Can You Apply Essential Oils to Your Skin?
There's a lot of confusion around whether or not it's okay to apply essential oils directly to the skin. We'll answer this age-old question today.
First Things First
Always consult with your doctor before attempting any kind of alternative therapy.
Talk to a doctor to explain your situation and how it relates to essential oils before beginning your journey.
Select a Carrier Oil
Essential oils are extremely concentrated, so most of them are best if diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin.
Some of the most popular carrier oils:
- Fractionated Coconut Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Black Seed Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Olive Oil
Mix the Essential Oil with the Carrier Oil
When in doubt, go with a 2% dilution for maximum effects without irritating your skin.
An easy way to measure this is by adding 6 drops of essential oil per every 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
Take Precautions
Since you've diluted the essential oil, you've made it mild enough to apply to your skin without causing irritations. However, there are still a few other safety precautions to keep in mind.
- Do a skin patch test to see how your skin reacts to the oil
- Wipe off excess oil with a carrier oil because water will not be as effective
- Avoid applying citrus oils before going out in the sun to avoid phototoxicity
- Keep essential oils away from heat and flames as they are flammable
- Some essential oils can be toxic to animals, so avoid touching your pet immediately after applying essential oils
How to Apply Essential Oils to Your Skin
It is best to cleanse your skin first to avoid rubbing any undesired germs or debris into your skin.
When it comes to essential oils, less is more.
Rub a small amount of the diluted oil on your fingers and then gently rub it over the area you wish. Stay away from orifices as much as possible.
Here are a few areas that are generally considered the best places to apply essential oils:
- Back of the neck
- Wrists
- Bottoms of feet
Conclusion
For most people, it's perfectly okay to apply essential oils to your skin. However, it is crucial that you dilute the essential oil before applying it directly to your skin. Follow the guidelines in this article for best practices.