Essential Oil Safety: Simple Habits for Everyday Use

The bottle is small, but what is inside is strong. A few drops of essential oil hold a great deal of a plant's chemistry, and nearly every sensible safety habit follows from that one idea. The good news is that the habits are simple, and once they are routine you can enjoy your oils without a second thought.

Amyris Essential Oil bottle

Amyris Essential Oil

Our own Amyris Essential Oil, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.

From $23.99

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Dilute, because it is concentrated

For skin, the rule is to dilute. We recommend 0.5% to 2% in a carrier oil for our amyris, with a patch test first. The Tisserand Institute's ranges run from about 0.2% to 1% for sensitive skin up to 1% to 3% for body oils (Tisserand Institute, dilution), so the percentage depends on where and for whom. Our dilution chart turns percentages into drops.

Natural does not mean gentle, either. The FDA notes that many plants contain materials that irritate or cause allergic reactions on skin, and that the agency has no regulations defining "natural" for cosmetics (FDA, Aromatherapy).

Irritation and allergy are different things

Irritation comes from too strong a dose and fades when you stop and dilute. An allergy is the immune system learning to react, and the Tisserand Institute notes it can last for life, so that oil may need to be avoided afterwards (Tisserand Institute, safety guidelines). That is why a patch test is worth the thirty seconds. It is not a guarantee, though: the Tisserand Institute points out that patch testing is "not 100% reliable" (Tisserand Institute, irritation and allergy), so introduce anything new gently. Our patch test guide has the method.

Keep it fresh

Heat, light, air and moisture age an oil, and an oxidised oil can be harder on skin. The Tisserand Institute notes that most oils keep well for at least a year or two, that use within six to twelve months makes oxidation largely a non-issue, and that refrigeration roughly doubles useful life (Tisserand Institute, oxidation). Amber glass, a tight cap and a cool shelf are all it takes, and our guide to shelf life and storage goes into the details. If an oil smells sharply different from when you bought it, replace it.

Build the habits into the places where you already do things. Keep your oils in one box or one drawer, with the cap tight and the date on the label, and the box is where you go every time. Do your diluting at a clean, clear counter rather than on a crowded bathroom shelf. A tidy routine is a safe one, and it takes the thinking out of it.

In the air

When diffusing, the Tisserand Institute suggests running a device for 30 to 60 minutes and then resting it for 30 to 60 minutes, with some fresh air coming into the room. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should check with a doctor first, and so should anyone pregnant. Is diffusing essential oils safe? covers it in more depth, and our diffuser types post helps you pick a device.

Swallowing: our answer is no

We do not recommend taking essential oils internally, and our amyris is not sold or described for that. Poison control centres see the consequences when bottles are misused, and the National Capital Poison Center says that misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning and that bottles should be locked up, out of sight and reach of children and pets (Poison Control, essential oils). Our swallowing post explains the debate in full.

People and animals who need extra care

Pregnancy, small children and pets each have their own concerns, and we would rather give each its own space than a paragraph. Start with pregnancy, kids and pets, and talk to a physician, midwife, paediatrician or veterinarian about your own situation. If you take regular medication or have a liver, kidney or seizure condition, ask a pharmacist before using oils. We sell an external cosmetic oil and cannot give medical advice.

Make the habits easy to keep

It helps to write the emergency numbers down before you need them. Put the poison control number on the inside of the cupboard door where your oils live, or save it in your phone under a name you will remember. If other people share your home, show them where the oils are kept and why. A guest, a grandparent or a babysitter cannot follow a rule they have never heard.

Take a moment, too, to look at what you own. Open each bottle and smell it. If a bottle has been sitting for years, if the label has rubbed off or you cannot remember what is in it, that is a good reason to retire it. A shorter shelf of oils you know and use is far better than a long one you are not sure about.

If something goes wrong

Our own bottle

Our amyris is a single oil, sold undiluted, so the habits above apply to it directly: dilute it to 0.5% to 2% in a carrier oil, patch test, keep it away from eyes, children and pets, and store it cool and dark. Our amyris safety basics turn this into specifics, and choosing essential oils covers buying well. When you are ready, our shop is where amyris lives.

These habits take a minute to learn and a lifetime to use: dilute, test, store well, ventilate and keep bottles out of reach. Follow them and an essential oil is a small pleasure, not a worry.

Amyris Essential Oil bottle

Amyris Essential Oil

Amyris Essential Oil from our own shop, in sizes from 0.5 oz to bulk.

From $23.99

Shop Now →

Sources & Further Reading