Where To Buy Peppermint Oil (Food-Grade and Essential Oils)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

Peppermint oil was once an ingredient that was solely used to flavor ice cream, chocolates, and other goods. Today, it’s being used as an aromatherapy oil and even a way to deter mice from entering a home. Finding peppermint oil became way more commonplace, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Where can you find this in-demand oil for sale?

Since peppermint oil is a high-demand ingredient for both food and home improvement projects, you can find it in a multitude of places. The most common include:

  • Grocery Stores
  • Craft Stores
  • Health Food Stores
  • Supplement Stores
  • MLMs
  • Online

Having peppermint oil on hand is a smart way to make sure that you have a smooth-running home. This guide will make sure that you will be able to keep this in your home at all times.

Where Can You Buy Peppermint Oil?

Only 10 years ago, this highly aromatherapeutic oil would have been a pretty difficult task. People just didn’t really see the benefit in keeping it around back then. Thankfully, things have changed and this is one of the most readily available essential oils out there.

Grocery Store

The easiest place to find peppermint oil these days is by taking a trip to the grocery store. It makes sense, too. Peppermint oil is often used as a flavor additive (if it’s food grade), but you can also use it to ward off mice. Because so many uses can be found for this oil, most grocery stores will have at least one brand of peppermint oil on their store’s shelves.

Grocery stores are the most convenient place to find peppermint oil for most people. They also tend to be the least expensive place to find food-grade oil. So if you want to save some cash, this might be a good way to do it.

Craft Stores

Back before you could find peppermint oil at a place like Shoprite, you would be able to find it in locations like Michael’s. Craft stores were the place where getting essential oils first started, primarily because they were used to make perfumes and makeup products. They are even used to recharge dryer balls, which is kind of a craft in and of itself.

Craft stores don’t always carry food-grade oils. However, you can still find excellent sources of diffuser-ready picks here. Because they aren’t always food-grade, you might also get a discount.

Health Food Stores

If you live in an area that is very “bread and butter” and doesn’t catch on to trends too quickly, then you might not be able to find the oil you want at a grocery store. In this case, your best option is to seek out a health food store nearby. Health food stores love essential oils and view them as a must-have for any healthy home.

A typical rule of thumb is that you should expect health food stores to cost a little extra. However, most of the oils you’ll find in health stores tend to be organic. So it’s a trade-off.

Supplement Stores

Do you have a GNC nearby? If so, you might be in luck. Supplement stores are pretty well-stocked when it comes to essential oils, especially those that have aromatherapeutic properties like peppermint. The vials of peppermint oil here are fairly small, and might also cost more than a typical grocery or craft store batch.

Supplement stores are convenient and can be a great place to go if you want oils for your makeup or skincare use. Even so, you might feel a pain in your wallet if you make this your go-to.

MLMs

MLMs, also known as Multi-Level Marketing companies, are some of the most notorious sellers of essential oils in the world. These are pyramid scheme-like companies that operate by having individual sellers tout their wares. Admittedly, this is one of the more unethical ways to buy peppermint oil, simply because most MLMs do not pay their salespeople well.

With that said, it’s almost impossible to find a town that does not have a Doterra, Youthful Living, Melaleuca, or similar rep in them. If you cannot find any peppermint oil and can’t wait any longer, just go to one of them. Just be forewarned, most MLM oils are far above average on price, though the quality is often lacking.

Online

Online vendors are always going to be an option, and truthfully, they are usually some of the best choices. Most online vendors make a point of giving all the details on the quality of the oil, and it’s way easier to find food-grade peppermint oil at reasonable prices this way. You can check on Amazon, eBay, on Wal-Mart’s site, or through a smaller vendor. There’s really no wrong answer here.

Every single major online store has a good stock of essential oils you can choose from. Some will even allow you to buy them in industrial quantities. The bigger catch here is that you might have to wait a while to get your order. Some also might charge for shipping, but that’s not always the case.

What Should You Look For When Buying Peppermint Oil?

Essential oils are not like most other ingredients you might need to shop for. After all, it’s not like you can visually inspect the oil in most cases. Peppermint oil can’t even be touched directly because it’s such a powerful chemical. If you want to make sure that you get what you’re asking for, it’s important to look for the following qualities:

  • Dilution. Not all peppermint oils will be sold pure. If you are using this as a food additive, it’s clear that you should get 100 percent pure peppermint oil, not featuring a carrier. The carrier can and will make you sick. Meanwhile, if you are looking for a body oil or something to spook mice, diluted is fine.
  • Organic. Most people won’t notice a difference between the two. However, if you prefer organic goods, it’s something to keep in mind.
  • Pressing Methods. While this rarely, if ever, makes a difference, some peppermint oil makers have a specialty house-pressing method they use. If this sounds appealing to you, then it’s worth taking a look at the more upscale options on the market.
  • Batch Size. Some suggest that peppermint oil is high in quality when made in smaller batches. However, there is no actual proof of this. Even so, if you are a stickler for quality and want to stay on the safe side, this is a good choice.
  • The Smell Test. This is something that should be obvious, but isn’t. Good quality peppermint oil will be elegant and fragrant when you give it a sniff. Bad peppermint oil often has a sour or rancid undertone to it. It’s totally acceptable to check out scent samples before you decide to buy a large batch.

How Much Peppermint Oil Should You Buy?

Though you can find some vendors who are willing to sell you peppermint oil in batches as large as 16 ounces, the truth is that you probably won’t need that much. Even if you are making tons of lip balm, mint-flavored ice cream, or mouse repellent, you don’t usually need more than two ounces of peppermint oil to make your home oil-friendly.

In many cases, people are fine ordering a small half-ounce vial of peppermint oil. If you have a recipe, refer to the amount required and make that your minimum order size. Otherwise, it’s better to just go with your heart. If you use a lot of essential oils, then you might be better served with a larger bottle.

How Much Does Peppermint Oil Cost?

Peppermint oil, like most other essential oils, can vary greatly in cost. Most manufacturers will charge $1.00 to $5.00 per ounce of peppermint oil. Most companies will give you a discount based on how much you order. So, you might end up paying more per ounce if you buy a larger batch. Bulk discounts can save you a lot of money in this respect.


Related Questions

Can you touch peppermint oil directly?

Peppermint oil is one of the most caustic essential oils on the market, which means that it can burn you pretty quickly. Because it has a natural proclivity towards being a skin irritation, you should never try to handle pure peppermint oil with bare hands. It will cause a chemical burn, not unlike bleach.This is one of the primary reasons why people often buy “carrier oils” alongside peppermint oil. If you want to use it as an ingredient for a massage oil, then you absolutely need to dilute it in order for it to be safe on the skin. We suggest using jojoba or grapeseed oil.


Are peppermint oil and peppermint essence the same thing?

Though most people will just call it peppermint oil, it’s possible to see it labeled under different names. One of the more common ways that peppermint oil is named is peppermint essence. Both are the exact same thing for all intents and purposes.


Is peppermint oil safe for dogs?

While many essential oils are totally safe to use around pets, peppermint oil is not one of them. Both dogs and cats can get seriously sick due to the compounds in peppermint oil. If you have pets, do not use peppermint oil or spearmint oil near them.They are toxic if applied to the skin, used in diffusers, or if ingested. If you are unsure whether using peppermint oil is safe around a particular pet, it’s always better to ask a vet. It’s smarter to be safe than sorry, especially when you are dealing with the safety of a pet.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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