Whether you're brand new to essential oils or have been blending for years, understanding essential oil dilution is one of the most important ways to protect your skin, your health, and your investment.
If you’ve heard people say you should "dilute" or "heavily dilute" your oils but weren’t sure exactly why — or how to do it — you’re in the right place. Let's walk through it simply and clearly.

Why You Should Always Dilute Essential Oils

Diluting essential oils before applying them to your skin isn't just a suggestion — it’s essential for safe and effective use. Here's why:

• Protect Your Skin and Body

  Essential oils are highly concentrated. Using them undiluted (neat) can increase your risk of sensitization — an allergic reaction that may not happen immediately but can develop over time with repeated exposure (Tisserand & Young, 2014). Sensitization can cause anything from rashes to serious breathing problems.

• Prevent Skin Irritation

  Applying undiluted oils can trigger irritant contact dermatitis — redness, swelling, itchiness, or blistering. Studies confirm that high concentrations of certain essential oils, especially oxidized oils, can irritate or sensitize the skin (Orchard & VanVuuren, 2017). Diluting essential oils make them more bioavailable to your body.

• Stretch Your Essential Oil Investment

  Essential oils are precious and potent. A little goes a long way when properly diluted with carrier oils like jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, or olive oil. (We have many others that are wonderful, too! Generally it doesn't matter which carrier oil you use so long as you are using a carrier oil. Blending wisely means using less oil and getting more value from every bottle.

How to Dilute Essential Oils: A Simple Guide

Choosing the right dilution depends on a few important factors:

• Who you're blending for (adult, child, pregnancy, sensitive skin)
• Why you're using the oils (daily skincare, emotional support, acute needs)
• Which specific essential oils you're using (some oils have unique safety needs)

Here’s a basic essential oil dilution chart to help you blend safely:

Dilution	When to Use
0.25%	Babies (ages 3 months to 2 years) (though we prefer to suggest carrier oils and hydrosols)
1%	Young children (ages 2–6), pregnancy, sensitive individuals
1.5%	Older children (ages 6–15)
2–2.5%	Healthy adults for daily use, body care, massage oils
1%	Facial care for adults (delicate skin needs extra gentleness)
3–10%	Short-term support for targeted concerns (injuries, acute issues)
Up to 25%	Rare, localized applications (muscle spasms, severe bruising)

Pro Tip: Start low. You can always add a drop later if needed!

Essential Oil Safety: Other Important Considerations

When blending essential oils, a few extra safety notes make all the difference:

• Phototoxicity Risk

  Some oils, especially cold-pressed citrus oils like Lime or Lemon, can cause severe sun sensitivity and skin burns after UV exposure (Tisserand & Young, 2014). Always check safety guidelines and dilute accordingly.

• Individual Health Conditions

  Certain oils can interact with medications or impact health conditions. For instance, oils high in methyl salicylate (like wintergreen) can thin the blood and increase bleeding risk (Tisserand & Young, 2014).

• Oxidized Oils

  Essential oils that have been exposed to heat, light, or air degrade over time — and oxidized oils significantly raise the risk of irritation (Orchard & VanVuuren, 2017).

• Choose Fresh, Pure Essential Oils

  Always start with 100% pure, properly stored oils — like those from Jade Bloom — to minimize safety risks and maximize therapeutic benefits.

How Many Drops of Essential Oil Should I Use?

Need a little extra help? We’ve made it even easier:
Scroll down (or Click Here) to try Jade Bloom’s Essential Oil Dilution Calculator — designed to take the guesswork out of blending.
Simply enter your carrier oil amount and desired dilution, and we’ll do the math for you!

Why Proper Dilution of Essential Oils Is Non-Negotiable

At Jade Bloom, we believe that true wellness is about using nature’s gifts responsibly. Proper essential oil dilution helps you:

• Protect your skin and body from irritation and allergic reactions
• Avoid systemic toxicities that can quietly impact long-term health
• Create beautiful, effective blends that honor both the plants and yourself

Because when it comes to essential oils, more isn’t better — thoughtful, informed use is best.

Safe Essential Oil Use Starts with You

When you take the time to dilute essential oils properly, you ensure a safer, richer, more rewarding experience — one that supports your health and respects the plants we love.
If you're ever unsure — especially when blending for young children, pregnancy, or specific health concerns — we recommend consulting a trained aromatherapist or reaching out to the Jade Bloom team. We're always here to help.
Because wellness isn’t just about what you use. It’s about how you use it.