Last Updated: March 2026
And for a while, that hesitation almost kept me from writing at all. But over time, I realized something important. The reason I write isn’t to avoid criticism. It’s to make sense of the noise, to question what we’re told, and to share what I’ve learned for those who are actually looking for better answers.
One of the most impactful lessons I ever learned came from an early biology teacher of mine. She had a way of taking complicated, emotionally charged topics and simplifying them into something that actually made sense. One day, the question came up: science versus God. Instead of choosing a side, she said something I’ve never forgotten, “When my child is sick, I will take them to the doctor for treatment, and I will pray that they get better.” That moment re-framed everything for me. It wasn’t about choosing one over the other. It was about understanding that multiple perspectives can exist at the same time. And more importantly, that truth is rarely as simple as we want it to be.
That same idea applies to the world of health, skincare, and personal care products, except here things get even messier. Now we’re dealing with marketing, misinformation, fear, and sometimes outright manipulation.
Take the phrase “therapeutic grade” essential oils. I’ve been asked more times than I can count why I don’t use them. My response is always the same: what exactly does “therapeutic grade” mean? The answers are never consistent, because there is no standardized, regulated, or scientifically defined meaning for that term.1
To be clear, companies are allowed to use terms like “therapeutic grade” on labels. In the United States, cosmetic labeling does not require pre-approval of marketing language, as long as the product is not making drug claims.2 That means phrases like this can be used freely as branding or internal quality designations, even if there is no universal standard behind them.
That doesn’t automatically make a product bad, but it also doesn’t make it superior just because it sounds convincing. Personally, I choose to focus on things that actually have defined meaning. I look for certified organic sourcing when possible, and I prefer non-GMO ingredients. Those terms are tied to established standards and verification processes, which makes them far more useful than undefined marketing language.
What I look for beyond that is transparency. Purity, sourcing, and when available, analytical testing. Not because a label says something impressive, but because the data supports what’s actually in the bottle.
Another common criticism I’ve heard over the years is about preservatives. Specifically, that without them, products are inherently unsafe. This is where things require a little more nuance. Yes, water-containing products are more susceptible to microbial growth. That is well established.3 But the conclusion that all products without conventional preservatives are dangerous is an oversimplification.
Many of my formulations are anhydrous, meaning they contain no water and are naturally more stable. For products that do contain water, shelf-life, storage conditions, and handling matter. Clean production environments, proper container use, minimizing contamination during use, and in some cases refrigeration all play a role in maintaining product integrity.
This is not about pretending risk does not exist. It is about understanding how to manage it responsibly. It is also about recognizing that some individuals, myself included, react poorly to certain commonly used preservatives. For that portion of the population, alternatives matter.
My approach to this did not come out of nowhere. Before all of this, I worked in biomedical and biotechnology labs where I handled extremely sensitive materials. RNA, for example, is notoriously unstable. One contamination event can ruin an entire experiment. That environment teaches discipline, sterile technique, and respect for how easily things can go wrong.4
I carried that mindset with me into formulation. Clean workspaces, careful handling, and intentional processes are not optional. They are foundational. It is not about cutting corners. It is about doing things deliberately, with awareness of both risk and responsibility.
But even with experience, research, and good intentions, there is something I have learned over and over again. People tend to believe first, and then use reason to justify those beliefs afterward. Not the other way around.
And once someone has made up their mind, it becomes very difficult to have a productive conversation. Not impossible, but difficult.
That was part of the reason I hesitated to publish in the beginning. Not because I could not stand behind what I was saying, but because I understood how much time it can take to respond to arguments that are not grounded in evidence.
Over time, my perspective has shifted. I no longer feel the need to respond to every negative comment or challenge every opposing opinion. Instead, I focus on something much more productive. Providing clear, honest, and evidence-based information for those who are actually looking for it.
That does not mean I am closed off to discussion. Quite the opposite. I welcome it when it is rooted in real evidence, thoughtful reasoning, and a willingness to actually examine the facts.
Interestingly, I once came across a blog post where an author reviewed one-star ratings of some of the most well-known books in the world. Books like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and 1984 all had thousands of people who strongly disliked them.
It was a good reminder. No matter what you put out into the world, there will always be people who disagree. Sometimes loudly. Sometimes unfairly.
So what does that mean for me, and for you?
It means I am going to keep doing what I set out to do in the first place. Create products thoughtfully, share information honestly, and continue learning along the way. Not because everyone will agree, but because some people are looking for better answers, and they deserve access to them.
And if you are one of those people, those willing to question, to learn, and to look a little deeper, then this is exactly where you are meant to be.
For health,
Tober
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cosmetics labeling regulations. FDA website. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics. Accessed 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission. Advertising and marketing basics for consumer products. FTC website. https://www.ftc.gov. Accessed 2026.
- Lundov MD, Moesby L, Zachariae C, Johansen JD. Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;60(2):70–78.
- Rio DC, Ares M Jr, Hannon GJ, Nilsen TW. Purification of RNA using TRIzol (TRI reagent). Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2010;2010(6):pdb.prot5439.
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