How to Dilute Essential Oils

Hey essential oil lover!  If you are using essential oils then you need to have knowledge of essential oil safety.  To safely use your essential oils, you will want to know about diluting.  And that’s exactly what we’re gonna talk about…..how to dilute your essential oils.  Before we jump into the HOW, let’s talk about the WHY.

Why should I dilute essential oils?

• Diluted essential oils are more easily absorbed into the skin.
• Diluting your oils decreases the likelihood that you will develop an oil sensitivity.
• A larger area can be covered when the oils are diluted.
• They are actually MORE powerful when diluted.
• It’s more cost effective.

As you can see, diluting essential oils is a good thing.  Most of the time, we dilute essential oils in our home.  There are times when we don’t and that’s our choice.  But as a general rule, we dilute.

There are a variety of opinions as to how much one should dilute.  I am not an expert and I don’t pretend to be.  I am a mother who has been using essential oils for nearly 20 years and I’ve done a considerable amount of research.  This is what I’m comfortable with:

• Children ages 2 – 6. A 1% or 2% dilution rate.  Base this on weight.  The less you weigh, the less oil you need.
• Children ages 6 – 10, seniors and those with sensitive skin.   2% – 5% dilution rate.
• Ages 11 – adult.  A 5% – 10% dilution rate.

In our home, we use a standard 10% dilution rate.  I have a tween and a teen and this works for everyone in our home.  We keep many of our oils in roller bottles, diluted and ready to go.

To help you out, here are a few dilution charts:

Roller Bottle Dilution Chart

A 10 ml roller bottle will hold 180 drops.  A 5 ml bottle is 90 drops.  A 2 ml bottle is 36 drops.  Simply add your essential oils to the bottle and top with a carrier oil.

Essential Oil Dilution Chart for Oil Bottles

Sometimes we recycle our essential oil bottles and use them to create magical concoctions.  A 15 ml bottle holds 240 drops.  10 ml is 180 drops. 5 ml is 80 drops.  The same principle applies:  add your essential oils and then top with a carrier.

Essential Oil Spoon Dilution Chart

Often, it’s just easier to pour your oils into a spoon.  More likely, I will put carrier oil into my palm and add the essential oils.  Either way, you can tell by this chart that a teaspoon is equivalent to 5 ml so add your essential oils accordingly.