7 Beginner Essential Oils Errors and How to Avoid Them
Do you want to use essential oils but are worried about making mistakes? It’s normal to have concerns when jumping into any self-care routine, but essential oils are a helpful way to care for your mind and body.
You don’t need to be an oil expert to use them to their full potential.
But what are the beginner essential oil errors that you need to avoid? We want to help you have a smooth transition into the world of oils.
Keep reading for some common mistakes to avoid.
1. Adding Too Much Essential Oil
Essential oils are highly concentrated, so even a few drops can overpower a mixture. The best way to avoid this mistake is to start small, using a few drops of the oil and adding more to reach the desired amount.
This can be further ensured by determining your desired potency before adding any essential oils and increasing the amount gradually. Additionally, consult professional or experienced mixologists for assistance if you’re unsure.
Utilizing essential oil dilution tools and calculators can also be helpful. Another important factor is to consider the size when determining how much oil is needed.
Lastly, remember that each oil has unique characteristics, so it’s important to research the properties of the oil you’ll be using to adjust quantity as needed.
2. Mixing Essential Oils That Don’t Mix
To start, it is recommended to use only pure essential oils and avoid using any added carrier oils. In general, citrus, floral, and spice oils do not mix well together.
When attempting to create a blend, use oils from the same family, such as citrus or floral. Also, begin with a small number of oils and gradually add more, testing at each stage to ensure that the blend isn’t going bad.
Additionally, it is important to take note of reactions or skin irritation after certain combinations, as that is another indication that it may not be a good blend. Finally, keep detailed notes of what works and what doesn’t to help steer clear of mix-ups in the future.
3. Not Diluting Properly
To ensure an optimal and safe experience with essential oils, the recommended ratio is 1-5% of essential oil to total dilutions. In other words, 1 drop of oil per 5ml of carrier oil or 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil.
It is also important to note to use a carrier oil that is best suited for your skin type. When dealing with small children and elderly adults, consider using a smaller percentage (0.5-1% ratio) because of their sensitivity to oils.
Never apply undiluted essential oil directly onto the skin as this can be highly irritating. Diluting correctly will ensure a safe and effective experience with your essential oils.
When talking about diluting these oils properly, make sure you know when to use the right oil for which purpose. It means that you must know when to order essential oil for mold or when to order another type of oil for another purpose.
4. Not Researching
By not taking the time to research, you risk compromising your safety, health, and overall experience in using the oils. Essential oils are a powerful form of traditional medicine, and you should never use them without knowing how they interact with other ingredients or medications and your own body.
Researching not only means learning about potential medical or therapeutic benefits, but also understanding proper use, dilution rates, and application methods. It is also important to be aware of companies that are not reputable, or that market low-quality products.
Never assume that all essential oils are the same and that any oil is suitable for any purpose. Be sure to always purchase from a reliable source and do your research.
5. Not Reading Storage Instructions
To keep essential oils fresh and potent, they should typically be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a linen closet, drawer, or cupboard. Some essential oils, such as lemon and grapefruit, should also be kept away from direct sunlight. Keeping the oils in their original containers (tins and bottles) can also help keep them from going rancid.
Additionally, providing a tight lid when storing essential oils after use will help protect them from excess air contact, as air can also cause them to degrade. As a general rule of thumb for storage, essential oils should be kept away from heat, light, and air until ready to be used.
6. Not Checking the Expiration Date
To avoid this error, purchase essential oils from reputable sources and look for the expiration date on the container. Ideally, when you purchase a bottle you should use it within a year, although some oils can last up to a few years.
Make sure to also keep track of any oils that you have used in a log to know how long each one lasts. This is an important essential oil safety precaution to take.
7. Not Using Pure Essential Oils
Essential oil is only considered pure when it is made up almost entirely of a single aromatic plant molecule/ So it should be sourced from a reliable and reputable supplier.
To avoid making this mistake, seek out companies that provide detailed information on their essential oils, including the production process and the type of oil used.
Additionally, do not be tempted to purchase essential oils from sellers that are selling oils at unusually low prices, as those oils are likely to be of lower quality. To avoid not using pure essential oils, always buy from a reliable supplier and take note of the origin and price of the essential oil.
Common Beginner Essential Oil Errors
Concluding, essential oils can become an integral part of daily life if used correctly. The benefits of essential oils in a routine are tremendous. Decreasing the occurrence of these beginner essential oil errors can result in seeing even more benefits than may have been thought possible. Learn more about essential oil safety and how to get the most benefit out of using them.
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