dōTERRA Cedarwood Essential Oil - 15ml
Cedarwood is steam distilled from the wood of Juniperus virginiana, grown across the southeastern United States. Despite the name, it's actually a juniper rather than a true cedar, though the aroma has exactly the warm, woody character most people associate with cedar. It's produced from sawdust and offcuts left over from timber processing, so relatively little goes to waste.
The smell is warm, dry and woody with a soft, sweet edge, not unlike a freshly sharpened pencil or the inside of a cedar chest. It's a dependable base note rather than a stand-out top note, the kind of aroma that sits underneath other oils rather than competing with them.
A few drops in a diffuser bring a grounding, woody base to an evening blend, and a drop added to an unscented moisturiser or toner is a popular way to bring the same warmth into a skincare routine.
Why people choose it
- A warm, dry, woody aroma with a soft, sweet edge — like a freshly sharpened pencil or a cedar chest
- Steam distilled from the wood of Juniperus virginiana, despite the name actually a juniper rather than a true cedar
- Sourced from the southeastern United States, made using sawdust and offcuts from timber processing
- A dependable base note that grounds citrus or floral blends
- A popular addition, a drop at a time, to unscented moisturiser for a warm, woody scent
How it smells
Warm, dry and woody with a soft, sweet edge — close to the smell of a freshly sharpened pencil or a cedar chest.
How to use it
- In a diffuser
- Three to four drops in a diffuser, alone or as a base note underneath a citrus or floral oil.
- On skin
- Dilute with a carrier oil before applying, or add a drop to an unscented moisturiser or toner.
- Dilution
- One drop of Cedarwood to three or four drops of fractionated coconut oil for topical use.
- Worth knowing
- Works well as a background note — it sits underneath brighter oils rather than competing with them.
Details
- Botanical name
- Juniperus virginiana
- Plant part
- Wood
- Extraction
- Steam distillation
- Key compounds
- Cedrol, Thujopsene
- Size
- 15 ml
Safety
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, speak to your practitioner before use. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears and sensitive areas. Dilute with a carrier oil for topical use.
This information is for general use and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or nursing, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist.
Blends well with
Common questions
What does Cedarwood smell like?
Warm, dry and woody with a soft, sweet edge — similar to a freshly sharpened pencil or the inside of a cedar chest.
Is Cedarwood actually cedar?
Not botanically — doTERRA's Cedarwood comes from Juniperus virginiana, a type of juniper, though it shares the warm, woody character people associate with cedar.
What does it blend well with?
Citrus oils like Wild Orange or Bergamot brighten it, and florals such as Lavender soften its dry, woody edge.
Can I add it to my moisturiser?
Yes, a drop or two in an unscented moisturiser or toner is a popular way to add a warm, woody scent to a skincare routine.
How many drops should I use in a diffuser?
Three to four is a good starting point for a full room.



