Getting Started With Essential Oils
Essential oils have become a familiar part of many UK households. But because these oils are so concentrated, how you use them matters just as much as which oil you choose. There are three recognised methods of use — aromatic, topical and internal — and each comes with its own best practice.
An important note: essential oils are not medicines. Nothing in this article should be read as a claim that any oil or method of use treats, cures, prevents or manages any medical condition. Always follow the guidance on your product label and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you have any health concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are using oils around children.
Aromatic Use
- Diffusing: Add a few drops of oil to water in an ultrasonic diffuser and let it run in a well-ventilated room. Avoid running a diffuser continuously for hours, especially in a room shared with babies, young children or pets.
- Inhaling from the bottle or palms: Open the bottle and inhale gently a short distance away, or place a drop in your cupped palms, rub them together, and cup your hands loosely over your nose while breathing normally.
- Room and linen sprays: Combine a small number of drops with water (and a splash of a dispersing agent such as witch hazel) in a spray bottle. Shake before each use and mist away from the face and fabrics that stain easily.
Topical Use
- Always dilute in a carrier oil. Fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil are all commonly used carriers. Undiluted ("neat") application is more likely to cause skin irritation or sensitisation.
- Patch-test first. Apply a small diluted amount to an inconspicuous area such as the inner forearm, and wait 24 hours to check for any reaction before wider use.
- Areas to avoid. Keep diluted oils away from the eyes, inside the ears, and other sensitive or mucous-membrane areas.
- General adult dilution guidance. A commonly used starting ratio for everyday adult use is around 1 drop of essential oil to 1 teaspoon (roughly 5ml) of carrier oil. When in doubt, dilute more rather than less.
Certain oils, particularly citrus oils, can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight after topical application — check labels for this guidance.
Internal Use
Only use an oil internally if the label explicitly states it is intended for dietary or internal use. Many essential oils are intended for aromatic and topical use only.
- Veggie capsules: A small number of drops of a dietary-labelled oil can be added to an empty vegetable capsule and swallowed with water.
- Diluted in liquid: Dietary oils can also be stirred into water or added to food. Only a drop or two is typically needed.
- Never taken neat. Even dietary-labelled oils should be diluted appropriately rather than taken directly from the bottle.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying oils neat to the skin — one of the most frequent causes of irritation, particularly with "hot" oils like cinnamon, oregano or clove.
- Using non-dietary oils internally — if the label doesn't say the oil is intended for dietary use, it should stay out of food, drinks and capsules altogether.
- Applying near the eyes or other sensitive areas.
- Not adjusting dilution for children. Use a much higher carrier-to-oil ratio and always seek advice from a healthcare professional before using essential oils with babies or young children.
Used thoughtfully, essential oils can be a lovely addition to a daily routine. Take time to read labels, dilute generously, patch-test new oils, and keep internal use strictly to oils labelled for that purpose.