Confused about how to dilute essential oils for ultimate safety and efficacy? Then you’ll want to keep this essential oils dilution chart handy! I keep this one and our KidSafe dilution chart magnetized to the side of my fridge. But first, you need to know how to read it. Let us explain.
How to Read the Essential Oils Dilution Chart
We often get asked just HOW in the world you read this thing. We realize that this might seem intimidating – but we promise it’s not as bad as it seems! It’s important to remember that ANYTIME you apply essential oils to the skin, you’ll want to use a carrier oil. This chart helps you find the right ratio for your situation.
And for even more in-depth information about dilution, check out our Ultimate Guide to Diluting Essential Oils!
*For a printable version, click here.
How do I know which dilution rate to use?
For normal, daily use we recommend a dilution rate of 2%. For acute situations, like an injury or temporary condition you can even go up to 5%-10% for a SHORT period of time. How long is this? Typically less than 2 weeks.
How do I get .5 of a drop of essential oil?
You don’t. If you really want to be exact, you need to increase the amount of carrier until you come across a whole number! If you can’t do this, just round DOWN to the next whole number (example 1.5 drops of lavender oil becomes just 1 drop).
What about use on the face?
This normally means you’d like to blend into a facial serum or cream and will be using it daily. Stick to 1% dilution – the skin on your face is more sensitive and you should use a lower dilution.
How do I safely dilute essential oils for my kids?
For use with children, you can see guidelines in the bottom block. For the most part, we feel like a 2% dilution for spot treatments is fine. You’ll notice that this block refers to WHOLE BODY APPLICATION. Since we rarely cover our entire bodies in essential oils – a 2% dilution is fine.
What is “whole body application”?
In the case of a massage (or body cream) where a large portion of the skin is covered, you want to use a lower dilution. Since so much surface area is affected, this increases the total rate of absorption for your body.
You can join our Facebook group Safe Essential Oil Recipes and participate in a lively conversation with other essential oils users. We have your safety in mind – so come hang out with us to learn even more! We look forward to seeing you there!
To clarify, when it says “18 drops” for a 2% dilution in 30ml of carrier oil, is that 18 drops total of all essential oils combined or per oil type? For example, if I’m using 3 essential oils, can use up to 18 drops of each, or can I only use 6 drops of each? Thank you.
Only 6 drops of each oil.
What percentage of dilution of tea tree should I use to vanish my acne on face and for how long???
You would only want to use a 1% dilution of it on your face once a day. I would recommend morning or night. Use it until your acne has lessened. Then only use it 2-3x a week. We hope this helps!
What percentage of dilution of tea tree should I use to vanish my acne on my face???
Hi there, if I’m making a face serum which is 30ml I’m using a mix of two carrier oils and 7 essential oils do I put 15ml of each carrier oil and would it be the 1% (9 drops of each oil?
The mix of carrier oils is entirely up to you! But 50/50 is always a good place to start. As for the essential oils, because this serum is going on your face, you’ll want to stick to a 1% dilution, which would 9 drops total.
I mix 10 drops of lemon essential oil in 1 tsp of coconut oil to produce a 10 % dilution. Is my dilution concentration correct and am I within the recommended daily dosage and duration guidelines?
I use 1 drop of the diluted portion three times a day for 2 weeks then once daily as maintenance. Is it dangerous to use 1 drop of a 10 % solution of the above, smear it on your finger tip then smear inside your ear?
A 10% dilution is above the recommended dilution of 2%.
If a recipe for bath salts or a sugar scrub says 20 drops of let’s say lavender EO, is that 20 drops diluted or undiluted?
That depends entirely on the recipe. As long as an emulsifier is part of the recipe (like a carrier oil), then the Lavender would be properly diluted. From there, it’s just making sure that the dilution percentage is safe for everyday use.
Please create a magnet for this one too! I measure everything by ml and not tsp… so this chart is much more helpful than the other.
That’s such a good idea! In the meantime, you can print off the bigger chart and put it on your fridge.
I want to make a hair and body moisturizer for my 3 and 4years old children. I plan to use 250g of shew butter, I would also like to add tea tree and lavender to it. How many drops of each essential oil should I add. I was thinking 112 on each side, please correct me if am wrong. Thank you
If you’re making a daily moisturizer for your kiddos, you wouldn’t want to use more than a 1% dilution in your shea butter. Provided my conversion is correct, 250g is just under 9 ounces. And 1% dilution in 9 ounces is 81 drops total. You can reference the chart or this handy guide any time you need to make a DIY!
Perfectly explained! Thank you! SO helpful.
This older blog is one I still look for, just to bring up the dilution chart.
I should have the chart memorized for the number of times I use it, but, why memorize it when it is so handy to just pull up and look at.
I think I have been with Plant Therapy since about the time this chart was made, that’s a long time to refer to something, but, it is just so good, and easy to use.
So happy for this helpful information, I am new to using essential oils and this chart helps me to feel more confident on how to safely dilute my oils for different uses.
I am very new at this and my oil I chose says to dilute with a 1:10 ratio. Um not to sound stupid but I don’t know what this means. Can you help me out?
Also what’s the best carrier oil to use with tea tree oil?
Michele, we have since updated this information into a blog that hopefully explains everything much better; here is the link: https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/11/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-a-comprehensive-guide/ Also, your carrier oil choice for Tea Tree depends a lot on what you are trying to accomplish. Many people love using Fractionated Coconut Oil because it is odorless and very versatile, but we do have a great blog covering all our carrier oils so you can search for yourself to help determine the one best for you! https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2019/03/11/carrier-oils-2/
I love these dilution charts! It makes it so easy. I pull it up every time I make roll-ons, lotions, etc. Thank you for creating an easy to understand chart. I also love the kids dilution chart.
If I want to make a roll on with more than one oil, and keep it at 2%dilution, do I use 6 drops of each oil in it or as many as it takes to add up to a total of 6 drops of oil. Hope I am making sense. Thank you
Belle, you’ll want to make sure that the *total* number of drops is 6 🙂
Interested in making roller bottles for my grandchildren. This blog was very helpful to me .
Question – when diluting with witch hazel instead of a carrier oil, are these still the correct ratios?
Lexie, we do not recommend diluting with Witch Hazel as it is not a good way to emulsify essential oils. Please reach out to our team of aromatherapists at [email protected] if you have any more questions 🙂
Look I can not do math . So here is my situation I’m making bath bombs okay and I am trying to dilute my oils before I do . How many drop of ylang ylang do I use to how many drops of carrier oil
Hi Abby, bath bombs are a more complex recipe so how much carrier oil you use depends on what your recipe calls for. Keep in mind, Ylang Ylang can be sensitizing, so don’t use more than a 0.8% dilution, which is 3 drops in one tablespoon of carrier oil.
This was good to read. I’ve been trying to completely understand proper dilution. I don’t want to make something that will harm. So much to learn.
THAT’S WHAT I’D LIKE TO KNOW AS WELL.
This is so wonderful! I have the kidsafe dilution magnet, which is wonderful, but I love this reference so I just know how many drops to put in my roller. Thank you for this helpful info!
Im learning so much. Just to clearify, use 1% dilusion for something like a lotion that is covering the body? (Olive lotion plus skin soother on 11 year old, 5ml lotion plus 1 drop?)
We like to recommend people start at the lowest dilution you need to see any noticeable results. If you find that Skin Soother at 1% does not make a difference, try increasing the percentage to 2%. However, keep in mind that each essential oil has their own unique dilution recommendation. I’m going to link a more current post on dilution to offer some more information: https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/11/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-a-comprehensive-guide/
Thank you. I found this from a welcoming link on your FB page. I had been reading % dilution, but could not figure out where these numbers were coming from. New to EO and excited for my first order from PT to arrive this week.
Hi there, new to oils but these were highly recommended! I am looking to make soaps, are solutions different for soap making? Not sure where to start at all!
i am making a hair product and i want to know how many essential oil drops should i put in a 8 oz bottle which is 237 ML and how many carrier oil drops would i put in a 8 oz bottle. Also for the 16 oz bottle which is 473 ml how many essential oil drops would in it and how many drops of carrier oils would i put inside of it as well if i am missing it with other stuff to.
I sent you an email for more info 🙂
I’m making my son a calming rollerball. I’m new to oils. I have the calm the kid oil and it says 1-3%. Does that mean to take 10mls and add 9 drops to the carrier oil?
Jada, with the 1-3% diltuion, you would add between 3-9 drops of the blend, into a 10ml bottle of Carrier oil.
Hello! im looking to make something for dark eye circles! What dilution would be best ?
Thank you!
I have several dilution charts/guides… just didn’t know if it was the same for body butter products versus those with carrier oils
Thank you for the chart! I’ll just use 10ml bottles and it will be easy to figure out. I have a question… Does the dilution ratios also apply to use in a diffuser? Sorry if that’s a dumb question hehe! Thanks again!
No, you do not dilute essential oils for the diffuser. 🙂
Hi there! New to using essential oils. I bought the Nature Shield syngergy blend and I noticed it says to dilute to 5% for topical use. But I don’t know how to dilute oils. I gather I need to use a carrier oil and add droplets of the essential oil to it. But I don’t know any examples of carrier oils for Nature Shield.
Any carrier oil would work for Nature Shield. Some popular options are Fractionated Cococnut Oil and Aloe Vera Jelly. 🙂
Wow – thank you for the fast reply!! I appreciate your help!
Is there a standard amount of drops/ml for carrier oils or would that depend too much on their consistency? I was hoping to blend amounts smaller than 5ml at a time.
It can vary, though it usually averages between 20-40. We base our dilution chart of the median average, 30 drops per ml. 🙂
Helllo! Great stuff here! Wanted to know If i was to make a flu or a cold blend , what dilution rate & am i looking at ? and how long can i use it for that period?
Thank you !
It would really depend on the ages of users and what oils you chose to use. For short term use, you could go up to 5%.
I would like to make a facial scar blend from your essential oils, consisting of the following oils frankincense, lavendar, myrrh, geranuim, carrot seed, helichrysum in carrier oils of Tamanu and Rosehip. This would be for kids 10 yrs old and above. What is the best way to make a recipe with several different EO in several carrier oils but making sure to follow the proper dilution rates for children/teens and using the correct total of drops for each EO? How do you determine the number of each EO for the carriers? Any recommendations of EO and/or combinations for a scars blend and suggested number of drops and dilution would be appreciated. Thank you!
I think in this instance it would be best to create a master blend first, and then dilute that to apply topically. A master blend is the same thing as a synergy, it is a mixture of undiluted essential oils. In a separate empty bottle, combine the essential oils in the desired quantities. Once that is done, I would dilute it to 1% for the face (3 drops per 10ml of carrier oil), and 2-3% for other places (6-9 drops per 10ml of carrier). Here is a blog post that may help you: https://www.planttherapy.com/blog/2017/03/30/beginning-blending-1-2-3/ 🙂
I’m looking to do the same thing with the same oils plus a few more. The mix would be for me for Discoid Lupus scars and over all skin health. The chart is confusing to me. I need direct simplified instructions. How many drops of oil per teaspoon or tablespoon of carrier all, no matter the combined amount of essential oil. I need a rule of thumb to follow.
Unfortunately there really isn’t a rule of thumb when it comes to safety diluting essential oils. Dilution rates can very for different oils, so saying “use X amount of drops per Y amount of carrier oil” is always going to be safe is not true. To give you an idea of how to follow, there are 15ml in a Tablespoon. Start at the top and go to 15ml. Go down to 2% and you should arrive at 9 drops.
Id like to ask. Ive put 12 drops of lemongrass oil in rosehip oil. 2% dillution yes? But Ive seen some sites that says it should only be .7%? what should I do? I dont have enough money to just buy a whole new rosehip oil bottle. Ive just read that the turle of thumb is.12 drops per 30 ml so thats what i did before seeing the .7% thing.
Mikaela, you can add any carrier, such as Coconut or Almond to get the proper dilution. With Lemongrass Essential OIl you would want to keep at 6 drops per ounce of carrier oil.
Hi, i would like to ask a question. I am going to blend a body oil for sleep which i can use every night. Please advise what is the best dilution rate for 30 ml carrier oil ? . thank you 🙂
Hi Togi!We recommend diluting to 2-3%.
Hello! Is it okay to use Nighty Night DAILY using a 2% rate on my 3 year old? I read that prolonged use can cause desensitization. Should I cycle in another blend that comprises of different oils after a one month period?
We would suggest that you use as needed, for those occasional restless night, rather than every night.. frequent use could increase the risk of sensitization. Yes, switching out, or going without for a few days is a good option…
Just ordered calming the child oil, so according to the chart to make a 10 ml rollerball I would add 6 drops of oil to the carrier oil, correct??
Amanda, 6 drops in a 10 ml roller would be a 2% dilution. You could go as high as 9 drops of Calming The Child.
Is a 2% dilution good for a 2 and 3 year old??
the balm is for scalp. A hair balm basically. Not fr skin
I am thinking of making a herbal balm with 5% essential oil dilution. Is it ok with the dilution? I am making the balm to sell.
Likhitha, 5% would be high even for the scalp. I would recommend a 2% dilution.
I am new to this guys so bare with me if you will. I purchased Nature shield synergy to ward off mosquitoes and knots. They attract to me like crazy. I would like to make a spray to use for this purpose. Any suggestions?
Hi Gina! There a link to great blog post that features an outdoor spray, https://www.planttherapy.com/blog/2016/04/30/diy-outdoor-spray/.
I have Respir aid on the way and want to make an everyday roll on for an elderly person. What would be the appropriate amount of drops for a 10ml roller bottle? TIA
Jessica, please email [email protected] for dilution recommendations on this. Thank you!
I just need the simple mathematics explained to me. How are these numbers calculated? lol i’m confused
Hi Sharelle! 1% is 9 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier. 0.5% would be 9 drops EO to 2 ounces of carrier oil. If you have additional questions, please feel free to email [email protected].
I think the missing part for you Sharelle is how many drops are in a tablespoon for example. The way it is presented can be a bit hard to follow because they’re kind of talking apples and oranges. For example, in 15 mL which is 1 tablespoon there is between 250 and 300 drops (the variance comes from the viscosity or thickness of the oil, and therefore the drop size).
The chart is an excellent tool to simplify, but I think what is missing for you is knowing the total number of drops in the complete blend. Because it’s incredibly tedious and time consuming to count out 250 or even up to 600 drops for a full ounce, following the chart is a good way to go. 🙂
I’m making a scalp & hair oil, is the skin there more sensitive like the face (meaning, should I max out at 1% EO dilution) or is a 2% dilution safe for that application?
2% is a safe dilution, however if you’re going to be using it daily, for a substantial period of time, I would recommend sticking with a 1% dilution to avoid concerns associated with sensitization.
Excellent point! Thank you!
New to oils here… I’m trying to make a teething blend for a 11mo old. I have Roman Chamomile and Lavender and found many recipes ranging from 5-12 drops each with a carrier oil. That doesn’t seem to match up with an 11mo old I don’t think?? What would you do for a 10ml bottle? Same thing with an Ear Infection Blend… I was thinking 2 Lavender, 2 Tea Tree, and 2 Chamomile? would that be safe for a baby? Thanks for any help you have, reading these dilution charts has confused me!
We don’t generally recommend using essential oils on children so young. However for a short period of time, a specific purpose, and using KidSafe essential oils at a .25-.5% dilution would be safe. In a 10ml bottle that would be a total of 1 drop of essential oil. You can make a master blend of all of the essential oils then drop one drop into your 10ml bottle to properly dilute. Your essential oil combinations are great choices for your purposes, I would recommend that you only apply to the outside of the jaw and the outside of the ear. I hope this has answered your question!
super.. thanks so much
You’re very welcome!
Is the 1% dilution for the face per oil or overall? In
Other words, if I’m adding 3 different essential oils, do I add 9 drops of each, or 3 drops of each. I feel like I should know this, but my basic math is failing me.
Hi Beth! if you are using a 1% dilution and have 3 oils, you would use 3 drops of each for a total of 9 drops.
Thanks! That makes sense but a lot of the recipes I see call for so much more. It’s really great to have this guide to make sure I’m not overdoing it!! You guys are awesome!
This calculation confuses me as I thought the total combined 1% dilution for a 10 ml bottle is 3 drops. I have face serums in 10 ml bottle that have 2 different EO’s (Blend # 1: 2 drops frankincense, 1 drop clary sage) but are you saying that I can use 3 drops of frankincense & 3 drops of clary sage? If I add 2 more EO’s can my total drops equal 12 in a 10 ml bottle (4 EO’s x 3 drops = 12)?
Michelle, your original thought on dilution is correct. For the 1% dilution in a 10ml bottle, that is a total of 3 drops(split between all the oils in the blend). You do not add 3 drops of EACH oil.
That is not what plant therapy just stated though email which is correct? The combined oil would make sense but perhaps it is the amount of only one particular oil?
Hello Jess! I’d love to look into this further and to help ensure all of your questions are answered. Could you please email me directly at [email protected]? Thanks!
The link for “your situation” in the first paragraph is broken.
This is so straight forward. Thanks so much for posting.
I googled dilution ratios and most charts I’ve seen so far have shown that a 30ml bottle needs 6 drops for a 1% dilution as opposed to yours which states 9. Can you explain why you state more than many others?
There are several “versions” of dilution charts that we have seen. We have based our off of what is contained in Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition by Tisserand and Young. Robert Tisserand works closely with Plant Therapy in ensure our safety information is accurate.
I went to a YL “Make & Take” party and was given a recipe for a 5 ml allergy roller. I knew 40 drops were too much, but it allows me to take it home and dilute it more to be safe. I don’t have all the oils they used, so it’s a nice way to sample EO recipes. (plus more dilution) My question is: after using 10 drops Lavender, 10 Lemon, 10 peppermint, 10 copaiba, and filling to top with sweet almond oil, how can I dilute this to a safe level to be usable? That rep was using this on her children, which I shuddered at. She didn’t give details of botanical names, but they were on the bottles. I don’t know enough about oils to be picky, and they weren’t either. We have allergies and was interested in something to help. I know I can trust your answers. Thank you! Judy
I hope that this blog post can explain how to dilute properly. https://www.planttherapy.com/blog/2015/08/10/how-to-read-the-dilution-chart/
The dilution chart PDF link is broken
For an updated dilution guide, please check out this post: https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/11/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-a-comprehensive-guide/