List Of Essential Oils And Uses For Home, DIY, And More + Reference Chart

This is not an exhaustive list of essential oils and uses. I’ve shortlisted the top 25 most commonly used oils and highlighted their aroma profile and ways to use them.

First, you’ll find an essential oils and uses chart for quick reference. This is followed by more detailed information on how to use each of the 25 shortlisted oils.

Whether you’re diffusing lavender for a relaxing evening or adding lemon to a DIY cleaner, you’ll love these ideas for how to use essential oils every day – simply and safely.

Top 25 Essential Oils And Uses: Handy Reference Chart

Detailed List Of Essential Oils And Uses

1. Lavender – Soft, Floral, Calming

Great For: Relaxation, skin-soothing, DIY body care, wind-down rituals

Blends Well With: Bergamot, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Chamomile

Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly oils out there. Its floral scent makes it a popular choice for calming diffuser blends, relaxing baths, and skincare DIYs. Whether you’re winding down at night or adding it to homemade gifts, lavender fits beautifully for nearly any purpose.

DIY Applications:

• Add to bath bombs for a soothing soak
• Stir into soy wax candles for a relaxing ambiance
• Use in a luscious beeswax lip balm for a lightly scented treat
• Mix into a clay mask to calm irritated skin

2. Peppermint – Fresh, Minty, Energizing

Great For: Focus, energy, cooling DIYs, foot care, seasonal blends

Blends Well With: Lemon, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lavender

Peppermint essential oil is known for its invigorating scent and cooling effect. It’s often used in foot soaks, scrubs, or even shower steamers to refresh the senses. A little goes a long way, especially in products designed to energize or reduce fatigue.

DIY Applications:

• Add to homemade lip balm for a refreshing feel
• Stir into shower steamers for a refreshing shower session
• Mix into a salt scrub for a cooling exfoliation
• Combine with vanilla to create this holiday favorite candy cane diffuser blend
• Get 37 more ideas for using peppermint essential oil for mood, home, and personal care

3. Tea Tree – Sharp, medicinal, purifying

Great For: Skin clarity, DIY cleaning products, scalp care, nail health

Blends Well With: Lemon, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary

Tea Tree oil is valued for its purifying and clarifying properties, making it a common ingredient in toners, serums, and natural cleaning blends. It’s a staple in DIY recipes for those looking to support clean, balanced skin and a fresh-smelling home.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a green tea face toner for skin clarity – if your skin tolerates tea tree
• Use in a DIY cuticle oil for nail and cuticle care
• Add in household cleaning recipes for a purifying boost

4. Lemon – Crisp, bright, uplifting

Great For: Natural cleaning, freshening air, energizing diffuser blends, mood-lifting DIYs

Blends Well With: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lavender

Lemon essential oil is one of the most popular oils for its fresh scent and strong cleaning power. Use it to brighten your mood, refresh your home, and add a clean scent to your DIY surface sprays or wood polish.

DIY Applications:

• Use in DIY cleaning sprays for a sparkling kitchen
• Add to summer diffuser blends for a burst of brightness
• Stir into beeswax wood polish to clean and scent wood surfaces

5. Eucalyptus – Herbal, cool, clearing

Great For: Congestion, home freshening, DIY shower blends

Blends Well With: Peppermint, Lemon, Tea Tree, Rosemary

Eucalyptus oil is refreshing and strong, ideal for those days when you need a clear head and deep breath. It’s frequently added to shower steamers, vapor rub-style recipes, and seasonal diffuser blends to help purify the air.

DIY Applications:

• Use in homemade shower steamers with lavender for a calming and refreshing experience
• Add to a face steam to open pores and refresh skin
• Include in diffuser blends to purify and freshen your space

6. Frankincense – Resinous, warm, grounding

Great For: Meditation blends, grounding routines, DIY skin care, self-reflection rituals

Blends Well With: Lavender, Sweet Orange, Sandalwood, Myrrh

Frankincense essential oil is often associated with mindfulness and reflection. Its warm, resinous aroma lends a grounding note to both body care recipes and aromatic rituals. It’s a wonderful oil for journaling sessions, quiet evenings, or reflective DIY creations.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a meditation diffuser blend for a centering effect
• Use in a gentle face serum with jojoba and lavender
• Stir into deodorant cream for a warm personal scent
• Include in holiday candle recipes for a comforting glow

7. Sweet Orange – Juicy, citrusy, cheerful

Great For: Mood-lifting, freshening air, cheerful blends, DIY body products

Blends Well With: Clove, Cinnamon, Lavender, Frankincense

Sweet Orange essential oil has a bright, happy aroma that brings warmth and positivity. Its scent is often used in blends to energize a room or brighten self-care rituals like sugar scrubs and whipped body butters.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a citrus sugar scrub for a joyful shower treat
• Use in a linen spray to refresh your bedroom
• Blend into a mood-lifting diffuser blend with clove and cinnamon
• Include in homemade body butter for an uplifting glow

8. Rosemary – Herbal, sharp, clarifying

Great For: Focus blends, scalp care, home freshening, energizing rituals

Blends Well With: Peppermint, Lemon, Lavender, Eucalyptus

Rosemary oil has a refreshing, herbaceous aroma that can help bring clarity to your space or DIY projects. It’s often used in hair rinses, diffuser blends for productivity, or simple home fresheners.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a herbal hair rinse with apple cider vinegar
• Use in a focus diffuser blend with lemon and peppermint
• Blend into a clarifying room spray for a clean, herbal scent
• Stir into a scalp massage oil for a refreshing pick-me-up

9. Cedarwood – Woody, smoky, calming

Great For: Evening blends, grounding rituals, men’s grooming DIYs, calming diffuser blends

Blends Well With: Lavender, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Frankincense

Cedarwood essential oil has a deep, grounding scent that makes it a favorite in evening routines and cozy DIY products. It adds an earthy balance to sweet or floral oils, making it a staple in beard oils and sleep blends alike.

DIY Applications:

• Use in a bedtime diffuser blend with lavender and bergamot
• Add to a DIY beard oil for a warm, woodsy finish
• Stir into solid cologne recipes for a grounding personal scent
• Add to nighttime pillow sprays to help create a relaxing bedtime atmosphere

10. Bergamot – Fresh, citrus-floral, uplifting

Great For: Mood support, gentle energy, calming blends, fresh DIYs

Blends Well With: Lavender, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Geranium

Bergamot is a beautifully balanced citrus oil with floral undertones, often used to brighten the mood while still promoting calm. It’s a favorite in personal care products and uplifting diffuser blends.

DIY Applications:

• Add to this pastel layered bath salt recipe for a visually and aromatically soothing bath
• Use in a DIY car freshener for a fresh, citrusy ride
• Mix into melt and pour soap for a gentle, refreshing cleanse
• Add to a personal aromatherapy inhaler for on-the-go aromatherapy anywhere

11. Rose – Floral, gentle, romantic

Great For: Skin care, romantic gifts, luxurious bath & body DIYs

Blends Well With: Geranium, Lavender, Vanilla, Jasmine

Rose essential oil is the epitome of elegance and skin-loving luxury. It’s ideal for pampering DIYs and makes beautiful gifts thanks to its gentle, unmistakable scent.

DIY Applications:

• Add to rose petal bath bombs for a spa-like soak
• Use in lotion bars or rose lotion for indulgent skin hydration
• Stir into wax melts for a lovely home fragrance
• Combine with jasmine essential oil to create this sensual shea butter soap.

12. Cinnamon Bark – Spicy, warm, festive

Great For: Holiday blends, cozy DIYs, warming body care

Blends Well With: Orange, Clove, Vanilla, Fir Needle

Cinnamon Bark brings bold warmth to wintertime DIYs, perfect for cozying up your space or making festive gifts. It pairs beautifully with other holiday favorites.

DIY Applications:

• Add to warming lotion bars for a spicy skin treat
• Use in Christmas diffuser blends for a holiday ambiance
• Blend into warming winter diffuser recipes for comfort on chilly days

13. Grapefruit – Tangy, sweet, energizing

Great For: Morning blends, uplifting skincare, body scrubs

Blends Well With: Lemon, Peppermint, Geranium, Rosemary

Grapefruit essential oil offers a fresh, energizing citrus note that’s perfect for awakening your senses and skin. It shines in scrubs, mists, and blends made for positivity.

DIY Applications:

• Stir into a lip scrub for a zingy, refreshing exfoliation
• Use in an energizing morning diffuser blend
• Add to body oils or creams for a revitalizing scent

14. Ylang Ylang – Floral, exotic, sensual

Great For: Perfumes, romantic DIYs, skin-loving blends

Blends Well With: Bergamot, Rose, Patchouli, Sweet Orange

Ylang Ylang is a rich, exotic floral that brings sensuality and a touch of the tropics to your DIY recipes. It’s often used in personal fragrances and decadent bath products.

DIY Applications:

• Use in hibiscus sugar scrub or hibiscus bath bombs for an exotic tropical escape
• Add to calendula bath powder for a floral bath soak
• Blend into a DIY perfume with other florals like rose or jasmine

15. Vanilla – Sweet, warm, cozy

Great For: Comforting scents, holiday gifts, skin-nourishing DIYs

Blends Well With: Orange, Cinnamon, Lavender, Ylang Ylang

Vanilla (or vanilla oleoresin) lends a warm, creamy depth to any DIY blend. This botanical extract is a crowd-pleaser, especially in winter gifts, self-care recipes, and body butters.

DIY Applications:

• Use in vanilla-scented gifts for the holiday season
• Add to whipped body butter for luxurious moisture
• Blend into a cozy lip balm with other sweet oils

16. Patchouli – Earthy, musky, grounding

Great For: Relaxation, winding down, earthy blends

Blends Well With: Lavender, Orange, Vetiver, Frankincense

Patchouli is a love-it-or-leave-it oil, but those who love it appreciate its deep, grounding presence. It’s ideal for calming sprays, relaxing bath products, and rich body butters.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a pillow spray to wind down naturally
• Stir into a bath soak for an earthy retreat
• Blend into body oils for grounding massage or self-care

17. Myrrh – Resinous, warm, sacred

Great For: Grounding, spiritual blends, skin-nourishing DIYs

Blends Well With: Frankincense, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Orange

Myrrh has been used in spiritual and ritual practices for centuries. Its deep, resinous scent adds a grounding note to sacred blends and is often paired with frankincense for emotional or meditative DIYs. Properly diluted, myrrh is commonly used for its skin-soothing properties.

DIY Applications:

• Diffuse these mystical myrrh blends to create a peaceful, contemplative space
• Blend into a personal roll-on for grounding meditation moments
• Mix a drop or two into carrier oil for dry skin care or cuticle oil

18. Clove – Warm, spicy, rich

Great For: Seasonal blends, cozy DIYs, warm home scents

Blends Well With: Orange, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Frankincense

Clove essential oil brings a comforting, spicy note that’s perfect for fall and winter creations. It works wonderfully in diffuser blends and warming body products.

DIY Applications:

• Add to holiday essential oil blends or warm winter diffuser blends
• Stir into a warming lotion bar for cozy body care
• Ideas for using clove essential oil for skin, home, and seasonal scenting

19. Spearmint – Sweet, minty, refreshing

Great For: Focus, cooling body care, kid-safe DIYs

Blends Well With: Lemon, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Basil

Milder and sweeter than peppermint, spearmint is uplifting without being overpowering. It’s a great choice for kid-friendly recipes and refreshing bath and body DIYs.

DIY Applications:

• Add to DIY lip gloss for a sweet and minty finish
• Stir into coffee bath salts or coffee scrub for a surprising combo of energizing scents
• Use in focus blends to refresh without overstimulating

20. Roman Chamomile – Gentle, apple-like, calming

Great For: Sensitive skin, bedtime blends, children’s DIYs

Blends Well With: Lavender, Frankincense, Rose, Bergamot

Roman Chamomile is known for its calming and soothing properties, both for emotions and skin. It’s perfect for nighttime blends and products designed for relaxation.

DIY Applications:

• Add to an oatmeal bath tea for gentle skin comfort
• Use in a pillow spray with lavender for restful nights
• Blend into a roll-on for calm to take on the go

21. Pine – Crisp, fresh, forest-like

Great For: Refreshing DIYs, winter-themed products, skin salves

Blends Well With: Fir Needle, Cedarwood, Lemon, Peppermint

Pine essential oil brings the scent of the forest into your home. It’s uplifting, invigorating, and well-loved in salves and soaps, especially around the winter holidays.

DIY Applications:

• Stir into a pine salve to soothe hardworking hands or outdoor skin relief
• Use in pine melt and pour soap (or cold process) for a woodland-scented cleanse
• Add to winter diffuser blends or natural cleaning sprays for a forest-fresh home

22. Fir Needle – Crisp, clean, coniferous

Great For: Holiday scents, calming woods blends, winter DIYs

Blends Well With: Pine, Orange, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus

Fir Needle oil evokes the scent of a freshly cut tree, making it a favorite during the holidays. It’s grounding and fresh, perfect in room sprays and Christmas crafts.

DIY Applications:

• Create a variety of Christmas tree diffuser blends for a cozy holiday home
• Add to scented pinecones for a natural decoration with staying power
• Drop into DIY Christmas ornaments for aromatic gifts or decor

23. Vetiver – Deep, earthy, smoky

Great For: Grounding, calm, emotional balance

Blends Well With: Lavender, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sweet Orange

Vetiver is often described as the “oil of tranquility.” It’s incredibly grounding and is often used in blends for deep relaxation, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a room freshener spray for a calming ambiance
• Use in a relaxing roll-on with lavender and orange
• Mix a drop with patchouli or frankincense in a diffuser blend to create a spa-like evening environment

24. Geranium – Floral, sweet, balancing

Great For: Floral blends, skin-loving DIYs, uplifting bath products, self-care rituals

Blends Well With: Lavender, Sweet Orange, Clary Sage, Patchouli

Geranium essential oil offers a beautifully floral, almost rosy scent. It’s a lovely addition to DIY bath and body treats, especially for those who enjoy a garden-fresh aroma. While not as common as rose, it has similar aromatic notes, making it a cost-effective alternative in beauty DIYs.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a warm bath for a pampering soak
• Use in a rose clay face mask for a skin-loving ritual
• Add to whipped body cream for a mood-brightening floral note
• Include in a feminine roller blend with clary sage and orange

25. Lemongrass – Bright, lemony, herbal

Great For: Deodorizing, cleaning, invigorating body care

Blends Well With: Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Bergamot

Lemongrass offers a vibrant, clean aroma with strong deodorizing properties, making it excellent in foot care, DIY cleaning products, and fresh-smelling soaps.

DIY Applications:

• Stir into an Epsom salt foot soak to refresh tired feet
• Add to soap bars for a squeaky-clean scent
• Add to a clay mask or face cream for a purifying boost – use in tiny amounts due to potential skin sensitivity

Want to know what each oil is good for? Explore this guide to the list of essential oils and benefits.

Special Mentions: 3 Exotic Essential Oils Worth Exploring

These essential oils may not have made it to the top 25 list of essential oils and use, but I thought they deserved a special mention. These three essential oils are incredibly potent, luxurious, and ideal for advanced DIY enthusiasts or those seeking to elevate their creations.

Blue Tansy – Fruity, herbal, vibrant

Great For: Skincare, calming inflamed skin, adding natural color

Blends Well With: Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium

Blue Tansy is a luxurious oil prized in facial serums and balms. Its vivid blue color and soothing properties make it ideal for sensitive or irritated skin. While pricier, a drop or two goes a long way.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a calming serum for glowing skin
• Mix into a blue balm to soothe irritated skin
• Use in your Blue Tansy facial serum for a luxe finish

Helichrysum – Herbaceous, slightly honeyed, and grounding

Great For: Skin rejuvenation, emotional healing, reducing appearance of scars

Blends Well With: Frankincense, Rose, Lavender, Myrrh

Helichrysum, often called the “Immortelle” or “Everlasting” oil, is renowned for its regenerative properties, especially in mature or damaged skin blends. Its unique scent profile and rarity give it a revered place in high-end skincare and emotional support formulas.

DIY Applications:

• Add a drop to your face serum for a restorative boost
• Blend into a scar or stretch mark balm
• Use in a grounding roll-on for emotional resilience

Neroli – Citrus-floral, ethereal, uplifting

Great For: Natural perfume, emotional wellness, mature skin

Blends Well With: Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood, Sweet Orange

Neroli essential oil, steam-distilled from orange blossoms, is a premium ingredient in natural perfumery and luxury skincare. Its unique scent profile makes it a go-to for emotional blends and romantic gifts.

DIY Applications:

• Add to a solid perfume balm with coconut oil and beeswax
• Blend into a facial oil for radiant skin
• Include in mood-boosting diffuser blends for emotional harmony

Special Mentions: Oils to Start With (If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed)

While a list of essential oils and their uses can make things easy for beginners, it could also leave you wondering – where do I even begin?

Here are a few easy ways to narrow it down this list of essential oils and uses:

If you’re new to essential oils…

Start with versatile, beginner-friendly oils that work in multiple DIY projects:

Lavender – calming, soothing, and blends with almost everything
Sweet Orange – bright, cheerful, and affordable
Peppermint – refreshing and energizing, great in scrubs and foot soaks
Tea Tree – perfect for DIY cleaning and skin care

If you enjoy making DIY body products…

Use these popular, easy-to-use essential oils in self-care recipes like scrubs, bath bombs, and butters:

Rose – romantic and gentle for the skin
Ylang Ylang – exotic and perfect in tropical body care blends
Vanilla – cozy and comforting in lip balms and whipped body butters
Grapefruit – fresh and zingy, great in morning scrubs

If you love seasonal and home scents…

These essential oils are ideal for cozy homes and festive DIYs:

Cinnamon Bark – spicy and warm, perfect for fall and winter
Fir Needle – smells like a Christmas tree in a bottle
Clove – adds a deep, comforting richness to blends
Pine – clean and forest-fresh for nature lovers

If you need grounding or emotional support…

Use these oils to create relaxing blends for mood, meditation, and calm:

Frankincense – meditative and spiritual
Vetiver – earthy and deeply calming
Roman Chamomile – gentle and soothing, especially before bed
Patchouli – grounding and great in evening body care

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

Essential oils add wonderful aromas and natural benefits to your daily routine, but it’s important to use them wisely to ensure safety.

Never apply essential oils directly onto the skin without proper dilution. Always dilute with a carrier oil such as jojoba, almond, or coconut before applying to the skin to avoid irritation.

Be cautious when using essential oils around pets and babies; some oils can be harmful to them.

Some essential oils require extra care or should be avoided during pregnancy or certain health conditions.

Read this detailed essential oil safety guide if you’re just getting started.

Essential oils can be a simple and enjoyable way to enhance your everyday life with natural scents and DIY creativity.

Don’t let this list of essential oils and uses overwhelm you. Start by choosing one or two favorites, explore different ways to use them, and always keep safety in mind. Explore this essential oil benefits guide to learn more about what each oil is good for.

With a little experimentation, you’ll discover how satisfying it is to fill your home and routine with these versatile, natural treasures.

Mini FAQ: Essential Oil Uses