There’s arguably no category of products with a longer list of purported benefits than essential oils. “Essential oils are the most potent form of plant medicine,” explains Adora Winquist, an energy healer and aromatherapy expert. “They are the volatile, concentrated extracts of plants produced via steam distillation.” Their strong smells make them key for aromatherapy, a method of using scent to achieve well-being, be that in the form of reducing stress or improving mental clarity.
“Inhalation is the most immediate way to experience the effects and benefits of essential oils. With inhalation, the molecules travel through the olfactory system to the brain, specifically the limbic system and the amygdala, which regulate mood, memory, and emotion,” Winquist points out. They can also be used topically (though most often they need to be diluted with what are known as "carrier oils"—plain oils such as coconut or olive). “Essential oils, in either their single note form or skillfully blended, can offer the user ways to relax, energize, and even address pain. Additionally, they assist with maintaining vibrant skin, supporting healthy immunity, as well as balancing our emotions and mood,” says Winquist. In short, no matter what you’re trying to achieve, there’s probably an essential oil for that.
Ahead, find some of the best essential oils that target a variety of concerns.
Best Calming: DoTerra Cedarwood Essential Oil
What We Like
- Smell is pleasant but not overpowering
What We Don't Like
- On the more expensive side
Best for a Busy Day: Essential Wholesale & Labs Lemon Essential Oil
What We Like
- Smells great
- Comes in a wide array of sizes
What We Don't Like
- No real topical benefits
Best for Bedtime: Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil
What We Like
- Very relaxing
What We Don't Like
- Small size
Lavender is probably the most well-known, popular essential oil, lauded for being comforting, calming, and relaxing—all things you want pre-bedtime. Simply breathing it in as you start to wind down for the night can help; Winquist suggests applying one drop (diluted with a carrier oil) into your palms and breathing in for 30 seconds. (FYI, this technique applies to pretty much any essential oil.) You can also incorporate it into your nighttime bath. Combine seven to 10 drops with a carrier oil, and add that into the tub.
Price at time of publish: $14
Size: .5 fl.oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Desert Essence Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil
What We Like
- Non-GMO
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Can be irritating for some
Best if You’re Stressed: Oshadhi Carrot Seed Organic Essential Oil
What We Like
- Organic
What We Don't Like
- Expensive shipping (this is a UK brand)
Best Post-Workout: Saje Peppermint Halo Cooling & Soothing Oil Blend
What We Like
- Easy to use roll-on format
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
Best for Skin Issues: Doterra Oregano Essential Oil
If you’re anything like us, you probably associate oregano more with an Italian seasoning blend than an essential oil, but it’s actually a choice option for topical use. It contains two skin-loving compounds: carvacrol, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, as well as antifungal thymol. For that reason, it’s a good choice for all kinds of skin irritations (including even things such as athlete’s foot). The one caveat: It’s an especially potent essential oil, so make sure to dilute it and use just a drop or two.
Price at time of publish: $34
Size: .5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Meditation: Fragrant Earth Sandalwood Essential Oil
What We Like
- Can aid migraines
- Works well in diffusers
- Relieves muscle tension
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
Best for a Racing Mind: Essential Wholesale & Labs Patchouli
What We Like
- Comes in a variety of sizes
What We Don't Like
- No real topical benefits
Best for Healthy Hair: Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil
What We Like
- Treats scalp conditions
- Promotes hair growth
- Cold-pressed to retain fullest quality
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
Best for Anti-Aging: Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
What We Like
- Reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and dullness
- Protects against environmental damage and free radicals
- Gentle enough for all skin types
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
Final Verdict
The right essential oil can do everything, from helping you relax before bedtime to giving you more focus during a busy day, to even improving skin issues. The DoTerra Cedarwood Essential Oil and Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil are two of our top picks for promoting relaxation and calm. For topical use, consider the Doterra Oregano Essential Oil; just make sure to dilute it prior to application.
Meet the Expert
Adora Winquist is an energy healer, a pioneer in the field of aromatherapy, and a co-author of Detox Nourish Activate: Plant & Vibrational Medicine.
What to Look for in an Essential Oil
Target Your Concern
Essential oils are great for treating acne, scalp irritation, anxiety, headaches, and more. If you don't know which one to start with, take the time to assess what problems you want to address. According to Gillerman, tea tree oil can be an effective spot treatment for acne, thanks to its antimicrobial properties, whereas peppermint is great for sore muscles. You don't have to pick just one either. There are many different essential oil blends that can tackle multiple concerns at once.
Application
One of the reasons that essential oils have become so popular is that they can be used in numerous ways, so make sure to consider how the essential oil can be applied. Most can be added to your baths or skincare products, or placed in a diffuser. How you want to apply your essential oil will largely depend on what you're using it for.
Be sure to always pay attention to any diluting instructions. "Any essential oil applied to the skin or in the bath must be diluted from 2% to 5% (approximately 8 to 20 drops per tablespoon) to avoid possible irritation," says Gillerman. "For the face, 1% diluting is recommended (approximately 4 drops per tablespoon)."
Furthermore, Gillerman recommends diluting a massage blend with a gel to provide the quickest absorption, and for body care, dilute in a natural, unscented body cream. For a highly emollient body care product, use olive oil or jojoba oil, or other fatty oils. According to Gillerman, fatty oils protect the skin from dehydrating and contain essential fatty acids our bodies need.
And for skincare? "Dilute in a gel, cream, or fatty oil like hemp seed, argan, and marula oil," she says. "Pomegranate and rosehip seed oil are premiere examples of fatty oils loaded with antioxidants."
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She has written about essential oils fairly extensively, and she likes using them regularly as part of her overall holistic approach to health and well-being.