and they are more sensitive to most things, not just essential oils.
 
2.         Be aware of photoreactive oils.
Some oils react strongly when exposed to light, especially sunlight. Many citrus oils are photoreactive, meaning they will cause an almost sunburn-like reaction on your skin after exposure to the sun. Here at Sha Faun Enterprises, we light to stick to using those more photoreactive oils in the evenings so, by the time we wake up, we’re safe to go out into the sun!
 
3.         Use only high-quality oils.
 
Essential oils have grown so much in popularity that you can find them on the shelves of many stores. But not all essential oils are the same. Lower-quality ingredients, fillers, and synthetic fragrances plague essential oil shelves, and you must be careful by reading the labels before buying. Look for trusted brands like Young Living that use only the highest-quality ingredients sourced from trusted relationships that Young Living has built over the years. The labels should always include the scientific name of the plants the oil is derived from and not much else as far as ingredients go.
 
4.         Test your skin for sensitivity.
 
As excited as we are to have you join us on this essential oil journey, no two bodies are the same. What works for our skin could cause irritation or sensitivity to your or your children’s skin. Always patch-test a small amount of your recipe somewhere, like the inside of your elbow, before slathering an oil roller all over yourself. As you use more and more oils, you’ll figure out if you’re sensitive to any and be able to avoid those oils. While true allergies might be rare, they can and do happen — these are botanical compounds, after all.
 
5.         If you experience a reaction, don’t reach for water.
 
Oil and water don’t mix, meaning water won’t do a very good job diluting an essential oil if you experience a reaction, such as a mild tingling or burning sensation. Instead, grab your carrier oil or your bottle of olive oil from your kitchen cabinet to dilute the essential oils on your skin.
 
As the say goes, “Too much of a good thing is still too much.” Essential oils complement your home, health, and beauty routines, but we want you to know all the information so you can use Young Living essential oils safely to get the best results.
 
For more ways to learn about Young Living essential oils, start your journey with us today!

Learning how to store your essential oils properly will help you preserve your oils for longer and ensure you can use your Young Living essential oils down to the very last drop. To get the most out of your favorite essential oils, we’re sharing Sha Faun’s tip for keeping your essential oils safe! 
 
Sha Faun Enterprises Essential Oil Storage Tips
 
Let’s start with the bottle. 
 
You’ll notice that your essential oils often come in a dark glass bottle (or, at least, they should!). There are two reasons for this. First, your oils are susceptible to damage from exposure to the sun. The dark glass bottles help block out sunlight preventing damage to your essential oils. 
 
The second reason for the glass bottles is that plastic degrades over time, especially with some of our “hot” essential oils like cinnamon or clove. One important takeaway with glass bottles is when you’re creating homemade oil blends or different products with your essential oils, try and store those in glass bottles and containers. 
 
 
Keep your lids closed tightly. 
 
No matter how frequently you use your essential oils, it’s important to ensure you’re closing them tightly each time you use them. Essential oils start to oxidize the day you first break that seal. Tightly closing your bottles can help preserve your oils and slow the oxidation process. 
 
Where to store your essential oils 
 
A dark, cool storage place is ideal. Cabinets work great for storing your essential oils in a cool, dark location. If you want to display your essential oils on a cute wall shelf, that’s perfectly fine. Just be sure you keep them out of direct sunlight. 
 
Is cold storage okay? 
 
Essential oils don’t NEED cold storage, but they also won’t be harmed by cold storage. The benefit of putting your essential oils in the fridge is the temperature consistency that the refrigerator provides. If you know you won’t be using your essential oils for a while, feel free to store them in your fridge, which will keep a constant temperature all year. 
 
What about freezing? 
 
Freezing is the same thing for your oils — consistent temps. Not a necessity, but it also won’t damage your essential oils. A cool massage using some cold essential oils sounds great right about now! 
 
What about traveling with essential oils? 
 
Many of us at Sha-Faun Enterprises love to bring some of our favorite essential oils with us when we travel. That oil roller of peppermint oils helps when that jet lag headache kicks in! 
 
A fully enclosed zipper or toiletry bag is perfect for storing your oils while traveling. One word of caution: Don’t place your essential oils in your check bag, especially if traveling between climates. The storage area of airplanes is not temperature controlled, and you don’t want your essential oils going through rapid temperature changes —which can damage your oils. 
 
To learn more ways essential oils enrich your life, start your Young Living essential oil journey with us today! 

Just because summer is over doesn't mean the outdoor fun has to stop. Back to school time is challenging for many parents. Between meet-the-teacher nights, working 9-5, and evening extra curricular, you run out of time to spend with your families, or dare we say, relax yourself! 
 
Here at Sha-Faun enterprises, we know this time of year goes by quickly. We wanted to give you a fun and easy activity you can do with your kids while the weather is still nice enough to get your kids outside— DIY Sidewalk Chalk! 
 
DIY Sidewalk Chalk with Essential Oils
 
What better way to get your kids involved with the basics of aromatherapy than letting their creative juices flow with some homemade sidewalk chalk that smells just as beautiful as their art looks? 
 
We love the idea of making things at home with your kids. The conversations you'll have with your kids while you teach them to mix and pour while making home crafts are priceless. Here's a way to start adding the basics of aromatherapy to the conversation by using Young Living essential oils while you craft with your kiddos! 
 
DIY Essential Oils Sidewalk Chalk: 
 
Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup of Plaster of Paris
• 6 tablespoons of cold water
• Gel food coloring- the color of your choice
• 1-3 drops of your favorite kid-friendly essential oil. (We recommend Kidscents Essential Oil Blend)
• 1 Plastic cup per recipe
• 1 Plastic Spoon or popsicle stick per recipe — for mixing 
• Silicone mold-homemade granola bar or mini bread molds work great for this! 

*Disclaimer- We highly recommend using plastic cups and spoons when making DIY sidewalk chalk. Instead of washing dishes, save yourself time and effort and toss the cups and spoons! Plaster of Paris can clog your pipes if not correctly disposed of. 
 
Special Note: This recipe is meant for one color. If you're making more than one color, repeat this recipe with new cups and spoons! 
 
Directions: 

1. Add your cold water to the plastic cup. 
2. Add your food coloring to the cup and mix—use enough food coloring to get your desired color, keeping in mind the Plaster of Paris will lighten the color. 
3. Add in your Plaster of Paris and essential oils—mix until fully incorporated. 
4. Gently pour your mixture into your mold. 
5. Tap your molds on the counter to remove any air bubbles. 
6. Once dry, remove your chalk from the molds and store it in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use. 
   

 
For best results, allow your chalk to dry in the molds for 24 hours.
 
Make sure you mix slowly at first. Otherwise, the plaster powder will go everywhere! At Sha-Faun, we tend to make this chalk outdoors, so we don't have to worry about big mess clean-ups inside. 
 
Like any store-bought sidewalk chalk, this chalk washes away with rain or your hose so that your kids can create their art again and again! 
 
To learn more ways to get creative with essential oils, start your Young Living essential oil journey with us today!