Essential Oils: Everything You Need to Know (FAQ)

In case of accidental contact with the eyes, first rinse the eyes thoroughly with fresh water.

However, this will not be sufficient since essential oils are not miscible in water. You will then need to wipe the eye with a cotton ball soaked in neutral vegetable oil such as sweet almond, apricot kernel or hazelnut oil. If pain or discomfort persists, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

It is imperative to keep essential oils away from light.

It is also to make things easier for you and to guarantee better preservation that we have decided to supply them in a cardboard case. So you can leave it wherever you want as long as it is in its case. Essential oils must be kept away from air, in their closed amber bottle.

It is also advisable to protect them from extreme heat, extreme cold and humidity. Officially, for precautionary reasons it is indicated that essential oils can be kept for 3 years, but if well stored they remain active and retain their properties for up to 10 years. However, essential oils obtained from citrus fruits can be kept for a shorter time than those from plants. Their expiration date is 3 years.

For children under three years old, the use of essential oils is prohibited, whether orally or pure in massage, because they are irritating to children's fragile skin. Beyond three years old, it is advisable to always seek medical advice before using essential oils for children. They are strongly discouraged for children under 7 years old. With this medical advice, it may be possible to use essential oils in specific cases with defined doses.

It is strongly advised not to use essential oils during the first trimester.

In reality, it depends a lot on the doses and the areas of application, but you should not take any risks, it is better to be careful. It is possible from the second trimester to use certain essential oils as long as certain precautions are respected.

And medical advice remains essential before any use. However, in all cases, it is advisable to avoid using them by absorption or direct application to the stomach.

The main essential oils prohibited during the entire pregnancy are:- Palmarosa- Common thyme with geraniol and thymol- Clove- Cinnamon- Fennel- Niaouli- Compact Oregano- Common Sage- Camphor Rosemary- Common Hyssop- Peppermint

Warning: The above list is not exhaustive and it is important to remain cautious when using all essential oils. Avoid all those containing ketones and those said to be estrogenic.

During pregnancy, it is important to take precautions and be careful, but not all essential oils are prohibited. Some can be useful after childbirth to relax or promote lactation.

It is important to always seek the advice of a doctor regarding the doses to be respected as well as the duration of treatment.

The precautions to take are to avoid essential oils that are too strong, always dilute essential oils according to the dosages, do not apply strong essential oils in a place where the baby can inhale them.

Absolutely. You can combine the benefits by combining it with other active ingredients. You can turn to the DIY recipes on our site if you lack inspiration for your preparations.

Oh my! It's sometimes difficult to navigate all these terms, isn't it? Don't panic! The WAAM team is here to help you!

As you may have read at the beginning of the article, a vegetable oil is a fatty substance derived from an oleaginous plant. Vegetable oil and oily macerate are often confused. In fact, the distinction that can be made is minimal. Oily macerate is actually obtained by macerating a plant in virgin oil, then filtering the resulting product. The main ingredient of the macerate is therefore the oil that served as a carrier, however, oily macerate is not, strictly speaking, a vegetable oil.

Let's now move on to essential oil. This is an extract of an aromatic plant. Rich in numerous health benefits when it is of good quality, essential oil is very regularly used in aromatherapy. However, it is necessary to take some precautions before using it and to respect certain contraindications. First, the most suitable method of application will depend on the essential oil in question. It is therefore necessary to be well informed before any use. Second, essential oils should never be injected. Application around the eyes and their contours should also be avoided. Essential oils should not be used by pregnant women, and they are strongly discouraged for children. They are also toxic to our dear animal friends! Essential oils must therefore be used with caution.

Finally, we still have one type of oil to define: mineral oil. It is a mixture obtained through the distillation of certain fossil fuels. Mineral oil has long been used in the lighting sector. It is NOT suitable for cosmetic or food use.

It is essential to respect the doses. If this is not the case, the use of essential oils can become dangerous or even toxic. The duration of the treatment must also be scrupulously respected.

Equivalences: - 1ml = +/- 25 drops - 5ml = +/- 100 drops = 1 teaspoon - 20ml = one tablespoon

Daily dosage for an adult: Each essential oil has its own dosage, so it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting any treatment based on essential oil.

The doses to be respected in % depend on the use made of the essential oil: - Face cream : 0.1 to 1% - Body milk, lotion: 1 to 2% - Shampoo and conditioner: 0.5-1.5% - Massage cream: 2% - Insect repellent: 2 to 2.5% - Ointment: 3 to 5% - Massage oil: 2 to 10% - Dry inhalation: 2–3 drops on a handkerchief - Wet inhalation: 6–10 drops in 250 ml of water (depending on age) - Bath (adult): 10 drops maximum to dilute in a neutral base

Memo - A concentration of 1% is obtained by putting: - 1 drop in 1 teaspoon - 4 drops in 1 tablespoon - 20 drops in 10 cl

As essential oils are so active, it is strongly recommended to test on a small area or in the crease of the elbow, 24 hours before use to limit the risk of reactions.

Essential oils should never be used pure, they must always be diluted or applied to a carrier.

Orally: Dilution of the essential oil on a carrier. There are suitable neutral tablets, otherwise it is possible to put them on solid carriers such as: half a sugar cube, half a teaspoon of honey or vegetable oil. Caution: In case of diabetes, favor vegetable oil.

For cutaneous application or massage: For this use it is recommended to dilute the essential oil in a suitable vegetable oil. In general, 1 to 2 drops of essential oil for a tablespoon of vegetable oil is suitable. However, be careful to find out beforehand, because the dosages can vary from one essential oil to another other.

As a cosmetic active ingredient: It is entirely possible to integrate essential oils into your cosmetic preparations or to incorporate them into your day or night cream. However, it must always be done cold, at the end of your preparations. And above all, respect the dosages. They should not represent more than 2% of the preparation for a facial treatment and approximately 5% for a body treatment.

In atmospheric diffusion: Certain essential oils can be used with diffusers to purify the air and perfume a room. Caution: some essential oils are not used in diffusion. Precautions must also be taken for pregnant women and children. It is recommended not to diffuse essential oils in a bedroom while sleeping, or just before bedtime. Do not diffuse in unventilated spaces. Avoid prolonged diffusion. Do not leave essential oils within the reach of children and animals.

Inhalation: in a bowl of hot water or dry inhalation on a handkerchief.

In an aromatic bath: Always mix them with a neutral base before adding them to your bath to prevent them from remaining on the surface of the water since they are not miscible. If they remain on the surface, there is a risk of burns on contact with the skin.

In cooking: To flavor dishes, certain essential oils can be used. But only 1 to 2 drops for a dish, no more.

Some essential oils are said to be photosensitizing. This means that a reaction is possible when the skin is exposed to sunlight after applying or ingesting the product. The reaction is due to the activation of the substance by UV rays and causes irritation, spots or redness.

The essential oils concerned are mainly those from citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, orange) because they contain furocoumarins which promote the production of melanin. As a precaution, it is recommended for all essential oils not to expose oneself to the sun for 12 hours after their application or absorption. This is why their use is rather recommended in the evening.