A Beginner's Guide to Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated — a little goes a long way, and 'more' is rarely the answer.

If you're just starting out, lavender, sweet orange and eucalyptus cover most of what people reach for: calm, uplift and clear. Start with a diffuser before you consider topical use, and always patch test.

For skin, dilute to 1-2% in a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond — that's roughly 6-12 drops per ounce.