Essential Oil Safety
Essential oils are very potent, so be cautious when you use them. Remember, a little goes a long way!
Always check the instructions first. Read label directions for each individual oil before use. Some oils should not be ingested.
Less is more. You can always add another drop, so start slow, whether you’re using your oils topically, aromatically, or internally.
Dilute when necessary. Due to potency, some oils may be irritating to the skin. If irritation occurs, immediately apply V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or olive oil to the affected area to dilute.
Careful where you apply. Don’t apply essential oils to your eyes, ears, nose, or other areas with sensitive skin.
Product Safety Guidelines
Young Living essential oils are cultivated to be as pure and potent as possible. We strongly recommend that you read individual label instructions and the following guidelines to ensure safe use of essential oils:
The orifice located in the oil bottle opening helps you follow correct dosages. It also helps prevent small children from accidentally swallowing large amounts of essential oil. If you suspect that a child has consumed a large quantity of oil, give them milk and seek medical advice.
Seek the advice of a health professional before topically applying any oil to children that includes dilution directions on the product label. When applying a new oil, test one drop on a small patch of skin first (e.g., on the underside of the forearm). Skin sensitivity is highly individual. If the skin feels hot or turns red, apply a vegetable oil (V-6™ Vegetable Oil complex or olive oil) to the area to dilute. Washing the area with water is less effective.
Use only one new oil at a time to determine how your body responds. Wait 30 minutes before applying another new oil.
Certain oils may sting the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oil residue on the fingers may damage contact lenses or cause eye discomfort. If accidental stinging does occur, put 1–2 drops of pure vegetable oil into the eye. Avoid putting essential oils directly into the ears.
Pure citrus oils may compound the effects of sun exposure. Limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours (up to 24 hours for Angelica and Lime; up to 48 hours for Bergamot) after applying these undiluted essential oils to the skin. Cosmetics, personal care products, or cleansers with synthetic ingredients penetrate the dermal layers of the skin. Avoid applying essential oils to areas where you use these products, as it may take these chemicals deeper into skin, fatty tissue, or the bloodstream.
Avoid using essential oils on skin that has been damaged or affected by chemical burns. When adding essential oils to a bath, first mix 5–10 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Young Living Bath and Shower Gel Base or Epsom salt and then add to running water. Limit the diffusion of unfamiliar essential oils to 10 minutes a day, increasing the time after determining their effects. The length of time should depend on the size of the room and potency of the oils.
See individual label directions or check with a health professional before using essential oils if you have a serious medical condition or are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant. Do not use Tansy, Clary Sage, Sage, Fennel, Wintergreen, or Hyssop during pregnancy.
Consult a health professional about any serious disease or injury. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for conditions that require professional attention.
Essential Oil Safety FAQ
A. Young Living labels each bottle of Young Living essential oil with directions on how to use it; these directions vary based on your region. Please consult the product label for appropriate usage directions.
A. Young Living offers products for nearly every aspect of your life. These products are generally labeled for topical/aromatic, dietary, or cleaning usage. While all our oils meet our Seed to Seal® quality commitment and exacting purity and safety testing, our traditional essential oils are intended for topical/aromatic use, while our Vitality™ oils are intended for internal consumption. This distinction allows Young Living and our members to freely share the dietary and culinary benefits of our oils, thanks to Vitality’s clearly labeled dietary instructions.
A. A carrier oil is a plant-derived oil—such as coconut oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil—that can be used to dilute essential oils. Young Living’s V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex is an excellent carrier oil for all applications. Carrier oils ensure that topically applied essential oils are comfortable on the skin. Dilution with a carrier oil does not dilute the effect of the essential oil. In fact, it prevents waste due to excessive application. Look for correct dilution ratios on Young Living essential oil bottles. Vegetable shortening, butter, margarine, or petroleum derivatives (such as mineral oil, baby oil, and petroleum jelly) should never be used as carrier oils.
A. Hot oils are oils that can cause a hot or warming sensation when applied to the skin. Examples of hot oils and blends include Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Lemongrass, Oregano, Thyme, Exodus II™, and Thieves®. For some people, Peppermint’s cooling sensation can be too intense. Young Living recommends using a patch test procedure prior to first use. To perform a patch test, apply 1-2 drops of essential oil to a patch of skin such as the forearm. Observe that area of skin over the course of 1-2 hours for any noticeable reaction; normally, however, reactions occur within 5-10 minutes. If you experience a hot or burning sensation or develop a rash, add V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or another carrier oil to the affected area as often as needed.
A. If discomfort or irritation occurs, stop using the essential oil and apply V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or another carrier oil to the affected area. Be aware that some documents suggest diluting the essential oil with water, but water actually drives oil into the skin and eyes. Never use water in an attempt to flush the oil off of the skin, as this may increase discomfort. If an essential oil gets in your eye, flush with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or another carrier oil as quickly as possible to alleviate any discomfort. If eye discomfort does not subside within 5 minutes, seek medical attention.
A. Avoid contacting sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, genitals, and mucous membranes with essential oils.
A. Follow the proper usage instructions printed on each essential oil label. Essential oils can be very powerful, so start low and go slow. Excessive use of essential oils may increase the risk for adverse reactions. In most cases, 1-2 drops are adequate, and using more may waste product. Depending on the essential oil, you can gradually build up to 3-4 uses per day, if desired.
A. As with any medical condition, we strongly recommended that prior to using essential oils you seek the advice and recommendation of a competent, trained health care advisor who is experienced in essential oil usage. Some people choose to avoid overuse and excessive use of Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Idaho Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), as well as the blends and supplements that contain these oils.
A. Many essential oils are appropriate for use on children but should be diluted with a carrier oil prior to use. Some Young Living products come prediluted with carrier oil, as indicated on product labels, and are intended for direct application on children. You can dilute 1-2 drops of essential oil such as SleepyIze™, RutaVaLa™, Gentle Baby™, and Peace & Calming® with a carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of the feet.
A. Some essential oils, especially citrus oils, contain natural molecules that react with sunlight (UV light) and cause a sensitivity reaction. Young Living labels the essential oils and oil blends that contain these compounds with a warning to avoid sun/UV light for 12-48 hours after applying. Always use caution when starting to use a new oil. To reduce the risk of sensitivity, use patch testing (see above under What is a “hot oil”?), dilute, and apply the oil to skin that will not be exposed to sun/UV light. Young Living formulates our beauty and cosmetic products to remove sun-sensitizing agents to reduce the risk of sun sensitivity.
A. If you have a disease or medical condition or are using a prescription medication, it is recommended that prior to using an essential oil you consult with a health care advisor who has experience with essential oils. Seek the advice of the prescribing physician and a pharmacist about potential interactions between any medication and essential oils.