Diffusing your essential oils is a great first step. Getting to know their scents and their uses builds your confidence. If you are just getting started, be sure to read my Introduction to Wellness and my Diffuser Basics posts! Once you feel comfortable in that arena it is time to use the oils topically. Using the oils topically means to literally rub them into your skin. There are some oils you can use on your skin “neet” (without a carrier oil) but most are best used with a carrier oil (and this helps the oils go further 😉). 

Essential oils are easily absorbed through the pores of the skin. Using essential oils by applying to the skin is a great way to see fast results. Once the oil is applied to the skin it is absorbed and enters the bloodstream.

Reading The Labels

When working with Essential Oils it is important to read the labels carefully. Each label will tell you how to use it and at what dilution rate. 

Carrier Oils

What are carrier oils?

Carrier oils are naturally derived from vegetarian sources and have a neutral smell. They aren’t volatile (they don’t evaporate) like essential oils, which makes them an excellent medium for dilution and application.

V-6*

• A Young Living blend that combines fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil
• Moisturizing
• An excellent carrier oil for all your pure essential oils and applications

*Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.

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Grapeseed Oil

• Light and thin consistency
• Well suited for massages; leaves a light glossy film over the skin
• Moisturizing
• High in linoleic acid
• Relatively short shelf life

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Sweet Almond Oil*

• Slightly sweet, nutty aroma
• Medium consistency
• Absorbs relatively quickly; leaves a slight hint of oil on the skin
• Rich in vitamin E and oleic acid
• Moisturizing
• Good all-purpose carrier oil

*Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.

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Jojoba Oil

• Slightly nutty aroma
• Medium consistency
• Superior, non-greasy absorption, similar to the skin’s natural oils
• Moisturizing for skin and hair
• Long shelf life

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Olive Oil

• Popular, easy-to-find oil used in both topical and culinary applications
• Thicker consistency; leaves an oily feel on the skin
• Stronger aroma
• Good source of oleic acid (omega fatty acid)
• Relatively short shelf life

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Fractionated Coconut Oil

• Unlike coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil is liquid at room temperature
• No noticeable aroma
• Absorbs well; leaves skin feeling silky and moisturized; non-greasy
• High in essential fatty acids
• Long shelf life

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Coconut Oil

• Solid at room temperature
• Distinct coconut aroma
• Solid white color
• Leaves a moisturizing, oily feeling layer on top of the skin
• Long shelf life

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Cocoa Butter

• Solid and difficult to work with at room temperature
• Best used when melted and blended with other carrier oils
• Sweet, chocolate aroma

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Shea Butter

• Solid at room temperature
• Nutty aroma
• Cream colored
• Moisturizing to skin and hair; leaves behind a moisturizing, waxy-feeling layer

Dilution Ratios

It is important to dilute essential oils, especially when using them on children. Skin irritation or sensitization from topical use is possible if oils are not diluted accurately. Follow the chart below when diluting for children (found on the Young Living Blog).

While I was researching for this blog I found this fun website that offers a downloadable dilution chart, check it out here.

Borrowed from Simply Earth

Placement

So now you know what carrier oil to use and how much to dilute each oil – but where are you suppose to apply the oils? Use the chart below (found on HelloGlow) to get you off to a good start.

Borrowed from HelloGlow.com

Photosensitivity

One last thing to keep in mind is that certain oils are photosensitive. Photosensitive oils are oils that when applied and placed under UV light can cause a chemical reaction that can result in a burn.

According to Young Living’s website, most photosensitive oils should remain out of the sun for at least 12 hours. Some photosensitive oils will require up to 72 hours out of the sunlight so be sure to research your particular oils and/or blends. Utilize the website and product guide for more information before heading outside.

Also, just to be clear. As stated before essential oils absorb deep into the skin, so deep that 1) you cannot wash them off before going outside and 2) you cannot protect your skin by using topical sunscreen. 

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission.