- When is topical use of essential oils recommended?
Topical, or on the skin, essential oil application is most beneficial for: cosmetic issues, skin healing and to address pain issues.
- General Recommended Dilution Ranges
Prior to applying essential oils to your skin, you should always dilute them in either a gel, lotion, cream or fatty oil to the appropriate dilution. Diluting the essential oils allows for safe and efficient application.
The following chart shows the recommended dilution ranges for various types of aromatherapy products. Keep in mind, certain essential oils have lower maximum dilution ratios due to various safety concerns.
| Intended Use | Dilution Range |
|---|---|
| Facial cosmetics | 02. – 1.5% |
| Body massage | 1.5 – 3% |
| Bath & body products | 1 – 4% |
| Specific problems | 4 – 10% |
| Pain, wounds | 5 – 20% |
- Sensitization
What does being sensitized to essential oils mean? Sensitization describes the process of the priming of the immune system, which leads to a subsequent allergic reaction.
- Phototoxicity
Phototoxicity adverse skin reactions are caused when skin that has had a phototoxic substance applied to it and is exposed to UV light (sunlight, tanning bed).
| Phototoxic Essential Oils | Botanical Name |
|---|---|
| Angelica Root | Angelica archangelica |
| Bergamot (cold pressed) | Citrus bergamia |
| Bitter Orange (cold pressed) | Citrus x aurantium |
| Cumin | Cuminum cyminum |
| Grapefruit (cold pressed) | Citrus paradisi |
| Lemon (cold pressed) | Citrus limon |
| Lime (cold pressed) | Citrus aurantifolia |
| Mandarin Leaf | |
| Opopanax | Commiphora erythraea |
| Rue | Ruta graveolens |
| Tagetes | Tagetes minuta |
- Neat application
- Carrier oils
- Essential oils in the bath
