Must-haves for essential oil DIY

Essential oils can be used topically, aromatically, and internally. To accomplish these three methods, I’ve compiled a list of my must-have items for essential oil DIYs.

Check the labels on your essential oils and always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

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Padded Case

This padded case comes with labels and is available in 30-bottle or 70-bottle size. The 70-bottle size would be perfect for storing your oil collection at home and the 30-bottle case is ideal for traveling with oils in a suitcase.

Essential Oils Storage, FITATE Essential Oils case for 30 Bottles, Waterproof, Shockproof & Durable, Holding Up to 5/10/15 ml Bottles with Bottle Opener, Label Stickers&Gift Card (Cinnamon PINK)

If you want to travel with fewer oils, this smaller pouch is perfect for taking up to 10 bottles along.

Luxja Essential Oil Carrying Case – Holds 12 Bottles

Spray Bottles

Spray bottles are a MUST HAVE when making room sprays, air fresheners, stink sprays, surface sprays, etc… These 1 oz bottles are the perfect size for stashing in your gym bag, purse, car or bathroom.

20 1oz amber spray bottles

After you have empty essential oil bottles, these spray tops are perfect for turning those bottles into sprayers:

Essential oil bottle Spray Tops

Topical Application

Roller vials make topical application a breeze! Combine a few drops of essential oil and dilute with carrier oil and apply to the body using the stainless steel roller top. Check instructions for dilution on your bottle of essential oil.

Essential Oil rollers (5mL size) with steel roller tops

Fatty oils are used to dilute essential oils – these are called “carrier oils” and can be any good quality fatty oil that you like. I personally LOVE Young Living’s V6 vegetable complex oil and you can also use these oils:

PURA D’OR Organic Sweet Almond Oil (16oz) Certified Organic 100% Pure & Natural Hexane Free Soothing Vitamin E Oil for Skin & Face, Facial Polish, Full Body, Massages, DIY Base (Packaging may vary)

BetterBody Foods Avocado Oil, Refined Non-GMO Cooking Oil for Paleo and Keto, 500 Milliliters

Homemade balms require a base that is a soft-solid at room temperature. This is generally achieved with a combination of coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Here are some good options for balm and salve bases.

Nutiva Organic, Steam Refined Coconut Oil from non-GMO, Sustainably Farmed Coconuts, 15 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Organic beeswax pellets for making lip balm

Shea Butter ivory 1 LB Natural 100% non-GMO handmade from Ghana, fresh

Another fun way to enjoy the benefits of your essential oils are in the bath. I add a strategic combination of essential oils to Epsom Salt and add 1/2 cup or so to each bath.

Amazon Brand – Solimo Epsom Salt Soak, Magnesium Sulfate USP, 8 Pound

Homemade foaming hand soap is affordable and fun to make! All you need is a good clean soap base, distilled water, essential oils and a foaming soap dispenser. Here are my recommendations:

4oz size: Dr. Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented, 4 ounce) – Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Hair, Laundry and Dishes, For Sensitive Skin and Babies, No Added Fragrance, Vegan

32oz size: Dr. Bronner’s – Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented, 32 Ounce) – Made with Organic Oils, 18-in-1 Uses: Face, Hair, Laundry and Dishes, For Sensitive Skin and Babies, No Added Fragrance, Vegan

Several colors available: mDesign Modern Glass Refillable Foaming Soap Dispenser Pump Bottle for Bathroom Vanity Countertop, Kitchen Sink – Save on Soap – Vintage-Inspired, Compact Design – 2 Pack – Clear/Chrome

Internal Use

Some essential oils are labeled for internal use; that means you can ingest them. Young Living’s “Vitality” line of essential oils are all labeled for internal use and I find an easy way to do this is with an empty vegetable capsule. Simply open the capsule, drop the desired number of drops in, cap the top and swallow whole with a liquid.

Vegetable capsules come in various sizes with 1 being the smallest usable, 0 being an “average” size and 00 a little larger. I find great success with the size 0.

NOW Supplements, Empty Vegetarian Capsules, Single “0”, Filled by Weight, Non-GMO Project Verified, 300 Veg Capsules

Reference Materials

Reference books are key to knowing how to use essential oils and take charge of your wellness. Here are a few books that I LOVE and use frequently.

Essential Oils Pocket Reference 8th Edition (2019)

Essentials: 75 Answers to Common Questions About Essential Oils and Supplements

Many people choose to use essential oils on their animals with success. This is a great book with information for safe use on all types of animals.

Essential Oils Animal Desk Reference