So if you're googling using essential oils, you have been told to dilute....and yep, I agree, in most cases, that's a great idea!
Now what tho? How do I dilute? and with what?
First we want to understand a few things about EO's.
They dont like water, they like fat, so when we are gonna dilute we want to use what we call a carrier oil. A carrier oil is a fatty oil usually pressed from the seed of a plant. Think avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, coconut oil...
Carrier oils are the best way to dilute for topical use cause the eo will bind with the carrier oil, be absorbed slower and stay on the skin longer. That decreases the chance of a reaction, makes it easy to target large areas, and makes your essential oils go a long way. This is especially important if you are using EO's with your fur kids! But that's another blog :)
What carrier oil is best? Well that depends....on what your goal is...certain carrier oils are better for the skin than others. Some have their own aroma, or we might prefer one that has no aroma. Maybe we want a really thick oil, or maybe we want one that absorbs super quick...
If ya don't have a specific goal, my top 3 are:
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
Why? 'cause most of us have these in our kitchen and so ya don't have to go buy anything special, and they work well with most recipes.
If ya want more deets, click HERE to read my other blog post where we go a tad more in depth with info on carrier oils.
Once you pick your carrier oil, simply add a dollop or squirt in your hand, add your drops of EO's, rub your hands together, and apply.
You can also make a roller bottle, if ya need deets on that, click HERE
Let's get oiling!
So.... we've chatted smellin' our oils and eatin' 'em.....Now let's chat gettin' 'em on!
I can't stress enough, ya gotta read your labels, they will tell you how the essential oil is safe to use. The label will tell you if you can use it topically, as a supplement (orally), or by simply inhaling. It will tell you if the oil is a photosensitive oil (meaning increases sensitivity to sunlight). It will also tell you if ya need to dilute it first.
Let's chat a minute about photosensitive oils...we just learned that they may increase our sensitivity to the sun and our skin may burn more easily and quicker in the area of application.. So, what do we do?! We apply at night or under clothing...generally 12-24 hours prior to sun exposure is adequate.
If ya do need to dilute before application....how do ya do that, you ask?!
You simply mix it with a carrier oil. What is a carrier oil?!
A carrier oil is simply a fatty vegetable oil, usually derived from the nuts and seeds of plants (think olive oil or coconut oil) that is used to 'carry' the essential oil. For more info on dilution and carrier oils, check out my blog post "Should I Dilute My Essential Oils?...And With What?! HERE....
I like to keep things simple, so here is my 'easy button' for dilution....take a swipe of coconut oil with your finger, put in palm of hand, add a drop of essential oil, rub your palms together and apply. I like olive oil too 'cause I have it in my kitchen and don't have to purchase anything different.
Making a rollerball is also an easy way to dilute and have your oils ready to go. If ya don't know how to make a rollerball, download my step by step guide HERE
While we're on the topic of dilution, you may have heard of the term 'hot oil'. What is a hot oil?! A
hot oil is an oil that may cause redness or irritation with application. Oils high in phenols such as Oregano, Thyme, Cinnamon, Clove, and Basil are some examples.
It doesn't mean ya can't use these oils, just means ya need to dilute or find the best way to use them. Let's take Oregano for example- I don't want to smell like a pizza all day long, so I might take Oregano Vitality™ in a capsule for my immune system, rather than apply topically....
Here are some ideas to get you started with topical application:
- Make a rollerball (need help-grab my freebie 'How To Make A Rollerball' HERE)
- Use in a massage oil
- Make a liniment
- Make your own perfume (need help-check out my blog post on 'DIY Perfume' HERE)
- Make your own deodorant (download my fave recipe HERE)
- Add a drop to your natural face cream, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toner, lotion (really any natural skincare product you have to make it better or give it an added benefit)
Our Skin is our largest organ so supporting it is never a bad idea!
If you are using a roll on, massage oil, or liniment, you might ask-where should I apply?! Answer is, it depends on what you're using it for.... for example:
- perfume...wrists, back of neck pulse points
- deodorant...underarms
- Massage oil or liniment....target area that you want to support
If you're ready to start gettin' those oils on and easily incorporate them into your day, sign up for my weekly newsletter full of tips, tricks, hacks, and recipes HERE
Oil on!
One of the ways we use our essential oils is topically. One frequently asked question is-Should I dilute? In my opinion, the answer, for the most part, is yes.... and here's why:
If you are just starting out with essential oils, my motto is go low and slow, and diluting helps us accomplish that.
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Did you know it takes 75 lemons to make 5 ml of lemon essential oil? Since essential oils are so highly concentrated, diluting them helps to ensure safety, minimizing the risk of skin irritation and potential adverse reactions.
Essential oils are made up of many different molecules, some lighter weight that evaporate quickly leaving the heavier molecules. Dilution in a carrier oil fixes the oil where the lighter molecules hang around longer, and you have the benefit of the entire oil, not just the heavier molecules.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, oftentimes you only need a drop or two, and if you are applying to a large surface area, diluting makes it easy peasy! If you are making DIY recipes such as deodorant, where you need the essential oil to hang out on the surface of your skin for as long as possible, dilution with a carrier oil accomplishes that.
It also stretches your essential oil dollars, why not achieve the desired result with the lowest possible amount?
If you want to use essential oils with your pets, you will want to dilute. Animals have a much higher level of scent that we do because of a high level of olfactory receptors. Did you know dogs have 149-300 million receptors and cats have 45-80 million, compared to 5 million in humans? Dilution keeps you from overwhelming your pet. Less is more when it comes to animals! Some species take longer to metabolize certain oils as well and dilution slows the absorption rate. (For more info on using essential oils with your dog, click here, and for horses, click here.)
Lets talk about the carrier oils:
What is a carrier oil?
A carrier oil is a naturally derived fatty oil from the seeds, kernels, or nuts of plants. They vary in consistency and absorbency. They have a limited shelf life of usually 6 months up to a year. You will want to use a cold pressed and organic version. They can offer their own therapeutic benefits based on the essential fatty acids and nutrients they contain.
My personal fave is fractionated coconut oil. It's inexpensive and stays liquid, making it perfect for roller bottle and massage oil recipes. Due to its low molecular weight, it absorbs easily and deeply into the skin but doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. It doesn't stain and easily washes out of clothing. It also has antimicrobial properties and a long shelf life.
Olive oil is my close second, purely for the fact that most people, myself included, keep it on hand to cook with. Therefore, it's readily available, no extra effort required. It is a heavier oil and takes longer to penetrate into skin, which makes it useful if you want a longer contact time on the skin and a slower absorption rate. That also means it can leave a greasy feeling. It's high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, so works well for skin problems. You will want to purchase unrefined extra virgin olive oil, so no heat or chemicals were used in the extraction process.
Regular coconut oil is also a good choice. You will want to use unrefined, cold pressed, organic, virgin coconut oil. The amazing aroma can be a nice addition to your blends, recipes, or essential oil that you are using. Since it will remain solid in cooler temps, it's useful for DIY recipes, such as deodorant and salves. It contains saturated fats that can deeply moisturize skin.
I like to use Jojoba oil for diluting for the face or sensitive skin. Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax. It most closely matches the natural oils produced by human skin, so it absorbs well. It's very emollient without being too heavy. It has a light, nutty aroma, and a long shelf life.
Below is a list of my honorable mentions. Fine to use, but I often don't, simply for the fact that I always have the oils above on hand for other things, and no special purchase is required.
Sweet almond oil works well for combination skin as it doesn't clog pores but is moisturizing. Its light and easily absorbed, however it may cause a reaction for those with nut sensitivities. It is high in vitamin E, making it very nourishing and good for skin repair.
Avocado oil, deeply moisturizing and full of vitamins and minerals, can be too heavy for acne prone skin but great for dry skin. It absorbs slowly, providing excellent nourishment for older skin.
Grapeseed oil is moisturizing while having a light, thin consistency, making it Ideal for use on the face or scalp. It is readily absorbed and good for oily or acne prone skin. Commonly used for cooking as well.
Here's one of my favorite roller ball recipes:
Sleepytime
10 ml roller bottle
carrier oil
5 drops Cedarwood
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Frankincense
Add the essential oils to your roller bottle, top with carrier oil, gently invert back and forth to mix. Apply to the bottom of your feet, back of neck, or wrists and temples before bedtime.
So, in conclusion, no matter what carrier oil you dilute your essential oils with, by doing so, you are ensuring that you are using them safely and getting the most benefit from their therapeutic properties.
Have you ever diluted your oils? What has been your experience?
