Discerning how to use essential oils safely can put many of us into a quandary. But with easy-to-use essential oil rollers, aromatherapy can be enjoyed safely and effectively. And in this short guide, we aim to simplify the ins and outs of effectively using, reusing, and refilling aromatherapy roller bottles so your entire household can enjoy them. Read on to learn more.  

Can You Reuse Essential Oil Roller Bottles?

In this day and age, it's necessary to reuse and conserve items instead of throwing them away. 

If you plan to reuse your glass roller bottle, we recommend cleaning them thoroughly by soaking them in soap and water first then allowing them to air dry. Once dry, the roller bottle can be refilled with a carrier oil such as Fractionated Coconut oil or Jojoba oil and an essential oil blend. 

To go a step further, you can also sterilize the bottle and roller top in simmering hot water for 5-10 minutes. Let the water cool before you remove the bottles from the water. This step is especially necessary if you plan to give the roller to someone else rather than re-using it yourself. 

Note, that roll-on tops can be difficult to remove. Thus, using a roll-on key can be helpful because it allows you to remove the top without damaging the roller ball. Once the roll-on has been cleaned and filled, it’s time to reassemble it. This may require a little force, as the roll-on top fits very snugly in the bottle.

How Long Do Essential Oil Rollers Last?

Depending on the carrier oil you use, most roll-on blends will last up to 2 years. Some carrier oils last longer than others. 

For example, these carrier oils each have a lifespan of approximately one year or less [1]: 

• Sweet Almond oil
• Apricot Kernel oil 
• Avocado oil 
• Grapeseed oil 
• Hemp Seed oil 
• Rosehip Seed oil 
• Sunflower Seed oil
• Tamanu oil

When using carrier oils with short shelf lives such as Rosehip and Grapeseed oil, your blend will most likely need to be used within a year after opening. Here at Edens Garden, our roll-on blends are made with Fractionated Coconut oil which has a shelf life of 5+ years. The good news is that essential oil life is extended by blending them in long-life carrier oils. 

Carrier oils with longer shelf lives include:

• Fractionated Coconut oil 
• Jojoba oil
• Extra virgin olive oil

Carrier oils and essential oils last longer the better you treat them. They are affected by temperature, sunlight and UV exposure, age and oxidation. 

Below are a few best practices to follow to ensure your oils last longer:

• Keep oils away from sunlight and sources of heat
• Keep bottles capped when not in use to keep them from oxidizing
• Store all oils in a cool dark place

What Do Essential Oil Rollers Do?

Aromatherapy rollers help glide oil blends onto a specific location of your body for “spot treatment.” Roll-ons for spot treatments can be made for all sorts of issues such as using Tea Tree oil for acne as well as Peppermint oil for headaches [2] and migraines. Helichrysum essential oil [3] along with Myrrh and Cistus are great additions to a spot treatment scar blend. Roll-ons are also incredible travel accessories - small enough to fit in a bag or purse, they are easy to take on the go and small enough to pass through airport security. 

There are many reasons that roll-ons can step up your daily routine which include:

• Alleviating stress and anxiety
• Aiding sleep
• Improving mood
• Relieving tension 
• Breathing easy
• Increasing focus
• Relieving aches and pains

In short, an essential oil roller blend is a superb vehicle for numerous concerns. Peruse the plethora of roll-ons Edens Garden makes including our OK for Kids roll-ons.   

How Much Essential Oil Do You Put In A Roller Bottle?

Essential oil dilution is a necessary step in making roll-on blends. To blend essential oils into a carrier oil, the consensus for safe use of essential oils is 1-10% dilution. To get a better grasp on dilution measurements, our downloadable dilution chart is a great resource. Once you’ve chosen the dilution rate that’s right for you, add your essential oil then fill the rest of the way with carrier oil leaving a little space below the neck of the bottle for the roll-on top.

For spot treatments, Edens Garden uses a 5-10% dilution of essential oil, including for children. 

We understand that this may seem like a high dilution for some people and we often get asked why the OK For Kids roll-ons are diluted beyond 1%, which is generally recommended for children. 

Aromatherapist, Sylla Sheppard-Hanger has explained that the higher dilution rate is imperative to aroma and effectiveness. One percent is fine for full-body application, but roll-ons are meant for spot treatment. The roll-ons are not meant to be used for the full body. When used for spot treatment, our OK For Kids roll-ons are safe to be used on children, daily.

Lastly, it’s always best to perform a skin patch test when using new oils on the skin to reduce the possibility of skin irritation. 

SOURCES:

1. The Shelf Life of Carrier Oils. https://www.theresaneoforthat.com/shelf-life-of-carrier-oils/
2. Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27106030/
3. Essential Oils that May Reduce the Appearance of Scars. https://www.healthline.com/health/essential-oils-for-scars#essential-oils