How to Use Essential Oils Topically

Learning how to use essential oils topically is not as complex as it may seem. Although most essential oils can be used topically, HOW they are used will vary with different oils and skin types.

Topical application of oils allows them to quickly enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. As the oils are applied and absorbed into the skin, the scent is inhaled giving off even more benefits (read: Aromatic Usage of Essential Oils).

Where Can Oils Be Use Topically?

Logic often dictates where to apply an essential oil. Most often, applying directly to the affected area is most effective. For instance, to relieve a headache, you would apply oil to the point of pressure. For skin rashes, apply to the effected area. Stomach pains or indigestion would call for direct application on the abdomen. Additionally, the soles of the feet and reflex points are great points of application.

Common Topical Application Methods

• Massage: Massage is an enjoyable way to use essential oils topically. Massaging the oils into joints, muscles, and tissues is relaxing and beneficial. Always move toward the heart when working on the arms and legs and avoid a heavy hand, or moving over the spine or other sensitive areas, with too much pressure.
• Energy Center Application: The chakras or energy centers of the body are simply fields of energy that are associated with balancing emotions, physical conditions, and our internal makeup. When the chakras are balanced, life is balanced. Read more about chakras and essential oils here.
• Reflex Points: Did you know that the largest pores in your body are on the soles of your feet? Apply oils to your feet allows quick and efficient absorbtion. This is also the gentlest option for using essential oils, especially for sensitive skin, children, or elderly. The feet especially are beneficial because of the large pores that will allow the oil to absorb quickly into the blood stream, but are tough enough to make the likelihood of irritation much less if your skin is prone to reactions. The reflex points of the hands and ears are also common and effective points of application (scroll down for images)
• Hot or Cold Compress: Soak a cloth or towel in cool water with drops of your favorite essential oil to place over the area of concern. Or wrap the cloth/towel in a hot water bottle to use as a warm compress.
• Bath: You can add essential oils to your bathwater, to your bath salts, or to a foot bath to soak in. 
• Personal Care: You can use essential oils as a natural deodorant, as part of a skin care regimen, added to lotion or moisturizers, and so on. 

Know your Skin Type 

While many oils can be safely applied directly to the body, not all skin types are the same. Do you tend to have sensitive skin? Diluting your essential oils with coconut oil, lotion, or any oil that is safe for your skin will yield maximum benefits. Are you not sure? Test an area of you skin, perhaps your inner arm, before you apply anywhere else. Start with one drop, then increase slowly. And use one oil at a time, so that if you have a negative reaction, you know where the reaction comes from.

Topical Precautions

• Citrus oils can cause a sensitivity to the sun. It's usually recommended to avoid sunlight within 12 hours of applying topically
• Diluting never hurts. It doesn't negatively impact potency, and in fact, might increase the amount of oil absorbed (the carrier oil helps to prevent evaporation). Even if you've used an oil before without problems or don't consider yourself to have sensitive skin, you can still develop a reaction to it with excessive use over the same area of the body. Try to mix it up when possible and dilute as necessary. 
• It's usually better to "layer" oils than to blend them. What this means is that if you're using 2 or more oils topically, apply one, then wait between 5-30 minutes and apply the other over it (instead of mixing a drop of each in your hand and then rubbing this into the skin). Mixing the oils is as much an art as it is a science, which is why we tend to stick to the blends doTERRA has already created, since we know they are safe and effective.
• Take extra care using essential oils on babies or children's skin as it is very sensitive. A 2-5% carrier dilution is appropriate.

Sources: Sustainable Baby Steps, Everything Essential