Essential Oils — Potent, Powerful, and to Be Used with Care

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are the highly concentrated, aromatic extracts of plants. They’re obtained through steam distillation or cold pressing and capture the volatile compounds responsible for a plant’s scent. Examples include lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and bergamot.

Unlike plant oils, which are mostly triglycerides and fatty acids, essential oils are composed of small, volatile molecules such as terpenes, alcohols, and phenols — substances that can interact directly with our biology. This makes them therapeutic in small doses but irritating in excess.

The science of essential oils

Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetics for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and uplifting properties. However, evidence also shows that overuse or improper dilution can cause harm:

• Reports of allergic contact dermatitis linked to essential oils are increasing (Sindle et al., Dermatitis, 2020).
• Phototoxic reactions can occur with certain citrus oils, especially bergamot, if applied before sun exposure.
• The Tisserand Institute and IFRA (International Fragrance Association) both recommend strict dilution limits to ensure safe topical use.

How to use essential oils safely

Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin. They must be diluted in a plant oil (the carrier) before use.
Here are some general guidelines:

• Facial products: 0.5–1% dilution (about 1–2 drops per 10ml carrier oil).
• Body oils: 1–3% dilution.
• Avoid phototoxic citrus oils in daytime leave-on products unless using bergapten-free versions.
• Always patch test before full use.

The key difference

Evidence-based advice

• Plant oils = nourishment and moisture
• Essential oils = scent and therapeutic potential
  Used together — in the right proportions — they can complement each other beautifully. The plant oil provides the base that supports your skin, while the essential oil brings mood-boosting and sensory benefits.

Final thoughts

Both plant and essential oils are gifts from nature — but they’re not interchangeable.
One nurtures your skin’s structure; the other engages your senses and emotions. Respect their differences, use them knowledgeably, and they’ll reward you with balance, nourishment, and calm.

Follow @plantoilgirl for more information 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

✅ References

• Lin, T.K. et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Botanical Oils, Int J Mol Sci, 2017.
• Danby, S. et al. Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier, Pediatric Dermatology, 2013.
• Sindle, A. Art of Prevention: Essential Oils—Natural Products Not Innocuous, Dermatitis, 2020.
• Tisserand Institute, Essential Oil Safety Guidelines, 2023.
• IFRA Standards Library, Phototoxicity and Allergen Limits for Essential Oils, 2024.