Young Living Review: Can You Really Make Money With Essential Oils or Not?

If you’ve been looking into ways to make money from home, you may have come across Young Living.

It’s one of the most well-known essential oils MLMs, often promoted as a way to improve your health while building a flexible income from home.

You’ll see it shared across social media, parenting groups, and wellness communities, with a strong focus on natural living and lifestyle.

On the surface, it sounds appealing. Essential oils, a passionate community, and the chance to build your own business.

But here’s the real question. Can you actually make money with Young Living, or does it take more time, effort, and selling than most people expect?

In this review, you’ll get a clear breakdown of how Young Living works, what it costs, and whether it’s a realistic option for parents looking to earn from home.

Before you go any further, it’s worth knowing this. Most people who join MLM businesses don’t make consistent income, and many earn far less than expected once ongoing costs are included.

You’re already ahead by taking the time to research this properly.

If you’re comparing essential oil MLMs or other side hustles, take a moment to read this first so you don’t waste time on the wrong path.

👉 See what actually works for parents

Young Living Review: Quick Verdict

Company: Young Living

Founded: 1993

Type: Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)

Startup Cost: Low entry, but product purchases are encouraged

Earning Potential: Low for most people

Verdict: Young Living offers popular essential oils with a strong community focus, but most people struggle to earn consistent income due to product costs, ongoing sales, and reliance on recruitment.

Best For: People interested in essential oils and natural wellness

Not Ideal For: Busy parents looking for flexible, scalable income

Not sure if this is the right path?

If you’re a busy parent trying to make extra income from home, it’s easy to get pulled into MLMs, surveys, or quick-win side hustles.

The problem? Most of them take more time than expected and pay far less than you hoped.

I’ve broken down what actually works (and what doesn’t) in this guide:

👉 Thinking About MLMs, Surveys, or Side Hustles? Read This First

What Is Young Living?

Young Living is a global MLM company focused on essential oils and natural wellness products.

young living website image

It was founded in 1993 and is one of the oldest and most recognised brands in the essential oils space.

The company is built around:

  • Essential oils and aromatherapy
  • Natural health and wellness
  • A lifestyle focused on holistic living

You’ll often see Young Living promoted through personal routines, wellness tips, and community-driven content.

What Young Living Sells

The product range includes:

  • Essential oils and oil blends
  • Diffusers and accessories
  • Skincare and personal care products
  • Supplements and wellness items

Like doTERRA, essential oils are the core product and main entry point.

How It Works in Simple Terms

  • You join as a distributor
  • You buy and use the products
  • You sell products to others
  • You can recruit others into your team
  • You earn from sales and your team’s activity

On paper, it’s a simple model.

Sell products, build a team, and grow your income.

What Makes Young Living Different

Young Living positions itself slightly differently:

  • Strong emphasis on product sourcing and farming
  • Long-standing reputation in the essential oils space
  • Deep focus on community and lifestyle
  • Loyal customer base within wellness circles

This can create strong brand trust for some customers.

What This Means in Practice

While the brand is well established, the challenges remain similar.

  • Not everyone understands or trusts essential oils
  • You often need to explain products before selling
  • Demand can be limited outside niche audiences

For many distributors, this means ongoing effort to build trust and educate customers.

Before you go further: If you’re weighing up MLMs or other side hustles, read this first → What Actually Works for Parents

Who Owns Young Living?

Young Living was founded by Gary Young.

young living founder image

The company has grown into a global brand but remains privately owned.

Why This Matters

Young Living’s long history gives it credibility.

  • It is one of the original essential oils MLMs
  • It has a strong global presence
  • It sells real products

But like all MLMs, the company itself does not guarantee success.

Your results still depend on:

  • Your ability to sell products
  • The time you can commit
  • Your ability to build and support a team

What Products Does Young Living Sell?

Young Living’s product range is built around one core focus.

Essential oils.

young living mlm products

Everything else supports that.

Essential Oils

This is the main product category.

  • Single oils like lavender, peppermint, and tea tree
  • Blended oils for different uses
  • Oils for relaxation, focus, and wellbeing

These are the most commonly promoted products.

Diffusers and Accessories

To use the oils, customers often need additional items.

  • Diffusers for home use
  • Rollers and applicators
  • Storage kits and travel options

These increase the overall order value.

Skincare and Personal Care

Young Living also offers:

  • Skincare products
  • Body care items
  • Natural personal care products

These are often positioned as extensions of the oils.

Supplements and Wellness Products

There is also a growing focus on:

  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Wellness kits and bundles
  • Daily health products

These are often bundled with oils to encourage larger purchases.

Do These Products Actually Sell?

This is where expectations need to be realistic.

The products appeal strongly to:

  • Wellness-focused audiences
  • People interested in natural living
  • Existing essential oil users

But there are challenges:

  • Prices are often higher than alternatives
  • Many customers need education before buying
  • Not everyone believes in the benefits

For many distributors, this leads to:

  • Time spent explaining products
  • Heavy use of personal stories
  • Increased focus on community building

How Does Young Living Work In Practice?

The structure is similar to other MLMs, but with a strong focus on trust and lifestyle.

how mlms work graphic

1. Sell Products

  • You promote oils and wellness products
  • Customers buy through you
  • You earn commission on sales

This often involves:

  • Sharing routines and experiences
  • Educating customers about oils
  • Building trust over time

2. Build a Team

  • You recruit others into Young Living
  • They sell products and recruit further
  • You earn a percentage of their activity

This is where most of the income potential is presented.

The Day-to-Day Reality

Most distributors spend time:

  • Creating content around oils and wellness
  • Messaging potential customers
  • Educating people about product use
  • Encouraging others to join

This requires consistent effort.

What This Means for Parents

For busy parents, this model can be demanding.

You are not just selling products. You are:

  • Teaching and explaining
  • Building relationships
  • Promoting regularly

If your time is limited, this can be difficult to sustain.

Still weighing up your options?

At this point, many people realise that niche products like essential oils often require more education and effort to sell.

If you’re a parent looking for a flexible way to make money from home, it’s worth understanding what actually works before you commit your time and money.

This guide breaks it down clearly:

👉 Thinking About MLMs, Surveys, or Side Hustles? Read This First

How Do You Make Money With Young Living?

There are two main ways to earn with Young Living.

young living business opportunity

1. Retail Profit

  • You buy oils at a discounted rate
  • You sell them at retail price
  • You earn the difference

This usually involves:

Because the products often need explaining, sales can take time.

2. Recruitment and Team Income

This is where most of the income potential is presented.

  • You recruit others into Young Living
  • They become part of your team
  • You earn a percentage of their sales

As your team grows, your income can increase.

But this adds pressure:

  • You need to find new people
  • You need to support and train them
  • Your income depends on their activity

The Reality Most People Experience

On paper, this looks like a scalable business.

In reality, many people find:

  • Retail sales alone are not enough
  • Education slows down the sales process
  • Recruitment becomes important for growth

This is where most people struggle.

How Much Does It Cost to Join Young Living?

The entry cost is relatively low.

Typical costs include:

  • Registration or starter kit
  • Initial product purchases

Starter kits can vary depending on how many oils you buy.

Ongoing Costs to Consider

  • Regular product purchases
  • Reordering oils for personal use or stock
  • Marketing or content creation
  • Training or events

With niche products, ongoing engagement often means ongoing spending.

Can You Realistically Make Money?

This is the key question.

Young Living does not widely publish detailed income data, but the pattern is similar to most MLMs.

  • A large percentage of distributors earn little or nothing
  • Many earn less than they spend once costs are included

Across the MLM industry:

  • Around 90 to 99 percent of participants do not make significant income

What This Means for You as a Parent

If you are short on time and looking for reliable income, this model can be difficult.

You are relying on:

  • Selling niche products
  • Educating customers
  • Recruiting and supporting a team

That makes income unpredictable.

A Better Way to Think About It

If your goal is to earn from home around your family, it helps to focus on something that:

  • Grows over time
  • Does not rely on constant selling
  • Gives you more control over income

Before you commit to Young Living or any MLM, take a few minutes to read this.

👉 Thinking About MLMs, Surveys, or Side Hustles? Read This First

Online Reviews of Young Living

Young Living has a strong presence online, especially within natural health and wellness communities.

young living trustpilot profile

Reviews tend to fall into two main areas. Product experience and business opportunity.

Positive Reviews

Some customers and distributors report good experiences, especially those already interested in essential oils.

Common positives include:

  • Strong brand trust within the essential oils space
  • Loyal customers who reorder regularly
  • Supportive community and team environment
  • Lifestyle appeal around natural living

For people already in the wellness space, this can feel like a good fit.

Negative Reviews

This is where most concerns come in.

Common complaints include:

  • Higher prices compared to similar oils
  • Difficulty explaining products to new customers
  • Pressure to recruit others
  • Income not matching expectations

Some also mention:

  • Time needed to educate customers
  • Limited appeal outside niche audiences
  • Heavy reliance on social media promotion
young living trustpilot reviews

What Most Reviews Agree On

Across both sides, a few patterns stand out:

  • Products appeal to a specific audience
  • Earnings are usually lower than expected
  • Success often depends on recruitment as well as sales

What This Means for You

Young Living may appeal if you already like essential oils.

But for most people, especially busy parents, it requires more time and effort than expected.

You need to educate, engage, and stay consistent.

Young Living Review: Pros and Cons

Before you decide if Young Living is right for you, it helps to look at both sides clearly.

There are some positives, but also clear limitations.

Pros

  • Strong brand recognition in essential oils
  • Loyal customer base in wellness communities
  • Repeat purchase potential
  • Established company with long history
  • Clear system for selling and building a business

Cons

  • Products are expensive compared to alternatives
  • Requires education before selling
  • Most people earn little or no profit after costs
  • Strong reliance on recruitment for higher income
  • Limited audience outside niche markets
  • Income is unpredictable and not guaranteed

Who Is Young Living For and Who Should Avoid It?

Not every opportunity fits every lifestyle. This is where you decide if this model works for you.

Who It’s For

Young Living may suit you if:

  • You have a strong interest in essential oils or natural wellness
  • You are comfortable educating others about products
  • You enjoy building relationships with customers
  • You are open to recruiting and growing a team
  • You have time to stay consistent

For some people, this can feel like a natural fit.

Who Should Avoid It

Young Living is likely not the best fit if:

  • You are a busy parent with limited time
  • You want a low-pressure way to earn from home
  • You are not comfortable explaining niche products
  • You do not want to rely on recruitment
  • You need steady or predictable income

What This Means in Simple Terms

If you enjoy the wellness niche and have time to commit, this could work.

But if you want something flexible, scalable, and built around family life, this model can be hard to sustain.

blogging vs mlms

Final Verdict: Is Young Living Worth It for Parents?

Young Living has a strong foundation.

Essential oils. Natural wellness. Long-standing brand.

That makes it appealing, especially if you already like this space.

But when you look closer, the same challenges appear.

To make this work, you need to:

  • Educate customers about the products
  • Promote consistently
  • Build trust over time
  • Recruit and support a team

That takes time and ongoing effort.

For most parents, that’s the challenge.

The products are niche. Sales take longer. And income often depends on other people, not just your own effort.

If you’re looking for something that fits around family life and grows over time, there are better options.

Want a Better Way to Make Money From Home?

Before you commit to Young Living, read this first

Many parents try MLMs or niche product side hustles, only to find they take more time and earn less than expected.

If you want something more flexible, more reliable, and built around your schedule, there is a better path.

This guide shows you what actually works and what to avoid:

Read the Guide Here

Young Living Review: FAQ Section

Is Young Living a scam?

Young Living is not a scam. It is a legitimate MLM company that sells essential oils and wellness products. However, most people struggle to earn consistent income due to product costs, niche demand, and the need for ongoing sales and recruitment.

Is Young Living a pyramid scheme?

Young Living is not classified as an illegal pyramid scheme. It sells real products and operates legally. However, like many MLMs, income often depends heavily on recruitment as well as product sales.

Can you really make money with Young Living?

Some people do make money with Young Living, but most earn very little. Income depends on selling products, educating customers, and building a team, which can be difficult for many people.

How much does it cost to join Young Living?

Joining Young Living usually requires a relatively low upfront cost, often through a starter kit. However, ongoing costs such as product purchases, marketing, and training can increase total expenses.

Is Young Living a good option for parents?

For most parents, Young Living can be difficult to sustain due to time demands, product education, and reliance on recruitment. More flexible and scalable income options may be better suited.

Let’s Chat

Have you looked into Young Living or other essential oil businesses before?

Did the natural wellness angle make it feel easier to recommend, or did it seem harder to explain than expected?

Drop a comment below and share your experience. It will help other parents make a more informed decision

John Crossley
John Crossley

Helping parents build flexible, family-first blogs that create income on their terms.

👋 Hi, I’m John — the parent behind Flex for Families. I started this blog after falling for a few “too good to be true” online schemes, and I’m on a mission to help parents avoid the same traps. Here you’ll find family-first, flexible ways to build income online — without sacrificing precious moments at home. Learn more about my story →

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