How essential oils work?

Essential oils are a simple way to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and make everyday moments feel nicer. They can help relax after a long day, boost your mood in the morning, or make your home feel warm and inviting. Nothing complicated — just small, natural touches that feel good. Essential oils can support atmosphere, wellbeing routines, and personal rituals.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. That concentration is exactly what makes them effective — and also why they need to be handled with care. And when used responsibly, essential oils will reveal its beneficial properties, using them at home and on your skin. However, it’s important to remeber how the oil should be used, according to its composition.

Essential oils are not medicines, and they are not a replacement for medical treatment. Essential oils work by gently supporting how we feel and experience our surroundings. Their natural scents can help create a sense of calm, focus, or comfort because smell is closely connected to memory and emotion. Many people use essential oils to unwind in the evening, feel more grounded during a busy day, or simply make their home feel more inviting. Rather than acting in a forceful way, essential oils fit naturally into everyday routines, where their consistent, mindful use can support a more balanced and pleasant atmosphere. However, research does support certain functional and sensory effects, particularly related to:

• Mood and emotional wellbeing
• Relaxation and stress perception
• Sleep environment and sensory comfort
• Perceived alertness or calmness through scent

Much of their effectiveness comes from the way scent interacts with the brain’s limbic system — the area involved in emotions and memory.

Are essential oils safe to use?

When used on skin, essential oils should always be used diluted (with a few very specific exceptions under professional guidance). Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts. In many cases, hundreds or even thousands of plants are required to produce a small bottle of oil. When applied neat (undiluted), this concentration can overwhelm the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Undiluted use may lead to irritation, sensitisation, or allergic reactions, sometimes appearing only after repeated exposure. Diluting essential oils in a carrier oil helps distribute them more gently across the skin, reducing the risk of adverse reactions while still allowing their aroma and properties to be enjoyed.

Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed unless prescribed by a qualified medical professional. Ingesting essential oils introduces these highly concentrated compounds directly into the digestive system and liver, where they are metabolised. 
Certain essential oils can irritate internal tissues or interact with medications, and dosage errors are easy to make without clinical training. For this reason, internal use is generally reserved for specific medical contexts and should only be undertaken when guided by a qualified healthcare professional with appropriate expertise.

Some oils are not suitable for children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or pets. Children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and animals all process substances differently from healthy adults. Their bodies may be more sensitive to certain chemical components naturally present in essential oils. For instance, children’s skin is thinner, hormonal systems during pregnancy are more delicate, and animals — especially cats — metabolise essential oils in a completely different way. 

Essential oils are best when used appropriately, diluted properly, and chosen with the user in mind.

How do I use essential oils correctly?

These are three commonly accepted ways to use essential oils safely – diffusion, topical use and inhalation.

Difusion is most beginner-friendly way to use almost any kind of essential oils. Using a diffuser disperses tiny amounts of oil into the air. Typically 3–6 drops per diffuser session is enough to diffuse for 30–60 minutes, not continuously. It is also important to ensure the room is well ventilated

Diffusion is often used to create a relaxing or refreshing atmosphere and is considered one of the gentlest methods.

For topical use (always diluted) essential oils should be mixed with a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil) before skin application.
General adult dilution is 1–2% (about 1–2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil). Before use it’s important to always perform a patch test. It‘s a simple way to check how your skin may react to an essential oil before using it more widely. It helps reduce the risk of irritation or allergic reactions, especially if the oil is new to you.

How to perform a patch test. Mix 1 drop of essential oil with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, or fractionated coconut oil. Apply a small amount of the diluted oil to a discreet area of skin – the inside of the elbow, or the inner forearm. Check the test area after 24 hours. If the skin remains calm and unchanged, the oil is generally considered suitable for topical use at appropriate dilutions.

Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, and broken skin as these areas are far more sensitive and absorb substances much more quickly than intact skin. Essential oils can cause intense irritation, burning, or injury to the eyes and mucous membranes, and when applied to broken skin they can enter the bloodstream too rapidly, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.

Inhalation (direct but controlled). This may involve inhaling from a tissue or from hands after dilution. It should be brief and intentional, not constant.

Essential oils can be a wonderful addition to everyday life when approached with respect, balance, and good information. Safety is not about fear — it’s about understanding that these are potent plant extracts, not simple fragrances.

If you’re curious to explore essential oils, discover new scents, or choose oils that suit your personal preferences, we offer a carefully selected range of essential oils — whether you already have favourites or are just beginning your journey.

Used thoughtfully, essential oils can become a quiet, meaningful part of your daily routine — one drop at a time.