Beginner Basics

Are essential oils only for aromatherapy?

No. Aroma is where most people start, but depending on the specific oil or product and its directions, there are several other ways essential oils get used.

Diffuser / aromatic

An appropriate diffuser disperses aroma into the space around you. This is the most familiar method and the one most beginner recipes are written for.

Personal inhalation

An aromatherapy inhaler holds a few drops on a wick inside a small tube, so the aroma stays with you rather than filling a shared room. Handy when you don't control the space you're in.

Topical

Appropriately diluted oil applied to skin, where that suits the specific oil. This is the method with the most technique to learn — dilution, carriers, and which areas to avoid.

Household

Surface sprays, laundry, bins, drawers and general freshening. A lot of the fun of a small collection lives here, and it is a friendly place for beginners to experiment.

Personal care

Well-chosen oils folded into routines like a bath salt, body butter, sugar scrub or beard oil. Same dilution thinking as topical, just built into something you make.

The method depends on the oil

No oil is right for every method. Something excellent in a household spray may be a poor choice on skin, and an oil you love in a diffuser may be one to avoid around children or pets. The specific oil or product — and its directions — decide the method.

How the app labels methods

When you see method labels such as Diffuser, Topical, Household, Personal Inhaler or Personal Care in My Oil Companion, they tell you at a glance how a particular idea is meant to be used — so you can scan for the ones that fit what you own and where you are.

Try it

Tap into an oil, blend or recipe to see its method and the safety guidance that applies.

Browse recipes by method
Where this comes from (3)

My Oil Companion is for organization and general education. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any condition.