Are essential oils completely safe for anyone to use?
Because of their concentrated nature, essential oils generally should not be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted or “neat” form. Some can cause severe irritation, or provoke an allergic reaction. Instead, essential oils should be blended with a vegetable-based “carrier” oil (a.k.a., a base, or “fixed” oil) before being applied. Common carrier oils include olive, almond, hazelnut and grapeseed. Only neutral oils should be used. Common ratio of essential oil disbursed in a carrier oil is 0.53% (most under 10%), and depends on its intended purpose. Some essential oils, including many of the citrus peel oils, are photosensitizers (i.e., increasing the skins vulnerability to sunlight, making it more likely to burn). Industrial users of essential oils should consult the material safety data sheets (MSDS) to determine the hazards and handling requirements of particular oils. Also, women who are pregnant or nursing, as well as children or the elderly, or those who are frail or sick
