Focus Aromatherapy Roll-On

A 10 ml aromatherapy roll-on of essential oils blended for the Focus theme: eucalyptus, peppermint, sage and geranium. Eucalyptus and peppermint make it sharp and fresh, sage adds a herbal note and geranium rounds it off with a touch of green floral. It is the brightest, most mentholated scent of our three roll-ons, and the one for the daytime.

The three blends were designed by Claudia, the founder's 14 year old daughter, and created by Mel Foot, an aromatherapist and friend of the shop. They are made in the UK and not tested on animals, and they are a Herbastore own-label line.

What it is

A roll-on is essential oil diluted in a carrier oil and sealed under a rollerball. You roll it onto the skin at pulse points, the wrists, the sides of the neck and the temples, where the warmth of the skin releases the scent. The scent fades over an hour or two, and the brand's figure of over 100 uses from 10 ml reflects how little comes out with each roll.

Peppermint and eucalyptus both contain compounds that feel cool on the skin, which is why this blend reads as fresh the moment it is applied. Sage is a warmer, savoury herbal note that stops the blend smelling like a cough sweet, and geranium, a rosy green oil, softens the top. Of the three Herbastore blends this is the one with no obviously floral lead, so it suits people who dislike perfume-style scents.

Because peppermint and eucalyptus are cooling, keep this one especially well away from the eyes and do not apply it immediately after a hot shower when pores are open and the skin is sensitive. The brand has not published the carrier oil or the dilution, so we do not state them.

The Focus blend is also sold in the Wellbeing Trio set with the Self Love and Sleep roll-ons for £14.99.

How to use it

Roll onto the wrists or the temples at the start of a work session, before a long drive, or mid-afternoon when the room has gone stuffy. Breathe it in from the wrist; the cooling sensation on the skin is part of the experience. It is small enough to live in a pencil case or a laptop bag.

• 10 ml roll-on bottle
• Over 100 uses per bottle, per the brand
• £5.99 works out at under 6p a use
• External use only; keep well away from the eyes

Essential oils are concentrated. Roll onto pulse points rather than broad areas, keep well away from the eyes, do not use on broken skin, and patch test on the inner forearm if you have reactive skin or have not used essential oils before. This is an aromatherapy product for the skin, not a food supplement.

What's inside

• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Sage essential oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Carrier oil (not specified by the brand)

Eucalyptus oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus or a related species. Peppermint oil comes from the leaves of Mentha piperita. Sage oil is distilled from the leaves of Salvia officinalis, the kitchen herb, or a close relative. Geranium oil comes from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens. The brand does not state the species used.

Who it's for

People who want a fresh scent for the working day: students, desk workers, drivers and anyone who finds a strong smell helps them reset. It suits a pencil case, a desk drawer or a gym bag, and it is the roll-on most often bought by people who do not like floral perfumes. It also works as a cooling roll-on on the back of the neck in warm weather.

If you want something floral and soft, Self Love is the one. If you want the evening blend, Sleep is built on vetiver and lavender.

Pairs well with

The Self Love aromatherapy roll-on and the Sleep aromatherapy roll-on are the other two blends, and all three come in the Wellbeing Trio set. For a daytime drink to go with it, Brain Coffee is the lion's mane coffee. See the whole aromatherapy shelf, the new supplements collection, and the rest of the store under all products.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use an essential oil roller?

Roll it onto pulse points such as the wrists or temples and breathe it in. Reapply as you like; the scent fades over an hour or two.

Can you put peppermint oil on your skin?

Diluted in a carrier oil, as it is in this roll-on, yes. It feels cool on the skin. Keep it away from the eyes and do not use it neat.

Which oils are in it?

Eucalyptus, peppermint, sage and geranium, diluted in a carrier oil the brand has not named.

How long does a bottle last?

The brand estimates over 100 uses from the 10 ml bottle.

Our label guide explains how to read what a brand does and does not state about its ingredients. Herbastore ships this product from the UK, with free UK shipping on orders over £40. Orders are packed by Herbastore UK, so if you are buying from more than one of our brands everything arrives together.