Anyone who has topically applied dōTERRA Deep Blue® Soothing Blend
before and after a workout knows how quickly and intensely it works. But
the cooling sensation can sometimes be a little strong for small
children or people with sensitive skin. Diluting essential oils in a
carrier oil before application is an excellent way to reduce sensitive
skin reactions to certain essential oils, but will it reduce its
effectiveness? The answer may surprise you. Recent research suggests
diluting essential oils for topical applications not only does not
reduce effectiveness, but may actually have certain advantages.
LIPOPHILICITY
The skin is one of the largest organs in the body, by both surface
area and weight. Although it regulates several aspects of physiology and
manages sensory reception, it is primarily a protector. The skin acts
as a barrier to protect internal organs from variations in temperature,
pressure and mechanical impacts. It also acts as a defender against
unwanted foreign agents such as viruses and bacteria, and it does so
with amazing proficiency. For thousands of years it was thought that the
skin was essentially impermeable, but modern research has revealed that
it is not particularly effective at keeping out water and lipid soluble
substances.(1)
How essential oils permeate the skin when applied topically is a
fascinating process, and one of the most important concepts in
understanding how essential oils influence our health. Essential oils
are lipophilic, meaning they are attracted to and are soluble in fatty
substances. Diluting essential oils in a carrier before application
accentuates this property, providing a number of benefits.
BENEFITS OF DILUTION
Dilution is one of the most important aspects of
effective topical application; it is also one of the most
misunderstood. When used properly, carrier oils have been shown to
improve essential oil topical application through several different
pathways. Evaporation is the primary issue in topical application, as
body heat and the skin present a formidable barrier. One of the most
important benefits of dilution is that it slows the flashing off of the
volatile aromatic compounds, largely through one of the fundamental laws
of fluid dynamics: decreasing the surface area of a substance exposed
to air reduces the rate of evaporation. When diluted, essential oil
chemical constituents have been shown to pass through the epidermis more
efficiently than when applied neat . (2) Furthermore, another study
showed that dilution may expedite the process, as varying levels of
specific constituents were detected in exhaled air in as quickly as 20
minutes when using a carrier while a neat application resulted in no
detection for up to two hours. (3)
Introducing dōTERRA® TOUCH KIT
You can now find dōTERRA’s most popular essential oils in a base of
dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil for easy-to-use application.
Understanding proper dilution is an important factor in safe and
effective essential oil use. Foremost, any substance that has a
near-neutral pH, such as dōTERRA® Fractionated Coconut Oil, is incapable
of altering the chemical makeup of an essential oil. Proper dilution,
with an appropriate carrier, will not change the effectiveness. One of
the most common concerns is the use of essential oils on those with
sensitivity considerations, especially children. Although sensitivities
are rare when proper usage guidelines are followed with neat
application, by decreasing the rate of evaporation and therefore further
limiting exposure, dilution allows for an even greater margin of
safety. Dilution requires you use less oil for the same effect. When
trying a new oil or when applying warmer oils such as Oregano or Thyme,
dilution can decrease the risk for a hypersensitive reaction, reduce
waste, and provide an ideal environment to discover which essential oils
work best for your situation.
Along with improving application efficiency, there are also secondary
benefits to using dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil as a carrier. It has
a light emollient effect and is excellent for your skin. Unlike other
vegetable-based oils, it does not leave an unpleasant greasy residue or
interfere with the valuable properties of the essential oil it is
carrying. dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil is also very stable, so you
don’t have to be concerned that it will go rancid. Learning to use
dōTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil appropriately as a carrier will improve
the experience for your entire family.
Despite the growing body of evidence regarding the benefits of
dilution, both methods of topical application have their place in the
developing model of effective essential oil use. Many of the dōTERRA
essential oils can be used safely and effectively neat, but proper
dilution can be used appropriately at any time and may even offer some
advantages.
References
1. Jager W, Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Fritzer M. Journal of Cosmetic Science.1992;43(1):49-54.
2. Bronaugh RL, Wester C, Bucks D, Mailbach HI, Sarason R. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 1990;28(5):369-373.
3. Price S, Price L. Aromatherapy for health professionals. 2012. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier: Edinburgh. 130.
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| doTERRA® Touch series |
Have an amazing day
Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
