There seems to be a lot of debate on this topic, so I’m going to pass on what I have learned in the best online masterclass I have ever been a part of. 

“The bottle says it is safe for topical application without dilution, so I don’t dilute.”

This is something I hear quite often, and this is my opinion on the matter. 

That bottle is telling you that you in fact can use it without dilution and it will be safe. 

Awesome. Sometimes I use Essential Oils (EOs) without dilution – also known as “neat application” – when I’m in a rush. 

But here’s the thing. When you do not use a carrier oil, such as Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO), you are not using your EOs effectively. 

Because these are volatile aromatic compounds they evaporate into the air easily. That’s why you will always hear me saying “Make sure to keep your bottles tightly closed”. You do not want to be throwing away money by letting them just evaporate into the air in your cupboard. 

The same goes with topical use. Putting them on your skin undiluted is exactly like leaving a bottle open on your counter. The majority of it is going to evaporate, or flash off, before you get the results you are looking for. 

A carrier oil is also going to help drive that EO into your skin and make it last longer. So instead of having to reapply undiluted oils every 10-15 minutes, you can reapply your diluted oils every 1.5-2 hours instead.

“I don’t want to dilute my Essential Oils because I want the full effect of them.”

This is totally not the case. When we dilute, we are not diluting the effectiveness of the EO, provided we are using an amazing quality product like dōTERRA. All we are doing is simply protecting our skin’s microbiome.

There are some EOs on the market that no matter where you get them from, they 100% have to be diluted. Oils such as Oregano, Cinnamon Bark, Cassia, and Clove to name a few. These are known as “Hot Oils” and named that because they can make your skin feel uncomfortably hot if not diluted and may even cause a burn to your skin as well. 

Know your hot oils and always do your research before applying your oils topically. 

Did you know that using a carrier oil can actually save you money??

Let’s say you just finished a weekend long baseball tournament. You come home and ask your spouse/sibling/parent to rub some Deep Blue on your back. They start with three drops. It covers the back of your shoulders. They add three more drops and work it into the middle of your back. They go for another three drops for your lower back. 

But wait, your elbow hurts, and your knees too. Can you tell that this is a familiar situation in our house??

You are now looking at a total somewhere around 15 drops of Deep Blue. That is a cost of $0.48 per drop, for a total of just over $7. 

And remember that about half of that flashed off in the first few minutes, so you’re going to need to reapply soon.

BUT, if you took 10 drops and mixed it with two teaspoons of FCO, you’re looking at a cost just over $5 and it’s going to cover all of the places you need it to. Plus, it’s going deeper into your skin and it will last longer too. 

When it comes to babies, children, the elderly, and those with sensitive skin, EOs should never be used neat at any time. These individuals require extra dilution due to their skin and the way they metabolize the EOs. 

Below you can find a helpful chart to use when diluting for all ages. Bookmark this page so you can always have it at your fingertips. 

Safe Essential Oil usage is effective Essential Oil usage.