Diluting Essential Oils (2024)

Essential oils are highly concentrated. They must be diluted before they can be safely applied to the skin.

The most common way to dilute essential oils is by either incorporating them into a formulation (i.e. a moisturizer or body scrub recipe) or by diluting them using a vegetable oil, also known as a carrier oil. As your carrier oil, select a high quality vegetable oil. Example carrier oils include almond, apricot, hazelut, olive, macadamia, kukui, wheatgerm, grapeseed and sesame. Carrier oils should be stored away from heat and light to minimize oxidation. The addition of jojoba oil as 10% of your carrier oil will help extend the shelf life of your blend as will Vitamin E Oil. Adding it to any aromatherapy blend will help extend the life of most vegetable oils. Our line of Fixed CO2 Extract Totals offer a longer shelf life than their cold and expeller pressed counterparts.

As a broad rule of thumb, a safe dilution for most aromatherapy and personal care applications is 2%. A maximum 1% dilution should be used on children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with health concerns. We have provided this dilution as a bery broad guideline. However, some essential oils such as lemongrass, clove and cinnamon pose a much higher risk of irritation and sensitization at ratios falling below even 1%.

Whenever possible, however, it's best to refer to the safety guidelines for each particular essential oil that you intend to use within your formulations and blends. We recommend referring to the second edition of Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

General Blending Information

  • 1% dilution: approximately 6 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil
  • 2% dilution: approximately 12 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil
  • 3% dilution: approximately 18 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil

Important: The above list is intended as a very general and very basic guideline for those that prefer the ease of dispensing essential oils by the drop. However, using the "by-the-drop" method can lead to great inaccuracy. The size of a drop can vary greatly depending on the viscosity of the oil, the temperature the oil has been stored at and the opening of the dropper. Several sources report that the number of average drops of essential oil per ounce is much higher. In our testing and suggestions, we prefer to be more precautious. Less is more with essential oils. For the most accuracy in your formulations, we recommend using standardized measurements such as those shown on our Measurements and Conversions page.

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Diluting Essential Oils (2024)

FAQs

How do I dilute essential oils? ›

There are many types of products that you can use to dilute your essential oils, depending on your needs. The most common option would be carrier oils, but you can also use body butter, lotions, creams, and soaps. If you want to add essential oil to your hair, you can add them to your shampoos and conditioners as well.

What is the best carrier oil to mix with essential oils? ›

Some of the most commonly used carrier oils are grapeseed, jojoba, coconut and apricot kernel oils, as these oils are typically similar in structure to our skin's natural sebums and therefore absorb easily and don't cause clogged pores or breakouts.

Can I dilute essential oil with water as spray? ›

Water helps dilute your essential oils and give your spray volume. Simply measure out your water with a tablespoon and use a funnel to gently add it to the spray bottle. Consider using distilled water to ensure that your water is clean and free of contaminants.

What is the ratio for mixing essential oils? ›

Follow the 30:50:20 ratio when mixing scent notes - 30% top note (3 drops), 50% middle note (5 drops) and 20% base note (2 drops), label each new blend clearly. Essential oil blends perform best after 'resting' for a day or so, this will allow the oils to blend and harmonise fully.

What happens if you don't dilute essential oils enough? ›

Some common signs of sensitization include itchy skin, bumpy rash, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. By applying essential oils undiluted on the skin over time, your body can begin to trigger an immune response which can lead to sensitization.

What is the best way to mix essential oils in water? ›

Very strong alcohol of at least 190 proof can distribute essential oils through water. To use this method, you'll need to add the essential oils to the alcohol first and let the mixture sit for about an hour. Then add the alcohol & oil blend to your water.

What essential oils do not need a carrier oil? ›

Specific essential oils that tend to be safe to apply undiluted include tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) **Be sure it has not oxidized!, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), rose (Rosa damascena), and sandalwood (Santalum album or Santalum ...

How many drops of peppermint oil to carrier oil? ›

This means to dilute to 2%, you will only need to add 2 drops of peppermint oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, which can be easily done using the dropper. Of course, if you prefer, you can increase the dilution to 3% (which many people also find just as effective) by adding another drop to the mixture.

What is the best mix of essential oils? ›

Diffuser blends for every need
  • Sweet Dreams. 4 drops Lavender oil. 3 drops Bergamot oil. 2 drops Cedarwood oil.
  • Winddown Wonder. 3 drops Roman Chamomile oil. 3 drops Lavender oil. 2 drops Neroli oil.
  • Embrace Your Calm. 4 drops Frankincense oil. 4 drops Lavender oil. 1 drop Rose oil.
Mar 8, 2024

What is the ratio of essential oils to water in a spray bottle? ›

For a stronger scent, mix 2 oz. of water in your spray bottle with 15 to 25 drops of essential oils. For a milder scent, a good guideline is 20 drops of essential oil in 4 oz. of water.

Can I put essential oils in a plastic spray bottle? ›

Most sources recommend a glass bottle with an airtight lid. Rubber and plastic containers and cap components can be damaged and deteriorated by pure essential oils. Take care to prolong the life of your pure essential oils by storing in a cool, dark, dry place.

What is the 30/50/20 rule for essential oils? ›

If you are unsure how much to use, you can follow a few different guidelines: The 30-50-20 rule: your mixture is 30% of your top note, 50% of your middle note, and 20% of your base note.

What is a safe dilution of essential oils? ›

General dilution guidelines are:
  • Adults: Usually, a 2-3% dilution is suitable, about 12-18 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
  • Children (5-10), Frail Elderly, Sensitive Skin: A lower dilution of 1% or less (6 drops per ounce) is suggested for these demographics.
Aug 10, 2020

What is best to dilute essential oils? ›

While carrier oils tend to be the best choice for easily diluting essential oils, they are not the only option at your disposal. Lotions and creams can be a great alternative for skin applications, as they often contain their own set of natural properties, and are thick enough to avoid irritation.

How many drops of essential oil do I add to water? ›

Most experts recommend up to 5 drops per 100ml of water, just remember that many diffusers hold much more water than that. When it comes to oil, each flavour is different. You would only want to use 1 drop of Wintergreen Oil, for example, but you might want to use more drops of Lavender Oil.

Which two essential oils do not need to be diluted? ›

According to many aromatherapy practitioners, Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, Helichrysum italicum, and Chamaemelum nobile are the only essential oils that can be safely used undiluted.

Can I mix essential oils with water in a humidifier? ›

Evaporative humidifiers should NEVER be used with essential oils. Any foreign materials added to the water, such as essential oils, will be trapped by the wicking filter. This will cause the filter to break down and possibly fail. So, no, you can not use essential oils in your evaporative humidifier.

What essential oils should not be mixed together? ›

The combination of Peppermint and Thyme may lead to stomach irritation. There is also some evidence that skin irritation may be caused by the combination of Peppermint and Ylang Ylang, or Grapefruit blended with Lemon.

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