7 Mistakes To Avoid When Using Essential Oils
1. Using Photosensitive Oils In The Sun
Some essential oils are photosensitive, which means they have a chemical reaction to sunlight. If you apply photosensitive oils to your skin and then expose your skin to sunlight, that chemical reaction can produce redness, irritation, itching, and in severe cases, actual blisters and burns.
Take care to avoid applying photosensitive oils (including cold-pressed citrus oils like lemon, lime, grapefruit, bitter orange, and bergamot oils) before spending time in the sun. Instead, apply these oils or blends containing these oils in the evening to avoid any phototoxic reactions.
2. Diffusing Too Much
Diffusing essential oils is generally quite safe as long as you don’t overdo it. For standard diffusers, it’s a good idea to limit each “session” to 30-60 minutes. You could also use a diffuser that cycles on and off at regular intervals, which is a convenient “set it and forget it” option.
Another thing to keep in mind when diffusing essential oils is ventilation. You want to make sure the space is well-ventilated, especially if there are pets around.
3. Storing Oils Incorrectly
Ever wondered why essential oils come in dark-colored glass bottles? The dark coloring of the bottles help protect oils from sun exposure, which can cause them to degrade over time. And the bottles are made of glass because glass isn’t reactive, unlike plastic, steel, and other materials.
So whenever you are storing something that contains essential oils, choosing a dark-colored glass container is always your best bet.
4. Buying Oils With Additives
Purity should be one of your top priorities when shopping for essential oils. Avoid essential oils that contain filler ingredients or synthetic additives. Look for the phrase “100% pure essential oils” to be certain that you’re getting the real deal.
Additionally, avoid products whose labels have descriptions like “fragrance,” “perfume,” and “nature identical oil.” These red flags indicate that the product likely has added ingredients.
5. Failing To Dilute
Essential oils are highly concentrated, and many of them can irritate skin if they’re applied “neat” (or without being diluted). Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil is an easy way to reduce the risk of irritation.
A good rule of thumb for diluting is to add 12 drops of essential oils per 1 ounce of carrier oil. To learn more about carrier oils and their individual properties, check out my post about carrier oils at the link below!
6. Handling Oils Carelessly
Always use caution when you’re handling essential oils. Spills are a HUGE mess to clean up, and it can be especially hazardous if you happen to spill them on yourself. Don’t leave uncovered essential oils unattended, and if you do happen to spill oils on your skin, “rinse” them with a carrier oil instead of water.
7. Recommending Oils To Everyone
Essential oils can be useful for many people, but they can pose more of a risk for certain people and animals. Here are some safety recommendations that are important to keep in mind:
- Pregnant women should avoid essential oils for the first trimester of their pregnancy. After that, certain essential oils can be used with caution. This article from Parents.com has some great information about essential oil use during pregnancy.
- Use caution when using essential oils around babies and small children. Proper dilution is critical when using essential oils on small children. Get more detailed information about essential oil safety relating to children by reading this article at NOW Foods.
- Consider the safety of your pets when using essential oils. Certain oils are toxic to pets, and even using oils in a diffuser may overwhelm their sensitive noses. For more on using
essential oils safely around pets , check out this article from Wirecutter.
Disclaimer: The content displayed on One Good Thing by Jillee is intended for entertainment and educational purposes only. My content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read online.
