Beginner's Guide to Essential Oils

Are you looking to start using essential oils, but have no idea where to start? Then keep reading! This beginner’s guide to essential oils will teach you how to diffuse, apply topically, replace cleaners, and create your own body products. Welcome to the wonderful world of essential oils. We’re glad you’re here!

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Are You One of Those People Now?

For several years, I was an essential oil skeptic. After finding Revive and finally being able to afford some oils, I fell in love. I’m now a believer in essential oils and natural remedies despite what I may have said when I was younger. I use the immunity roller daily during the school year. In the summer, when I need relief from bug bites, I reach for my oils. The same goes for a headache or allergies.

When I used to travel home to see my family, I would pack up my oils to take along. My brother came down to my bedroom one evening as I was filling the diffuser. He sarcastically asked, “Are you one of those people now?” complete with eye roll. I grinned and said of course. He poked fun at me, but my essential oil use has multiplied. Almost anything that goes on my skin is made from an essential oil.

One of my favorite things about using oils is the diversity. Each oil can help with a myriad of troubles. Sunburn? Lavender. Can’t sleep? Lavender. Itchy rash? Lavender. I’ve yet to find anything else so versatile.

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Beginner’s Guide to Buying Essential Oils

When shopping for essential oils, every company is going to claim to be the best, purest, and most potent. In reality, that’s simply not true. There are some things to look for when purchasing essential oils though.

100% Essential Oil

Just like anything, there is an ingredient list on the back of a bottle of essential oils. Often when purchasing oils from Walmart or Target, you will find that the bottle of lavender oil is actually filled with mostly coconut oil. As with many things in life, cheaper isn’t always better. Look for oils that are 100% essential oils. No filler oils.

Purity Testing

Most reputable companies will provide purity testing. This means that a third party laboratory is testing the oils for purity and quality. Dr. Papas is a very common name when it comes to purity testing. If the information isn’t readily offered, contact customer service. Read the results and see if you can find out where the plants are sourced and how they were raised. I don’t really want to put oils all over my body after the plant they came from was treated with pesticides.

Reputable Company ≠ MLM

Find a reputable company. This does not mean you have to go with one of the big MLM companies. In fact, I would advise against it if you are on a budget or don’t plan on selling oils as a side hustle. I love Revive and became an affiliate. I did a complete review of Revive Essential Oils if you are curious. Many people like the oils from Eden’s Garden, Plant Therapy, and Rocky Mountain Oils. You don’t have to drink the MLM Kool-Aid unless you just want to.

Must Know Basics When Using Essential Oils

There are a few basic things you must know when deciding to use essential oils in your home. This ensures that everybody is safe and your oils stay good.

Essential Oils and Pets

Some oils are not good for your pets. Cats are particularly sensitive because their bodies can’t process the oils. That being said, do your own research. I feel comfortable diffusing some oils around Kitten-Eyed Joe. I keep the potency low, use only a handful of oils, never diffuse tea tree oil, and allow him the ability to get away from the smell. Do your own research and talk to your vet before deciding what’s best for your pet. Revive has an article about oils and pets, that you can use as a jumping off point.

Storing Essential Oils

Essential oils should be stored away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can break down the oils and cause them to lose their effectiveness. This can be done by keeping them and anything you make with them in a cobalt blue or amber bottle. I keep my bottles in a wooden essential oil box that I absolutely love. It makes me feel like Harry Potter anytime I open it.

Essential oils will break down plastics over time. Therefore, I recommend keeping your oils and anything you make with oils in glass. My cleaners are in amber glass spray bottles. Body products normally find their way into mason jars. Any sort of spray is put in a small spray bottle and roller bottles are always glass.

Heat is also not great on your oils. This means the shed, backyard, or car are probably not great places to keep your oils.

Hot Oils

Some oils are considered hot oils. That simply means you should not apply them directly to the skin because it will hurt. Instead dilute them with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil before applying the. They are safe to diffuse though! This is not a comprehensive list of hot oils, but just to name a few:

Cinnamon bark

Clove

Oregano

Ginger

Thyme

Black Pepper

Photosensitive Oils

Photosensitive oils are typically citrus oils. They increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. These oils are best applied at night or when you plan on remaining indoors. Again this is not a comprehensive list, but just to name a few:

Lemon

Lime

Orange

Bergamot

Tangerine

Grapefruit

Oils Safety

While oils are generally considered safe, they are not all safe for everybody. Some oils are not safe for babies or young children whether diffused or applied to the skin. Essential oils have an effect on the body so if you are pregnant or nursing make sure the oils you’re using are safe. This is the same for any sort of medical condition. Do your research. I reference Revive’s safety list for kids because it tells you if the oil is safe for kids, what age it is considered safe to use, and how it can be safely used. I also use Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing. Between the two resources, I feel very safe using oils in my home.

Beginner’s Guide to Diffusing Essential Oils

The recommended number of drops per 100mL of water when diffusing is 3-5. Sometimes I will add more or less depending on why I’m using the diffuser. When I am soaking in the tub with the diffuser nearby trying to get rid of congestion, I’ll add a few more drops to try and clear my head. If I’m just running the diffuser to make the house smell nice with some summer blends, then I tend to stick to the 3-5 range depending on the blend. If the blend needs more than 10 drops then I’ll use a larger diffuser. I always use water filtered from the Berkey in my diffusers. Remember to clean your diffuser regularly.

Beginner’s Guide to Applying Essential Oils

Oils are typically applied using a roller bottle and are diluted with fractionated coconut oil. Although, some oils are ok to be applied directly to the skin. This is referred to as using them neat. The amount of dilution needed depends on the reason for using the oil, frequency of use, whether it’s a hot oil, and age of the person using it. Since we typically use a 10mL roller bottle to apply oils, I will be using that as my guidepost. Revie has a complete dilution chart if you are interested in doing more research or using a different size roller.

For kids between ages 2 and 10, roller bottles with 3 drops of oil are considered safe.

For people ages 11 and up, 6 drops in a roller used daily is ok.

If you are using the roller to treat something like a pimple or sprain, 15 drops is safe as long as the user is over age 10.

At times, I will use as many as 30 drops. This is only for very short term use such as bug bites or hives. I tend to start with fewer and only go this far when things are getting better.

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Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning with Essential Oils

Essential oils make a great way to replace your toxin filled chemicals. Many oils have antifungal, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties. Lemon is one of my favorites to clean with because it also helps remove grease. For cleaning the toilets, I’ve found these fizzing toilet bombs to be great. Using a mixture of oil, vinegar, and oils I am able to keep the leather couch looking good. Orange oil makes a great smelling dusting spray when mixed up with some vinegar and olive oil. I even use oils to keep my laundry smelling nice. Over time, I’ve replaced most of the toxic cleaners with homemade, all natural ones made with essential oils. When you run out of a cleaner, replace it with one made with oils. This makes the switch feel a lot less overwhelming.

Beginner’s Guide to Creating with Essential Oils

Essential oils are wonderful to use when making your own body products. Once again, I’ve replaced almost every chemical laden body product with an all natural one full of essential oils. Instead of lotion, I’ll use lotion bars or whipped body butter. After brushing my teeth I rinse with a Thieves mouthwash. Instead of an astringent, I use a homemade version with oils and witch hazel. Even my face soap has been replaced with an oily homemade product. It’s nice because most of the products are made using the same ingredients. Once you have the ingredients for lotion bars you can probably make chapstick or an itch relief stick as well. I’ve found it more convenient than running to the store every time we run out of something.