How are we supposed to ensure that we have diluted essential oils properly? This question comes into our minds as we explore the ways of effectively diluting essential oils, while ensuring that safety guidelines are always adhered. But even before we explain further on the "how", we should always keep in mind on the "why" approach of dilution.
The "Why"
Most of our essential oils are extracted in its purest form, with that we know that the concentration is very high and applying directly to our delicate skins is a absolutely no-no! Essential Oil experts around the world do not recommend applying essential oils directly to our skin. The most adverse reaction experienced is skin irritation or worse, skin burn. Therefore, we must always dilute essential oils before applying to our skin to reduce any potential skin reactions. For some people who has skin allergy issues, we would recommend you to consult a dermatologist to double ensure that applying topically to skin is appropriate.
We know that one characteristic of essential oils is that it will evaporate fast when left opened or not stored properly. Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil in this case, can slow down and reduce wastage on the use of essential oils.
The "How"
So what is the most commonly used method for diluting essential oils? As you would have already known, carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils to reduce the chances of getting skin irritation. Dilution also reduces the volatility of the essential oil, while preserving the therapeutic properties of the essential oil being absorbed into your skin. Diluting essential oils can also come in various forms - from your daily shampoo, conditioners, aloe jellies are just as suitable as carrier oils. These are great alternatives that serve the same purpose of carrier oils.
Generally, diluted essential oils would work out for most of us. What about for those who aren't sure if they are allergic to the diluted essential oil? The answer to that is to perform a patch test to see if how your skin reacts to the diluted essential oil. The steps to perform a patch test can be summarized into 3 simple steps:
1) Clean forearm with mild soap and water and pat it dry.
2) Dab a few drops of diluted essential oil onto a patch of skin on your forearm.
3) Wrap a bandage around your forearm and leave it dry for a day or so.
If there is no irritation during 24 hours, remove the bandage and wash your patched area with mild soap and water. This would mean that the diluted essential oil should be safe to use. Even so, do monitor from time to time for any possible allergic reactions when applying the diluted essential oils.
Now that you have come to know some of the considerations of diluting essential oils. We will explain further on application aspect of diluting essential oils. For a best practice approach, follow our dilution chart below on the diluting measurements and guidelines suggested for both the carrier oils and essential oils.
This chart is designed based on our personal experiences and should be able to get you easily started. Typically, 1% dilution would basically mean 3 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil. It is definitely not easy for the first timers to measure the exact amount for carrier oil, but what you could do is to use teaspoon counts for the carrier oil. For children, follow a lower level of dilution between 1% to 2% with the use of KidSafe essential oils. It is recommended to start off with a lower dilution and gradually add more when required. We always believe that the safe use of essential oils is of paramount importance and keeping to a lower dilution level is always right thing to do. If you are genuinely concerned about the usage of essential oils affecting your health, do seek medical advice from a doctor or physician.
We hope that this blogpost has shed some lights of the approaches of diluting essential oils and any concerns that you may have. It may not be rocket science to achieve the exact dilution you require, but as the saying goes "Practice makes perfect", keep on trying and eventually you will be able to get hold of it.