A Helpful Guide to Diluting Essential Oils with Coconut Oil
If this is your first time using essential oils, there are three things you need to know. First, essential oils are natural; they are the purest substance that can be extracted from plants. Second, they are extremely aromatic; in fact, many scented products, including soap, candle and perfume got their fragrance from essential oils. Third, they are highly condensed; direct topical application is not advisable.
Just because essential oils are natural doesn’t mean they can’t be as dangerous as their synthetic counterparts. The risk of using essential oils, however, is not in their chemical components but in their concentration. They are so highly concentrated that they can irritate even the toughest of skin, but can be diluted in carrier oil, a type of oil also extracted from plants with less potency.
Coconut Oil as a Carrier Oil
Like essential oils, carrier oils come in a variety of types thanks to the diverse plant species that can produce them. One of the most popular, and possibly the most widely used, carrier oils available on the marketing today is coconut oil and its less viscous version, fractionated coconut oil.
Coconut oil is prized not only for its ability to efficiently carry essential oils to the skin’s surface, but also for its own cosmetic benefits. Like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon essential oils, coconut oil has antibacterial properties, which makes it an excellent disinfectant. It’s also anti-inflammatory, capable of preventing acne breakouts.
How to Dilute Essential Oils with Coconut Oil
Before stressing over the dilution process, remember that both essential oil and coconut oil are oils. It is to be noted that to gain the most success out of their use, it is always best to be cautious when diluting. Here’s a quick guide that you can follow.
1. Prepare the materials and tools you need, including the essential oils, regular coconut oil, a small glass bowl (or beaker), a pan, an induction stove, and a mixing spoon. Coconut oil can dilute just about any kind of essential oil, so don’t limit your choice of essential oils.
2. Unlike essential oil, virgin or RBD coconut oil is available in paste or solidified cream form, depending on how it’s stored. To efficiently dilute essential oils, you have to melt the coconut oil first. Pour at least 1/4 cup of coconut oil into the glass bowl or beaker and water into the pan. Put the pan on the stove and the bowl into the pan. This boiling method is called the double-boiler method.
3. Turn up the induction stove to 80 degrees Celsius and wait for the coconut oil to fully melt. This only takes a few minutes, so don’t leave the stove unattended. You don’t want your melted coconut oil to evaporate. Turn down the heat when there’s no more chunks of coconut oil left in the bowl.
4. Once the coconut oil is fully melted, wait for it to cool down to at least 60 degrees Celsius before pouring 20 drops of essential oil. If you pour the essential oils too soon, odds are they will only dissipate and you won’t get the fragrance and soothing effect you desire. Mix well until you can no longer distinguish the essential oil from the carrier oil.
5. Pour the mixture into a separate container, maybe a jar or a pot of your choice. Cover the container properly and allow the mixture to cool. To preserve the quality of your diluted essential oil, store it in a cool area, avoiding direct sunlight.
It’s highly likely that the mixture will harden due to the fatty acids present in the coconut oil. You can avoid this by using fractionated coconut oil as your carrier oil instead of virgin or RBD coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil is devoid of the major fatty acids that make regular coconut oil solidify. To be sure, however, consult with experts from N-Essentials. They can give you all the advice you need to produce the right mixture.