Essential Oil Blending Guidelines and Dilution Chart

How to Dilute Essential Oils Safely and Effectively

Are you wondering how many drops of essential oil to use in your blend? Or how to dilute essential oils for sensitive skin, children, or pain relief? You’re not alone! Every week, I receive questions like:

“Liz, how strong should I make a blend for my husband’s sprained ankle?”
“Is it safe to use essential oils on my children—and how much should I use?”
“How many drops of essential oil should I add to my face cream?”

These are great questions because they show awareness that essential oils are potent and must be used safely. When applied topically without proper dilution, essential oils can cause skin irritation, sensitization, and other unwanted reactions.

The good news? Dilution is simple, effective, and safer for everyone. A few drops, when properly diluted in a carrier oil, can go a long way to support your wellness goals—without risking discomfort or harm.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  1. Why essential oil dilution matters
  2. The best carrier oils to use to dilute your essential oils
  3. When not to use a carrier
  4. Safe essential oil dilution ratios

I’ve also included an easy essential oil dilution chart

Let’s dive in!


Why Dilute Essential Oils?

Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil is the safest way to apply them topically. Here are four key reasons why you should always dilute:

  1. Reduce risk of adverse reactions – Undiluted oils can irritate or sensitize the skin.

  2. Use essential oils in a more sustainable manner  – Dilution helps you conserve your oils, which are precious and concentrated.

  3. Stretch your budget – Using fewer drops means your essential oils last longer.

  4. Benefit from the carrier oil itself – Many carrier oils offer their own nourishing properties for the skin.


Common Carrier Oils for Essential Oil Blending

Here are a few of my favorite carrier oils to use when diluting essential oils:

🌿 Fractionated Coconut Oil

My go-to oil! It’s odorless, colorless, and has a virtually indefinite shelf life. It won’t interfere with your blend’s aroma and works beautifully for massage and roller blends.

🌿 Jojoba Oil (Liquid Wax)

Jojoba is technically a wax but acts like an oil. It mimics our skin’s natural sebum, making it perfect for facial and skincare blends. It has no scent and a very long shelf life.

🥑 Avocado Oil

Rich in vitamins A and D, this is a heavier, luxurious oil ideal for dry, mature, or irritated skin—especially soothing in winter months. Shelf life: about 1–2 years.

🌸 Sweet Almond Oil

Gentle, nourishing, and suitable for all skin types, including babies. However, avoid if you have a nut allergy.

🌹 Rosehip Seed Oil

This premium carrier is packed with antioxidants and is a top choice for mature skin, scar repair, and pairing with regenerative essential oils like Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum).


When Not to Use a Carrier Oil

Some methods of using essential oils don’t require a carrier oil:

  • Diffusion: Carrier oils can damage your diffuser. Use pure essential oils only.

  • Nasal inhalers: Most people use undiluted oils on the wick, though a carrier can be added for gentler inhalation.

  • Inhalation from the bottle: No carrier needed—just breathe in directly from the bottle.


Safe Essential Oil Dilution Guidelines

Below is a general guide to help you dilute essential oils properly. Keep in mind that some oils have maximum dermal limits. Refer to Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand for details.

⚠️ Special Safety Note:

  • Use caution with phototoxic essential oils (like certain citrus oils) when applying to skin exposed to sunlight.

  • Some oils should be avoided entirely when working with pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or individuals with certain health conditions.

🎧 I go into detail about this in my podcast episode:
AWP 036: Phototoxic Essential Oils


Essential Oil Dilution Chart

This dilution chart shows how many total drops of essential oil to use based on the carrier oil volume and desired dilution percentage.

Weight of Carrier 1% Dilution 2% Dilution 3% Dilution
1 oz (30 mL) 5–6 drops 10–12 drops 15–18 drops
2 oz (60 mL) 10–12 drops 20–24 drops 30–36 drops
4 oz (120 mL) 20–24 drops 40–48 drops 60–72 drops

What Dilution Should I Use?

  • 1% Dilution – For children under 12, seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness or sensitive skin.

  • 2% Dilution – General wellness, skin care, and blends used daily.

  • 3% Dilution – For short-term use (1–2 weeks) on pain, injuries, or during colds and flu.


Using Essential Oils Neat (Undiluted)

In general, I do not recommend using essential oils undiluted. However, exceptions can be made for:

  • Small areas

  • Acute situations (cuts, stings, bug bites, burns)

  • Short-term use only

  • High-quality, fresh, unoxidized oils

But even in these cases, use extreme caution. Long-term neat application can lead to sensitization.


Detailed Dilution Breakdown by Bottle Size

Here’s a breakdown of essential oil drops needed for common bottle sizes at different dilution percentages.

5 mL (1 tsp) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 1 drop

  • 2% = 2 drops

  • 3% = 3 drops

  • 5% = 5 drops

10 mL (2 tsp) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 2 drops

  • 2% = 4 drops

  • 3% = 6 drops

  • 5% = 10 drops

  • 10% = 20 drops

15 mL (1 tbsp) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 3 drops

  • 2% = 6 drops

  • 3% = 9 drops

  • 5% = 15 drops

1 oz (30 mL) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 6 drops

  • 2% = 12 drops

  • 3% = 18 drops

  • 5% = 30 drops

2 oz (60 mL) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 12 drops

  • 2% = 24 drops

  • 3% = 36 drops

  • 5% = 60 drops

4 oz (120 mL) Carrier Oil

  • 1% = 24 drops

  • 2% = 48 drops

  • 3% = 72 drops

  • 5% = 120 drops

📝 Note: Drop sizes can vary depending on viscosity and bottle design. Think of these numbers as flexible guidelines—not absolutes.


Final Thoughts on Safe Essential Oil Blending

Safe blending is empowering. When you understand how to dilute essential oils properly, you can create effective, personalized blends for skincare, wellness, and everyday health needs—with confidence.

Have questions about a specific blend?
Ask me in the comments below—I’d love to help!

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