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The most popular essential oils (and how to use them)
Written byH&B editorial team
Reviewed byHeeral Tomlinson
Why should a spa experience stay at the spa? Discover our best essential oils for relaxation, romance and revamping your space
Our top picks
Zingy and bright
Dr Organic
Dr Organic Bergamot Pure Essential Oil 10ml
Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price
£12.00
A classic – you can’t go wrong
Tisserand
Tisserand Lavender Organic Pure Essential Oil 9ml
£9.20
RRP £11.50
Aromatic and herby
Dr Organic
Dr Organic Rosemary Pure Essential Oil 10ml
Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price
£8.50
Wish your evening routine was a bit more relaxing? Or is your home feeling stuffy and same-y?
Our fascination with essential oils stretches back millennia, with evidence of their use dating back to 4500 BC.1 In a more modern world, #essentialoils has over 13 million posts on Instagram.
They can energise the senses, create romance or just make your home smell gorgeous. But which one’s for you? Whether you’re a diffuser enthusiast or a curious newcomer, there’s an essential oil waiting to be discovered...
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are super-concentrated plant oils, usually coming from flowers, fruit, wood or herbs.
They smell very strong, which makes them great for use in fragrance and beauty. It’s thought that different essential oils have different beneficial properties, like helping you relax or feel more awake.
You can use essential oils for massage or to scent your home. But because they’re so strong, you need to dilute them with a neutral oil called a carrier oil to make them safe to use.
*Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp/skin or bath, as it can lead to skin/ scalp burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use.
You might have less-than-fond memories of tea tree oil: dotting it on teenage skin or having it combed through your hair. Let’s turn it around...
Tea tree can actually be an invigorating, spicy aroma when it’s used well. Think a powerful mix of pine and peppermint.
Miaroma’s 100% tea tree oil helps to soothe the mind and senses. Dilute four to six drops for every 20ml of carrier oil, then swirl into a post-gym bath or add to an electric diffuser. So long, stuffy noses...
Maybe you’ve spritzed bergamot perfume or smoothed on some body butter. But what is bergamot? It’s actually a citrus fruit – picture a lumpy, yellow-green lemon.
It’s not edible, but luckily it smells much better than it tastes. Tart yet fragrant, it’s a go-to for an uplifting experience.
Enjoy it in a diffuser to brighten your home or take a morning bath that leaves you smelling fruity.
You might recognise eucalyptus for its round leaves, but could you pinpoint its scent? Lovers of fresh, clean scents (like pine or rosemary) will enjoy this one.
Also called a gum tree, these giants can grow up to 100 metres tall, and its leaves have long been used as a valuable traditional remedy among Australia’s native people.2
Used in massage, it may stimulate the senses – some say it’s warm, others say it’s cool.
Ready to find out?
If you fancy switching things up, go 50/50 with complementary scents grapefruit, peppermint or rosemary oil to suit your mood.
There’s more to rosemary than a tasty meal or sprucing up a mocktail.
Said to help focus the mind, rosemary’s super-fragrant aroma makes it a gorgeous massage oil.
You might have also heard about its potential benefits for soft, shiny hair. Don’t apply it directly – mix with a carrier oil and smooth through the scalp and length of the hair.
Combine rosemary with grapefruit oil to brighten things up or lavender for a deep, soothing scent. Always do a patch test before use on skin or scalp.
It’s a crisp evening, the fire’s crackling and the house smells like cookies. Perfection.
A few drops of cinnamon oil in a diffuser transforms your home into a cosy wonderland. Fans of wintery drinks and Christmas candles should go for this one – but it’s not just for the cold weather lovers.
Its warming scent makes for a super-sensual massage, or even a soak for two. Comforting and spicy, it’s great for low-lit and intimate spaces (with or without the romance).
And we’re talking lavender again! Reminiscent of an English country garden, lavender essential oil has a great reputation for its relaxing, floral scent.
Miaroma’s blend of quality lavender oils creates a peaceful environment – ideal for helping you unwind after a big day. Pop a few drops into your diffuser to give your bedroom a spa-like feel.
If you prefer something fresher, pair with peppermint or bergamot oil for floral freshness without the sleepy vibes.
How much essential oil should I use?
Different brands may have different recommendations, but Tisserand suggests the following for their 100% essential oils:
- baths: four to six drops of essential oil mixed with 20ml carrier oil
- massage: five drops of essential oil mixed with 10ml carrier
- oil diffusers: six to eight drops of essential oil, diluted in water
Safety tips when using essential oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause unwanted side effects if not used properly, so always read product information and labels before use.3
Dilute essential oils in a suitable carrier oil (a neutral oil) and patch test before applying to skin.3 Good choices include castor oil, wheatgerm oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil and olive oil.
You should avoid using essential oils or use them cautiously if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding: if you don’t want to give them up, check with your GP. You should keep them out of reach of children, too 3,4
- have a pre-existing medical condition: some essential oils may interact with medications or shouldn't be used if you have certain medical conditions 5,6
- have skin sensitivities: essential oils are potent and can irritate the skin, so watch out for this. We’d recommend doing a patch test with diluted oils 48 hours beforehand 4,8
- are often out in the sun: some essential oils, like bergamot, are photosensitive, which means they can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and up your risk of getting sunburned4,7
The final say
These oils are some of the most popular – but they’re just a sniff into the world of aromatherapy.
Whether you’re looking to relax with a massage or help your home smell lush, you’re in the right place for a range of 100% essential oils and aromatherapy products.
Got a quiet evening on the cards? Rest and reset at home with help from a breathwork expert or discover the small acts of self-care our experts do every day.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Elshafie HS, Ippolito Natale Camele. An Overview of the Biological Effects of Some Mediterranean Essential Oils on Human Health. BioMed research international [Internet]. 2017 Jan 1 [cited 2024 Apr 30]; 2017:1–14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694587/
2. Woodland Trust. Eucalyptus [Internet]. Woodland Trust [cited 2025 Jun 12]. Available from: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/eucalyptus/
3. Dosoky NS, Setzer WN. Maternal Reproductive Toxicity of Some Essential Oils and Their Constituents. International journal of molecular sciences [Internet]. 2021 Feb 27 [cited 2024 Jun 26];22(5):2380–0. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/5/2380
4. Sindle A, Martin K. Art of Prevention: Essential Oils - Natural Products Not Necessarily Safe. International journal of women’s dermatology [Internet]. 2021 Jun 1 [cited 2024 Jun 26];7(3):304–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8243157/
5. NHS. Complementary and alternative medicine [Internet]. NHS [reviewed 2022 Mar 1; cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/
6. Right Decision Service. Aromatherapy Guideline for Midwifery Practice [Internet]. Right Decision Service [reviewed 2024 Sep 30; cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-borders-clinical-guidelines/adult-acute-services/maternity-gynaecology-guidelines/aromatherapy-guideline-for-midwifery-practice/
7. Ross JA, Eldridge DL. Pediatric Toxicology. Emergency medicine clinics of North America [Internet]. 2022 May 1 [cited 2024 Jun 26];40(2):237–50. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35461621/
8. Sarkic A, Stappen I. Essential Oils and Their Single Compounds in Cosmetics—A Critical Review. Cosmetics [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Jun 11]; 5(1): 11. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/5/1/11
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