Safety Advice
Essential oils are strong and highly concentrated natural extracts. They should be used with care and respect because they can be harmful if not used properly. Below is an advice to make sure you use essential oils safely and effectively. Please note that this list is not a complete safety guide. If you are unsure about using essential oil, please contact us or a qualified local aromatherapist for advice.
- Some essential oils are flammable liquids
- Store in a safe place away from children and pets
- Some essential oils are not safe for pregnant women
- Seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist before using an essential oil with babies or children
- Do not ingest essential oils and avoid contact with eyes and mouth area
- Some essential oils may cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. Patch test first before using any oil products
- Essential oils such as bergamot and other citrus oils may cause skin discoloration and sensitization under bright sunlight
Topical Application Dilution
Here is the recommended number of essential oil drops to use in 1 fl oz (30mL) of carrier oil or lotion.
1% Dilution – Gentle (5 to 6 drops in 1 fl-oz): Safe for children, elders, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness.
2% Dilution – Mild (10 to 12 drops in 1 fl-oz): Safe for healthy adults and long-term use.
3% Dilution – Moderate (15 to 18 drops in 1 fl-oz): Specific illness or injury, short-term use (3 to 4 weeks)
5% Dilution – Strong (25 to 30 drops in 1 fl-oz): Acute injury or illness, short term use (1 to 2 weeks)
Pregnancy, Babies, Infants, and Children
If you are pregnant, you should consult your midwife, doctor, or aromatherapist before using any essential oils to make sure that it will not contradict during pregnancy. After being endorsed by doctor or aromatherapist, essential oil should be used after the first trimester at 1% concentration only. Essential oils that are best avoided during pregnancy include camphor, rosemary, sage, and savin oil.
Undiluted essential oils must never be used for babies up to 3 years old. Essential oils should be used at much lower concentrations for infants and children. The correct amount should be carefully calculated based on the child’s body weight.
Irritants and Sensitizers
Some essential oils may cause skin irritation if used with high concentration or used for a long period of time. The most common irritants and sensitizer oils include:
- Bay leaf oil
- Cinnamon bark oil
- Clove oils
- Litsea cubeba
- Origanum oil
- Tagette oil
- Thyme white and red oil
Photosensitivity
Some essential oils can cause photosensitivity and irritation when applied topically. Common irritations include redness, burning, itching, blistering, skin discoloration, and inflammation. Essential oils that may cause photosensitivity includes:
- Angelic root oil
- Bergamot oil
- Bitter orange oil
- Cumin oil
- Lemon oil cold pressed
- Lime oil expressed
- Grapefruit oil
- Tagette oil