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Topical application of essential oils is a simple, quick, and effective way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.
- Dilution using carrier oils is key when applying essential oils topically.
- Learning how to use essential oils on the skin correctly allows you to experience targeted, localized relief without adverse effects.
Using essential oils topically is one of the simplest, fastest, and most effective ways to get the benefits of these aromatic compounds. Topical application involves applying diluted essential oil directly to the skin.
What makes topical application of essential oils so effective is that it allows you to target specific areas for desired effects. The benefits you experience will depend on the essential oil you use.
In addition, there are also many other ways to apply essential oils to the skin that can provide overall well-being for your entire body.
This is different from the way essential oils work when diffused and inhaled. While you can experience the benefits of aromatherapy by diffusing essential oils, it works differently. Inhaling the vapors offers overall benefits and not targeted, localized benefits.
Once you start using essential oils topically, you’ll see first-hand how this technique enhances your aromatherapy experience.
Important note: It is crucial always to dilute essential oils with carrier oil before topical application.
Benefits Of Using Essential Oils Topically
Essential oils have a low molecular weight, enabling them to penetrate the dermis and enter the bloodstream. When applied to the skin, essential oils can address internal issues and provide localized relief.
For example, using essential oils topically on pulse points can provide an energy boost or promote relaxation, depending on the specific oil used. Topical application is also effective for addressing physical issues such as sore muscles, headaches, skin irritations, bug bites, and more.
Due to their volatility, diluted essential oils evaporate quickly and reach the target area faster than some creams or lotions. This can lead to faster relief, which can be especially beneficial for reducing muscle aches or soothing insect bites.
This is one of many studies that found that topical essential oils are beneficial as an add-on treatment in reducing pain and stiffness in the investigated musculoskeletal disorders.
This study demonstrated that topical application of lavender essential oil promoted collagen synthesis and differentiation of fibroblasts, which have the potential to promote wound healing in the early phase. Researchers are exploring new approaches to using lavender essential oil as a complementary treatment for wound healing to complement conventional therapy.
How To Use Essential Oils On Skin For Localized Benefits
Below you’ll find some of the many ways you can incorporate topical use into your daily routine. Understanding which are the best pulse points for applying essential oils will give you faster and more effective relief.
- Ease Headaches and Migraines: Gently massage any of these essential oils for headaches to your temples or the back of the neck to ease the pain and promote relaxation, potentially reducing migraine severity.
- Soothe Muscle Aches and Joint Pain: Gently massaging a diluted blend of essential oil with jojoba carrier oil to sore muscles or joints can provide a cooling and pain-relieving sensation at that area. These are the best essential oils to soothe sore muscles.
- Reduce Acne: This study suggests that tea tree essential oil is effective in reducing acne-related inflammatory lesions because of its strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Apply diluted tea tree oil directly on the affected areas.
- Promote Sleep: Dabbing any of these essential oils for sleep on your temples or wrists before bed helps promote relaxation and potentially improves sleep quality.
- Treat Minor Cuts and Scrapes: Tea tree oil, known for its antiseptic properties, can be diluted and applied topically to minor cuts, scratches, and scrapes to help prevent infection and promote healing. Note: DO NOT apply to open wounds. Consult a healthcare professional for any serious wounds.)
- Reduce Inflammation: Essential oils like chamomile and lavender have calming and soothing properties that can help reduce inflammation associated with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- Soothe Digestive Issues: Dilute any of these essential oils for digestion over your abdomen area to soothe problems related to digestion.
- Ease Sinus congestion: Eucalyptus is the best essential oil for sinus congestion. Applying diluted eucalyptus essential oil to the chest can help ease congestion and promote easier breathing. (Avoid using eucalyptus oil with children or pregnant women.)
- Improve Focus and Concentration: Rosemary oil diluted and applied to temples is sometimes used to enhance alertness and focus, though research is ongoing.
- Boost Nail & Cuticle Strength: Read about the best cuticle oils for strong nails and how to use them.
- Soothe sunburn: Applying diluted lavender oil over sunburn areas may offer some relief due to its potential anti-inflammatory properties. (Aloe vera is a more established remedy for sunburns.)
- Calm Insect Bites and Stings: Dilute any of these essential oils to soothe bug bites and apply over the affected area for immediate, localized relief from itching and swelling.
- Reduce Fungal Infections: Some research suggests diluted tea tree oil might be helpful against toenail fungus, although more studies are needed. (Consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections.)
- Improve Circulation: Certain essential oils like cypress or clary sage might be used diluted on legs or feet to improve circulation, although research is limited. (Consult a doctor for any concerns about circulation.)
Remember, while these are potential benefits, the effectiveness of essential oils can vary and more research is needed for many of these uses. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils topically, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions.
Importance Of Diluting Essential Oils With Carrier Oils For Topical Application
Before getting into the different ways to apply essential oils to the skin, it’s important to prioritize safety.
Dilution with carrier oils is the most important of all precautions when using essential oils topically and deserves a section on its own.
Pure essential oils are highly concentrated extracts containing powerful plant compounds. Each drop is highly potent and can cause skin irritation, itching, or burning if used directly on the skin in its undiluted form.
Diluting essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin will prevent potential adverse reactions. Dilution with a carrier oil significantly reduces the concentration and makes the oil safer for topical use.
Carrier oils also provide additional benefits. They lessen the volatility of the essential oil you use so it stays on the skin longer. They also make it easier to spread a few drops of essential oil over a larger area
There are a variety of carrier oils to choose from, including grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil. These oils enhance the absorption of essential oils while also offering their own skin-nourishing properties.
Every carrier oil offers its own distinct benefits. Jojoba oil is lightweight and suitable for oily skin, while sweet almond oil is gentle and universally applicable. Coconut oil offers deep hydration for dry skin. This article on the best carrier oils for essential oils covers can help.
How To Dilute Essential Oils For Skin + Dilution Ratios
There are two ways to dilute essential oils for the skin:
1- If it’s for one-time use or occasional application, blend only one drop of essential oil with the recommended quantity of carrier oil.
2- If it’s for regular use, blend a slightly larger quantity and store it in a dark-colored glass bottle. Do not blend very large quantities at a time as opening the bottle regularly exposes the essential oil component to light and air, degrading its therapeutic properties.
These are some recommended dilution ratios based on age and specific circumstances:
• 0.5% dilution: Suitable for babies aged 3-24 months
• 1% dilution: Recommended for children aged 2-6 years
• 2% dilution: Safe for adults, older children, and elderly individuals
• 3%-5% dilution: For temporary use and specific needs
Plant Therapy’s Essential Oils Dilution Chart Magnet is the most convenient dilution chart available. It’s easy to read, easy to understand, and the guidelines are simple to follow.
Best of all, it comes with a magnetic backing. No matter where you are, the magnetic backing keeps this Essential Oils Dilution Chart right where you need it.
Always use a dropper when adding essential oil so you don’t accidentally add too much.
It’s always better to start with a lower dilution and gradually increase if needed.
This guide to diluting essential oils goes more in-depth into this topic complete with ratios, charts, and more.
Quality Matters When Buying Essential Oils for Topical Use
Buying high-quality essential oils is paramount, whether you’re using them topically or inhaling them.
Here are some key factors to consider:
Purity: Look for essential oils that do not contain contaminants, fillers, or adulterants. Check if the brand offers access to third-party testing reports that provide assurance of purity.
Botanical Source: The plant species and its origin can significantly impact the oil’s properties. Opt for essential oils that clearly state the botanical name and source.
Distillation Method: Different distillation methods can affect the potency and therapeutic value of the oil. Look for brands that specify the distillation method used (e.g., steam distillation or cold expression).
Organic Certification: While not always a guarantee of quality, organic certification indicates the plants were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Prioritizing these factors ensures that you are buying safe and effective essential oils for topical use. Remember, a reputable brand will be transparent about these aspects and readily provide information about their products.
Plant Therapy ticks all the boxes listed above and that’s why this ismy #1 recommended essential oil brand.
Topical Application Of Essential Oils: Precautions
- Patch Test: Before applying any new essential oil over on a larger area, it’s advisable to perform a patch test. Apply a diluted drop (1 drop essential oil + 4 drops carrier oil) to a small area on your inner forearm. Monitor for reactions such as redness, itching, or burning over 24 hours. This is to determine if you are sensitive to that particular oil before proceeding with wider application.
- Photosensitivity: Citrus essential oils including lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, and lemongrass can cause photosensitivity. Avoid direct sunlight or UV exposure for up to 12 hours after applying these oils topically. Consider using them in the evening or in areas of the body not exposed to sunlight.
- Allergies and Sensitivities: If you have known allergies or sensitivities to specific plants, chances are you will be allergic to the essential oil extracted from those plants. Performing a patch test can help.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding due to potential risks.
- Children: Avoid using essential oils on young children without consulting a pediatrician. For older children, I highly recommend using only KidSafe essential oils, which are specially formulated for kids’ gentle skin.
- Using Essential Oils on the Face: Facial skin is delicate, so extra dilution and a patch test are crucial before using essential oils on the face.
- Hot Oils: Some essential oils, like cinnamon, clove, and oregano, are considered “hot” and may cause skin irritation if not properly diluted. Always dilute these oils and follow the recommended guidelines.
- Open Wounds and Damaged Skin: Do not apply essential oils, even highly diluted, to open wounds, broken skin, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).
- Storage and Shelf Life: Store essential oils properly in dark, glass bottles away from direct sunlight and heat. Check the shelf life of your oils and discard any that have expired.
Choosing The Best Essential Oil For Specific Purposes
These are some essential oils that are commonly used in topical applications.
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are numerous essential oils with their own unique benefits. Here are a few examples:
Lavender: Known for its calming and soothing properties, lavender oil is a versatile option for topical use. It can help with relaxation, sleep, skin irritations, and minor burns.
Peppermint: With its refreshing and cooling effects, peppermint essential oil is often used topically for headaches, muscle pain, and digestive discomfort.
Tea Tree: Tea tree essential oil is well-known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be applied topically to address acne, skin infections, and insect bites.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus essential oil is widely used for respiratory issues, muscle pain, and as a powerful decongestant. Its invigorating scent is also favored in spa treatments.
Frankincense: Frankincense essential oil is known for its skin rejuvenating properties and can be applied topically to promote a youthful complexion and reduce the appearance of scars.
Remember to research each essential oil and its specific uses, as some oils may require additional precautions or have specific contraindications.
Whether you choose to incorporate essential oils into your massage routine, create your own natural perfume, or apply them as a soothing balm, the possibilities are endless.
Last but not least, always prioritize safety by diluting essential oils with carrier oils and following recommended guidelines.
Recommended Reads:
Best essential oils for the skin and how to use them
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
