🌿 Safe & Happy Oiling: Your Essential Oil Safety Guide
Welcome to EKOB Essentials! Your safety and enjoyment of essential oils are our top priorities. Because essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, they require special handling. Please review these simple guidelines before use.
1. The Golden Rule: Dilute, Dilute, Dilute!
Pure essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin (this is called using them "neat"). Dilution in a carrier oil (like Fractionated Coconut Oil, Jojoba, Castor Oil or Almond Oil) is essential to prevent irritation and sensitization.
General Guide for Dosing (Per 1 oz / 30 ml Carrier Oil):
Healthy Adults: 2% (12 drops)
Children (Ages 6-12): 1% (6 drops)
Sensitive Skin / Elderly / Daily Facial Use: 0.5% - 1% (3 - 6 drops)
Targeted Spot Treatment (Adults Only): 3% - 5% (18 - 30 drops) (Maximum)
2. ⚠️ Mandatory Safety Cautions (Read First!)
These rules apply to every single bottle of essential oil you own:
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Do not ingest essential oils unless guided by a trained, clinical aromatherapist.
Keep Out of Reach of Children. Essential oil ingestion is a common cause of accidental poisoning.
Keep Away from Eyes and Mucous Membranes. If oil gets into the eye, flush immediately with a carrier oil (like olive oil) or milk, not water, and seek medical attention.
Store Properly: Keep oils in their dark glass bottles, tightly sealed, and stored in a cool, dark place away from heat and open flame.
3. 🚨 Special Warnings: Oils That Need Extra Care
Some oils contain powerful compounds that require specific limitations to ensure your safety. They are as follows:
Sun Exposure Risk (Phototoxicity)
Certain oils can cause severe burns or skin discoloration when exposed to UV light (sun or tanning beds).
Oils Affected: Cold-Pressed Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Bergamot, and Bitter Orange.
The Warning: AVOID SUNLIGHT OR UV LIGHT for at least 12-18 hours after applying these oils topically. (Note: Steam-distilled citrus oils are generally safe in the sun.)
High Irritation Risk (Maximum Low Dilution)
These "hot" oils must be diluted very significantly to avoid chemical burns.
Oils Affected: Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Oregano, Thyme ct. Thymol, and Lemongrass.
The Warning: DO NOT EXCEED 1% DILUTION (and sometimes much less, consult professional guidelines) for topical use. These are best used for short-term, targeted applications or diffused.
Seizure & Child Risk
These oils contain strong compounds (ketones) that can affect the nervous system or breathing.
Oils Affected: Rosemary, Camphor, Sage, Hyssop, and Peppermint.
The Warning: DO NOT USE if pregnant, nursing, or prone to seizures/epilepsy. NEVER USE PEPPERMINT OR CAMPHOR OILS ON OR NEAR THE FACE OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
4. When to Say Goodbye: Oil Shelf Life
Essential oils don't last forever. They oxidize (break down) over time, losing their benefits and becoming skin irritants. Below is a general guide to detect shelf life and oxidation:
Citrus Oils (Lemon, Orange, Tea Tree) 12 - 18 Months: Smell sour, rancid, or like turpentine
Floral/Herb/Mint Oils (Lavender, Peppermint) 2 - 3 Years: Scent becomes flat or acquires an "off" note.
Wood/Resin Oils (Sandalwood, Vetiver, Patchouli) 6+ Years: Very long lifespan, but check for thickness/stickiness.
If your oil smells bad, looks cloudy/sticky, or causes irritation where it didn't before, please stop using it topically and discard it.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a certified clinical aromatherapist or healthcare provider before use.