Jacqueline MacNeill — Founder, Escents Aromatherapy

Born from Nature. Experienced by You.

A Canadian Story, Started at a Kiosk

Founded in Vancouver in 1992, Escents Aromatherapy began not in a lab or a boardroom, but at a humble kiosk — a family-owned business built on one simple belief: that pure, plant-based ingredients were simply better for people and the planet. We were among the first to offer a custom blending experience, letting customers create a scent that was uniquely theirs. That spirit of personalization has been at the heart of Escents from day one.

Today, with over 500 bath, body, wellness, and home fragrance products — all blended by hand in our Richmond, BC studio — that belief hasn't changed. We're still family-owned. Still made in Canada. And still holding ourselves to the same standard we set over 30 years ago.

Where it all began — the original Escents kiosk, 1992

Our Founder

Jacqui MacNeill is a Vancouver native, an outdoor enthusiast, and a mother of three. She first discovered essential oils while travelling at age 23, drawn in by the science behind plant-derived ingredients and the remarkable ability of essential oils and natural products to heal, calm, and restore.

That discovery would take on a new meaning years later when Jacqui suffered a life-threatening AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) — a seizure at 38 weeks pregnant with twins that led to two brain surgeries. She came through it — and built a life, and a brand, on the other side.

Raising three children while recovering and rebuilding, Jacqui leaned on essential oils the same way she always had: as a daily tool for clarity, calm, and wellbeing. That lived experience shaped everything about how Escents is made — products that actually work, for real moments in real life.

More than 30 years later, Escents remains rooted in that same belief: that pure, natural aromatherapy belongs in everyday life. Every blend we make starts with the same question Jacqui asked at the beginning: does this actually help? If the answer is yes, it earns its place in the line.

From One Kiosk to 52 Stores — and Back to Our Roots

What started as a personal passion for holistic wellness grew into one of Canada's most beloved aromatherapy brands, with over 52 retail locations from coast to coast. When the pandemic closed every store, we made a deliberate choice: come back leaner, closer to our roots, and more connected to the people we serve. Today, every blend ships directly from our manufacturing warehouse in Richmond, BC — handcrafted, no middleman, no compromise.

100% Natural. Always. No Exceptions.

Every product Escents makes is chemical-free, plant-derived, and personally crafted by Jacqueline and her team. We don't follow trends. We follow nature. No parabens. No mineral oil. No phthalates. No DPG. No animal testing. No ingredients we can't explain.

That commitment hasn't changed in over three decades — and it never will.

Learn more about why we choose chemical-free ingredients →

Find Your Scent. Live It in Everything.

Aromatherapy isn't a single product — it's a daily ritual. We believe when you find a scent that moves you, you should be able to live it in every moment: your morning shower, your evening wind-down, your workspace, your skin. That's why every Escents aroma is available across our full product range — from bath soaks to deodorants, lotions to reed diffusers.

Love a scent? Explore the full collection →

Our Hope for You

Whether you're new to aromatherapy or a lifelong devotee, we invite you to explore, discover, and make natural wellness a meaningful part of every day.

Smiles, hugs and hope...

Jacqueline MacNeill
Founder, Escents Aromatherapy

100% natural · Made in Canada · Women-owned & operated · Every blend personally crafted from nature.

Come Shop With Us in Richmond!

We'd love to see you in person. Visit us at 2214 Vauxhall Place, Richmond, BC — where every product is made and every scent tells a story.