Drops & Dilution Guidelines
As a general rule, essential oils with the exception of a very few (such as Tea Tree, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Frankincense, Helichrysum, and a few more) should ALWAYS be diluted when applied to the skin.
When used with a nebulizer, essential oils should NEVER be diluted with carrier oils, because these are thicker and will clog the nebulizer. When diffused essential oils can only be mixed with other essential oils.
1% Dilution = 5 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil (lotion, oil, butter, etc)
2% Dilution = 10 to 12 drops per ounce...
3% Dilution = 15 to 18 drops per ounce ...
... and so on up to 10 percent blends.
Neat (undiluted) application should be reserved for extremely acute situations such as a minor cut or scrape or carefully dabbing on a blemish. Neat use of essential oils on a regular basis is not recommended as it may cause sensitization and skin irritation.
What Percentage Should I Use?
1% is used for sensitive skin, young people, old people, anyone with a compromised immune system, or just to be safe in case the person you are blending for is sensitive to scents.
2% is used for everyday use in lotions, body oils, room or body sprays, and baths.
3% - 10% for acute situations where you will only be using the blend on a small area of the body and/or for no longer than 2 weeks, such as remedy blends for headaches, sprains and bruises, nausea, cold and flu chest rubs, and so on. Reserve these high dilution blends for specific cases and only if they're recommended by a professional.
Where to Apply Essential Oils to Skin?
Besides the obvious massage, roll-on essential oils are pretty fantastic and an easy method for applying diluted essential oils on your skin, especially when you're on the go and don't have time for a massage.
But did you know that there are a few main areas of the body where you can apply your roll-ons for maximum benefits?
While you technically could apply diluted essential oils just about anywhere, the following four specific areas are the best places to apply your roll-ons:
- On the Temples: Your temples are a pulse point, which means blood vessels are closer to the skin’s surface. As a result, essential oils can get into your bloodstream faster for quicker results.
- Behind the Ears: Your skin varies in thickness across your body, and behind the ears is one of the areas where your skin is more absorbent.
- On the Wrists: The inner wrist is another common location to apply; your radial artery runs along the inside of your wrist, making it easy for your body to absorb essential oils into the bloodstream.
- Bottoms of feet: Your feet have some of the largest pores in your body, making it easier to absorb essential oils through the skin and into your bloodstream with larger pores.
We hope you find this guide helpful. Contact us if you have any questions. We’d be happy to help!