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While essential oils come from nature, that doesn’t guarantee they’re always beneficial. These oils are highly concentrated chemicals that plants produce for various reasons, such as attracting pollinators or deterring predators.
The main appeal of essential oils is their pleasant fragrance. However, contrary to popular belief, essential oils don’t cure serious diseases like cancer, and there’s no reliable evidence supporting any significant health benefits they may offer.
Advocates of essential oils often claim there's an oil for every issue, boasting numerous applications. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Institute for Aromatherapy has compiled reports of people harmed by essential oils, hoping to raise awareness among professionals that these oils can pose risks.
After reviewing their injury reports, it’s clear that essential oils can cause irritation, burns, and other adverse effects when used improperly. One person developed blisters from adding sweet orange oil to their bath, while another experienced welts and burning after applying a mixture of frankincense, marjoram, and lemongrass oils behind their ears.
Certain oils, especially those derived from citrus, can lead to burns and blisters by making the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Others directly irritate the skin. The common recommendation to dilute these oils with water or a 'carrier' oil like coconut oil doesn't always prevent harm, as shown in the injury reports. Even more upsetting are the accounts of people who used oils to treat skin conditions on themselves or their children, only to have the oils make things worse. (There’s a disturbing photo here for those who are interested in that kind of thing.)
The bottom line is that while some oils might be safe for your skin when properly diluted, you shouldn't rely on advice from a friend or an oil salesperson to determine the correct dilution. (Some injuries documented in the report were caused by following instructions exactly.) You’d be safer just smelling the oils from a distance—though even that carries its own risks.
