What is Young Living?
Young Living Essential Oils was founded in 1993 by D. Gary Young and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. The company is the world largest essential oils company, with annual revenues exceeding $1.5 billion. Young Living operates farms and distilleries worldwide, and their Seed to Seal quality commitment is central to their brand identity.
The company offers over 600 products including single essential oils, oil blends, supplements, personal care products, and household cleaners. Their distribution model relies on independent members who earn commissions through product sales and team building.
Product Quality: Seed to Seal
Young Living differentiates itself through the Seed to Seal process, which covers every stage from planting to bottling:
- Sourcing: Seeds selected for optimal therapeutic properties from company-owned and partner farms across 20+ countries
- Cultivation: Sustainable farming practices without synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides
- Distillation: Proprietary low-temperature, low-pressure steam distillation to preserve beneficial compounds
- Testing: Every batch undergoes multiple tests including gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and organoleptic evaluation
- Sealing: Products packaged in dark amber glass bottles to protect from UV degradation
Best-Selling Products
- Lavender Essential Oil (15ml): $28.29 - their most popular single oil used for relaxation and skin care
- Thieves Essential Oil Blend: $44.41 - immune support blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary
- Peppermint Essential Oil: $27.63 - popular for headaches, energy, and digestive support
- Frankincense Essential Oil: $93.09 - premium oil used for meditation and skin health
- Premium Starter Kit: $165 - includes 12 oils, a diffuser, and samples. This is the most common entry point for new members
Young Living Compensation Plan
Young Living uses a unilevel compensation plan with the following income streams:
Commission Structure
- Fast Start Bonus (25%): Earned on new member orders during their first 3 months. This is the primary incentive for sponsoring new members.
- Unilevel Commissions (8% average): Monthly commissions on your personal organization volume, paid up to 5 levels deep depending on your rank.
- Star/Senior Star Bonus: One-time bonuses of $25-$50 for enrolling new members who maintain minimum orders
- Silver/Gold/Platinum Bonuses: Leadership bonuses paid on deeper generations as you advance in rank
- Diamond Express: Accelerated advancement program with additional bonuses for fast builders
Monthly Commitment
To remain commission-eligible, members must maintain a minimum 100 PV monthly order (approximately $100-150). The Essential Rewards program offers loyalty points (up to 25% back) for consecutive monthly orders, incentivizing ongoing purchases.
Income Disclosure Analysis
Young Living income statistics paint a clear picture:
- 89% of members: Average monthly income of $4 (most are product-only customers)
- Stars (7%): Average $50/month
- Senior Stars (2.5%): Average $200/month
- Executives (0.8%): Average $800/month
- Silver (0.15%): Average $2,500/month
- Gold and above (0.05%): Average $8,000-$50,000+/month
The Essential Oils Market in 2026
The global essential oils market is projected to reach $18 billion by 2028. Growing consumer interest in natural wellness, aromatherapy, and chemical-free products drives this growth. However, competition has intensified significantly with brands like doTERRA, Plant Therapy, Rocky Mountain Oils, and numerous Amazon sellers offering quality oils at lower prices.
Young Living premium pricing means a 15ml bottle of Lavender costs $28 versus $10-15 from non-MLM competitors. While Young Living argues their quality justifies the premium, price-sensitive consumers increasingly choose alternatives.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Industry leader with strong brand recognition
- Seed to Seal transparency and quality commitment
- Company-owned farms provide supply chain control
- Wide product range beyond just essential oils
- Strong community and training resources
- Essential Rewards loyalty program offers good value for personal use
Cons
- Significantly higher prices than non-MLM alternatives
- Very low average income for most members
- 100 PV monthly requirement adds ongoing cost pressure
- Controversial health claims by some distributors
- Growing competition from quality budget brands
- Founder controversies have impacted brand perception
Is Young Living Worth Joining in 2026?
Young Living remains the gold standard in MLM essential oils. Their products are genuinely high quality, and the Seed to Seal process provides real transparency. However, the business opportunity is challenging for most participants.
If you love essential oils and want wholesale pricing, the Premium Starter Kit is reasonable value. As a business opportunity, success requires exceptional salesmanship and recruiting ability. The income data clearly shows that the vast majority of members earn minimal commissions.
Our recommendation: Join for the products if you love essential oils. Approach the business opportunity with caution and realistic expectations.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars