Essential Oil Safety: How to Use Essential Oils Safely

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I honestly couldn’t imagine life without my essential oils. I use them in my makeup, my deodorant, my perfume, my lotions, body scrubs, and pretty much anything else you can think of!

An amber bottle of essential oil on a table.

But if there’s one question I get more than any other, it’s about essential oil safety: how do I use these safely? Essential oils are wonderful, but they’re also potent, and a few simple guidelines go a long way.

So let’s walk through the basics together.

A Quick Note From Me

Everything here is simply what I’ve learned from years of using essential oils in my own home, and what works for me and my family.

I’m not a medical professional, though, so please do your own research too, and check with someone qualified if you ever have a specific question or concern. You know you and your family best.

Always Dilute Before Applying to Skin

Essential oils are incredibly concentrated, so you never want to put them straight onto your skin. Diluting them in a carrier oil makes them gentle and safe to use.

My favorite way to dilute is by making a roller bottle. You just add a few drops of essential oil to the bottle and top it off with a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil is my go-to). Take a peek at my must-have roller bottle blends for some of my favorite combinations.

You can also stir a few drops into an unscented lotion or body butter, which is lovely when you want to cover a larger area.

Always Do a Patch Test First

Anytime you try a new oil on your skin, do a quick patch test. Dab a little of the diluted oil on the inside of your arm and give it a day to make sure your skin is happy with it. This is especially important with the stronger oils below.

Oils to Use With Extra Care

A few oils just need a little extra respect.

“Hot” oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme are much stronger on the skin than a gentle oil like lavender. Here’s how I handle them:

Dilute them more than you would a milder oil. A little truly goes a long way.
Never use them “neat” (that means undiluted) on your skin.
Use them sparingly. A hot oil that’s too strong or used too often can irritate your skin, and can even lead to a lasting sensitivity, so I save these for once-in-a-while use and always dilute them well.

Citrus oils (lemon, lime, bergamot, wild orange) are photosensitive, which means they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. After I use them on my skin, I stay out of direct sun for a good while (around 12 hours) to be safe.

Less Is More

When you’re new to an oil, start with just a drop or two and see how you feel. You can always add more, but you can’t take it back once it’s on. With essential oils, a little almost always does the trick.

How to Diffuse Safely

Diffusing is one of the easiest and gentlest ways to enjoy your oils. It disperses them into the air to make a room feel calm, cozy, or bright, depending on what you choose.

If you’re new to it, start with just a few drops and see how you like it before adding more. I also like to diffuse for a little while rather than all day long. And be sure to clean your diffuser regularly to keep it running well.

How to Store Your Essential Oils

Keep your oils in a cool, dark spot with the caps on tight. Heat and light break them down over time.
Store them in their dark glass bottles, never in plastic.
Always keep essential oils up and out of reach of children.

Choosing Quality Oils

Not all oils are created equal. Look for a brand you trust that’s open about where their oils come from and how they’re tested, so you know you’re getting the real, pure thing.

Essential Oil Safety FAQs

How do you dilute essential oils?

Add a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, usually in a roller bottle, before applying it to your skin.

Which essential oils should be used with extra care?

“Hot” oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme need extra dilution and should be used sparingly, and citrus oils are photosensitive, so avoid the sun after applying them.

How should I store essential oils?

In a cool, dark place with the caps tight, in their glass bottles, and always out of reach of children.

If you found this essential oil safety guide helpful, or tried any other tutorial on my website, please let me know in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!