About Us

Our Story

The Aromatherapy Shop was founded nearly 20 years ago on a single conviction: that the finest raw materials in natural perfumery deserve to be understood, not just sold. We are a specialist supplier of perfumery-grade essential oils, rare absolutes, and botanical extracts — curated for perfumers, aromatherapists, and anyone who believes that scent, at its most honest, begins with the plant itself.

What We Do

We source and supply a carefully considered range of natural aromatic materials spanning the full palette of the perfumer's experience. Our collection includes steam-distilled essential oils, solvent-extracted absolutes, CO₂ extracts, botanical concretes and Isolates — chosen for their olfactory integrity, traceability, and purity.

Every material we carry is evaluated on a single standard: would a serious perfumer reach for it? That means we prioritise quality over volume, depth over breadth, and honesty over marketing.

Where Our Materials Come From

Great aromatic materials begin with great growing conditions. We work with producers and distillers in regions where specific botanicals have been cultivated and processed for generations:

  • Egypt & Tunisia — jasmine, neroli, rose, and geranium absolutes from the storied growing regions of the Nile Delta and North Africa
  • France — lavender, mimosa, violet leaf, and iris from Provence and the Côte d'Azur
  • India — sandalwood, vetiver, champaca, Jasmine, tuberose from their native growing regions
  • Bulgaria — Rosa damascena absolute and otto from the Valley of Roses
  • And beyond — from frankincense resins of East Africa to rare orchid and botanical absolutes sourced wherever the finest specimens grow

We believe that provenance matters — not as a marketing story, but as a measure of quality. Where a plant is grown, how it is harvested, and how quickly it is processed directly shapes the character of the absolute or oil derived from it.

Our Quality Standards

All materials are supplied at perfumery grade from well established reputable suppliers, some established as far back as the 1800's. We do not dilute, extend, or adulterate our products. Where analytical data is available — COA/MSDS GC/MS reports (when available)  — we use them to inform our buying decisions and can share it with customers on request.

Sample sizes are available across our range precisely because we believe you should smell before you commit. Rare absolutes can vary significantly by harvest and origin; knowing what you are buying matters.

Who We Supply

Our customers include independent perfumers, aromatherapy practitioners, cosmetic formulators, and collectors of rare botanical materials. We mainly supply small retail quantities for what is a niche professional market.

If you have a specific material, origin, or quantity in mind that you do not see listed, we welcome enquiries. Our range is continually evolving as new distillations and harvests become available.

Get in Touch

We are a small, specialist operation and we take our materials seriously. If you have questions about a specific product, its origin, or its suitability for your application, please contact us — we are always happy to talk through what we carry and why.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I put items in my basket or buy anything?

Our shop is open Monday to Friday (UK time)

We are generally closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and you will not be able to put items in your basket or buy anything during these days however customer emails are always answered and anything already ordered will be despatched as usual.

How long does it take to despatch my order when placed?

All orders are carefully prepared to order and despatched within 2–3 working days, though rare or specialist items may occasionally require additional time. We thank you for your understanding.

Where do you source your rare or specialist natural perfumery items ?

After nearly two decades in natural perfumery, we have built lasting relationships with some of the world's finest specialist suppliers. This means we can offer you rare and hard-to-find materials with complete confidence in their authenticity and provenance.

What documentation can you provide for your products?

For documentation requests of this nature, we are usually able to provide a combined Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) for our products. Please note that the availability of these documents can depend on the origin of the product and the willingness of our individual suppliers to release them, so we cannot guarantee provision in every case.

Regarding additional documentation such as IFRA Statements, GMP Certificates, and Allergen Declarations — these are considerably more difficult to obtain and will only be included where they are available to us. We are unable to guarantee these documents for every product.

Where do you ship to ?

We despatch orders to all over the World from the UK and shipping times and cost will vary and are based on flat rate charges. After a certain amount spent shipping is free (please see shipping details for more information).

Do I have to pay customs charges?

In most Countries yes there is usually a small customs charge which can be based on the value of the order and which particular Country it is being sent to.

Why were some items missing from my order, and will I receive a refund?

There are several reasons why certain items may not have been included in your shipment:

  • Shipping restrictions – Some products cannot be sent outside the UK due to having a low flashpoint (below 60°C).
  • Out of stock – The item was unavailable at the time your order was dispatched.
  • Items to follow – The item is temporarily out of stock but new stock is expected shortly.

In all cases, this will be clearly noted on your invoice. We recommend checking it first, as we may not contact you proactively at the time of dispatch.

To arrange a refund or request that the item be sent on, simply get in touch with us and let us know your preference:

  • If you would like a refund, we will process this for you promptly.
  • If you are happy to wait, we will ship the item to you with free shipping once stock arrives — typically within 7–10 days.