What You Need To Know Before You Use Essential Oils

Everyone has to start using essential oils somewhere on their journey. Whether you've heard of them before or not, using them involves a learning curve almost always. Here are some handy tips to start with to help you have the most positive (and safe) experience:

Essential oils are extremely powerful.

Once you are first introduced to essential oils, it may seem as if the size of the bottle comparison to the cost is somewhat underwhelming. You will realize, however, that even one drop of essential oil can be used effectively over time. If you take oil from within, all you need at one time is one to two drops. By placing the drop in a veggie capsule or adding it to a glass of water, you can take it internally. I only recommend the dōTERRA brand for taking internally, since they are one of the very few companies who work directly from the growing to the bottling and tests every batch 50+ times to ensure that the purity is actually 100%. Most companies do not go to these lengths, and so other brands are not pure enough to take internally. Even if the oil is spread out on the skin, a few drops are enough to get results and enjoy all the benefits.

Avoid areas that are sensitive.

Although oils are generally safe to apply to your skin anywhere, avoid the following: in the inside of your nose, the inner ear, the eyes, broken skin, or other sensitive areas. Read below for our dilution tips if you have particularly sensitive skin. If your skin starts turning red, burning or itching, you can also, remove the oil by wiping the area gently with soft tissue, add Fractionated Coconut Oil, and then alternate between adding your carrier oil and wiping it away until the reaction stops.

Dilute when in doubt.

When using topically, there are some oils that should always be diluted: Cassia, Cinnamon, Clove, Geranium, Lemongrass, Oregano, and Thyme. For the first time using any of these "hot" oils, it is recommended that you try them at a ratio of one drop of essential oil to 10 drops of Fractionated Coconut Oil or any other carrier oil you end up choosing. You can dilute any essential oil apart from the hot oils, especially if you have sensitive skin. Don't worry about lowering the oil's potency, either. In fact, diluting makes it easier for the oil to absorb quickly into your skin before it evaporates and therefore retains the benefits.

Check the label first before using the oil internally.

Apart from checking online to see whether or not an oil is intended for internal use, you can also just look at the doTERRA label to find out. If the oil contains supplement facts, it can be used internally. If not, the label will simply say, "For topical or aromatic use." Arborvitae, Blue Tansy, Cedarwood, Cypress, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus, Spikenard, and Wintergreen are the single oils that should never be ingested.

Be mindful of the reaction of some oils to UV light.

Several essential oils cause skin redness that can make it easier for your skin to sunburn. To be safe, avoid UV light of any kind for up to 12 hours after application after using any of the following oils. These oils would be: AromaTouch ®, Bergamot, doTERRA Breath ®, doTERRA Cheer ®, Citrus Bliss ®, Elevation ®, doTERRA Forgive ®, Grapefruit, InTune ®, Lemon, Lime, doTERRA Motivate ®, doTERRA On Guard ®, Purify, Slim & Sassy ®, Wild Orange and Zendocrine ®.

Kids are much more sensitive than adults to oils.

Always dilute the oil when using the oils with your kids and start by applying only the oils to their feet. The best way to use oils with children under two years of age is to dilute or diffuse oils. Make sure you're always around when your kids use oil and keep it out of reach. Young children love to dump the oils out of the bottles!

In everyday life, there are so many uses for oils.

There is a wide range of other ways to use them for whatever reason you started using oils, whether it was to help with mood and wellness, work on health solutions or to make your home smell amazing. They are also used for surface cleaning, laundry, emotional health guidance, and use for your beauty routine— the list just goes on and on! What do you wish you knew when you started with essential oils? In the comments below, leave us your favorite tips!