From aromatherapy to grooming to cleaning products, there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of uses for these alluring liquids. Some folks will exaggerate the benefits or point to not-so-scientific studies to make a profit. It’s still a developing field, so you should do your homework before using essential oils. Don’t let us scare you off though. You can still enjoy plenty of replenishing benefits. We’ve got the lowdown on what these oils are, how to get started, and a few of our favorite essential oils.

So What Are Essential Oils?

Let’s quickly cover off on a few of the basics. Essential oils are plant-extract concentrates. The word "essential" does not mean vital or necessary, but that it contains the "essence" of the plant. Nice marketing move, oils. In short, these oils are just super concentrated versions of the plants they come from.

Getting Started with Essential Oils

Before snagging a bottle slathering it on, it’s important to remind yourself that these liquids are highly concentrated. A way to avoid this: pair it with a carrier oil as to help dilute the essential oil. Personally, we love coconut oil for this task. It really comes down to your own skin sensitivity. So start with just the essential oil, and if it’s too powerful for your skin, try mixing in a carrier oil. Trial and error is part of the fun of becoming your own mixologist.

Lavender Essential Oil

You can’t talk about essential oils without mentioning lavender. On top of smelling incredible and having reported relaxing properties, lavender may help reduce acne! Blemishes may pop up when dry skin overproduces your skin’s natural oil called sebum. Lavender works to hydrate dry skin so your body slows its sebum production.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense has antibacterial properties which makes it an excellent skin cleanser. Some people have found other benefits include reducing wrinkles and removing blemishes.

Basil Essential Oil

On top of making your pasta taste incredible, basil can also benefit your skin. Basil essential oil can hinder enzymes that cause irritations allowing it to reduce your itchy skin.

Rose Essential Oil

Doesn’t using rose essential oil on your skin sound sexy? The benefits go beyond making you feel lavish. Rose contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help create a smooth and soft surface.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

This is a lesser known essential oil, but it packs a whole lot of punch. Ylang ylang essential oil comes from a tropical tree with the same name and has been revered for centuries for its anti-aging properties. It has been known to balance moisture, leaving skin looking smoother and younger.

Finding the Right Essential Oils for You

There are thousands of essential oils on the market—and more coming. Here are a few simple rules to go by when you're considering bringing a new essential oil into your routine:

• Avoid diluted oils derived from plants treated with pesticides.
• Start with small doses.
• Resist the urge to try them all at once as it will be hard to track which are successful.
• Don’t forget your carrier oil and try playing around with different oil ratios.

Now that you know a little more about essential oils and how to use them, you should be ready to dive in. Good luck!