{"id":401,"date":"2022-08-03T02:24:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T02:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/eu\/?p=401"},"modified":"2022-08-16T10:16:36","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T10:16:36","slug":"how-to-use-essential-oils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/eu\/en\/how-to-use-essential-oils\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use Essential Oils"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you\u2019re unpacking your first Premium Starter Kit, or perhaps you were gifted a bunch of essential oils and are unsure on how to get started with them? If so, then this is the blog for you.<\/p>\n

When it comes to using essential oils, we\u2019ve all been beginners at one point or another, asking our friends for advice and scouring the internet for guides on the top uses for our favourite fragrances. However, here at Young Living, we\u2019re firm believers that everyone can become a pro with a little practice and the help of a simple guide. So here it is, Young Living\u2019s ultimate guide on how to use essential oils!<\/p>\n

What Are Essential Oils?<\/h2>\n

Essential oils are aromatic, concentrated plant extracts that are carefully obtained through steam distillation, cold pressing, or resin tapping. At Young Living, we offer essential oils, blends, and oil-infused products with optimal levels of specific, naturally occurring essential oil constituents to maximise their potency.<\/p>\n

The beauty of essential oils is that they are all different, but this can make it tricky when offering tips on how to use and dilute oils, in addition to advising about how long oils can be kept. Did you know, just one 5 ml bottle of a Young Living essential oils can have as many as 80 drops in it, making them as long-lasting as they are high-quality. Generally, we do advise replacing oils at least every 3 years, although checking individual labels is always recommended.<\/p>\n

\"Distillation<\/p>\n

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How to Use Essential Oils<\/h2>\n

When it comes to using essential oils, there are three main ways to enjoy their benefits: aromatically, topically, and internally.<\/p>\n

Aromatically refers to smelling and inhaling the sweet, spicy, woody, or herbaceous oils we offer, while topical application could mean everything from diluting an essential oil with a carrier oil for a relaxing massage or combining it with your favourite lotion for an indulgent, skin-loving treat. Finally, internal use refers to our Plus oils range, all of which can be added to your favourite foods and drinks to provide a flavour sensation that tastes just as good as the fresh plant or fruit it was extracted from!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re wondering how often to use our essential oils, we believe that they can easily become a part of your daily routine. Start the day with a drop of Lemon+<\/a> in your morning water, apply a few drops of Ylang Ylang<\/a> to your neckline for an exotic perfume, surround yourself with a fragrance that promotes focus and motivation at work with our Brain Power<\/a> blend, and wind down in the evenings with the calming scent of our Tranquil Roll-On<\/a> \u2014 the opportunities really are endless with Young Living.<\/p>\n

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How to Dilute Essential Oils<\/h3>\n

At Young Living, we pride ourselves on the purity of our essential oils. Their potency and high quality make for a fantastic product but can sometimes require dilution to minimise the risk of adverse reactions when applied directly to the skin. To help dilute essential oils for topical application, we always suggest using a carrier oil, which is a base oil that helps to \u2018carry\u2019 your chosen essential oil across the skin.<\/p>\n

To help dilute essential oils for topical application, we always suggest using a carrier oil, which is a base oil that helps to \u2018carry\u2019 your chosen essential oil across the skin. When choosing a carrier oil<\/a>, we recommend Young Living V-6\u00ae Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex<\/a>, although any vegetable oils such as coconut or avocado oil can also be used.<\/p>\n

When learning how to safely dilute oils and deciding how much of a carrier oil to use, we suggest always reading the individual labels of your chosen essential oils. While some Young Living oils may be prediluted for topical application, such as our popular KidScents\u00ae range<\/a>, which has been created with particularly delicate skin in mind, others may be stronger, leaving you wanting to dilute them heavily.<\/p>\n

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How to Mix Essential Oils<\/h3>\n

When learning about essential oils, one of your first questions may have been whether it was possible to mix them. At Young Living, we offer a variety of essential oil blends so you can enjoy fragrant combinations to suit every occasion, but mixing oils yourself to create unique, personalised scents is also entirely possible.<\/p>\n

There are, however, a few important factors to consider when mixing oils at home. One is how potent the oils in your blend are and whether or not they may require dilution as explained above. The next is which carrier oil should be used if dilution is required, as when creating a blend, the carrier oil should make up the greater part with only a small percentage being essential oils. It\u2019s also critical to know that some oils, especially citrus oils, can cause temporary photosensitivity, so when using citrus oils in a blend, sunlight should be avoided for the next 12 hours just to be safe.<\/p>\n

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A patch test<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re not sure how your skin will react to a blend, simply perform a patch test. A patch test involves applying a small amount of an essential oil or oil blend to the inside of your forearm. Then you wait an hour or two to see if your skin reacts to it. If there is no reaction, then you\u2019re free to move forward with applying that essential oil blend to your skin. And, if you\u2019re wondering where to start on finding oils that pair well together, why not browse our selection of readily available essential oil blends<\/a> to learn more!<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils Topically<\/h2>\n

As previously, noted, one of the best ways to enjoy essential oils is through topical application. Oils absorb easily into the skin, so you can quickly and directly enjoy their beneficial properties.<\/p>\n

When applied topically, essential oils can improve the appearance of healthy-looking skin. Mix them with your favorite cosmetics to include them in your skin care routine or add them to carrier oils to take a massage to the next level, making it that much more soothing or invigorating, depending on the oils you use. A few drops of essential oils even have the power to transform a warm bath or hot shower into a spa-like experience!<\/p>\n

When applying essential oils, there are a few tips and tricks you may enjoy trying. These include applying the oils to your pulse points, otherwise known as the places on your body where your blood flows close to the skins surface, such as the wrists, neck, and feet, or by using a roll-on, as these allow you to do away with any mess and offer fuss-free application while on the go.<\/p>\n

You may also want to experiment by trying to add oils to your own DIY recipes, such as in a homemade exfoliating soap<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils on your Body<\/h3>\n

There are many beneficial areas of your body where you can apply essential oils. You can gently rub oil into places such as your neck, forehead, temples, wrists, chest, and stomach. This also includes extremities like your arms, legs, and the bottoms of your feet. In fact, the bottoms of your feet are one of the safest places to apply essential oils topically.<\/p>\n

There are, however, a few areas where you shouldn\u2019t put essential oils on your body. You\u2019ll want to avoid your eyes, ears, nose, mucous membranes, and the skin around them, or places where the skin is sensitive. If you want to use essential oils on your face but you\u2019re nervous about possible irritation, why not try making a DIY facial steamer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils in the Bath<\/h3>\n

One brilliant and mess-free way to make the most of essential oils is by combining them with Epsom salts to transform your bath time and make it into a magical, spa-like experience. If that\u2019s not enough, you can also try adding a few drops of your chosen essential oil to your shampoo, conditioner, or body wash to ensure that you carry your favourite fragrances with you all day long and enjoy their nourishing benefits.<\/p>\n

For recommendations on how many drops of your chosen oil should be added, we recommend checking individual product labels. Get creative with a DIY recipe and make your own shower steamers!<\/a><\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils on your Hair<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s safe to say that having luscious locks is always a huge confidence booster. And with your favourite essential oils, you can ensure that your hair looks beautifully hydrated and smells incredible every day.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on the hunt for a product that\u2019ll do the work for you, why not try one of our essential oil-infused products, such as our Lavender Mint Daily Shampoo<\/a> and Conditioner<\/a>? Alternatively, try DIY hair treatments<\/a> such as hair spritzes or an apple cider vinegar rinse.<\/p>\n

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Making Perfume with Essential Oils<\/h3>\n

One of our favourite ways to use essential oils is, of course, in perfumes, where the stunning fragrances of the oils can be enjoyed fully. When creating an essential oil perfume<\/a>, it’s important to establish a base, middle and top note. Typically, you\u2019ll smell the quick-evaporating top notes first, followed a moment later by the middle notes\u2014the heart of the perfume. Finally, you\u2019ll catch the base notes, which complement the top and middle notes.<\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils for Massages<\/h3>\n

When thinking about essential oil usages, massages are normally at the top of everyone\u2019s lists. Whether it\u2019s for relaxation or for relieving everyday stresses, massages are always given a boost by the addition of fragrant essential oils. Find a carrier oil that works for you, always read the label recommendations for dilution, and get to work with a well-deserved, spa-like massage.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure on where to start, check out this handy hack for making a massage bar<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

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Using Essential Oils Internally<\/h2>\n

Ingesting essential oils can, understandably, cause concern for those first learning about it. If you\u2019re wondering whether ingesting essential oils is safe, the short answer is this. Yes, certain essential oils are safe to ingest \u2013 with caution. It\u2019s important to stick to essential oils that have been created with human consumption in mind, like Young Living\u2019s Plus Oils<\/a>, and you should always follow the label instructions before starting out.<\/p>\n

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How Can Essential Oils be Used in Drinks and Cooking?<\/h3>\n

At Young Living, we offer a range of sweet and savoury flavoured Plus oils, all of which can be used to create delicious homemade dishes and tantalising drinks. If you\u2019re hoping to add a boost of flavour to your morning water or smoothie, opt for a citrus oil such as Orange+<\/a>, which tastes just as fresh and zesty as the fruit itself. Alternatively, if your favourite dinner is missing the addition of fresh herbs, try adding a drop of Basil+<\/a> for a deep, herbaceous flavour that the whole family is sure to enjoy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that Young Living\u2019s Plus Oils are very concentrated and should be used sparingly as to not spoil a dish. To make sure you use just the right amount, we suggest adopting the toothpick method as less is certainly more when it comes to these tasty oils!<\/p>\n

\"Lemon+<\/p>\n

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Which Essential Oils are the Best for Beginners?<\/h2>\n

When getting started with oils, it\u2019s good to have an idea of the most popular options. At Young Living, our recommendations for the top 10 oils for beginners are as follows:<\/p>\n