How To Read A Dilution Chart

by Bella Martinez May 26, 2021

How to read a dilution chart

Using undiluted essential oils frequently can be a one-way ticket to sensitized, irritated skin. Diluting not only saves your skin, but also saves you money and is a good practice to learn. 

Though our aromatherapists have discussed how to dilute and even created a nifty dilution chart for oils and roll-ons, we at EG feel it is important to break down the dilution chart until everyone feels comfortable diluting. After all, what use is a dilution chart if you don’t know how to read it? Continue on to learn more. 

The Diluent

When diluting, the first thing you’re going to need is a carrier oil. A carrier oil, or base oil, is a vegetable oil commonly derived from the following plant parts:

  • Nuts

  • Seeds

  • Kernels

Examples of carrier oils include:

Carrier oils are made up of fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acids, whereas essential oils are a much more complex combination of volatile components. Fatty acids are skin-loving and combine with essential oils to make them safe as well. When used on their own, essential oils can cause skin irritation and sensitization. Furthermore, only a little essential oil is needed to make an effective topical application, thus diluting is necessary

Dilution Percentages

Now that you know why it’s necessary to dilute essential oils, let’s uncover dilution percentages

You’ll notice that we often recommend diluting your essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil. One ounce is also equal to 30 ml or 2 tablespoons. On a dilution chart, the amount of carrier oil you dilute in doesn’t change – it will always be the same amount. 

What numbers do change on a dilution chart? The percentage of essential oil and the amount of essential oil.  


Now let’s look at the dilution chart. The above example shows that a 1% dilution in one ounce of carrier oil equals to 6 drops of essential oil. This means that 6 drops of essential oil makes up 1% of the total essential oil in your final concentration and that the carrier oil makes up 99% of the final concentration. 

But what if you want a blend with more essential oil in it, for example, a 3% dilution? In this case, you would keep the amount of carrier oil the same, one ounce, and multiply the 6 drops of essential oil that makes a 1% dilution by 3. Therefore a 3% dilution equals to 18 drops of essential oil combined with one ounce of carrier oil. In a 3% dilution, your essential oil makes up 3% of the blend and the carrier oil makes up 97%. 

Let’s break this down further. To increase your essential oil dilution, you’ll always keep the carrier oil amount consistent and multiply the amount of essential oil drops that makeup a 1% dilution by the dilution ratio you desire. Using our dilution chart as an example, to increase your dilution concentration, the one ounce of carrier oil will remain the same and you’ll multiply the 6 drops of essential oil that makeup a 1% dilution rate in one ounce of carrier oil by your desired percentage. In the example above, we multiplied 6 drops by 3, meaning 18 drops of essential oil are needed to achieve a 3% dilution in one ounce of carrier oil. 

Scaling Up And Down

What if you’re making a large, stock blend and want to use 4 ounces of carrier oil, or you’re making a blend in a 10 ml roll-on? In this case, you’ll need to make a few adjustments. 

Let’s use our dilution chart as an example for scaling up to achieve a 1% dilution in 4 ounces of carrier oil. Because our chart is based on dilutions containing one ounce of carrier oil, multiply each number in our chart by 4. A 1% dilution in 4 ounces of carrier oil now equals to 24 drops of essential oil (6 multiplied by 4). And further, a 3% dilution in 4 ounces of carrier oil now equals to 72 drops of essential oil (18 multiplied by 4). 



What about scaling down to a 10 ml roll-on? Again, because our chart is based on dilutions containing one ounce or 30 ml of carrier oil, divide each number in our chart by – because 30 ml divided by 3 equals 10 ml. A 1% dilution in 10 ml of carrier oil now equals to 2 drops of essential oil (6 divided by 3) and a 3% dilution in 10 ml of carrier oil now equals to 6 drops of essential oil (18 divided by 3). 

Skip The Dilution

Still have trouble diluting? Reach out to us, we’re always happy to help! Or try our range of prediluted and ready to use essential oil roll-ons and body oils. Don’t have a carrier oil to dilute your essential oils? We’ve got you covered with our range of 100% pure, high quality carrier oils. From Baobab Seed and Kukui Nut to Moringa and Raspberry Seed, our carrier oils help wrap skin in silky, nourishment. Find the carrier oil that’s right for you today with our carrier oil comparison chart.

  

Dilution Chart

 

Roll-On Dilution Chart

DOWNLOAD THE ESSENTIAL OIL DILUTION CHART (OUNCES)

DOWNLOAD THE ESSENTIAL OIL ROLL-ON DILUTION CHART (10 ML)


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25 comments

Tedington Dolabaille

July 19, 2024 at 2:56 pm

Thanks, your information has been so helpful. I am mixing an arthritis ointment using ginger, peppermint, eucalyptus oil with cayenne powder. I am using as my carrier oil, 1.7 oz. petroleum jelly. Please tell me the ratio of oils to be used.
Regards
Tedington

Angela Garcia

July 10, 2024 at 1:26 pm

This article is great thank you!

Lou

April 4, 2024 at 11:37 am

This was the best article I have found on diluting oils. I’ve always had issues with diluting. This was simple enough to understand. Thank you.

Ceejay

February 15, 2024 at 8:29 am

Hi, I’m looking into making up a salve/balm…the recipe I have makes up 8oz of product, consisting of carrier oil, beeswax, shea butter and essential oils. I’ll be using three (vetiver, kunzea & yarrow)…the recipe recommends half a teaspoon of combined E.O.‘s or less total…however, I don’t know how to do it so I get the right dilution. How do I dilute the oils…before or after the blending?

Cheers

Edens Garden

January 11, 2024 at 12:42 pm

Hi Deshawn! A 4% dilution in 2 oz of carrier oil = 48 drops of essential oil and a 5% dilution in 2 oz of carrier oil = 60 drops of essential oil.

Deshawn

January 11, 2024 at 12:38 pm

Hi. How many drops of tea tree oil can I put in a 2 fl oz (56 ML) Bottle of jojoba oil to get a 4 to 5 percent dilution for a hair treatment?

Edens Garden

December 4, 2023 at 2:21 pm

Hi Poornima! If you are looking to make a 3% dilution, then yes, you can always combine 18 drops of essential oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (not teaspoons). Here’s a helpful dilution calculator as well: https://marvymoms.com/dilution-calculator-that-will-change-how-you-use-essential-oils-forever/

Poornima

December 4, 2023 at 2:19 pm

Great article, Bella! I have a bottle of 3% dilution of EO in jojoba. If I’m using it to make a product, lets say a roll-on, how would I calculate the total EO? Can I always assume it’ll be 18 drops (2 tsps) for every EO? How do I calculate the jojoba (minus the EO) for any recipe?

I hope this question makes sense! Thanks so much!

Margaret

November 10, 2023 at 3:23 pm

Since the specific gravity of many EO’s is very different than that of water (water=20drop/ml), many EO have SG of 30drop/ml or higher. These dilution charts are a great “Guide” but one must respect the chemical one is working with. It might be helpful to note the SG for each EO in your description so precise calculations could be made.
Thanks

Edens Garden

September 1, 2023 at 8:31 am

Hi Carol! It depends on what purpose you want to achieve with the blend. You can find our guide on how to formulate your own blends here, but feel free to let us know if you have any further questions: https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/how-to-blend-essential-oils-aromatically-and-therapeutically

Carol Amis

September 1, 2023 at 8:20 am

Thank you now the % I get thanks to your chart….. I have a nice lot of oils I want to put into 10mil bottles for my son (adult) I have may chang, spearmint, sage, rosemary,grapefruit and geranium how do I know how many drops of what oil to put in…..many thanks, Carol

Edens Garden

July 27, 2023 at 8:36 am

Hi Shay! It depends on the topical application. A 1% dilution is recommended for facial use, bath use, young children, and pregnant women. A 2-3% dilution is recommended for general topical use. A higher dilution may be necessary for short-term injuries and pain, spot treatment, as well as perfume.

Shay

July 27, 2023 at 8:31 am

how do you determine what delusion percentage you want to use? I’m confused about that.
Shay

Edens Garden

July 13, 2023 at 9:28 am

Hi Tejendra! It depends on what dilution you’re trying to achieve. For further assistance, reach out to our aromatherapist here: aaa@edensgarden.com

Tejendra

July 13, 2023 at 9:13 am

Hi how can I mixed any three to four essential oil in % for crop insect repellent

Ines Rojas

February 16, 2023 at 10:20 am

Excellent information! Very clear and easy to understand.

Edens Garden

March 29, 2022 at 9:31 am

Hi Joan! For a 5% dilution ratio, we suggest 30 drops of essential oil (total) per 1 oz carrier oil.

Joan Jensen

March 29, 2022 at 9:28 am

I am mixing four essential oils for hair growth. Lavender, rosemary, peppermint and cedar wood. If I want a 5% dilution is it 5% for each essential oil, or 5% total of all the essential oils with the carrier oil?

Edens Garden

January 31, 2022 at 10:11 am

Hi Dawna! We find it easiest to add carrier oil and essential oil to an empty bottle such as these: https://www.edensgarden.com/collections/extras-supplies/products/amber-glass-bottles-30-ml?variant=793966557

Dawna Borman

January 31, 2022 at 9:53 am

What is typically used for mixing essential oils and carrier oils?

Edens Garden

July 12, 2021 at 9:07 am

Hi Denise! Different issues call for different doses. Likewise, different individuals (children, adults, the elderly, etc.) require different doses. You can learn more about what dilution rate to choose for your specific need and age range here: https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-1

DENISE SCHWEINFURTH

July 12, 2021 at 9:00 am

Why would you need different dilutions?

Edens Garden

June 3, 2021 at 8:32 am

Hi Sybil! Some essential oils have specific recommended maximum dilutions rates. You can find those oils and their dilution rates here: https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/aaa-what-are-maximum-dilution-rates-of-essential-oils

Sybil T

June 3, 2021 at 8:31 am

Hello,
Do the ratio of the essential oil drops to carrier oil remains the same for all types of essential oil or it varies by essential oil? example would you dilute Frankincense and Peppermint Essential Oil according to the chart?

Lauren

June 1, 2021 at 8:33 am

I’ve read some of your other articles re: recommended dilutions of single oils, but I get confused with blends. I just bought your Shea nut carrier oil with the Skin Love synergy blend. Is there a max dilution you recommend with that blend?