Why I stepped away from Young Living (& other companies I’m supporting instead)
I grew up with Young Living essentials oils. They were part of my everyday joy and healing. They made me feel connected to nature and were a go-to tool in my toolbox. So in 2013 when I had the opportunity to become an essential oil distributor it felt like the natural next step. I got excited about sharing oils both because I personally loved them and because I wanted to make money. I thought it would feel easy and fun and light.
Just under a year in, someone I loved had a bad reaction to an oil and I felt scared and confused. I began to question my ability to share oils but also didn’t want to stop because I wanted the dream I was promised - a side business, easy money, abundance. Maybe it was just a fluke… Or maybe I gave someone I love something that I didn’t know enough about and caused them harm.
In an attempt to reconcile, I spent the next few years learning more about oils - and getting pulled deeper into Young Living. Yet the more I learned the more I felt like I had to fully educate people about how to use essential oils safely (something that I realized I didn’t want to spend my time and energy doing, not because it wasn’t necessary but because I had other dreams and this was supposed to be a small side operation, not a full time business). On top of that, what began as excitement about sharing quickly became very uncomfortable. Reaching out to people I knew to get them involved didn’t feel good. It felt awkward and pushy. I was told that feeling was my internal block to abundance… but realized years later that it was my intuition telling me this whole system didn’t feel in right relationship.
After attempting to “live the dream” for about 4 years, I stopped actively selling and sharing oils because, in short, it was ruining my joy of oils! I had another friend have a bad reaction and learned as a result that people with yeast infections are extremely sensitive to oils. It was becoming hard to share essential oils without feeling responsible (what a concept) for each person’s well being and any experience they might have using them. I also felt like I was ruining friendships by constantly asking people to buy more or sell more and I hated the fight between Young Living and doTERRA (they both seemed fine to me at the time and they both seem unhealthy to me now so… same difference). So I just let my “side business” fade into the background.
But by now I was deep in it and hooked on the “nontoxic lifestyle” (a phrase that I have come to learn is very problematic because clearly even essential oils can be toxic) so I thought I’ll just keeping using all sorts of awesome Young Living products. However, soon even that started to feel off. Around the same time I was learning about green beauty and discovering incredible companies focused on both safe ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. The green beauty companies seemed to be doing a much better job when it came to sustainable packaging and product effectiveness. I started to question both the amount of plastic in Young Living’s products and why they were attempting to create products for every single market when their specialty was essential oils - not beauty products or vitamins or whatever else.
Even though I was feeling hesitant about Young Living, it took a pandemic and a white woman in wellness identity crisis to push me over the edge. As I dove deeper into anti-racist and decolonial education, I started to see how the system of the white wellness world, and of Young Living, was built on a colonial capitalistic mentality of more is better - more oils, more distributors, more selling, more money - and of a financially abundant few relying on the labor and money invested by the masses with little or no return (despite the promise of such).
That was my tipping point. I couldn’t do it anymore. In 2021 I stopped buying Young Living products and informed my downline and immediate upline of my decision. Over the next year I did a ton of research (which I recognize is a privilege because it took time and money to do so) and found eco-friendly replacements for all my previously beloved Young Living products. I purchased essential oils from other companies and remembered that I only need a few oils (not dozens of oils) to feel deliciously content and abundant.
I’m sharing this to take responsibility for my actions: If you were in my life during my time with Young Living and felt uncomfortable in any way, I am sorry for any harm that I caused.
I am also sharing this because maybe you’ve been wondering why you’re feeling off in the sea of multilevel marketing and maybe, just maybe, my insights can help you save time and money.
All that said, the world is not black and white. I understand that some Young Living distributors may not be in a position to step away even if they agree with some of my points above. I also understand that Young Living may be working to become in better relationship with some of the above as I know they have increased their essential oil education and slightly changed their distributor financial compensation. Is it enough? I don’t know because I’m not in it anymore. If you are, it’s for you to decide. This is my experience and some food for thought.
We invest our money, time and energy not just in products, but in companies’ environmental, emotional and socio-economic footprint. I am NOT perfect, nor is that the goal. Companies are failing us and our planet left and right. While it is not the individual failing but the systems failing, I still encourage those who have the privilege and option to make another choice to do so. Where we put our money matters.
Much love,
Kelsey
Some of my tips / what I’m telling myself on this journey:
Progress over perfection.
Look for local.
Look for eco-conscious.
Look for indigenous-owned, black-owned, and lgbtqia2+-owned.
Look for companies donating to causes that create more love in the world.
Do your best with big love and don’t expect to change everything overnight.
Give yourself grace while also asking yourself if you are in right relationship.
Products I love right now:
(None of these are referral links, just sharing because I’m a fan.)
Etee Laundry Detergent - I have sensitive skin (to the point where laundry detergent has given me rashes) and do not like fragrance. This stuff works. It gets my toddler-stained clothes clean (sometimes with the help of the next product) and is gentle on my skin.
Puracy Baby Stain Remover - I have a toddler, removing stains is a necessary part of every day life. Love this stuff.
Dapple Baby Dish Soap - Gentle for my skin, effective for my dishes and fragrance free! I get the refill soap bags and put it into our ceramic dish soap dispenser from IKEA.
Viori Shampoo Bar - I have tried many shampoo bars and this is hands down my favorite so far. Doesn’t leave a weird residue and does make my hair feel soft and clean. Everyone’s hair is different so you’ll likely have to experiment for your hair! Incredibly sustainable packaging and your purchase supports the indigenous Red Yao people of Longsheng, China.
Innersense Organic Beauty Hair Styling Products - I don’t do much with my hair, but it’s helpful to have some basic products on hand. These work great for me.
Real Native Botanicals Salves, Tinctures, Liquid Smudge Sprays, Face Mask & Face Oil - I have adored every product I have tried from this indigenous Oglala Lakota family-owned business.
Amberlight Beauty Face Balms, Serums & Masque - Wonderful eco-conscious products made local by my friend!
Odacite Sunscreen, Face Washes & Serums - My skin loves these products. I rotate between serums and cleansers, but my favorite product is the sunscreen - goes on light and is super effective.
Hello Toothpaste Tablets - Tried a few toothpaste tablets and personally like these the best. No plastic, keep my teeth clean.
Alima Pure Cream Concealer - Love the feel, super sustainable and works great for me! (Also love to get green beauty recommendations from my friend and founder of the Sacred Beauty Collective, Rebecca Casciano.)
Backyard Bees Soaps - Local to me, handmade and some really yummy scents.
Redbudsuds Soaps - Eco-conscious, clean and give back part of the proceeds to conservation.
Alternative essential oil companies:
First see if you have a small batch local company to support.
Mother Earth Essentials - Canadian indigenous Cree-owned company with a handful of go-to essential oils as well as other products.
Florihana - Based in France, owned by Japanese & French couple who combine their expertise. They offer a wider variety of oils which was helpful for me in transitioning away from Young Living.
Remember: These are my choices based on my budget, preferences and sensitivities. Seek what aligns best for you.