What is in this category
This category covers far more than the oils themselves. You will find single essential oils in 10ml bottles, in both organic and pure (non-organic) versions, carrier oils in 50ml bottles, empty amber glass bottles, droppers and roller bottles for your own blends, ceramic oil burners, and a few massage tools, bath bombs, beard oil and skincare collections that use essential oils.
Common single oils here include lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, lemon, orange, rosemary, clary sage, ginger and juniper berry. Carrier oils include jojoba, sweet almond, argan, apricot, grapeseed, avocado and fractionated coconut.
Organic or pure
Organic oils come from plants grown to a certified organic standard. Pure oils are unadulterated single oils from plants that are not certified organic, such as the Garden of Flora range, and they usually cost less. Both are used the same way. Whichever you choose, the label should give the plant’s Latin name, the part of the plant used and the extraction method.
Using essential oils safely
- Dilute before skin use. About 2% for the body (around 4 to 6 drops in 10ml of carrier oil) and 1% or less for the face.
- Never swallow them and keep them away from eyes.
- Patch test a new blend on the inside of your forearm for 24 hours.
- Watch for sunlight. Cold pressed citrus oils such as bergamot, lemon, lime and grapefruit can make skin burn more easily in the sun. Use them in wash off products or a burner, or keep treated skin covered.
- Take extra care in pregnancy, around babies and young children, and if you have asthma or epilepsy; ask a pharmacist or qualified aromatherapist first.
- Keep them away from cats. Vets advise against diffusing oils or putting them on cats.
Burners and bottles
A ceramic burner warms water in a dish over a tea light; add a few drops of oil to the water. Stand it on a heat resistant surface, keep the dish topped up and never leave it burning unattended. Amber glass bottles protect oils and blends from light, and roller bottles make a diluted blend easy to carry.
Storage
Oxygen, light and heat break oils down, and oxidised oils are more likely to irritate skin. Close caps tightly, keep bottles upright in a cool, dark cupboard and use citrus and pine oils within about a year of opening. For more scented products, see fragrance and mists.
Common questions
What is the difference between an essential oil and a carrier oil?
An essential oil is a concentrated aromatic extract, used a few drops at a time. A carrier oil is a plain plant oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond, used to dilute essential oils so they are safe on skin.
How many drops of essential oil should I use?
For a body blend, about 4 to 6 drops in 10ml of carrier oil. For the face, 1 or 2 drops in 10ml. In a burner, a few drops in the water is enough to scent a room.
Are essential oils safe in pregnancy?
Some oils are best avoided in pregnancy and others need lower dilutions. Ask a midwife, pharmacist or qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do essential oils go off?
Yes. They oxidise over time, especially if exposed to air, light and heat. Citrus and pine oils change fastest. Replace any oil that smells different or has turned cloudy.