Getting started with essential oils can be overwhelming in the beginning! My moto is to keep it simple—you don’t need a lot to start using your oils to replace toxic products or support your well being. Here are my favorite things to have on hand so I can easily and quickly use my essential oils for all the things.
Diffusers
The easiest way to experience essential oils is through diffusing! I have several diffusers throughout my home—in the main living areas, one in each bedroom, and in each bathroom. When I first started I only had one diffuser and would just move it from room-to-room. It wasn’t long before I added to my collection, diffusing makes using oils easy and convenient. These are some of my favorite diffusers:
Young Living Aria Diffuser—We have this diffuser in our entry. It’s stunning so it looks beautiful with my decor and is a great way to welcome guests. This diffuser covers a large area, has multiple light modes, and a speaker that you can connect to your phone. The best way to get the Aria is in a Starter Bundle with 12 of the most popular oils, but you can also order it on its own here.
Glass Dome Essential Oil Diffuser with Glass Reservoir—I prefer Young Living brand diffusers because they use medical grade plastic in their reservoirs. Essential oils can break down cheap plastics, which you don’t want to diffuse into your air so be mindful when purchasing other diffusers! However, this non-branded diffuser is a beautiful option and has a glass reservoir. We have this one in our living area and love it.
Small Waterless Diffuser—We love this diffuser for the bathroom! No water required and it has a timer, 12 hours on and 12 hours off. Perfect for keeping our guest and kids’ bathrooms smelling fresh with no fuss.
Carrier Oils & Bases
Carrier oils are a vital part in using essential oils safely and effectively. A carrier oil is a fatty plant-based oil that can be used to dilute essential oils. These fatty oils slow the absorption of essential oils and allow for even application on the skin. They each have unique properties and benefits. How do you know which one to use? There really is no right answer. I use certain carriers based on their benefits for specific recipes, but for basic dilution, use the one you like the best! I’m also including some other ingredients I use regularly as bases or mixers to help combine essential oils into other things like soaps, sprays, and balms. I buy these items on Amazon and always use organic versions.
Argan Oil—Excellent for dry hair, scalp, and skin. Love this as an eye makeup remover and in hair serums.
Castor Oil—A thick nourishing oil I use for face, hair, and lashes.
Unrefined Coconut Oil—This is the coconut oil that is solid when cold and will liquify in heat! I love it for making balms and lotions and for oil pulling.
Fractionated Coconut Oil—A light, liquid carrier that is moisturizing and absorbs well. This is the main carrier oil I use for rollers.
Jojoba Oil—This oil is used in many facial and hair products. It’s great for locking in moisture and is said to mimic the skin’s natural sebum. I use it in face rollers, face serums, and moisturizers.
V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex—Young Living’s signature carrier oil mixes different carrier oils into one. It contains coconut oil, sesame oil, sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, and olive oil. I love it because it’s a non-greasy light oil that absorbs into the skin quickly, making it perfect for rollers, massage, and quick dilution.
Unscented Liquid Castile Soap—A biodegradable liquid soap made from plant-based oils. Castile soap is excellent to combe with essential oils for home cleaning, body care, and even pet care. I use this as a base for all of my hand soaps, body washes, and pet wash. I get the unscented so I can use the essential oils I prefer.
Bottles & Containers
When I first got my essential oils, my friend sent me a few rollers and items to get me started. Once I realized how simple it was to whip up a roller or a spray, I grabbed a few packs of bottles to keep on hand and stored them with my essential oils. Now my kids know where to find everything when they want to make a perfume or body spray. Here’s what I keep on hand:
Rollers Bottles—I make rollers for all the things, makes using essential oils super convenient. I love these roller bottles with wooden lids or or these amber glass roller bottles. I always go with glass bottles and stainless steel or glass rollers (avoid plastic!). Bottles can be clear or colored, just make sure you keep them out of the direct sun. Young Living also has packs of the AromaGlide Fitments so you can easily turn your empty Young Living bottles into rollers, too!
16oz. Spray Bottles—these are tried-and-true the BEST glass spray bottles for your Thieves Cleaner. Been using this brand for years and they last!
2oz. Amber Glass Spray Bottles—these bottles with fine mist spray tops are perfect for linen sprays, toners, hair sprays, etc. I keep these on hand so I can easily whip up a linen spray for an easy gift.
Hand Soap Pumps—Since making hand soap is so easy and so inexpensive, I highly recommend this as an easy swap you can use your essential oils for.
Books
Resource books are so vital to learning to use essential oils. When I started I dove into all the books I could find. Here are my favorites!
Essential Oils Pocket Reference or App —A must-have! We keep it with our oils and refer to it often. You can look up single oils, oil blends, different scenarios for using oils, and tons of info on how oils work and how to use them.
Essential Oils Desk Reference—More detailed than the pocket reference. All the info!
Gentle Babies by Debra Raybern—A great reference if you have young children.
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