Consult a medical or aromatherapy professional before you use an essential oil, especially if you have any allergies. [3] X Expert Source Renee HughesCertified Professional Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 14 April 2022. Never ingest an essential oil. Never apply an undiluted essential oil to your skin. [4] X Expert Source Renee HughesCertified Professional Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 14 April 2022. Make sure that you are not using fragrance oils, which have similar packaging. Unlike essential oils, fragrance oils are synthetic and have no health benefits.
Some essential oil enthusiasts dislike the thickness and texture of some olive oils. If you tend to dislike foods that rely on olive oil, try using sweet almond oil instead. Olive oil has a 2-year shelf life, while sweet almond oil usually won’t be good for more than 10 months. Apricot oil is a good alternative to almond oil if you enjoy fruitier scents. [6] X Expert Source Julie Brow-PolancoMaster Herbalist & Certified Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 12 April 2022. It can be a little more expensive, though. Apricot oil has a shelf life of 1 year. If you were storing a carrier oil in the refrigerator to preserve its shelf life, leave it out on your counter for a few hours to let it return to room temperature.
Marula, rosehip, and Argan oil are all rich in antioxidants, which make them great for facial treatments. These oils have a shelf life of 2 years, although it is recommended that you use marula oil within 6 months of the bottling date. Avocado oil has a shelf life of 1 year, jojoba oil will last 5 years, while primrose oil will only last for 6-9 months. Fractionated coconut oil, which will last for 2 years, is a good option for skin treatments if you prefer a thinner texture. If you were storing oils in the refrigerator, leave them out on your counter for a few hours to bring them to room temperature before using them.
Common carrier oils include olive oil, apricot oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. Any oil that you can ingest or cook with can be used as a carrier oil. While essential oils are not safe to touch, carrier oils are perfectly fine to handle on their own.
Children younger than 6 years old should never be exposed to a solution that is more than 0. 25% essential oil.
Coconut oil makes a great carrier oil for massages. Essential oil blends are good for massages if you’re experiencing stress, trouble sleeping, or headaches. Find an oil you like and mix it with some coconut oil for a great massage experience! A 2% dilution is really good for massage oils. [12] X Expert Source Renee HughesCertified Professional Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 14 April 2022.
Other common essential oils used in perfume include vanilla and jasmine.
Stronger oils like clove, oregano, and lemongrass tend to be good for clearing out your respiratory system. Research individual essential oils online if you aren’t sure of their potency.
Do this over a sink or dry towel in case you end up spilling. Oils can be tricky and annoying to clean up. Use an empty dropper bottle to store your mixture if you plan on mixing your solution with something else. The pipette under the cap will make it easier to add your essential oil mixture to an aromatherapy machine or lotion. Make sure that your empty dropper bottle has been thoroughly wiped clean if you were using it for something else beforehand.
You may need to squeeze lightly to begin dropping the oil, but be ready to pay attention to how much you’re adding. It may come out quickly. The average droplet is roughly 0. 025–0. 1 millilitres (0. 0051–0. 0203 tsp). It can be very hard to measure essential oils using conventional methods unless you’re making a lot of a certain mixture, which is usually a bad idea if your carrier oil has a shelf life. Using the drops from a dropper is the best way to estimate how much oil you’re adding.
Add additional carrier oil if you accidentally add too much essential oil. It is always better to play it safe by diluting an essential oil with more carrier oil if you’ve accidentally added too much essential oil.
Don’t worry—diluting an essential oil doesn’t reduce its potency or ability for healing. [19] X Expert Source Renee HughesCertified Professional Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 14 April 2022. If you come into contact with an undiluted essential oil, you could contract contact dermatitis—an itchy rash related to eczema. Essential oils are unregulated, which means that they aren’t considered safe for ingestion.
Avoid using essential oils if you are pregnant, even if you simply plan on using them for aromatherapy. If you do choose to use essential oils during pregnancy, always consult a licensed aromatherapist first. [22] X Expert Source Renee HughesCertified Professional Aromatherapist Expert Interview. 14 April 2022.
