PRECAUTIONS BEFORE USE

Before integrating essential oils into your beauty routine, here are some questions to ask.

Does the essential oil have to be pure?

It’s a mark of quality, so it’s important to read the full list of ingredients to know exactly what you’re using. Some oils, such as pure lavender, are often diluted with another oil or synthetic materials. In those cases, say hello to allergies and adverse reactions or reduced efficacy!

Can you put it directly on your skin?

“Yes, if you have a sunburn, you can apply pure lavender oil, or for a minor cut or scrape, tea tree oil,” says Pacchioni. “But it’s only good to do it if the area to be treated is small, and the treatment time doesn’t last more than a couple of days.” In fact, certain essential oils can irritate— or even burn—our epidermis. To avoid any bad reactions, dilute them in a base oil. Our favourite base oils are apricot, jojoba, grape-seed, or sweet almond oil, which are not strongly scented.

Can you mix essential oils?

As Colas explained, there surely exists a singular oil that corresponds to your needs, so why make it more complicated? “Inform yourself as to which oils are appropriate, then choose one among those that appeals to your olfactory senses,” he suggests. “If there are several options, pick the one with the most benefits.”

Can you consume essential oils?

Be warned! Consuming these oils can be dangerous, as some of them have hallucinogenic properties, while others can cause serious complications to the liver or stomach. “Unless you’re an expert, absolutely avoid swallowing these products,” says Colas. Using the oils in the three ways that they are meant to be administered—diffusion, inhalation or topically applied—will give you their maximum benefits.”