Essential oils can be used separately or mixed for many different uses, for example to perfume your cosmetics if you like to prepare them at home. Blending essential oils can be a lot of fun, especially if you like to try different but original fragrances and combinations. The goal is to combine the oils to create a unique, pleasant and therapeutic fragrance. Remember that they should always be diluted in a carrier oil, dispersing agent, or alcohol in order to apply them to the skin. Once you've combined them however you like, make sure you are storing the mixture properly, especially if you plan on subjecting it to a curing time to see how it changes.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making a Blend
Step 1. Determine what kind of fragrance you want to achieve
In aromatherapy, essential oils are used to relieve specific health ailments. Think about what kind of scent you want to get. Essential oils can be divided into categories based on their fragrance. Generally, oils belonging to the same category go well with those of the same type. That said, feel free to experiment by combining oils from different categories. These are just some of the main scents.
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Floral:
lavender, neroli, jasmine, ylang ylang, rose;
- Woody: oak moss, patchouli, pine, cedar;
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Herbal:
marjoram, rosemary, basil, thyme;
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Mint flavoured:
peppermint, spearmint or Roman mint, sage;
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Spicy:
nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper;
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Citrus:
orange, lemon, lime, bergamot.
Step 2. Choose base (or base), heart and head notes
This classification relates to the persistence of their aroma, i.e. the speed with which essential oils tend to evaporate when exposed to air. Top notes evaporate faster, while base notes are less volatile. If you want your blends to remain fragrant for a long time, choose good base notes that go well with those of the heart and head.
- The top notes evaporate within 1-2 hours. This category includes: anise, basil, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, spearmint or Roman and orange.
- The heart notes evaporate within 2-4 hours. This category includes: fennel, nutmeg, tea tree, jasmine and chamomile.
- The base notes last up to a few days. This category includes: fir, cedar wood, ginger, patchouli, oak moss.
Step 3. Test your blend
Dip the tip of a cotton swab into each bottle of oil. Use a clean cotton swab for each bottle. Hold it about 30 cm from the nose and draw small circles in the air. This will give you an idea of what the final fragrance will be once the oils are blended. If you don't like it, try taking out one of the cotton swabs and sniff again. This process will help you find a good combination of scents for your oil blend.
If you prefer, you can use cotton balls or strips of paper that are used to test the scents
Step 4. Blend the oils
When you have worked out a combination that you like, you can start mixing essential oils. Use a dropper pipette to pour desired amounts of the top, heart and base notes into a clean glass bottle or vial. Add the required number of drops as required by the recipe you are following or created. If you are unsure about doses, you can rely on some guidelines, for example:
- The 30-50-20 rule establishes that the blend must be composed of 30% of the top note, 50% of the heart note and 20% of the base note;
- The 1-2-3 rule states that for each drop of the base note, you must add 2 drops of the heart note and 3 drops of the top note.
- Essential oils must be mixed together before adding carrier oil or other diluting agent.
Part 2 of 3: Dilute the Oils
Step 1. Choose a carrier oil if you intend to apply the mixture to the skin
If you intend to use essential oils on the body, it is crucial to dilute them in a carrier oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated and if you apply them directly to the skin, without first diluting them in a carrier oil, you risk damaging it permanently. Carrier oils are usually of vegetable origin. The most suitable options include:
- Sweet almond oil;
- Rosehip oil;
- Avocado oil;
- Sesame oil;
- Jojoba oil;
- Hemp oil;
- Olive oil;
- Grapeseed oil.
Step 2. Add a dispersing agent if you want to use the mixture when taking a bath
If you don't intend to apply it directly to the skin, but prefer to add it to the bath water, you should use a dispersing agent. This way the essential oils will spread safely. Some vegetable oils can be used as a dispersing agent. Others, on the other hand, for example coconut oil, have a consistency that is too dense to be diluted in water. Choose an oil or ingredient with a light, liquid consistency. Suitable dispersing agents include:
- Honey;
- The milk;
- Jojoba oil;
- Sweet almond oil.
Step 3. Dilute the oils in alcohol if what you want to create is a perfume
Perfumes are used in very small quantities. You can dilute essential oils in jojoba oil if you want, but alcohol is generally the preferred diluting agent for perfumes. Use 10-15 drops of the essential oil blend for every 15ml of alcohol or jojoba oil.
Part 3 of 3: Complete the Blend
Step 1. Determine the proportions of the ingredients
After mixing the essential oils, you can add them to the carrier oil or the dispersing agent, depending on the use you intend to make of them. The individual ingredients should be dosed according to how you intend to use the blend of essential oils.
- For messages, use about 15-20 drops of the essential oil mix per 30ml of carrier oil.
- For lotions or skin oils, use between 3 and 15 drops of the essential oil mix per 30ml of carrier oil.
- For use on children, use 3 to 6 drops of the essential oil mix per 30ml of carrier oil.
- If you want to add the final blend to the bath water, use between 2 and 12 drops of the essential oil mix per 30ml of the dispersing agent.
- If you want to use the blend to scent the environment or benefit from the oils simply by breathing them, there is no need to use a carrier oil.
Step 2. Combine the essential oil blend with the selected diluting agent
You can mix the ingredients in a bowl or bottle. In the first case, you can mix them with a spoon or a wooden stick. If you prefer to pour them directly into a bottle, swirl it gently to dilute the oils in the carrier oil or dispersing agent.
Step 3. Store the final mix in a bottle (with or without spray dispenser)
Use an amber glass container to protect the mixture from light. Pour it into the bottle carefully and store it in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Use a small funnel to avoid spilling it.
- Carrier oils tend to deteriorate faster than essential oils. If you used sesame, sweet almond, or rosehip oil, you can keep the mixture for up to 6-12 months. Jojoba and coconut oil are very stable and can last indefinitely.
- If you want, you can keep your blends in the refrigerator, with the only exception of those that contain avocado oil.
- If after some time your mixture starts to smell rancid or bitter, throw it away.
- Do not keep oils exposed to direct sunlight or near a heat source.
Step 4. Wait a few days
The scent of the blend may change as the oils have stabilized. Let it sit undisturbed for 3-4 days before smelling it again. Notice if the scent has changed significantly to understand how it might change after a ripening time. You may find that the scent of some of your blends improves over time.
Advice
- Use only a small amount of oils when doing new experiments, to avoid wasting them if the end result doesn't satisfy you.
- When trying a new combination, make a note of the doses of each ingredient so you can replicate them in the future.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with new fragrances and combinations to find the perfect mix for you.
- Label the bottle to know what kind of oils it contains and to avoid the risk of using the mixture incorrectly.
- If you want to use aromatherapy oils, there is no need to dilute them in a carrier oil or dispersing agent.
Warnings
- Never take essential oils by mouth.
- In some cases, undiluted essentials can cause permanent damage. Be very careful not to let them come into contact with cracked or broken skin.
- Be very careful when handling certain essential oils, as their acidity can corrode and burn the skin.
