Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. Before an oil touches your skin, it should be mixed into a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or fractionated coconut. Here is the simple way to do it.
What does "1%" mean?
A 1% dilution means 1 part essential oil to 99 parts carrier. In practice, about 1 drop of essential oil per 5 ml of carrier oil is roughly 1%.
Drops-per-bottle chart
- 10 ml roll-on, 1%: about 2 drops
- 10 ml roll-on, 2%: about 4 drops
- 30 ml bottle, 1%: about 6 drops
- 30 ml bottle, 2%: about 12 drops
- 100 ml bottle, 1%: about 20 drops
Use 0.5% to 1% for the face and for sensitive skin, and keep 2% for the body at most.
Good habits
- Patch test first: apply a little of the diluted blend on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours.
- Avoid eyes, inner ears and broken skin.
- Take care with citrus oils on skin that will be in the sun.
- Label your bottle with the oil, the date and the dilution.
- Keep out of reach of children. Check our kid-friendly guide and dog-friendly guide before using oils around the family.
Choosing a carrier? Read Carrier Oils 101 or browse our carrier oils.
This article is for general information about scents and personal care routines and is not medical advice. Always follow the directions on the label.