The Ultimate Guide to Essential Oils: Everyday Uses You Need to Try

If you’ve ever picked up a bottle of essential oil and asked yourself, “Okay…but what do I actually do with this?” – then this article is for you.

Although essential oils have been around forever, most of us are only scratching the surface when it comes to how versatile they really are.

From improving your morning routine to refreshing your home to enhancing your self-care rituals and even adding a little extra intention to your daily habits, essential oils can be used in more ways than you think.

It’s not about complicated wellness claims or hard-to-pronounce science, but simple, practical, and sometimes surprisingly genius ways to incorporate essential oils into real life.

Think: quick home refreshes, easy beauty swaps, effortless lifestyle upgrades, and small rituals that make your day more enjoyable. Whether you’re a total beginner or already have a growing collection on your counter, these ideas will really help you. to use your oils instead of letting them collect dust.

Ahead, we break down all the creative, everyday ways to use essential oils — the ones you’ll actually want to try.

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Um WOW, hi TSC. What an honor it is! Where should I start? My love affair with essential oils began in 2010. I was home for the weekend from college when my mother insisted that I rub peppermint oil on my temples and palate to get rid of a hangover headache.

Fast forward to the present day, they’ve been a long-time staple in my routines. My husband calls them witchcraft and he is probably right. But I will take all the holistic healing lotions and potions I can find! Tea tree on my nose? Lavender on my feet? Sign me up right away.

Essential oils are pure nutrients distilled, extracted and pressed from different plants, barks, seeds, roots and flowers, all of which have varying historical and natural healing properties. They can be taken internally, applied topically or diffused into the air. Essential oils are detoxifying, antibacterial, antiviral, mood enhancing and much more. They can be used as aromatherapy, personal care and natural medicine treatments. So where and how can you start stocking your medicine cabinet with them?

There are many reputable companies, but personally I only like and trust doTERRA essential oils because they source from the plants’ regions of origin and rigorously test each bottle. As a former health coach, I referred clients to them all the time, so let’s get started.

Here’s how to start incorporating essential oils into your daily life:

Sleep/night/evening

Lavender – Diffuse or rub lavender oil on the soles of your feet before going to bed. You can also add water to a spray bottle and spray the air and pillowcases for deeper sleep. Serenity Blend works very well in the same way.

Energy/Vigilance

Peppermint – Diffuse or put a drop of peppermint oil on your temples, behind your ears, under your nose and on your tongue. Focus and Motivate blends also work well applied topically to the wrists, soles of the feet, or elbows on the inside of the arms.

Headaches/migraines

Peppermint – Apply to temples and behind ears. You can also add 1-2 drops to your thumb and place your thumb on the roof of your mouth for a few seconds.

I also often search Deep blue And Pass mixtures. Apply locally to the trigger point on the forehead where you feel pain or pressure. As a migraine sufferer myself, Past Tense Tension Blend is my choice every time.

Stomach upset/bloating

DigestZen Blend – Add a few drops to the stomach area and rub into the skin.

Rashes

Tea tree oil – Put 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil on a cotton pad and apply to any skin inflammation like a pimple.

baby

Roman chamomile And Do n THE– Place 5 to 10 of each in a diffuser in the baby’s room for naps and nighttime.

Incense and Grounding Blend – You can also apply incense to the crown of baby’s head and grounding blend to baby’s feet and spine. I would recommend diluting with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconutand skin testing a small spot on one of their feet before applying it all over.

Pregnancy and birth

Ginger oil – Take a few drops in a vegetarian capsule internally for first trimester nausea.

Helichrysum oil and split coconut in the lower region during childbirth – helichyrsus is known to relieve bruising on you and baby’s head.

Perfume/Eau de Cologne

Whispered Mix Or Jasmine (females) – Apply 1 to 2 drops to the wrists.

Cedar wood Or Sandalwood (men) – For a homemade cologne, grab a small rolling bottle from Whole Foods or Amazon and add a few drops of cedar or sandalwood, lavender and bergamot.

House cleaning

Lemon oil – Make your own all-purpose cleaning solution: add 1/3 distilled white vinegar, 2/3 water and 5 to 10 drops of lemon essential oil.

Meditation

Peace Blend – Rub on the soles of the feet and wrists.

Anxiety

Adaptive Mix – Diffuse into the air, rub onto the soles of the feet, or add 2 drops to a vegetable capsule and take internally.

Cellulite/skin tightening

Grapefruit Oil – Mix a few drops with any carrier oil and apply to skin. You can also make a homemade shower scrub with grapefruit, ground coffee, coconut sugar and coconut oil.

Sore/achy muscles

Deep Blue Mix – Wintergreen feels like a non-toxic version of Icy Hot. Mix with a few drops of carrier oil and rub onto the painful area. You can also use Past Tense Blend. Rub a few drops onto sore shoulders or neck to help relax muscles.

Sinus infections/colds

Eucalyptus oil– Add a few drops to the bottom of the bathtub before showering.

Oregano oil is like nature’s antibiotic. Add 2-3 drops to a vegetarian capsule with another 2-3 drops of lemon and a drop of olive oil. Take 1 to 2 times a day.

Strengthen immunity

Mixture on guard – Stream everywhere! Their hydroalcoholic gel is also part of my regular rotation. I have a bottle with me everywhere I go.

Lightening Blonde Hair

Blue tansy – Safe for highlighted hair. Add a few drops to your shampoo bottle and use them in place of “purple shampoo.”

Deodorant

Mandarin oil – Add 5 to 10 drops to a spray bottle with water. You can use it in bathrooms, kitchen or anywhere to get rid of odors!

Air-X Blend – You can also use this blend to purify and purify the air. Diffuse or add a few drops to a spray bottle with water.

Cooking

Add a few drops during cooking in place of spices or fresh herbs! Below is a list of my favorites.

Basil, Coriander, Black Pepper, LemonLime, Thyme, Turmeric, Ginger, Oregano, Cinnamon bark, Vanilla from Madagascar

*Warnings: When applying topically for the first time, always dilute with a carrier oil and test. When taking internally, make sure the oils are 100% pure. Finally, be sure to always wash your hands after use. You don’t want a strong oil like oregano or peppermint anywhere near your eyes or sensitive areas of your skin! Been there, done that and I don’t recommend it!

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What are your favorite essential oils and how do you use them? Let us know in the comments below.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Everything you need to know about dry shampoo here.

++ See How Lauryn Uses Everything TSC Products.