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Essential Oil Safety 101: How to Use Essential Oils Safely

November 28, 2023

Older woman smelling a 15ml bottle of essential oils

We live and breathe essential oils here at Glowing Orchid – literally! I know millions of other people do, too, because these plant-based compounds offer so many benefits like nasal relief, oral health, mental relaxation, disinfection, and more.

But, much as we adore these organic oils, we have to acknowledge that using EOs requires some caution. It’s not rocket science, but you’ll want to keep in mind a few guidelines for the safest, most beneficial use of essential oils. Here, we share the basic safety precautions you absolutely have to know about essential oil usage. Read these and you’re on your way to EO mastery!

The First Thing You Must Know About Using Essential Oils

Just because essential oils are derived from natural materials doesn’t mean they’re automatically safe for internal or external use. These oils are in fact so concentrated that the plant compounds in them are too potent to be used directly. So, before you massage, spray, or inhale that EO you bought, you have to know how to safely dilute it. We’ll discuss more of this further below.

Right Method to Use Essential Oils: Massaging, Diffusing, or Nebulizing?

The right way to use your essential oil depends on the purpose you’re using it for. Take a look at this EO methods quick guide:

  • Direct inhalation. This is a quick form of aromatherapy for a little pick-me-up, like if you need to refocus your mood and thoughts. Open the oil bottle and breathe in the scent. Alternatively, you can put a few drops of EO on a cotton ball and inhale it from there.
  • Diffusion. Our favourite type of aromatherapy, diffusing means spreading the vapors of the essential oil all around the room. This method uses a device called a diffuser. It’s perfect for setting the mood of your space – for example, if you want to be in a soothing environment before bedtime.
  • Nebulizing. Similar to diffusers, nebulizers fill the room with essential oil vapors. The main difference is that a conventional diffuser uses water vapor as a carrier for oil particles, while a nebulizer transforms purely the oil into a gaseous state. Thus, nebulizers disperse oil vapors faster in a more potent and concentrated fashion.
  • Reed diffusion. This is another way to fill the room with an essential oil fragrance, but in a more subtle way that doesn’t require electricity. You’d put your EO dilution in a bottle, insert some wooden sticks (reeds) in it, and let the reeds soak up and disperse the scent.
  • Bathwater. A soak in the tub can be therapeutic with essential oils. But don’t just drop your EO directly into bathwater! Because oil and water don’t mix, droplets of pure oil would still float around in the water and irritate your skin. The safe way is to mix your EO with a foaming product like a bubble bath or shower gel.
  • Massaging. Topically rubbing an oil on your body can ease various problems like muscle tension, anxiety, and body aches. But remember: essential oils by themselves can irritate or burn your skin, so you need to dilute them in an appropriate carrier oil.

How to Dilute Essential Oils Properly: Basic Rules

Here’s the fun ‘chemistry’ part. Diluting an essential oil means mixing it with a base material. If you’re applying EO onto your skin, the suitable base would be a “carrier oil” which is a skin-safe oil you can find at most wellness stores. If you’re diffusing EO, you’d typically need water for dilution, but make sure to follow your diffuser’s instructions.

For general EO diluting steps, click on any of the tabs below:

  1. Pick a carrier oil. It may take a bit of research for you to find your best carrier, but in general, the most versatile carrier oils include jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, and sweet almond oil.

  2. Determine the correct ratio. We base our dilutions off a ratio of 20 drops per ml. If you’d like to dive deep on dilution, stay tuned for our next blog post with a full chart of EO ratios, but for now, here are safe topical dosages for the dilution of common massage EOs:

      1. Lavender essential oil – 10% dilution – 20 drops of EO per 10ml of carrier oil

      2. Chamomile essential oil – 4% dilution – 8 drops of EO per 10ml of carrier oil

      3. Rosemary essential oil – 5% dilution – 10 drops of EO per 10ml of carrier oil

      4. Tea tree essential oil – 1% dilution – 2 drops of EO per 10ml of carrier oil.

  3. Mix, mix, mix! Grab a clean vessel, pour your carrier oil into it, add the correct number of EO drops, and roll between your palms gently until they’re combined.

  1. Check the diffuser instructions. You should always follow the directions that came with your specific diffuser.

  2. Be aware of the general diffusion ratio. The general recommended amount of essential oil for diffusers is no more than 0.3%, which is 6 drops of EO for a 100-ml tank of water.

  3. Start with a smaller ratio. If you’re unsure about the diffusion dosage, start with less essential oil – maybe 3 drops per 100 ml of water. You can then work your way up according to your preference and sensitivity.

How to Inhale or Diffuse Essential Oils Safely: General Guidelines

Inhaling an essential oil from the bottle can give you quite a strong hit of the aroma. It’s not recommended to directly inhale it for longer than 15 minutes, according to the Tisserand Institute, a leading educational center on aromatherapy.

Diffusion, on the other hand, disperses the oil vapors through the air, creating a more ambient delivery as opposed to direct inhalation. Using a diffuser or nebulizer, you can diffuse your EO intermittently throughout the day – 30 to 60 minutes on, then 30 to 60 minutes off, alternately.

During off periods, it’s best to have some “air exchange” by letting in fresh air. This prevents the room’s atmosphere from going stale.

More Essential Oil Safety Basics: FAQs

Click on any of these section titles to read more on each topic:

Are Essential Oils Safe for Kids?

When used with appropriate caution, essential oils can be safe and beneficial to children. In general, if you wish to add an essential oil to your child’s massage, you’ll have to significantly reduce the oil’s dilution ratio. These are the average child-safe EO ratios for typical oils used for topical application per age group, recommended by the Tisserand Institute:

  • 0 to 3 months – 0.1 to 0.2% EO
  • 3 to 24 months – 0.25 to 0.5% EO
  • 2 to 6 years – 1 to 2% EO
  • 6 to 15 years – 1.5 to 3% EO.

Many parents also ask, “Is aromatherapy safe for children?” Generally, the answer is yes, but again, you must observe extra safety measures. Clinical nurse Lisa Squires of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says it’s best to use EO aromatherapy only for kids who are 3 years old or older. She also recommends a personal inhaler for a child instead of diffusion, to avoid extended exposure which can lead to irritation of the child’s sensitive lungs, eyes, and skin.

Finally – and you may already know this by instinct if you’re a parent – essential oils must be stored away from children’s reach. Whenever you’re doing EO massage or inhalation with your child, make sure your little one understands not to touch or ingest the oil, as the substance can be toxic to them.

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pregnant Women?

Many OB-GYNs would tell you that yes, essential oils are generally safe during pregnancy – with special caution, of course. The first thing to remember if you’re an expecting mom is to ask your doctor about EO usage, because it’s your doctor who understands your specific health considerations (and your baby’s).

That said, plenty of pregnant women have used EOs without undesired effects. In fact, essential oils are popular for combating morning sickness and regulating moods, says the Moreland OB-GYN Clinic. Make sure, however, to choose your oil wisely in terms of brand and plant source. Trust only EO makers that have a solid reputation of being safe and reliable, as opposed to random EO shops from inexperienced dabblers.

It’s also crucial to know which plant oils to avoid, because some have reported side effects like uterine contractions and other complications. The word “some” is a far cry from “all”, and lists of essential oils you may want to avoid are predicated on a stance of caution. The science varies and is not definitive on some of these oils. For example, some say it is safe to eat cinnamon, but not use cinnamon oil.

We believe in utilizing intuitive common sense when science cannot definitely guide us. With the right application, in the right dosages at the right times, certain oils from the ‘avoid’ list can be ok. That being said, the following are some essential oils the Moreland Clinic suggests you may want to avoid if you’re pregnant:

  • Aniseed
  • Basil
  • Birch
  • Camphor
  • Caraway
  • Cinnamon
  • Clary sage
  • Fennel
  • Hyssop
  • Marjoram
  • Mugwort
  • Oak moss
  • Parsley seed or leaf
  • Pennyroyal
  • Peppermint
  • Rosemary
  • Rue
  • Sage
  • Tansy
  • Tarragon
  • Thuja
  • Thyme
  • Wintergreen
  • Wormwood

Are Essential Oils Safe for Pets?

This is a hit-or-miss. Various pets may have different tolerance levels for different essential oils, so to ensure safe EO use for your own fur-baby, it’s best to consult your vet first, and definitely steer clear of EOs deemed poisonous to your pet

According to experienced veterinarian Sandra C. Mitchell, cats are generally more sensitive to substances on their skin or in the air, so you may not want to use EOs at all if your kitty is around. That being said, we have specifically made our paw & hock balm with oils that are safe for cats, dogs, and rabbits.

Dogs may be able to tolerate some essential oils like lavender. But regardless of how dog-safe the oil is, you have to ensure your doggo doesn’t breathe in too much oil vapor. Veterinary experts agree that reed diffusers are safer for dogs than active (mist-dispensing) diffusers are, because reed diffusers don’t disperse oil droplets.

Oh, and no matter what you read on those pet-themed blogs, never apply pure essential oils on your pet’s fur! Vets all advise against this. Just think, if concentrated EOs are strong irritants on human skin, all the more on fur babies.

Do Essential Oils Go Rancid?

Yes, even the highest-quality essential oils can go rancid if exposed to oxygen, heat, and light. And, according to the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), rancid oils are more than just stinky – they’re outright toxic.

Put simply, oxygen molecules degrade the carbon bonds in essential oils, in a process called oxidation. This process is accelerated by light and heat, and ultimately leads to rancidity.

Storing your EOs properly can slow the rate of oxidation. Keep your essential oil in a food-grade bottle with a tight-fitting lid, and place this bottle in a cool, dark shelf. This is why you’ll notice most of our packaging at Glowing Orchid uses dark amber bottles.

Note, though, that even with proper storage, EOs naturally have a shelf life. Generally, these oils are usable for three years or so, but certain oils have shorter or longer life spans. For instance, the shelf life of citrus oils can be as little as nine months, while black cardamom oil can last up to six years.

As a rule of thumb, the moment you notice your oil smelling off, it’s best to chuck it.

A Warning on Essential Oil Phototoxicity

One of the biggest things to be aware of when using essential oils is their level of phototoxicity when in contact with your skin. Phototoxicity refers to an adverse skin reaction when essential oil molecules bind to skin cells and then get exposed to UV light. The skin suffers a ‘surprise sunburn’ ranging from mild redness, to blisters, to serious third-degree burns.

Phototoxic chemicals known as furocoumarins (FCs) naturally occur in many plants. When essential oils are extracted from these plants, even just 0.1% of FCs can cause phototoxic reactions. Here’s a local news story of an infant getting sunburned after gnawing on celery stalks due to the FCs.

If you’re a fan of citrusy scents, pay extra attention. Citrus oils such as lemon, lime, bergamot, and grapefruit are particularly known for their phototoxic qualities. The most notorious phototoxic FC in these oils is called bergapten, which is… controversial, to say the least. Some studies found bergapten helpful in adding skin coloration, like for vitiligo therapy or general tanning purposes. Unfortunately, other studies have also linked bergapten to health issues as serious as skin cancer.

So does this mean you should say goodbye to your favourite citrus oil for good? Not really! For one, if your EO of choice is phototoxic, you can simply avoid UV exposure for a minimum of 12 hours after using it, advises the ACHS. That means no sunlight or tanning beds, so be ready for a nice indoor retreat for 12 hours.

Another good news is that there are non-phototoxic versions of popular essential oils. The furanocoumarin in the oil just needs to be removed first, so look for products labeled FCF (furanocoumarin-free), bergapten-free, or similar. For example, our Glowing Orchid Natural Deodorant is made with bergapten-free bergamot oil, so you can tan safely while wearing it. (Wink, wink!)

What Should I Do If I Have a Bad Reaction to EO?

First thing’s first: If you’re not feeling well after using an essential oil, stop using that oil, remove it from your body, and if you still don’t feel better, call a doctor.

Adverse reactions to EO have various symptoms depending on how your body is affected. Look out for these EO toxicity symptoms and what to do when you experience them:

Bad Skin Reaction to Essential Oil Contact

Symptoms: Skin redness, itch, soreness or pain, sensitivity, burning sensation, or any combination of these

What to do as first aid: Remove any clothing that may have had contact with the EO, and wash your skin with soap and water. You may soothe the skin by applying a cloth bag filled with wet lukewarm oatmeal (that milky oatmeal dampness is a gentle anti-inflammatory). If symptoms don’t resolve after a while, see a dermatologist.

Bad Respiratory Reaction to Essential Oil Inhalation

Symptoms: Shallow breathing, sneezing or coughing, shortness of breath, choking or gagging, or any combination of these

What to do as first aid: Turn off the diffuser or close the oil dispensing vessel. Immediately remove yourself from the room and breathe fresh air from the outside. Do not return to the room until the oil fragrance has completely gone, which may take 30 minutes to several hours.

Eye Exposure or Contact with Essential Oil

Symptoms: Eye redness, itch, pain, tears, or any combination of these

What to do as first aid: Immediately flush the eye under clean running water, letting the water flow from the inner corner of the eye (nearest the nose) going outwards. Do this continuously for 15 minutes. If eye irritation persists, do another 15-minute rinse before calling a doctor.

In Conclusion...

These safety guidelines are the most fundamental things you have to know as you start using essential oils. (You can say they’re essential knowledge. Ha!) It may seem like a lot of learning to remember, but it’s really easy to internalize.

If I may add: it just takes your presence of mind to handle EOs safely. Settle down and be all there in the moment. That is, after all, the key to fully enjoying your essential oil experience.

xx,
Judit

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