Essential Oil Dilution Rate Guide
Essential oils offer a myriad of benefits, from enhancing mood and relaxation to supporting skincare and overall wellness. However, using these potent oils correctly is crucial to avoid irritation and ensure safety. This Essential Oil Dilution Rate Guide is your comprehensive resource for understanding how to properly dilute essential oils for various applications.
Whether you're blending oils for aromatherapy, topical use, or creating DIY beauty products, knowing the correct dilution rates is essential for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks. Our guide covers everything you need to know about safe dilution practices, offering easy-to-follow charts and expert tips. Discover how to safely enjoy your favorite essential oils and enhance your wellness routine with confidence.
How Do You Dilute Essential Oils?
Start by assessing what purpose you wish to achieve by topically applying essential oils.
|
Dilution % |
Purpose & Individual |
|
|
1% |
Face, bath, children 2+, pregnant & nursing, elderly individuals |
|
|
2% |
Body lotion & massage |
|
|
3-4% |
General adult topical use |
|
|
5%+ |
Spot treatment, pain & inflammation, roll-on |
Once you know your ideal dilution percentage, refer to our downloadable chart for information on how much essential oil and carrier oil to combine for topical use. From there, combine your oils in a bowl or a glass bottle and store any remaining oil in a tightly sealed glass container.
What’s The Difference Between Carrier Oil and Essential Oil?
Essential oils are volatile substances, meaning they are made up of small molecules that evaporate quickly. They are made of many naturally occurring aromatic components that can be irritating to the skin if used undiluted.
Carrier oils are non-volatile substances. They are made up of larger molecules called fatty acids that linger on the skin. Fatty acids are highly compatible with skin and offer moisturizing, skin-nourishing benefits.
|
Characteristic |
Carrier Oils |
Essential Oils |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volatile |
No |
Yes |
||
|
Made Of |
Fatty Acids |
Aromatic Components |
||
|
Moisturizing |
Yes |
No |
Because carrier oils nourish the skin, are non-volatile, and natural, they make an excellent diluent for essential oils.
Which Carrier Oil Should I Use?
Each carrier oil offers unique benefits. Refer to our Carrier Oil Comparison Chart to discover the difference between Edens Garden’s offerings.
If you’re new to essential oils and looking to get started, we recommend starting with one of the following carrier oils. These are some of our best sellers due to their versatility and long shelf life.
Can I Use Essential Oils Undiluted?
It’s never recommended to use essential oils undiluted. Essential oils are highly concentrated and very powerful, so only a little is needed to achieve maximum efficacy. Likewise, only a few drops of undiluted essential oils can cause skin irritation, burns, and sensitivity when applied topically.
If you’re still unsure about diluting essential oils, our line of prediluted Roll-Ons and Body Oils take the guesswork out of diluting. They are ready to use and diluted to optimal amounts for safety and effectiveness.
Have more questions about dilution? We have answers! Reach out to us at info@edensgarden.com.
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About the Author, Bella Martinez
Bella Martinez is a Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skincare Formulator and Edens Garden’s lead aromatherapist. An industry expert, Bella has spent years training and learning in the aromatherapy field, which she continues annually. Her passion is taking evidence-based aromatherapy and making it approachable for all.
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22 comments
Catherine Zombro Simpson
I’ve been exploring these for a few years and always love to learn new stuff about them.
Luz Palma
I am new to oils and would like to learn everything I can before using them.
Paulina Bloomer
Thank you.
Edens Garden
Hi Brenda! We offer samples of all our oils and various sampler sets which you can find here: https://www.edensgarden.com/collections/sampler-sets?sort_by=manual&page=1
Joyce
Am just starting with essential oils
Brenda Wiley
I have tried some other Name brand oils. Do you have any samples for free?
Loretta Doll
Just started to learn about essential oil
Heike
Hello. Can you please point me to the dilution download? I can’t find the button. I would like to add the Head Ease & Pepper Oil to the bottle of Hemp Carrier oil to use on nerve pain areas. Thanks!
Beverly Hill
Looking forward to seeing which carrier oil goes with which essential oil and how much !
Nikhi B
Great information
Sheryl Cooper
Thank you so mucb
cindy margarita
I love your page
Edens Garden
Hi Susan! A good rule of thumb is to start with a 3% dilution rate or 6 drops of essential oil in a 10 ml roll-on. Fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil. If you find you need a stronger dosage, move up to a 5% dilution or 10 drops of essential oil in a 10 ml roll-on. Again, fill the rest of the bottle with carrier oil.
Susan McCollum
I recently purchased a few blends and want to put them in roller bottles. Not sure which dilution is right for each oil blend. I have Aches & Pains, Inflammation and Head a saurus that I want to apply topically. How do I decide which dilution to try.
Edens Garden
Hi Jean! Lotion and body cream are both great diluents for essential oil. Following the dilution rate guide above, you would use the same proportions but with lotion instead of a carrier oil.
You can learn more about carrier oils here: https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-carrier-oil
Jean
You mention using a “carrier” oil and adding the essential oils to it. What is a carrier oil, and would there be an alternative, such as some kind of lotion or body cream I could use instead. I just don’t care for oily rubs and would prefer to use a lotion type rub.
Edens Garden
Hi Patricia! Unless there are specific skincare needs or desired characteristics of the oil you’re trying to achieve, you can blend the carrier oil in any proportions you’d like. You could try equal parts Argan, Rosehip and Jojoba and perhaps a teaspoon or so of Vitamin E because this oil is so thick.
Patricia Lattuca
Hello, I am looking to create a great face carrier oil base consisting of Argan, Jojoba, Rosehip and vitamin E. A blending that I will add my EO’s too. Can you help me plan the ratios for the carrier oil blend?
Patricia
Helene
Thank you so much ! That’s very helping to know :)
Edens Garden
Mary-Anne, we’re always happy to help! 😊
Mary-Anne
Thank you for all the information supplied for a newbie!
penny
November 18, 2024 at 11:02 am
Love this wish there was a snail mail booklet, chart, catalog