When it comes to DIY recipes, you need to be mindful about using essential oils and ensure you are diluting them before use because they are a powerful concentration and essence of herbs. Essential oils do not become less effective with the use of carrier oil like almond, jojoba, grapeseed other oils. In fact, they delay the absorption of essential oils into the skin, which means they will have a long-lasting effect.
I’ve created this easy essential oil dilution calculator where you just have to input the total amount of carrier oil or hydrosol, select the carrier unit (ounces, drops or teaspoons), the percentage dilution (1 to 5% recommended depending on the usage) and then your preferred essential oil dilution unit (ounces, drops or teaspoons), then you will get the amount of essential oil to use in your homemade product, Voila!
With this essential oil calculator, you will be able to make recipes and essential oil dilution accurately and safely at home.
An essential oil dilution calculator is important in determining the dilution percentage since essential oils need to be used in smaller and precise amounts to stay safe. Therefore, whether you are an expert or a DIY beauty product newbie, the calculator can be used to simplify your DIY projects.
To dilute essential oils, you need to use a safe substance like skincare oil, water, unscented lotion or liquid soap. As a guide, you can use 4 – 45 essential oil drops per 1 oz of the carrier substance depending on the homemade product you are making. Percentage dilution should be 0,5 – 5%. Here is a useful chart for your assistance.
Before I answer this, you need to know that the answer is never straightforward, and here is the reason why. For most cosmetic products, for example, a cold press soap, essential oils are used in the range of 0.5-5% of the total formula, and even more for wash-off products.
A cold-press soap is a wash-off product; therefore, its essential oil usage rate falls in the mid-range, i.e., about 2-4%.
Confused? Here is a more detailed example:
If the soap mold has roughly 4 oz. of oil per cavity (i.e. 4.75 oz. bars of soap), the usage rate would be 3%, as follows:
[4 oz. x 0.03 (3%) = 0.12 ounces, i.e., roughly 3.5 Grams of Essential Oil]
If you notice, the usage rate of essential oil is calculated from oil in the formula, and not the entire recipe. This is because water or some other liquid is used in soap making to complete saponification. Since in this process, most of the water is evaporated during cure, using essential oil usage rate based on the complete formula, it will be more concentrated. You also need to remember that with different essential oils, usage rates vary.
Blending essential oils is an art – However, have you noticed that your blend may smell differently after a few hours to when it was created. This is because some essential oils evaporate quicker than others do. Considering their evaporation rate, the essential oil blends can be distributed into three categories.
Although you may not want to restrict your creativity, here are some of the categories that blend well with each other:
Although essential oils may be fragrant and have soothing properties, they may hurt the skin more because of the other oils that are used in combination. The essential oils that need to be avoided include:
You have probably not come across them but just in case!
Citrus essential oils contain natural chemicals that can increase a burning sensation, and hence increase photosensitivity. This means that applying these oils before sun exposure can affect the skin badly. On the other hand, phototoxicity refers to photosensitization, i.e., a UV light-induced reaction that can cause severe burning and discoloration of the skin.
If you have children around you, make sure that you store the oil bottles in a place where they cannot reach. Young children are known to unscrew bottles easily and drink liquids without thought, therefore make sure that you keep them in a safe place. Moreover, use childproof caps for enhanced safety.
The use of essential oil with children is not recommended unless directed by a doctor.
Improve your under-eye skin area with this DIY eye cream I made using only 3… Read More
I'll share how to make DIY Shea butter soap recipes 2 different ways: the melt… Read More
We’ve all had those moments when we’re in a hurry to head out the door… Read More
I'm sharing with you an easy version of my favorite DIY perfume creations – Firefly.… Read More
I'm sharing 3 of my favourite DIY face masks with honey, simple, easy, inexpensive and… Read More
Made without beeswax, this vegan, creamy lip butter recipe with shea butter is the stuff… Read More
View Comments
Hello Eve, I've been doing a lot of online searching for information since I am just getting started. Your site is extremely helpful. I do have a question about dilution that I haven't seen anywhere. Do all essential oils count equally in the % solution number of EO drops to carrier oils? I'm curious if the milder ones like Lavender (can be applied directly to bug bites?) need to be counted as much as the other more potent or irritating oils.
Also, what is your opinion of Pennyroyal?
Thank you for all the wonderful information you have posted.
this is awesome! i am just wondering if you have any recommendations for AHA and other types of acids in face oils.
Super useful post, thank you! What dilution do you recommend for an oral wellness blend (including peppermint, eucalyptus + almond oil as carrier)? Would it be safe to add clove and tea tree to that as well? I would use it on an interdental brush and/or in addition to toothpaste. Thank you.
for oral health, dilution is 0.5% to 1%. in terms of essential oil, peppermint, tea trea and cinnamon are great choice. Clove can be irritant so use with caution.
Thank you so much!