How do I dilute essential oils for use on skin?
Short answerAlways dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying to skin. A common everyday guideline is about 11–20 drops per ounce (roughly 1–3% dilution), using a carrier such as jojoba, almond, coconut or olive oil. Patch-test first and use lower dilutions for children or sensitive skin.
Neat (undiluted) essential oil on skin can cause irritation, sensitisation or burns, so diluting in a carrier oil is a basic safety step. Carrier oils are gentle fixed oils — jojoba, sweet almond, fractionated coconut, grapeseed or olive — that "carry" the essential oil onto the skin.
Simple dilution guide
- Everyday adult use: about 2–3% — roughly 11–20 drops of essential oil per 1 oz (30 ml) of carrier.
- Sensitive skin, face, or children: drop to 1% or less and check oil-specific guidance.
- Always patch-test a small area and wait 24 hours before wider use.
For a relaxing massage, a few drops of a pleasant oil (lavender and chamomile are popular) in a tablespoon of carrier is plenty. Remember that some oils are phototoxic and shouldn't be worn before sun exposure — see our citrus-oil guide.
What people actually say
Real, unedited voices from Reddit communities and verified Amazon.com reviews — cited, not paraphrased.
“When diluting always do 11 to 20 drops of essential oil per ounce. Also try to get Lavender oil and Chamomile. Those two are excellent for massages.”
“Use a few drops of whatever smells good to her in a carrier oil such as almond, coconut, or olive. Essential oils are highly concentrated volatile gases and should not be used neat.”
“It may irritate the skin if not used with a base oil; to test, put a drop on your fingertip, then apply to the hand or arm.”