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My Reward PointsDiluting an essential oil is important before applying it on the skin. It makes the oil safe for your skin. However, there are multiple ways of diluting essential oils and the way you choose determines the end results. In this blog, we will be sharing the essential oil dilution charts that you can follow to use essential oil safely for topical purposes.
You will also understand the terms associated with dilution and their real meaning in practical life.
What is Essential Oil Dilution?
Essential oil dilution refers to the process of diluting a concentrated essential oil. The diluent can be another oil like a carrier oil or topical creams like body lotions or face creams. The purpose of diluting essential oil are listed below:
- Safe Application for Skin and Hair: Proper essential oil dilution ensures that the final oil is safe for your skin and hair. It will not cause any irritation, redness, or other side effects upon application.
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Maximum Benefits from Essential Oils: Dilution does not dilute the effects of essential oils but enhances them. In short, they make the essential oils more skin-friendly and beneficial for you.
- Suitability for people of all ages: Old people have sensitive skin whereas the skin of young boys and girls is tender. By diluting the essential oils, we make them suitable for all age groups.
Diluting an essential oil requires some understanding of the basics. It is a science that requires perfection and a measured approach. For instance, a 4% dilution means mixing 6 drops of essential oil in 20 ml of carrier oil. The level of dilution must vary upon your skin type and how you intend to use it.
Essential Oil to Carrier Oil Dilution Chart
Like we said earlier, you cannot abruptly mix carrier oil with essential oil. Here’s an essential oil to carrier oil ratio chart that you must follow while mixing carrier oils with essential oils:
| Dilution % | Drops of Essential Oil (per 10 ml Carrier Oil) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25% | 1 drop | Infants, sensitive areas |
| 1% | 3 drops | Children, facial use |
| 2% | 6 drops | Daily skincare |
| 3% | 9 drops | Hair care, body oils |
| 5% | 15 drops | Massage, short-term use |
| 10% | 30 drops | Spot treatment, acute issues |
You can use this chart for most of the carrier oils including jojoba oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or olive oil.
Essential Oil Dilution Guide by Age
The dilution must also be according to how old the essential oil is. Here are the instructions to be followed to dilute the essential oils according to their age:
| Age Group | Recommended Dilution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | 0.25% | Avoid most oils, use only with guidance |
| 2–6 years | 1% | Use mild oils like lavender or chamomile |
| 6–15 years | 1–2% | Gentle blends, diffuser use safe |
| Adults | 2–5% | General skincare, hair care, massage |
| Elderly | 1–2% | Consider skin sensitivity or health issues |
For essential oils that have been stored for long, always do a patch test before using it on your skin, especially if you are planning to use it on kids.
Essential Oil Dilution Chart for Skin Care
The dilution of essential oils must also vary as per your skin type. The essential oil dilution chart as per various skin types is given below:
| Skin Concern | Dilution % | EO Drops (per 10 ml carrier) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive Skin | 0.5–1% | 1–3 drops | Use calming oils (lavender, chamomile) |
| Daily Facial Care | 1% | 3 drops | Ideal for face serums, moisturizers |
| Body Skincare | 2% | 6 drops | Body lotions, body oils |
| Spot Treatment | 5–10% | 15–30 drops | Short-term, only on affected areas |
| Massage Oils | 2–3% | 6–9 drops | Relaxation or therapeutic massages |
Essential Oil Dilution Chart for Diffuser
Before adding essential oil to a reed or oil diffuser, you must dilute it enough. Here are some key details on how to dilute essential oil for diffuser:
| Diffuser Size | Water Capacity | Recommended Drops |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 100 ml | 3–5 drops |
| Medium | 200 ml | 5–8 drops |
| Large | 300–500 ml | 8–12 drops |
Essential Oil Dilution Chart for Hair
Essential oils require a different kind of dilution when used for hair. The instructions to be followed while diluting an essential oil for hair are given below:
Also, some essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, tea tree essential oil, etc. can be very beneficial for your scalp and hair if you dilute them in the right way.
| Hair Type or Problem | Suggested Dilution | Recommended Carrier Oils |
|---|---|---|
| Dry scalp | 2% (6 drops/10 ml) | Coconut, jojoba |
| Dandruff | 3% (9 drops/10 ml) | Castor, neem, almond |
| Hair growth | 2–3% | Argan, olive, bhringraj |
| Oily scalp | 2% | Grapeseed, jojoba |
You can use the essential oil mixed with carrier oil as a pre-wash scalp oil. Or else, you may also use it as a hair condition or hair mask by adding a few drops of essential oils in your regular hair conditioner or hair mask.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Some Cases
You must also know when to avoid using essential oils. More insights regarding this are shared below:
- Pregnant Women: Pregnant women must avoid using essential oils or their products. They must especially avoid using Basil, Rosemary, or Clary Sage essential oil.
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Infants & Kids: Kids and infants are sensitive and some essential oils can have an overwhelming effect on them. Wintergreen, Peppermint, or Eucalyptus Essential Oil must not be used for kids at all.
- Pets: Some essential oils can be too strong for your little pets like cats or dogs. Especially avoid using tea tree essential oil or any other essential oil belonging to the citrus oil category.
Also, using essential oils for kids, pets, or pregnant women is only suggested upon the recommendation of a health care practitioner. The same rule applies for breastfeeding women or for people with underlying medical conditions.
Conclusion
These were some tips for essential oil dilution. We hope you have understood why, when, and how to dilute essential oils. Also, we must only get the essential oils and carrier oils from trusted sources like VedaOils. VedaOils offers a wide range of essential oils and carrier oils at wholesale rates on their official website. Learn more about their products and services by visiting their site today!
