Have you ever wondered how you can safely apply essential oils directly on to your skin? Or maybe you have been curious about “oil pulling” and wanted to give it a try? Do you enjoy aromatherapy in your home that is free from toxic chemicals and irritants?
Using coconut oil to dilute your essential oils can help you achieve all of these goals without harmful toxins, preservatives, or harsh chemicals.
The oils you use to dilute essential oils are called “carrier oils.” A carrier oil is a base for blending your essential oils. There are many carrier oils to choose from, but coconut oil is one of the most popular because it can have so many proven benefits and applications.
Like essential oils, coconut oil is surprisingly versatile. Coconut oil can be used as a carrier oil for essential oils used in skincare, haircare, oral health, and home fragrance.
For these purposes, it is used to dilute your essential oils so that they are not too strong or irritating, and coconut oil also provides some added benefits of its own.
Organic coconut oil is free of harmful chemicals, harsh fragrances, and toxic additives. It naturally contains “medium-chain triglycerides” (also called medium-chain fatty acids, MCFAs or MCTs), including one specific compound called “lauric acid.”
The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil work as an effective skin moisturizer.
Unlike some oils, the MCFAs in coconut oil make it more easily absorbed into the skin, instead of just sitting on the surface.
The lauric acid found in coconut oil has natural anti-microbial properties that are particularly beneficial for the skin on the face and lips.
When combined with the beneficial properties of essential oils, coconut oil is a powerful, natural tool for moisturizing, cleansing, and conditioning from head to toe.
Learning how to dilute essential oils with coconut oil can unlock an endless combination of healthy fragrances and wellness benefits – but where do you start?
Read on to learn about how to dilute essential oils with coconut oil and create a custom skin, hair, and oral care at home.
What will you need?
To blend coconut oil and essential oils, you will need:
- Organic extra virgin coconut oil
- Your favorite essential oils (see the recommendations below for a few ideas)
- Airtight container (preferably a dark or opaque to block light)
- Large glass bowl
- Small glass bowl
- Mixing spoon
When it comes to your essential oils, you should choose based on your intended use, goals, and the smells that you like best. Here are some tips to help you decide what is best for you:
Some ideas for skin care
- Lavender: Good for sensitive skin and irritation
- Frankincense: Good for acne and discoloration
- Ylang Ylang: Good for blemish-prone or dull skin
- Geranium: Good for balancing oil production
- Tea Tree: Natural antibacterial and anti-fungal, good for blemish-prone skin
Some ideas for hair care
- Lavender: Promotes hair growth
- Rosemary: Promotes hair growth and thickness
- Chamomile: Soothes scalp and lightens color
- Lemongrass: Soothes skin and reduces dandruff
Some ideas for oil pulling
- Peppermint: Has antimicrobial properties
- Cinnamon: Has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties
- Clove: Has antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antiviral properties
For home fragrance, just follow your nose! If you’re trying for aromatherapy benefits, here are some ideas you can try:
- Peppermint (stimulating, providing energy, mental focus)
- Lavender (calming, providing soothing stress relief)
- Lemon (calming, clarifying)
- Rosemary (energizing, mental focus)
- Cinnamon (warm, comforting, improves concentration)
Step-by-step instructions
As a universal rule, you should plan on a 1% dilution which is about 3 drops of essential oil for every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil. This is safe for topical application on the skin. If you are planning on a home fragrance, you may want to add more.
Follow the basic instructions below to blend your essential oils with coconut oil for a skin treatment, hair treatment, oil pulling, and home fragrance.
Step 1: Add about 1/4 cup of coconut oil to the small glass bowl
In a clean, small glass bowl, measure out about 1/4 cup of coconut oil. You can increase the amount for a larger batch, but because essential oils are sensitive to light and heat it is generally better to do a little at a time.
Step 2. Melt the coconut oil into a liquid state
At room temperature (under about 76 degrees), coconut oil starts to solidify. This is OK for storage, but for the purposes of diluting essential oils, it is easier to work with coconut oil in its liquid state.
To melt the oil, start by pouring hot water into the large glass bowl. Place the small glass bowl in the large glass bowl to warm coconut oil to its liquid form (happens at about 80 degrees).
Once the coconut oil is liquified you can remove the small bowl and continue with the essential oils.
Step 3: Add the essential oils
When the coconut oil is in its liquid form, add a total of 20 drops of essential oils to the 1/4 cup of liquified coconut oil. You can use just one oil or any combination of oils you like.
For example, if you are making a facial moisturizer and want to get the skin benefits of geranium and lavender, you could add 10 drops of each.
After adding the essential oils, use the clean mixing spoon to stir until the coconut oil and essential oils are evenly mixed.
Step 4: Prep for storage
Once your blend is completely mixed together, you can pour the mixture into a storage container, cover, and let it cool.
Because coconut oil will go back to its solid state as it cools, it is best to use a small pot or jar as a storage container. That way you can just dip your finger into the pot like a lotion or cream when you need to use it.
The mixture will turn liquid again as it is rubbed into the skin and warmed up to body temperature during application. If you’re making candles then you would pour the mixture into your candle holder in this step.
How to use essential oil and coconut oil blend?
Now that you have got your coconut oil and essential oil blended together, you can use it for your own self-care and aromatherapy.
Skin moisturizer
You can apply a pea-sized amount of the blend directly to your skin as a facial moisturizer morning and night after cleansing.
You can also make a bigger batch and use the blend as a body moisturizer.
Hair treatment
Use a small dime-size amount of the blend and massage into your scalp and then finger-comb through the rest of your hair.
If you have long hair you may need to use a little more.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling or oil swishing is traditional remedy rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, where oil is swished around or held in the mouth, in order to clean and detoxify teeth and gums.
Take about a tablespoon of the mixture, put it in your mouth, and start swishing. The coconut oil will melt to liquid form as you swish, but do not swallow. Swish the mixture around for about 5 minutes, then spit it out.
Aromatherapy fragrance
Making your own aromatherapy candles with your coconut oil/essential oil blend is easy. Just get a nonflammable container and wicks from your local craft store and follow this simple tutorial.
You can also add some wax to the melting process if you want your candle to have a little more thickness.
Things you should consider when diluting essential oil with coconut oil
If you have never used essential oils or coconut oil, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you get started:
- Spot treat first. You never know how your skin may respond to new products. Whenever you are using a new essential oil – or if this is your first time with coconut oil – try a couple drops in a teaspoon of coconut oil on a small patch of skin first. If you don’t have any redness or itching after about 4 hours then you are unlikely to have an adverse reaction.
- Beware of “fragrance oils”. Essential oils are a very specific quality oil that is naturally derived. Things labeled “fragrance oil” are not essential oils and can be harmful to the skin. Always make sure that you’re using genuine essential oils.
- Talk to a doctor before using essential oils on children. You should consult a pediatrician before using essential oils on children. Not all are safe for kids. Here is a list of oils that are considered child-safe.
- Essential oils last about 5 years. When stored properly, essential oils will last about 5 years. Make sure to store them in a cool, dark, dry place.
- Coconut oil lasts about 1-2 years. Same goes for coconut oil. Store it properly and a single jar will last a couple of years!
- Play around. Try out different combinations to see what you like best and what gives you the best results. Don’t be afraid to mix and match essential oils to find your very own custom blend. A tip if you’re not sure how they’ll smell together, uncap the essential oils and line the bottles up on a counter top. Lean in toward the bottles and waft their aroma toward your nose for a preview!
Conclusion
Are you ready to make your own DIY essential oil/coconut oil blends at home? It is an easy and all-natural way to create custom skin care and home fragrances, and even brighten your smile!
What kinds of essential oils are your favorites?
How do you plan to use your essential oil/coconut oil blends?
Share your ideas and inspirations in the comments section below!
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