This content was updated for accuracy and relevance on November 11th, 2020

As a parent, your number one priority is your child’s growth and good health. Traditionally, there are dozens of ways you can support and nurture their development, whether it's a healthy diet, regular exercise, practicing good hygiene, or putting them to sleep at a reasonable hour. 

One thing you may not have considered (but should) is adding essential oils to support their daily health. By selecting the right kid safe essential oils, you can take their routine to the next level. 

Are you curious about what the best essential oils for kids are? Let’s discuss the top 10 essential oils.
 

What Are Essential Oils and How Do I Know They Are Safe for My Children? 

Essential oils are concentrated extracts typically derived from an organic compound such as:

• Leaves

• Flowers

• Roots

• Plant peels

• Bark

• Seeds

They can be applied directly to the skin, diffused, or inhaled. When applying diluted oils to your child’s skin, it’s important that you dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil such as Jojoba carrier oil. Children between the ages of 2 and 16 should not have more than a 1% essential oil concentration in a mixture meant for topical application, unless the product has been specially formulated for children, by experts or unless you’ve consulted with an aromatherapist and doctor.

Before giving essential oils to anyone (especially children), it’s important that you know your source. The essential oil industry is not regulated by the FDA, so it’s vital that you aren’t simply purchasing synthetic fragrances that are being hawked as essential oils. 

Make sure that you’re working with a reputable seller. How do you know? A trustworthy, kid-safe essential oil producer will:

• Clearly label their bottle – This should include both the common and botanical name of the plant, the part of the plant used to make the oil, and the extraction method. 

• Third-party tested – Do not use an essential oil on your children unless it’s been thoroughly GC/MS tested by an objective lab for purity, safety, and quality.  We have GC/MS tests available on the EG website for all single oils!

• Buy direct – Buying direct instead of through a third-party wholesaler or rep ensures you are always getting a fresh product you can trust, and oftentimes, for an affordable price.

• Longevity – Look for a business that has been around for 10+ years before essential oils became a fad. Those brands have years of experience formulating and testing in the industry to deliver the most high-quality, and trusted products. Our company was founded back in 2009.  

What are the Best Essential Oils for Children?

Essential oils can be multipurpose, but some are known for specific qualities. To help you better understand what to give your child and when to give it, it’s best to separate them into categories:

Skin & Hair 

As your kids turn into teenagers, hormones start to go crazy. An unfortunate byproduct of that is oily skin and hair, which causes acne. We’ve all been there. Zits and blemishes can be embarrassing. But essential oils can help reduce them or even prevent them from happening in the first place. 

Powerful essential oils for the skin and hair include:

#1 Bergamot Mint Essential Oil

Bergamot Mint essential oil isn’t simply a fantastic aromatic, it also has properties that help fight bacterial acne. Like Lavender, this oil contains high amounts of linalool, which helps to soothe irritated skin and relax clogged pores.

#2 Thyme Essential Oil

With its many benefits, you might say that “Thyme-ing” is everything. This essential oil is not only able to support muscle health, but it also has potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When used in a facial cleanser, Thyme essential oil can help dry out oily skin and reduce blemishes.

#3 Soothe & Smooth Synergy Blend

The Soothe & Smooth essential oil blend uses a holistic blend of Lavender oil, Seabuckthorn Berry CO2. Rosehip CO2, Marigold Flower CO2, Pine, Evening Primrose CO2, Geranium, Frankincense, East Indian Sandalwood, Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Gurjun Balsam, Vanilla CO2, Rose and Helichrysum—all of which can help heal scarring on the skin when blended together. 

Calm & Sleep 

Do your kids toss and turn at night? Are their energy levels off the charts? 

Sometimes you might need some help putting them to bed or getting them to calm down. This is where essential oils can take your bedtime routine to the next level with a calming effect. The right, kid-safe essential oils can help relax their muscles and calm their racing mind to produce deep and restful sleep. 

Our favorite nighttime natural remedies:

#4 Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

If you’ve ever had trouble sleeping, a popular home remedy is chamomile tea. While that’s one way to do it, essential oils are more effective and go straight to the source. One of our favorite essential oil blends to help kids sleep is Sleepy Head synergy blend, which contains Roman Chamomile essential oil. Research has demonstrated that aromatherapy using Chamomile essential oil can help reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and nurture sleep.

#5 Lavender Essential Oil

Probably the most popular essential oil for sleep and relaxation (and for good reason), Lavender has been used to promote a deep slumber for centuries. The richly sweet aroma will help your child pass out in no time. Our Sleepy Head Synergy Blend mentioned above also contains Lavender, making it even more powerful for aiding relaxation.

#6 Calm 'Em Down Synergy Blend

Does your child need some help with sleep that goes beyond counting sheep? The Calm 'Em Down Synergy Blend uses a precisely formulated blend of Douglas Fir, Petitgrain, Lavender, Sweet Orange, Vetiver, Damiana, and Vanilla CO2. Together, these properties help soothe your child’s energized soul.

Energy, Focus & Moods 

Children tend to go through energy peaks and valleys—one minute they’re bouncing off the walls, the next they’ve crashed and are ready for a nap. For some, staying focused and attentive during long school days can be a struggle. But essential oils can help.

Start your child’s day off the right way through diffusing essential oils or by giving them an essential oil bracelet to wear during the day:

#7 Lime Essential Oil

Lime essential oil can be used as an aromatherapeutic uplifter to help clear your child’s mind and encourage positive mental energy when diffused. Lime is one of the main ingredients in our Focus, Focus, Focus Room Spray which is a great spray to help ward off distractions and keep your child’s mind attentive to their current task.

#8 Bergamot Essential Oil

Extracted from the rinds of bergamot peels, Bergamot has a wonderful citrus aroma that aids focus and increases positive moods.

#9 Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

One of the most popular essential oils in the world, Ylang Ylang is well known for it’s sweet, floral aroma. It helps relax the mind and instill a sense of peace, which could help combat school-related anxiety. Part of having maximum brain function and staying alert during the day comes with having a good night's rest, that’s where our Sleep Head Synergy Blend comes in. It contains Ylang Ylang as one of its core properties.

#10 Vetiver Essential Oil

Vetiver has been long used to help provide emotional and physical comfort. It has an earthy aroma that helps your child deeply concentrate on their schoolwork. Our Study Buddy Synergy Blend is what we recommend for maximum results as it contains Vetiver along with many other oils that help prevent a wandering mind. 

Essential Oils Safe for Children

As long as you're buying from a reputable source and following the proper essential oil safety instructions for best practices (such as the proper diluted essential oil ratio for topical application), essential oils are safe to use and can produce countless benefits in your child’s life. The right type of essential oil can help with:

• Cleaner healthier skin and hair

• A sense of calm and deep restful sleep

• Greater mental clarity and focus 

Safe Vs. Unsafe Essential Oils For Toddlers

Some additional oils that are on the kid safe essential oil list include Lemon oil, Patchouli oil and Tea Tree oil whereas, some examples of essential oils not safe for kids are Eucalyptus globulus oil, Eucalyptus radiata oil, Peppermint oil, Cinnamon Bark oil and Rosemary essential oil.

So, if you’re looking for a way to augment your kid’s daytime and nighttime routines, using our kid friendly essential oils in an ultrasonic diffuser is the answer. All of these oils have been tested and approved by a certified aromatherapist and we created a separate line called OK For Kids.

Sources:

1. NCBI. Effects of Aromatherapy on the Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Sleep Quality of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients in Intensive Care Units. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3588400/
   
   
2. NCBI. Lavender and the Nervous System. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/