What are CO2 Extracts ? CO2 (carbon dioxide) is used to extract the aromatics from plant materials instead of hydrocarbons or steam. Under high pressure, CO2 is compressed until it has the density of a liquid and becomes “supercritical” carbon dioxide – neither a gas nor a liquid. In this state, it is able act as a gentle and pure solvent. The beauty of this method of extraction is that the CO2 quickly and completely evaporates, leaving no residue and the process does not require heat. The resulting oil has an aroma closer to the natural plant than a steam distilled essential oil.

CO2 Select Extracts: use a lower pressure and the resulting oil is closer to the essential oil as only the lighter aromatic components are extracted.

CO2 Total Extracts: use a higher pressure which dissolves more of the constituents of the plant. The result can be thicker or waxier and more closely resembles the whole plant rather than just the essential oil fraction of the plant.

Please note: Despite their quality, all of our products are of a highly concentrated nature and are therefore to be strictly intended for perfumery and aromatherapy use only. Hermitage Oils strongly discourages internal consumption of the products, which are not intended to be used as foods in any capacity. All photos and images on this website have the sole purpose to evoke the raw materials from which the products offered are obtained, their place of origin or their scent.