Scent is really important to me. I find that a lovely fragrance can change the atmosphere of a room and make my house feel more welcoming. Using scent during the day or evening can really make the day feel more special.
When Nikura offered to send me some of its products to try, I jumped at the chance. I’m very into fragrance, so I was keen to see how they compared with other affordable essential oils. I received the Best Sellers Essential Oil Gift Set, containing five 10ml oils, together with cold-pressed argan carrier oil.
Having used the oils in several different ways, here is my honest Nikura oils review, including what I thought of the scents, whether the oils feel like good value and answers to some of the questions people frequently ask about the brand.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post containing products that were gifted to me by Nikura. All opinions are my own.
My Nikura Essential Oils Review
My overall impression of the Nikura oils was very good. The fragrances smelled natural and not like some of the awful synthetic ones you get. I found that I also only needed a small quantity at a time.
Of the oils I tried, geranium was my favourite. I love floral scents, and this one definitely ticked the box. When I diluted it with the argan carrier oil it was lovely and luxurious as a massage oil. The scent lingered in the room afterwards, which of course I loved as well.
I also used the lemon and tea tree oils to add fragrance around the house when cleaning. Both had the clean, fresh aromas I expected, although essential oils should not be treated as replacements for disinfectants and you should still clean properly.
For me, Nikura’s main advantages are the strength and variety of the fragrances, the accessible prices and the number of different ways the oils can be used. They would suit somebody trying essential oils for the first time as well as somebody who regularly uses them in diffusers or craft projects.
Nikura Review At A Glance
What I liked:
- Strong, natural-smelling fragrances
- Only a small amount is required
- A large choice of individual oils and blends
- Useful 10ml bottles for trying different scents
- Good value compared with many premium aromatherapy brands
- Vegan-friendly products
- Essential oils that the company says are pure and natural
- Blended by hand and bottled in the UK
Things to consider:
- Fragrance is extremely personal, so not every blend will appeal to everyone
- Essential oils must be used carefully and diluted before applying them to the skin
- “Natural” does not automatically mean suitable for every person, pet or situation
- Nikura’s purity statements are company claims rather than a substitute for independently assessing each product
What Is Nikura?
Nikura is a UK-run, family-owned business established in 2016. You’ll find that it sells essential oils, essential-oil blends, fragrance oils, carrier oils, waxes, gift sets and diffusers.
If you read the info on their website, Nikura says its products are vegan-friendly, ethically sourced and not tested on animals. Its essential oils are described as 100% pure and natural, while its blends are made using combinations of essential oils.
Nikura sells both essential oils and fragrance oils and you need to know they not the same thing.
Essential oils are derived from botanical materials and retain the characteristic aroma of the plant. Fragrance oils are manufactured scent formulations designed to reproduce a particular fragrance. A fragrance oil may contain some essential oil, but it should not be described or used as though it were a pure essential oil. There’s an important difference there and it’s worth knowing.
When you are looking around for oils, check the product category and label rather than assuming every small bottle on the website contains the same type of oil. You can have a look at the current range of Nikura essential oils.
Are Nikura Essential Oils Pure?
Nikura states that its essential oils are 100% pure and natural. Its fragrance oils are not advertised as pure because they are specially created scent formulations.
Based on the products I received, the essential oils smelled concentrated and natural to me. I found that there was none of that thin, artificial fragrance that you get with some inexpensive scented oils.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that this is my opinion. I have not independently laboratory-tested them, so I cannot personally verify their chemical composition.
If purity is particularly important for your intended use, I would suggest that you look at the product description and any available safety or technical documentation. You can also contact Nikura and ask whether documentation for the particular batch or oil is available.
Why Are Nikura Oils So Cheap?
This is one of the most common questions asked about the brand and a really good one, as it seems almost impossible that they are such a good price.
Nikura does not provide a detailed public breakdown explaining exactly how it prices every oil. Its comparatively low prices should not, by themselves, be taken as proof that the oils are diluted or poor quality.
You’ll find that their prices can vary according to the plant material, country of origin, extraction method, bottle size, availability and the quantity a company purchases. That being said, some oils are naturally much more costly to produce than others, which is why it is useful to compare like with like rather than expecting every essential oil to cost the same.
Nikura also sells directly online and offers numerous bottle sizes, sets and multibuy promotions. These may help make the range feel more affordable, although promotions and prices can change.
The products I tried represented good value for money for what I was using them. Nevertheless, anyone who needs an oil for professional aromatherapy or cosmetic formulation should check all the details. I would suggest looking into the precise botanical name, origin and technical information rather than choosing on price alone, but overall, Nikura seem like their oils are great value for money.
Is Nikura A Legitimate Company?
Yes, Nikura is an established UK business with a physical warehouse address, customer-service contact details and a published returns policy. When I looked further into this, the company says that orders are bottled in the UK and generally dispatched within one to three working days. Its website also advertises a 30-day returns period, subject to its stated returns conditions. Customer reviews are pretty favourable too. As you should with any online purchase, check the latest delivery charges, returns terms and product information before ordering, as these can change.
What Was In My Nikura Gift Set?
I was sent the Best Sellers Essential Oil Gift Set, which contained five 10ml essential oils, along with a bottle of cold-pressed argan carrier oil. Perfect eh!
I think that gift sets are a great choice if you are not sure which fragrances you like. This allows you to experiment without buying several larger bottles, and the oils can be used individually or combined to create blends that you like.
How I Used My Nikura Oils
In A Diffuser
I loved adding a few drops to a diffuser. It makes the room smell lovely without the flame associated with a candle. You should always follow the diffuser manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the oil is suitable for your particular machine. Start with fewer drops than you think you need. Remember, you can add more, but it is difficult to remove an overpowering aroma from a room.
It’s also a good idea to open a window occasionally and avoid diffusing continuously for long periods, particularly when children or pets are present.
Creating a calming atmosphere at home can involve more than fragrance. These simple self-care habits contain some other manageable ideas for making time for yourself.
As A Massage Oil
Essential oils should not normally be applied directly to the skin. They need to be appropriately diluted in a carrier oil such as argan oil.
The geranium essential oil worked particularly well with the carrier oil I received. The floral scent felt luxurious and continued to fragrance the room afterwards.
You’ll find that massage can also be a lovely way to slow down and relax. If that is something you find difficult, you might enjoy these four ways to help yourself relax.
Before using a new mixture, follow the product’s dilution guidance and conduct a patch test. Stop using it if irritation occurs.
For Candle Making
Essential oils can be used in some homemade candles, but candle making requires more than simply adding a few drops to melted wax. Different oils and waxes behave differently, and unsuitable quantities can affect scent throw and candle safety. You’ll want to follow a proper recipe and instructions nd use the correct temperatures and fragrance quantities. Never add oil to a burning candle.
If you enjoy fragrancing your home but would prefer a ready-made option, you may also like my Esmeralda Candle Company review.
For Soap Making
Some essential oils can be added to homemade soap when used at an appropriate concentration. The amount will depend on the type of soap and the particular oil, so it is important to follow a tested recipe.
Beginners may find melt-and-pour soap easier than making soap from scratch. My guide to the best melt-and-pour soap bases is a useful place to start.
Remember that essential oils can contain naturally occurring allergens. Products made for other people should be accurately labelled with the appropriate ingredients and allergen information.
For Home Fragrance
A drop or two can sometimes be used on suitable porous scent accessories or in potpourri. Avoid allowing undiluted oil to touch polished furniture, painted surfaces, plastics or fabric because concentrated oils may stain or cause damage.
Although I have used lemon and tea tree oils in homemade household preparations, I now treat this primarily as a way of adding fragrance. An essential-oil mixture should not replace a properly formulated cleaning or disinfecting product when hygiene is important.
Are Nikura Essential Oils Good?
Based on the products I tested, I thought Nikura’s essential oils were good quality for the price. The scents were strong, attractive and recognisable, and they performed well for home fragrance and properly diluted massage use.
The range feels especially suitable for:
- People who are new to essential oils
- Anyone looking for affordable oils for a diffuser
- Candle and soap-making enthusiasts
- People who enjoy experimenting with different scent combinations
- Thoselooking for vegan-friendly, UK-bottled products
- Anyone wanting an inexpensive essential-oil gift set
Professional aromatherapists or cosmetic formulators may require more detailed batch, origin or testing documentation. In that situation, I would contact the company about the particular oil before buying it.
Essential Oil Safety
Essential oils are highly concentrated and need to be handled carefully. They may cause irritation, sensitisation or other unwanted reactions if used incorrectly.
For safer use:
- Read the individual product label and follow its instructions
- Do not apply undiluted essential oil directly to your skin
- Use an appropriate carrier oil and follow the recommended dilution
- Conduct a patch test before wider use
- Keep oils away from your eyes and other sensitive areas
- Store bottles securely away from children and pets
- Do not swallow essential oils unless specifically advised by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional
- Check before using oils during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Seek professional guidance before using oils on babies or young children
- Check pet-specific guidance before diffusing oils around animals
- Remember that citrus oils and some other products may increase sensitivity to sunlight
If you have asthma, allergies, epilepsy, a skin condition or another health concern, consult an appropriate healthcare professional before using essential oils.
My Final Nikura Oils Verdict
I was impressed by the Nikura products I received. The fragrances smelled natural and luxurious, the oils were versatile, and the gift set offered an enjoyable way to experiment with several different scents.
Geranium was my favourite to use with the argan carrier oil, while lemon and tea tree provided the fresh fragrances I wanted around the home. The bottles may be small, but the concentrated nature of essential oils means a little can go a long way.
If you are looking for reasonably priced essential oils with a broad choice of fragrances, Nikura is certainly a brand worth considering.
Nikura Oils Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nikura Essential Oils Really Pure?
Nikura says its essential oils are 100% pure and natural. This is the company’s claim; I have not independently laboratory-tested the oils. Remember that Nikura also sells fragrance oils, which are formulated scents and are not described as pure essential oils.
Why Are Nikura Essential Oils Inexpensive?
Nikura does not publish a complete explanation of its pricing. Factors such as the botanical ingredient, origin, extraction method, bottle size, direct online sales and promotional offers can all affect the final price. A low price alone does not demonstrate that an oil has been diluted.
Is Nikura A UK Company?
Nikura describes itself as a UK-run, family-owned business. Its oils are blended by hand and bottled in the UK, although botanical ingredients may naturally be sourced from other countries.
Can Nikura Essential Oils Be Used On Skin?
Only use an essential oil on your skin if the individual product is suitable for topical use. Dilute it correctly in a carrier oil, follow the label instructions and conduct a patch test first. Never assume that every oil or blend is skin-safe.
Can I Put Nikura Oils In A Diffuser?
Many Nikura essential oils are suitable for diffusers, but you should check the individual oil and follow the instructions supplied with both the oil and your diffuser.
Are Nikura Oils Safe Around Pets?
Do not assume that an essential oil is pet-safe simply because it is natural. Some oils can be harmful to cats, dogs and other animals. Check advice for the particular oil and species, maintain ventilation and ensure your pet can leave the room.
Are Nikura Oils Vegan?
Nikura states that all of its products are vegan-friendly and are not tested on animals.