How to Use Essential Oils: Are They Safe to Use Topically?

Co-authored by Zora Degrandpre, ND

Last Updated: May 24, 2021 References

Essential oils are popular health products that could have all kinds of benefits, so it’s only natural if you want to try them out for yourself! One of the most popular ways to use essential oils is on your skin, which could help with wound healing and skin irritations as long as they're properly diluted.^{[1]
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Research source} But while essential oils are mostly safe, you still need to follow some simple safety tips to pick the right product and apply it correctly. As long as you follow these steps, you should have a great experience with essential oils.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Oils

A quick visit to the store or an internet search will reveal dozens of essential oil brands and companies that you could try. It’s overwhelming! You’re probably confused about which ones are good, and this is completely normal. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers are reputable, so you’ll have to do some investigating to pick the right oils. Follow these steps to make sure you’re buying a quality product.

You might not think the container has much to do with the oil’s purity, but it’s very important for keeping oils fresh. Plastic containers could cause the oils to break down and spoil. Dark glass containers protect the oils and maintain their quality for much longer.^{[2]
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2
Confirm that the ingredients and concentration are on the label. On a quality essential oil, the label should tell you all you need to know about the product. Look for oils that have clear information on their labels so you know you’re getting a good product.^{[3]
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- Look for the common name of the plant along with the Latin name.
- Some details about the manufacturing process should be there as well, like which part of the plant the oil comes from and how it was extracted.
- The place or country of origin should also be listed.
3
Check the bottle for directions and safety information. Reputable manufacturers will include safety information and directions on the product label. Check for this information on any oils you’re considering using.^{[4]
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- If there are no safety directions on the label, try checking the company website. If you still can’t find safety information, then it’s best to skip this oil.
4
Investigate the manufacturer of the oil to make sure they’re reputable. Unfortunately, there are many shady manufacturers in the essential oil business. Even if an oil looks good to you, you should still look into the company before using their product. Popular companies that have been around for several years are probably a better choice than newer or unknown ones.^{[5]
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- Also do a quick online search to see if there are any complaints or violations listed against the company. If so, then skip this oil.
- Keep the cost in mind as well. If a product is much cheaper than other comparable oils, then it's probably diluted or adulterated in some way.^{[6]
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- If you have any questions, try contacting the manufacturer to ask. A reputable company will be happy to give you more details about the product. If a company seems hesitant to answer your questions, then it's best to skip their product.
5
Confirm that oils are safe for use on your skin. Certain essential oils are too strong for use on your skin and could cause irritations. Always check the safety information on the product label to confirm that it's safe for use on your skin. If it doesn't say so, then it's best to avoid this oil to prevent any irritations.
- Some oils that aren't good for skin use include thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark. These could cause irritations even if they're diluted.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Diluting Oils Correctly

While it’s safe to use essential oils on your skin, they need to be diluted properly. Concentrated oils can irritate your skin and might even be toxic. Luckily, diluting the oils yourself is easy! Follow these simple steps to dilute your oils to the right concentration.

1
Check the concentration on the essential oil label. Some essential oils may come diluted already. Check the label for a percentage to show how concentrated the oil is. A 1-5% concentration is generally safe for use on your skin, so if the concentration is any higher than this, then plan on diluting the oil before using it.^{[8]
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- Keep in mind that some oils can still cause irritations even if they're diluted as low as 3-5%, so it's best to avoid using them on your skin. These include thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark.
2
Get a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil. Carrier oils are used to bring essential oils down to a safe concentration. Most nut, seed, or vegetable oils will work. Good choices include olive, avocado, jojoba, or grapeseed oils.^{[9]
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- Look for organic oils that don’t have any added chemicals. You’ll also want oils that don’t have strong natural smells so they don’t interfere with the essential oils.
- You could also use water as a carrier, but oil and water don’t mix well. Shake the bottle well every time you use it to dilute the oil properly.
3
Add 1-5 drops of essential oil to 1 tsp (5 cc) of carrier oil. This is a simple system that gives you a 1-5% concentration of essential oil. A drop of essential oil in 1 tsp (5 cc) of carrier gives you a 1% concentration, and so on. Mix the oils to get your desired concentration level.^{[10]
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- For a massage over large areas of your body, a 1-2% concentration is safe. If you’re using the oil on smaller areas, like injuries, then a 4-5% concentration works better.^{[11]
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- Dilute the oils more if you’re using them on kids. For children 3-24 months old, use a 0.25-0.5% concentration. For kids 2-6 years old, you can use a 1-2% concentration.^{[12]
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Adding essential oils to your bath is a popular and relaxing way to use them. You might think that mixing the oils with bath water will dilute them enough, but oil and water don’t mix well. This means the oil is still at full-strength and could irritate your skin. Dilute the oils as if you were using them directly on your skin before adding them to a bath.^{[13]
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Store mixed oils in the refrigerator so they stay fresh. Essential oils actually don't last forever, especially if they're mixed with carrier oils. They can degrade and spoil over time. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it so it stays fresh.^{[14]
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- Refrigerated oils should stay fresh for about a year.
- If you don't refrigerate the oils, at least store them in a high, secure spot where your children can't reach them. Essential oils are toxic if swallowed.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying Oils Safely

When you’ve gotten a high-quality oil and diluted it properly, you’re all ready to start using it. There are only a few more safety tips to follow to make sure you don’t experience any negative reactions. Keep all this in mind while you’re using the oil on your skin.

1
Follow all the application directions on the label. Before using any essential oils, make sure you understand the directions first. Read and follow all of the instructions on the product label for the right dose and usage.^{[16]
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- If a label doesn’t have any directions, then this might not be a reputable product or manufacturer. It’s best to skip this product.
2
Test the oil on a small spot to make sure you don’t have a reaction. Even if you don’t have any allergies, there’s always a chance that you’ll have a reaction to essential oils. This is what a patch test helps with. Take the oil and rub it onto a small part of your skin. Leave it there for 24 hours to see if you have any negative reactions. If not, then it should be safe to use the oil on the rest of your body.^{[17]
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- Some things to look out for are redness, swelling, itching, burning, or blistering around the spot you put the oil. If you see any of this, then don’t use the oil.^{[18]
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3
Massage the diluted oil into your skin. As long as you don't have a reaction to the patch test, then using the oil on your skin should be safe. Put a small amount of oil onto your skin and massage it in.^{[19]
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Research source} You can do this over sore or injured areas of your body to promote healing.
- While proponents say that essential oils help heal wounds, some doctors say that you shouldn't use essential oils on broken or damaged skin.^{[20]
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  Go to source} It's best to ask your doctor whether or not you can use the oil on cuts or burns.
- If you want to, you could also add the oils to a bath. Make sure they're diluted the same way that you'd dilute oils that you use for massaging.
Even if you don’t have any allergies or sensitivities, essential oils could irritate your face. Don’t use the oils near your eyes, nose, or ears to avoid any reactions.^{[21]
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Use all oils before the expiration date. Contrary to what you might think, essential oils do have an expiration date and won’t last forever. Check the “Best By” date on the oil you use, and make sure you don’t use it longer than that. Expired oils have a higher chance of causing negative reactions.^{[22]
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- If the oil starts smelling different or rancid, then this is a sign that it’s going bad.
- You can keep the oils fresh by storing them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.^{[23]
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6
Avoid sunlight after you apply citrus-based oils. Oils like lemon, orange, lime, bergamot, and angelica can actually make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This could cause a nasty sunburn if you spend too much time in the sun, so keep yourself covered and avoid direct sunlight after using these oils.^{[24]
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- Also don’t use tanning beds. These could cause serious burns if you’ve used citrus oils.
While you can use essential oils on young children as long as you choose the right ones and dilute them properly, doctors don’t recommend using essential oils on children younger than 3 months. Wait until your kids are older before using oils on them.^{[25]
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Medical Takeaways

Using essential oils on your skin is easy and could have all kinds of benefits for you. An essential oil massage could help with wound healing or minor skin irritations, and the aromas can be very relaxing. To make sure you enjoy all the benefits and none of the downsides, it’s important to follow some simple safety tips. As long as you use the right oils and dilute them properly, then you should avoid any problems with essential oils.

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Warnings

Do not swallow any essential oils unless your doctor tells you it’s safe. They could be toxic in high levels.^{[26]
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