Essential oils can provide many benefits when used properly, but they also carry risks if misused. Applying undiluted essential oils directly to the skin can cause irritation, redness, burning, and other reactions in some people. Fortunately, there are ways to quickly neutralize essential oils on the skin to stop or prevent negative effects. This guide covers simple methods and ingredients to neutralize essential oils applied topically.
Why Essential Oils May Need Neutralizing
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that contain active chemical compounds. This potency gives them their fragrance and therapeutic properties, but it can also make them irritating for certain skin types. Those with sensitive skin are most vulnerable, but anyone can experience a bad reaction from using essential oils incorrectly.
Signs you may need to neutralize oils on your skin include:
- Redness
- Itching or burning
- Rash or hives
- Swelling
- Pain or soreness
- Increased sensitivity
Reactions can occur right away or up to several hours later. The sooner you neutralize the oils, the less likely you’ll have a significant reaction.
How to Tell if an Oil Needs Dilution
Always dilute essential oils before applying them to skin. Oils that may be used undiluted in very small amounts include lavender, chamomile, tea tree oil, and sandalwood. Other oils are dermal irritants and must be diluted even for short-term use on a small area.
Irritant oils include:
- Cinnamon
- Oregano
- Clove
- Lemongrass
- Thyme
- Peppermint
- Cassia
- Cajeput
A good rule of thumb is to dilute any oil that feels hot or tingly when applied to your inner wrist. This signals the oil contains skin-sensitizing compounds. Dilute it with a carrier oil or discontinue use if irritation persists.
How to Neutralize Essential Oils on Skin
If you’ve applied an undiluted essential oil and want to quickly neutralize it, these simple steps can provide relief:
Apply a Carrier Oil
Carrier oils won’t necessarily “neutralize” the essential oil, but they can help dilute it and limit irritation. Apply a generous amount of a mild carrier oil like coconut, olive, jojoba, or avocado oil to the affected area. Gently massage it in to help absorb the essential oil.
Use Milk
Pour a bit of whole milk directly on the area of skin exposed to undiluted essential oil. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes before rinsing off. The proteins in milk can help deactivate the compounds in essential oils that cause stinging and redness.
Make a Baking Soda Paste
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Gently apply this to the irritated skin and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Baking soda has a neutral pH which helps restore skin’s natural balance.
Apply an Ice Pack or Cold Compress
Wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin cloth and press it gently on the affected skin for 10-15 minutes. This can provide soothing relief by slowing circulation to the area. Don’t place ice directly on the skin.
Wash With Soap and Water
Use a mild soap and lukewarm water to cleanse the area. Avoid scrubbing or rough washing, which could further irritate skin. Thoroughly rinse off all soap residue. This helps remove traces of irritating oil from skin.
Use Alcohol or Vinegar
Rubbing alcohol or apple cider vinegar can help dissolve and wash away residual oil left on the skin. Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and gently blot on the area – don’t vigorously rub. Rinse skin with water afterward.
Apply Moisturizer
Slather on a fragrance-free moisturizer to help soothe skin and restore moisture. Aloe vera gel also works well. This helps counteract dryness from using solvents like alcohol or vinegar.
How to Prevent Essential Oil Reactions
While neutralizing oils can provide relief after a reaction, it’s better to avoid negative reactions in the first place. These tips help ensure safe use:
- Always dilute oils appropriately before applying to skin. Use 0.5% to 2% dilution for most adults.
- Do a patch test on a small area of skin before broader use.
- Avoid oils known to be common irritants.
- Read labels and instructions carefully to check if an oil should be diluted or avoided for certain individuals.
- Apply oils to clean, dry skin – don’t use over open wounds or irritated areas.
- Use carrier oils suited to your skin type. Light oils like jojoba or grapeseed are best for oily and acne-prone skin. Heavier oils like olive and coconut suit drier skin types.
- Limit area of use and duration of contact, especially when first trying an oil.
- Don’t apply essential oils near eyes, ears, nose, or mucous membranes.
- Store oils properly in dark bottles out of direct sunlight. Heat and light degrade the quality over time.
- Perform regular skin checks when using any new product. Discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
- Consult an aromatherapist or dermatologist if you have ongoing problems with oil reactions. They can help identify problem ingredients and recommend safer alternatives.
- Keep hydrated and moisturize skin daily to maintain a healthy protective barrier against irritants.
Essential Oils to Avoid for Sensitive Skin
Some essential oils are much more likely to trigger skin sensitivity in those prone to reactions. It’s best to avoid or take extra precautions with these:
Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil contains cinnamaldehyde which gives it a characteristic hot and spicy aroma. This makes cinnamon oil very irritating used undiluted. Always dilute it to 1% or less if applying to skin.
Citrus Oils
Citrus oils like lemon, grapefruit, and lime contain chemicals called limonene and geraniol that can be phototoxic. Exposure to UV rays when these oils are on skin causes increased reactivity. Avoid applying them before sun exposure.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has a high concentration of phenol compounds like carvacrol that give it antibacterial properties. These phenols can be irritating to skin, so oregano oil should not be used undiluted topically.
Peppermint Oil
The menthol in peppermint makes it feel cooling on skin, but it can cause redness, itching, and skin damage in some. People with rosacea or eczema should avoid using peppermint oil topically.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus contains eucalyptol and limonene which can irritate skin and mucous membranes. Never apply near eyes or nose. Dilute to 1% or less for use on skin.
Wintergreen Oil
Wintergreen oil contains methyl salicylate, similar to the salicylic acid found in some anti-acne products. This gives it drying, exfoliating properties that may be overly harsh on some skin.
Thyme Oil
Like oregano, thyme oil has a high concentration of skin-sensitizing phenols like carvacrol and thymol. Always dilute thyme oil well before applying topically.
Safe Alternatives to Problem Oils
For those with recurrent issues using particular essential oils, safer options exist that provide similar aromatherapy benefits:
- Instead of cinnamon, try clove, allspice, star anise, or cardamom
- Rather than citrus, use bergamot, neroli, or petitgrain
- Replace oregano with thyme, savory, basil, marjoram, or dill
- Trade peppermint for spearmint, rosemary, eucalyptus, or cardamom
- Use lavender, tea tree, rose, geranium instead of eucalyptus
- Switch out wintergreen for camphor, peppermint, or lavender
- Substitute thyme oil with lavender, rose, parsley, basil, oregano, or clary sage
Work with an experienced aromatherapist to make substitutions tailored to your needs and skin sensitivities.
When to Seek Medical Care
In most cases, essential oil reactions can be treated safely at home using the neutralizing methods described here. However, if any of the following occur, seek prompt medical care:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the lips, eyes, or throat
- Dizziness, confusion, rapid heart rate, or fainting
- Hives or rash spreading over large areas of the body
- Persistent wheezing or asthma symptoms
- A severe whole-body red rash (may indicate toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- Skin blistering, peeling, cracking, or detachment
These could be signs of anaphylaxis or other life-threatening allergic response that requires emergency treatment.
When to Discontinue Essential Oil Use
If certain essential oils repeatedly cause negative reactions for you, it may be best to avoid using them entirely. This is especially true for oils known to contain skin-sensitizing compounds like cinnamon, oregano, and citrus oils.
Listen to what your body tells you. Even if you dilute an oil appropriately, it doesn’t mean your skin necessarily likes it or handles it well. While many believe that essential oils are harmless because they’re natural, they can still provoke sensitive skin.
Work with your dermatologist or aromatherapist to find suitable alternatives to problematic oils. There are always other options to explore with acceptable safety profiles. You may also need to adjust the dilution levels you’re using or switch to applying via diffusion rather than topical use.
Be willing to change your essential oil habits if your skin isn’t responding well. While aromatherapy has many benefits to offer, it should never come at the expense of your skin health. Patience and proper precautions will help you discover how to use essential oils in a way your skin can tolerate.
The Takeaway
Essential oils offer natural therapeutic potential when used correctly, but they also require caution. Always dilute oils properly before applying them directly to skin to prevent irritation. If you do experience a reaction from using an undiluted oil, there are several simple home remedies that can provide rapid relief. With adequate care and common sense, essential oils can be an excellent addition to your wellness routine.
