Essential Oil Safety: What You Need to Know

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. A single drop of peppermint oil contains the equivalent of about 28 cups of peppermint tea. That concentration is what makes essential oils useful, and also what makes them potentially harmful if used carelessly. This page covers the safety basics that anyone using essential oils should understand.

Dilution matters

Essential oils should almost never be applied undiluted (neat) to the skin. The safe dilution rate for most adults is 2-3% in a carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, or grapeseed). That means roughly 12 to 18 drops of essential oil per 30ml of carrier oil.

For children aged 6 to 12, halve the adult rate (1-1.5%). For children under 6, use no more than 0.5% and only with oils known to be safe for young children. For babies under 6 months, avoid essential oils on the skin entirely.

Some oils require lower dilution rates even for adults. Cinnamon bark, clove bud, oregano, and thyme are particularly potent and should be used at 0.5-1% maximum.

Skin sensitivity and patch testing

Even properly diluted oils can cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Before using any new oil on a large area of skin, do a patch test:

1. Dilute the oil at your intended concentration in a carrier oil.
2. Apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm.
3. Cover with a plaster and leave for 24 hours.
4. Check for redness, itching, swelling, or irritation.

If any reaction occurs, wash the area with soap and water and do not use that oil on your skin. Some oils are phototoxic, meaning they increase your skin's sensitivity to UV light. Bergamot, lemon, lime, and grapefruit oils should not be applied to skin that will be exposed to sunlight within 12 hours.

Essential oils and pets

Cats are particularly vulnerable to essential oil toxicity. They lack a liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) that other mammals use to metabolise certain compounds found in essential oils. Oils that are dangerous to cats include tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus oils, pine, wintergreen, and clove.

Symptoms of essential oil poisoning in cats include drooling, vomiting, tremors, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. If you suspect your cat has been exposed to a concentrated essential oil, contact your vet immediately.

Dogs are less sensitive than cats but can still be affected by concentrated oils. Keep diffusers in rooms your pets can leave freely. Never apply essential oils directly to a pet's skin or fur. Do not add essential oils to your pet's water bowl.

Birds are extremely sensitive to airborne chemicals. Do not diffuse essential oils in a room where birds are kept.

Children and essential oils

Children's skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin. Their smaller body mass means a smaller dose has a proportionally larger effect. Guidelines:

• Under 6 months: no topical essential oil use.
• 6 months to 2 years: lavender and chamomile only, at 0.25% dilution, with paediatric advice.
• 2 to 6 years: a limited range of oils at 0.5% dilution.
• 6 to 12 years: most oils safe for adults can be used at half the adult dilution rate.
• Over 12: adult guidelines apply.

Never use essential oils near a child's face, especially around the nose and mouth. Eucalyptus and peppermint in particular can cause breathing difficulties in young children.

Storage

Essential oils degrade when exposed to heat, light, and air. Store them in dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt blue), tightly capped, in a cool place away from direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer is fine. Do not store them in the bathroom where temperature and humidity fluctuate.

Most essential oils remain usable for 1 to 3 years when stored properly. Citrus oils have a shorter shelf life (roughly 6 to 12 months) and oxidise faster. Oxidised citrus oils are more likely to cause skin irritation and should be replaced rather than used.

Questions about our products

Every product we sell comes with CLP-compliant labelling showing the full ingredient list and hazard information. If you have specific questions about the essential oils used in any of our products, email [email protected] with the batch number and we will send you the safety data sheet.