Safety first – Diluting and Converting Essential Oils

It is super important to correctly convert measurements and then dilute your essential oils for safe use. A weak dilution could be ineffective but a blend that is too aromatic could be dangerous to the most vulnerable in our homes. Children, pets and adults with health concerns could be affected negatively.

Diluting is simply adding an essential oil (or more) into a carrier oil. Never use concentrated essential oils without diluting them first. If you don’t dilute your oils first, you could cause skin irritation or systemic toxicity. Always start with a weak dilution to be safe. You can always add essential oils later if the solution is too weak.

The list below will help you to convert ounces to milliliters and then to drops. The list also explains how many drops you will need to make % dilution quantities. The dilutions and percentages below are only guidelines. Factors such as age and health should always be considered first.

Ounces to Milliliters

1/8th oz. - 3.75 ml

1/4th oz. - 7.5 ml

1/2 oz. - 15 ml

1 oz. - 30 ml

4 oz. - 120 ml

8 oz. - 237 ml

16 oz. - 473 ml

Ounces to Drops

1/8th oz. -75 drops

1/4th oz. -150 drops

1/2 oz. -300 drops

1 oz. -600 drops

Percentages

Example:

If you have 1 tsp of carrier oil and you add 1 drop of an essential oil then you just made a 1% dilution.

So:

1% Dilution

1 oz. = 30 ml = 600 drops of oil

1% of 600 drops is 6

Add 6 drops of essential oil to 1 oz. of carrier oil.

2% Dilution

1 oz. = 30 ml = 600 drops of oil

2% of 600 drops is 12

Add 12 drops of essential oil for 1 oz. of carrier oil.

3% Dilution

1 oz. = 30 ml = 600 drops of oil

3% of 600 drops is 18

Add 18 drops of essential oil for 1 oz. of carrier oil.

4% Dilution

1 oz. = 30 ml = 600 drops of oil

4% of 600 drops is 24

Add 24 drops of essential oil for 1 oz. of carrier oil.

A dilution guide by age and health:

Children between 2 and 6 years – 0.25% dilution – 1 drop of essential oil per 4 teaspoons of carrier oil

Children 6 + years – 1% dilution (1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil or 6 drops per ounce)

Most healthy adults - 2% dilution (2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or 12 drops per ounce)

A general % rule:

Products for irritated skin – 0.25 % dilution

Face creams or serums – from 0.2 to 1.5 %

Bath and body products - from 1 – 4 %

Safety first – Essential Oils and Pets

Safety first – Essential Oils - Shelf Life and Storage

Safety first – Essential Oils and Children

Safety first – Essential Oils and Phototoxicity

Safety first – Essential Oils and Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Labor

Safety first – Essential Oils and Carrier Oils in Aromatherapy