Using essential oils topically on skin is another popular application method. Oils absorb easily into the skin, so you can quickly and directly enjoy their beneficial properties. When applied topically, essential oils can improve the appearance of healthy-looking skin. Mix them with your favourite cosmetics to include them in your skin care routine. Add them to carrier oils to take a massage to the next level, making it that much more soothing or invigorating, depending on the oils you use. A few drops have the power to transform a warm bath or hot shower into a spa-like experience.

Knowing how potent essential oils can be, remember to always read label instructions before applying a new oil topically. Look for warnings about photosensitivity and dilution and, as mentioned earlier, always start small.

How Much Essential Oil Should I Use on My Skin?
Remembering how potent essential oils can be will help you know how much essential oil you should use on your skin. When applying a new oil, whether you’re using it topically or using another application method, check the label and follow the directions. Look for warnings about photosensitivity and dilution and, as mentioned earlier, always start small.

Many oils can be applied directly to the skin when diluted with a carrier oil like olive oil—usually to soothe fatigued muscles or for skincare. Water doesn’t mix well with essential oils and isn’t a good way to dilute. For topical applications to the skin, you’ll usually want to mix one to three drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of a carrier oil, unless the label recommends a different ratio. For larger applications, like a massage, you might want to lower that to one drop for every teaspoon of carrier oil.

Bear in mind that the effects from topically applying essential oils to your skin can last for a few hours. If you’re test-driving a new oil, apply small amounts of the oil during the day. Give yourself a few hours between applications to see if you have a reaction to the oil. With their high levels of concentration, essential oils can irritate your skin if you don’t apply them correctly.

Where Should I Put Essential Oils on Your Body?
There are many beneficial areas of your body where you can apply essential oils. You can gently rub oil into places such as your neck, forehead, temples, wrists, chest and stomach. This also includes extremities like your arms, legs and the bottoms of your feet. In fact, the bottoms of your feet are one of the safest places to apply essential oils topically.

There are a few areas where you shouldn’t put essential oils on your body. You’ll want to avoid your eyes, ears, nose and the skin around them or places where the skin is sensitive.

How to Blend Essential Oils for Topical Use
Learning how to blend essential oils for topical use frees you to mix and mingle the oils you love the most so you can create unique, personalized scents your skin will love, too.

One important factor to consider is how potent are the oils in your blend? Some oils are gentle enough to be applied directly to the skin. Others require dilution before they’re safe for topical use. Always be aware of the safe handling procedures for any oils you put into a blend. Read the labels and follow the instructions provided.

If dilution is required, use a carrier oil. In a blend like that, the carrier oil should make up the greater part with only a small percentage being essential oils.

It’s also critical to know that some oils, especially citrus oils, can cause temporary photosensitivity. Any blend that includes these oils will also likely cause photosensitivity. If applied to the skin, avoid sunlight for the next 12 hours just to be safe.

If you’re not sure how your skin will react to a blend, simply perform a patch test. A patch test involves applying a small amount of an essential oil or oil blend to the inside of your forearm. Then you wait an hour or two to see if your skin reacts to it. If there is no reaction, then you’re free to move forward with applying that essential oil blend to your skin.