Essential oils are 100% natural, but safety is still of the utmost importance.  Young Living essential oils are pure, which makes them powerful and effective.  Sensitivities to Young Living essential oils are rare because of their therapeutic grade purity, but respecting their potency is necessary.

For the responsible use of essential oils, read the complete label on each bottle and follow the safety guidelines. More tips and information can be found in the Essential Oils Desk Reference. Another generic essential oils resource I refer to is The Healing Power of Essential Oils by Dr. Eric Zielinski.

This post includes some basic safety information to help get you started, but seek out further information whenever you are unsure of how to use oils.

Can I just buy essential oils on Amazon?

Put simply, NO!  Even if you see Young Living essential oil products on Amazon, they are not safe to purchase.  When you buy from a company or person other than directly from Young Living or your YL enroller, you cannot be sure of its quality and purity.  Amazon doesn’t test the efficacy of the oils being sold, so it’s impossible to know if they’re the real deal or not.  People can refill Young Living bottles with all kinds of additives, reseal the bottles, and then sell them on Amazon.  It’s just not worth the risk of not knowing what you’re getting, and even possibly having an allergic reaction to an unknown ingredient.

Dilution

When first beginning, always dilute with a carrier oil to use oils topically.  Essential oils are potent, so it’s always safer to dilute until you know how your skin will react.  Plus, it makes them go further and will help with better absorption.

What is a carrier oil?


You will often need to use a carrier oil to mix with your essential oils. Carrier oils are any fatty-based oil that you can use to mix with an essential to apply to your skin. When applying topically, dilute with a carrier oil until you feel comfortable applying undiluted or “neat.” Especially because some oils are considered “hot,” people with sensitive skin should always consider diluting with carrier oil. My favorite carrier oil is the YL V-6 oil, but any fatty-based cooking oil will work. You can purchase carrier oils from Amazon or Young Living. A few examples of carrier oils are:

• Young Living’s V-6 Blend (contains sweet almond oil and wheatgerm oil)
• Fractionated Coconut Oil (liquid form at all temperatures)
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Jojoba Oil

A good carrier oil ratio for adults is about .5 tsp of carrier oil for every 2-3 drops of essential oil.

How do I know if an oil is a “hot” oil?

Some essential oils are classified as “hot” oils, which means that they feel hot to your skin, or spicy hot if used straight internally.  They may also create a burning sensation, especially if the oil gets into your eye.  Not everyone feels oils the same way though, so one person may feel an oil is hot while another person doesn’t.  The Young Living single oils that are considered hot are Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemongrass, Oregano, Thyme, Cassia, Hyssop, and Ocotea.  Likewise, all blends including any of these oils, like Thieves, are also considered hot.  There is also a long list of “warm” oils that should also be heavily diluted, which includes oils like Peppermint, Wintergreen, and Spearmint.

On the back of your bottle, you will see if dilution is recommended and what the ratio is. For instance, Lavender is one of the gentlest oils there is, so there are no dilution instructions.  Thieves IS a hot oil (due to the Clove and Cinnamon Bark oils it contains) and the suggested ratio is one drop of EO to four drops of carrier.

When in doubt, dilute!  Especially with small children.  And especially with hot oils to prevent irritation and redness.  Not only will this be safer, it will also help to absorb the oil into the skin.

Where on my feet do I roll essential oils?

The bottoms of your feet are not only an excellent place to apply oils because of the Vitaflex pressure points (see chart below), but also because the skin is less likely to be sensitive compared to other areas of the body.  More information about other places to use essential oils topically is covered in THIS POST.

How do I safely use essential oils in the bath?

When using essential oils in your bath, use a dispersant. This will ensure the oils will not lie on top of the water, but instead disperse throughout.  Add several drops of your essential oils to a heaping handful of Epsom salts, and then slowly let the salt melt into the running bathwater.

Do not ever put essential oils in your eyes or ears!

This could cause permanent damage to your eye and/or your ear drum.  Likewise, do not put essential oils in open wounds.  For eye issues, put a drop of essential oil in your palm, mix it around with your finger & circle around your eyes as if you are tracing glasses. You can also then cup your hand with the oil in it over the affected eye for several minutes to let the vapors do their thing.

For ear issues, rub oils on the outside & all around your ears. You may also mix oils with a carrier in a small bowl, dip a cotton ball into the bowl, and place the cotton ball in your ear.

For open wounds, rub the oils around the wound but not in it.

Always drink essential oils in glass, not plastic

Essential oils are potent and will break down the plastic, causing you to ingest the icky chemicals from plastic.  Always use glass or stainless steel when drinking water (or any other liquid) with essential oils.  Also, because essential oils don’t mix with water, make sure to add your oil to a few drops of liquid stevia before pouring water into the glass. Otherwise, you’ll be ingesting the pure, undiluted oil at the top of your water glass, which can irritate your esophagus.

Help!  The oil is irritating my skin!

If you apply an oil topically and it seems to be bothering you, simply apply a carrier oil to the location on your skin.  Then wipe it away with a towel and discontinue use.  DO NOT use water, as that will only drive the oil in deeper.  Because we are all biochemically different, we can react differently to essential oils.  It’s certainly possible that you may be sensitive to an oil while another person is not.  If you notice any kind of irritation because of using a specific essential oil, discontinue use of that oil and try another one.

Photosensitivity

All of the citrus oils are photosensitive, as well as several others. These oils include Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine, Neroli, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Yuzu, Petitgrain, Angelica, Cumin, Dill, Ginger, and Jade Lemon.  This means if you apply these oils before or during exposure to direct sunlight or UV rays, you may experience a rash, pigmentation discoloration, or even sunburn. If you use any of these oils on your face, do it at nighttime and make sure 12 hours pass before being in the sunshine. You can also wear photosensitive oils under your clothes, and ingest, with no problems.

I use Bergamot in my evening skincare routine every night, and have never been burned by the sunlight.  Being aware of when and how to use these oils topically is key!

Statements regarding essential oils have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and suggestions on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care provider before using these products.

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