How to dilute essential oils
There are some great reasons to dilute your essential oils but first a few definitions …..
Neat = application of an essential oil undiluted
Virgin coconut oil also has its own wonderful benefits for the skin and body. The primary benefit of Fractionated Coconut oil exists when premixing diluted oils in a roller bottle because it wont harden and render the roller useless, and is less messy to apply.
Why use a carrier oil?
5. Diluting makes your oils go further. For large areas like the stomach, chest, back, etc. using a carrier oils enables you to use 1-2 drops at a time but still cover the area needed. The oils we use are so pure and potent that they are still incredibly effective diluted. This means you can save money and still have great results!
How much should we dilute?
Dilution Guidelines for babies and children
Kids are smaller so they need less. Diluting also protects their sensitive skin.
Children: 1 drop per teaspoon (1% dilution)
Adults: 3 – 6 drops per teaspoon (2 – 4%)
Adjust as needed. Not getting the desired results? Add some oils to make it more potent or change oils . For acute situations some oils may be used neat. Two oils are commonly used “neat” or undiluted are Lavender and Melaleuca
Conversion Reference
Click here to learn more about using oils for newborns and babies
Some oils are known to be more “hot” or more prone to burn or irritate the skin. More care should be taken with these to dilute, especially for children.Hot oils that need more dilution:
Basil
Cassia
Cinnamon Bark
Clove
Oregano
Peppermint
Thyme
White Fir
Wintergreen
Enjoy your oils! Use them frequently. Don’t worry about doing it “wrong”. I hope this helps you use them more often and with greater peace of mind.
P.S. This is exactly the time of information I make sure my team has. If you’d like to join our team and get the support you need to use essential oils correctly please click here to learn about joining our team: Get Started with doTERRA
(***Reactions to oils applied topically may be the results of an unhealthy gut. Many have found that after cleansing they no longer react to the oils they used to)
Chris says
Oils
Jane says
What are neat oils? I understand the term neat, but I don’t know what oils are neat
Healing in our Homes says
Neat means undiluted. So any oil can be neat although many should never be used neat like oregano, cinnamon, peppermint, etc.
Irma says
If you are using a 10ml (2tsp) roller and it says to do 10 drops for an adult. What would you do for a pregnant women?
I am trying to make a roller with Immortelle and FCO.
Thank You
Healing in our Homes says
Immortelle is very strong. So I’d do 10-20 drops for myself if pregnant
Cess says
How many lavender drops is in a lavender touch?
Healing in our Homes says
They do not release that information. I’d guess its at least 50% Lavender oil (80 drops)
Sue says
Would you advise using serenity and balance neat or diluted in a roller bottle? I usually use them neat but if they work just as well diluted…I’ll change to that?
Thanks!
Healing in our Homes says
Balance already has some fractionated coconut oil in it so its fine to use right out of the bottle. Its not dangerous to use Serenity undiluted but diluting can actually be MORE effective for absorption. So I say dilute and get more out of your oils!
Sue says
Thank you!
Lorine says
How many drops of Doterra On Guard should I add to a 10ml roller ball for my 2.5yr old? How much carrier oil do I add as well?
Laurie says
How many drops of on guard for a 10 ml roller bottle, and how many drops of lavender for a 10 ml roller bottle? Thank you. I always get confused on this
Healing in our Homes says
it depends what you are using it for and where you are using it. Generally my rollers have 10-40 drops in them
Meredith says
How many drops of Zen gest are in a doetrra roller bottle? When I mix 10 drops with the rest Coconut oil it seems very weak compared to doterra’s mixture.
Healing in our Homes says
Its probably at least 40 drops (25%) if not more so definitely add some
Linda S. Gabrilo says
I have 1/3 of a bottle = to approximately 1.3 fl. oz. of fractionated coconut oil (original amount was 3.8 fl. oz.).
I want to use that to dilute helichrysum italicum essential oil.
How many drops of helichrysum should I add to the fractionate coconut oil?
Thank you.
Linda
Linda Gabrilo says
Please post a reply or email the answer to me.
Thank you!!!
Linda
Paula N says
I’d like to know are so I hope somebody answers her ?