Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes Liven oils different from other oils on the market?
Our approach to oil production is radically different from almost every other producer on the market! Usually, these seed and nut oils, or essential oils, are made in large batches, in a factory that specializes in one or a very few number of oils. These oils are then sold to a variety of middle-men before being distributed within each market by a retailer. At that point, usually (but not always) there isn’t much transparency around where these oils were produced, and when. On the one hand, it’s an incredible logistical feat to distribute these oils worldwide, and keep them consistently and continuously available. On the other hand, certain sacrifices are made in the storage and transport of these oils, which of course lose potency over time, not to mention the temptation and possibility for dilution and adulteration.
Our oils are made using seasonal, freshly harvested seeds, nuts, and herbs grown in Cyprus. We select, clean, process and store the raw materials ourselves, on-site. Everything is local from Cyprus, from growers we know and trust. We blend according to nature’s rhythm so each batch reflects the freshest ingredients available. We also use advanced extraction methods to retain the full potency of each raw material, without over-processing or dilution. We oversee all steps of the process, and make sure that what leaves our workshop is the freshest and purest product we can possibly provide.
What is the definition of cold-pressed?
The industry-accepted standard of “cold-pressed” is 50 degrees Celsius or 122 degree Fahrenheit. That might not seem very “cold-pressed” at all! The truth is there is a lot of opacity in the industry about the processes used to bring these oils to market. For example, an oil can be “cold-pressed,” but then refined using heat and other chemicals. Or, a seed or nut can be heated or roasted prior to pressing, to increase the oil yield (think about making peanut butter from roasted versus unroasted peanuts). If it’s pressed under 50 degrees it’s technically “cold-pressed,” but that doesn’t take into account what happened before!
Why would manufacturers want to increase the heat in pressing. It’s simple. It allows them to extract more oil, faster, which is more profitable! But it doesn’t create a better oil.
Are all of your seed and nut oils cold-pressed?
In our circumstances, most of our oils are pressed at room temperature, and the maximum temperature we allow is 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, (which in Cyprus summer is also room temperature). Ideally we don’t want the oils to heat up past the temperature of the human body. We use an expeller (screw press), and the seeds with a lot of fiber and low oil content (grapeseed), can generate a lot of heat. We control this with fans, and a cooling sleeve (which circulates water over the barrel of the machine), and also by reducing the speed of the machine.
How are your seed and nuts prepared for pressing?
Each raw material has its own unique “behavior” and requirements to be processed and ready for pressing. In some cases our suppliers clean and dry the seeds or nuts to our specifications, and then deliver them to us for storage in our workshop. In other cases, we receive them fresh and clean and dry them ourselves, using a combination of sun-drying or a dehydrator, depending on the season (luckily the Cyprus sun is quite potent for most of the year!). Before pressing, we use traditional techniques and some modern equipment to remove the shells, or any skins or other remnants from the plant that we don’t need for the pressing. This includes using blowers, sieves, the wind (or a fan) and of course there’s no substitute for the human hand! If you visit our workshop in Kornos, depending on our production schedule, you can see this process in action and even take part as a volunteer!
How are your seed and nut oils processed after pressing before you bottle them?
We use only mechanical means to prepare our oils for bottling. This usually means we first let them settle for a day or two, so that the extra pieces of seed or nut drop by gravity to the bottom of the container, and the oil starts to clarify. Then we double-filter the oil, and it’s ready to be bottled!
This contrast with the approach of the majority of manufacturers in the sector, which employ a variety of processes using chemicals, clay, bleaching and deodorizing agents, and other non-natural means to remove the smell, color, taste, and other characteristics of the oil.
This is why our oils always have a distinct color, taste, and small. For example, our castor oils smells nutty, the citrus seed oil smells slightly like apple juice, the grapeseed oil has a sweet smell of grapes.
What is the difference between distilled and cold-pressed citrus peel essential oils?
Citrus peel essential oils are the only essential oils that can be extracted with pressure, in addition to distillation. We use the same machine as for our cold-pressed seed and nut oils! Because the extraction is done at room temperature, the oil is very reminiscent of the actual fruit when you peel it! Distillation is another popular method, but the heat (100 degrees Celcius) means you lose some of the volatile compounds, and the aroma is less complex. We think it resembles a citrus candy (think gummy bear or chewing gum) more than the actual fruit. But it still has its uses!
This year we’ve produced bergamot, bitter orange, lemon and grapefruit through expression and mandarin through distillation.
Why is Liven’s sweet almond oil more expensive than what’s available in bio shops?
Sadly, like with olive oil, many commercially-available sweet almond oils are diluted, adultered and mixed with cheaper oils. It’s very difficult without a sophisticated lab to uncover the origins of most oils. But, and this goes for any oil, you can do a little math to try and understand the economics and if the price charged makes sense considering the facts and circumstances. So, in Cyprus, most almond oils (except ours) is imported. We’ve seen it sold as cheap as 9€ or even 6€ a liter! So, firstly you can consider that the reseller/importer in Cyprus is making some sort of margin, and think about the transportation, storage and import costs. Secondly, how about the cost of raw materials? The cheapest we’ve ever seen a massive wholesale quantity of (lowest quality) American almonds is around 6€ a kilo. Here’s a secret, it takes about 2.5-3kg of almonds to press a liter of almond oil. That doesn’t take into account the labor and other overhead costs of the producer of the oil, and the effort to filter and bottle it. So, you can do the math yourself.
We do our best to get the best possible price for our raw materials, but we don’t want to force our suppliers to cut corners to make a living, and we don’t them to resent us! We pay a fair price for our sweet almonds, from a farmer in Silikou, Cyprus, who tends to the trees himself, following biodynamic principles, and also cleans and prepares the almonds for us himself, with lots of love and atttention. The money paid for our almond oils goes directly to his hands, and to cover our labor and overhead costs, with no middle men or other extras.
How do you use essential oils? Are your essential oils edible?
Our favorite use for essential oils is in a diffuser! There’s nothing like the aromas of Cyprus, and whether you like herbal, woody, citrus or floral smells, you can mix and match and make any space smell like heaven on earth!
Yes, our essential oils are technically edible, but we recommend that our customers do their own research on the correct usage and dosing. Just because our oils are pure and natural doesn’t mean they are safe for everyone, all the time, and using the correct amount is extremely important. Many products on the market are diluted and/or adultered, so our oils might be surprisingly potent compared to what you’re used to!
Do you sell your products wholesale, and do you have resellers?
Yes we do! It is our goal to replace products currently imported to Cyprus with oils that can be supplied locally, and we are able to supply several (but not all) of our base oils and essential oils in wholesale quantities. Please get in touch for more information!
We do have several resellers in Cyprus, many of them are our suppliers as well, and we return back some of the finished product for them to sell in their shop!
Do you sell your raw materials?
We get many inquiries if we can sell some of the nuts or seeds, or flowers (dried lavender) that we source in Cyprus. Unfortunately at this time we only purchase what we need to meet our requirements for production, and we aren’t set up to supply our raw materials to others.
Are your products certified organic?
While not all of our ingredients are certified organic, we work with local growers who use low-intervention and sustainable farming practices. Cyprus is a small island and many of the farms are not large-scale or industrialized, and therefore it’s not economical for them to go through the organic certification process. Also, many of our ingredients come from wild or traditionally cultivated sources, where certification isn't common but quality and purity are exceptional.
Do you use any additives or preservatives?
No. All of our products are free from synthetic additives, preservatives, fillers, or artificial fragrances. We do add a small percentage of moringa oleifera oil to several of our base oils and blends to help prolong their shelf life. Moringa oil is extremely resistant to oxidation, and it is well-known for this effect!
Are cold-pressed oils more fragile than regular oils? Do you have any storage recommendations?
Cold-pressed oils do have a robust shelf life (1-2 years), and because we press them frequently (every 1-3 months, rather than once a year), and most of our customers order directly from us, you have the freshest oil possible, and plenty of time to use it. In some cases, cold-pressed oils might have a shorter shelf life, and in some cases a longer one, depending on what components of the oil were retained or removed during the production process. There is a huge variation in the stability of the oils based on their fatty acid profile, with moringa oil stable over a very long term, while some nut oils and grapeseed oil are more susceptible to oxidation.
The biggest factor in extending the potency and freshness of our oils is how they are stored. We recommend keeping them in a cool and consistent temperature (16-20 degrees Celsius if possible), away from light, and with as little air in the bottle as possible. When in doubt (and Cyprus summer gets quite hot!) we recommend storing your oils in the refrigerator. In that case they will last long past when you might have already used them up!
What is upcycled material, and why do you use it?
Upcycled materials are high-quality ingredients that are typically discarded during food production (like seeds from juice pressing). We rescue these overlooked components and give them new life, transforming waste into rich, nourishing oils. It’s good for your skin—and for the planet.
Can I eat your oils, or are they just for skincare?
Most of our oils are food-grade and suitable for both culinary and cosmetic use. If a product is edible, it will be clearly labeled. Please always read the label or product description to know how each oil is intended to be used.
Are your products vegan and cruelty-free?
Most of our products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. We never test on animals. The only non vegan products are the beeswax balm and chest rub ointment.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship worldwide using Cyprus Post. It usually takes 7-12 business days for the order to arrive. If you prefer courier delivery (UPS, DHL), please contact us prior to placing your order. Currently, Cyprus Post is not accepting packages to the United States. If you’d like to place an order for delivery to the United States, please contact us and we will try and make arrangements to get it to you as fast as possible.