Diluting Essential Oils Safely – guidelines for all ages by application type
Confused on how to use safely Essential oils, especially with children, during pregnancy, or with the elderly? Wonder how to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to shampoo or a body lotion and make at home a safe DIY add-on product? Curious about learning the basics of Aromatherapy blending and make simple blends for the whole family?
Here is a very useful, safe, and easy-to-follow guide on how to use essential oils by diffusion and applied with different methods on the skin.
We do not recommend the neat or undiluted use of essential oils on the skin or ingestion unless under the supervision of a professional Certified Aromatherapist. Remember – some essential oils can be a skin irritant and toxic if used wrongly.
IMPORTANT - When blending Essential oils, professional Aromatherapists and Natural Skincare Formulators use grams and not drops. Essential oils density and weight vary not only by the type of oil but by harvest and supplier; working in drops can’t guarantee precision and replicating the exact same formula will be hard.
Our blending guidelines are very general and are meant to help Beginners and enthusiasts to use oils safely.
BURNER / DIFFUSER
BURNER / DIFFUSER(Dilution base 30-50 ml of water)
Always mix essential oils water (candlelit ceramic burner or electric diffusers). Various factors will determine the correct dosage of essential oils including the type of device used, the size of the room, and the age of the users.
MOTHER TO BE > 2-4 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > 1-2 drops
2-4 YEARS > 2-3 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 4-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
INHALER
INHALER(Neat application on a tampon)
Inhalers are very practical mini diffusers on-the-go. Ideal for respiratory conditions. Always use the same essential oil or blend with the same inhaler. Close the inhaler lid/cap tightly to avoid quick evaporation. Do not touch the tampon with bare hands.
MOTHER TO BE > 5-10 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 4-8 drops
4-12 YEARS > 4-10 drops
ADULTS > 5-20 drops
SENIORS > 5-15 drops
PULSE POINTS
PULSE POINTS(Dilution base 1 ml of oil)
For a quick yet effective application of essential oils for those who are on-the-go or traveling, you can apply a blend directly to the pulse points (wrists, inner forearm, and neck) three times a day.
MOTHER TO BE > 0.5 drop
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > do not use
4-12 YEARS > do not use
ADULTS > 1-2 drops
SENIORS > 0.5 – 1 drop
BODY MASSAGE
BODY MASSAGE(Dilution base 5 ml of oil, cream)
Massage is soothing (relaxes nerves and muscles), stimulating (improves circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system, improves muscle tones) and therapeutic (helps repair joint damage, reduces edema and inflammation). In the case of severe muscle pain dilutions of oils can be doubled.
MOTHER TO BE > 1 drop
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > 0.5 drop
2-4 YEARS > 0.5 drop
4-12 YEARS > 1-2 drops
ADULTS > 2-5 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
FOOT MASSAGE
FOOT MASSAGE(Dilution base 5 ml of oil, cream)
Foot massage is a great way to relax and absorb essential oils without oily applications. Very useful to treat infections and fungus. Add essential oils to warm water and soak for 10 to 20 minutes.
MOTHER TO BE > 0.5-1 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > do not use
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 5-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
BATH
BATH(Full bath tab)
Essential oils added to hot water will evaporate while being inhaled and absorbed through the skin at the same time. You can dilute them in a carrier oil, milk, or salt as essential oils are not water-soluble; and if undiluted they will float on top of the water.
MOTHER TO BE > 4-5 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 4-5 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 7-10 drops
SENIORS > 4-5 drops
FOOT SOAK
FOOT SOAK(Dilution base 1-2 liters of water)
Always mix essential oils water (candlelit ceramic burner or electric diffusers). Various factors will determine the correct dosage of essential oils including the type of device used, the size of the room, and the age of the users.
MOTHER TO BE > 2-4 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > 1-2 drops
2-4 YEARS > 2-3 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 4-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
COMPRESS
COMPRESS(Dilution base 0.5 to 1 l of water)
Soak a clean cloth in hot or cold water (depending on the type of injury) mixed with essential oils; squeeze out the excess liquid, apply the compress to the affected area and wrap it with plastic wrap. Keep the compress in place until it cools or warms to body temperature. Very effective aid for musculoskeletal pain.
MOTHER TO BE > 2-3 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 1-2 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 3-5 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
FACE CARE
FACE CARE(Dilution base 50 gr of cream, oil, gel)
Ready-made, non-fragranced base creams, lotions, or gels can be enhanced with essential oils. If using for the first time, please do a patch test. Please follow the suggested dilution carefully.
MOTHER TO BE > 1-3 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > 1-2 drops
2-4 YEARS > 1-2 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 3-6 drops
SENIORS > 3-4 drops
BODY LOTION
BODY LOTION(Dilution base 50 gr. of cream)
Ready-made, non-fragranced base creams, lotions, or gels can be enhanced with essential oils. If using for the first time, please do a patch test. Please follow the suggested dilution carefully.
MOTHER TO BE > 2-5 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 1-2 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 4-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
FLORAL WATER
FLORAL WATER(Dilution base 50 ml of water )
Mixing essential oils water is easy but requires shaking before each use or addition a solubiliser. If using for the first time, please do a patch test. Please follow the suggested dilution carefully. Un-preserved floral water will last 7-10 days, then discharge.
MOTHER TO BE > 2-4 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 2-3 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 4-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
HAIR CARE
HAIR CARE(Dilution base 50 ml)
Some essential oils can cause irritation to the eyes, therefore, they should be added to shampoos and conditioners with care. Please do a skin patch test if using for the first time.
MOTHER TO BE > 3-4 drops
0-3 MONTHS > do not use
3-24 MONTHS > do not use
2-4 YEARS > 1-2 drops
4-12 YEARS > 2-3 drops
ADULTS > 4-6 drops
SENIORS > 2-3 drops
Useful basics for blending essential oils safely
1 TEASPOON > 5 ml or 1/6 ounce or 80 to 120 drops 2 TEASPOONS > 10 ml or 1/3 ounce or 16 to 240 drops3 TABLESPOONS OR 1 TABLESPOON > 15 ml or 1/2 ounce or 240 360 dropsApplication of Essential Oils on the skin –
easy reference dilutions chart
Essential oils are very concentrated plant extracts. Because of their chemical composition, if applied neat (not diluted), chances are that our immune system will react either immediately after a few applications. The best way to enjoy the wonderful benefits of essential oils is to mix, dilute them with a base that ‘carries’ them into the skin for optimum and safe absorption. A carrier can be a cold-pressed oil and infused or macerated oil, a gel, a cream or lotion, salt, sugar, honey, butters.
Important to remember that some essential oils are more prone to cause irritation or even sensitization even to the normal individual—those oils should be used with the utmost care and always do a skin patch test first.
Certain essential oils are more inclined to cause skin irritation or/and sensitization in normal individuals than other oils. For those with sensitive skin.
some oils should be used with care and heavily diluted. (Basil, Black Pepper, Cinnamon Cassia, Clove buds, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger, Lemongrass, Oregano, Peppermint, Pine, Raversara, Ravintsara, Red Thyme, Wintergreen).
All dilutions are in drops. Dilution rates differ depending on which essential oil is chosen.
*use a toothpick to obtain half a drop
THICKNESS OF CARRIER OILS – HOW QUICKLY THEY ABSORB ON YOUR SKIN
Light, Fine > Rice Bran, Evening Primrose, Rosehip, Grapeseed, Sunflower
Medium > Jojoba, Almond, Apricot, Avocado, Macadamia, Sesame, Nigella, Argan
Thick, Heavy > Prickly Pear, Coconut, Olive, Shea butter, Mango butter
