So you've picked up your first bottle of essential oil - maybe lavender from a market stall, or eucalyptus because you love that fresh winter scent - and now you're wondering what to actually do with it. You're not alone. We get heaps of first-timers at our Lyall Bay studio asking this exact question.
The good news? Essential oils aren't complicated once you understand the basics. The not-so-good news? There's a fair bit of misinformation out there, and using these concentrated plant extracts incorrectly can cause skin irritation or simply waste your money on methods that don't work.
This guide covers everything you need to start using essential oils safely and enjoyably - the different ways to use them, which oils make the best starter kit, the safety essentials, and how to weave a little aromatherapy into your day, whether you're after a calm bedroom, a fresh workspace, or simply a home that smells wonderful.
What are essential oils, exactly?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture a plant's aromatic compounds - the parts responsible for how it smells. These compounds evaporate easily at room temperature, which is why you can smell them so readily, and why they work so beautifully in a diffuser.
The extraction method matters. Most essential oils are made by steam distillation, where steam passes through plant material, captures the aromatic compounds, then condenses back into liquid. Citrus oils like lemon and orange are usually cold-pressed from the rind instead.
Here's something worth knowing: it takes a huge amount of plant material to make essential oil - roughly 30 roses for a single drop of rose oil, or about 3kg of lavender flowers for 15ml of lavender oil. That concentration is exactly why dilution isn't optional; it's essential.
Why quality and purity matter
Not all essential oils are equal. Some bottles labelled "essential oil" are actually synthetic fragrance oils, or genuine oils already diluted with additives. Look for oils that are 100% pure, with the botanical name (like Lavandula angustifolia for true lavender), the country of origin and the extraction method. Our pure essential oils are exactly that - single, unadulterated oils, made and bottled here in Wellington.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Remember those 30 roses for one drop? Genuine rose oil is expensive because the raw materials are.
The four main ways to use essential oils
There are four main methods: diffusing, topical application, inhalation and baths. Each has its place, and most people end up using a mix depending on what they're after.
Diffusing: the most popular method
Diffusing disperses essential oil into the air as a fine mist, filling your space with scent. It's the most common way people use oils because it's easy, effective and everyone in the room enjoys it.
Ultrasonic diffusers are the go-to for home use. Add water to the fill line, drop in 3–8 drops of oil (depending on room size), and switch it on. Start with 3–5 drops for a small room or 6–10 for a larger space - you can always add more, but you can't take it away. We find less is often more: a soft background scent is far nicer than an overwhelming wall of fragrance. Browse our ultrasonic diffusers if you don't have one yet.
Reed diffusers are a lovely low-maintenance alternative - no power or water needed. The reeds draw the oil up and release scent gradually, ideal for a bathroom or entryway.
One important note: never burn essential oils over an open flame or in an oil burner. Heat changes the oil and can create unpleasant compounds - stick to cool methods like ultrasonic or reed diffusers.
Topical application: roller blends and skincare
Essential oils can be applied to the skin - to pulse points as a natural scent through the day, or as part of a skincare or massage ritual. The golden rule: always dilute. Pure oils are far too concentrated for the skin neat, and undiluted use can cause irritation or sensitisation (where your skin becomes permanently reactive to that oil).
Dilution guidelines for beginners:
- General adult use: 2% (12 drops per 30ml of carrier oil)
- Facial use: 1% (6 drops per 30ml)
- Sensitive skin: 1% or lower
- Children over 6: 1% maximum
- Children under 6: check with an aromatherapist; many oils aren't suitable
Carrier oils are your dilution medium - jojoba (closest to skin's own oils, great for the face), sweet almond (affordable, absorbs well) and fractionated coconut (light, odourless) are all popular.
Patch test first: apply a little diluted oil to your inner forearm, cover, and wait 24 hours. No redness or itching, and you're good to go. If you'd rather skip the mixing, our ready-made roller blends come pre-diluted to safe levels and are perfect for beginners.
Direct inhalation: quick and simple
Sometimes you just want a quick moment of scent without setting up a diffuser.
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From the bottle: open it and take a few breaths, holding it a few centimetres from your nose.
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Palm inhalation: a drop in your palms, rub together, cup your hands over your nose (avoiding your eyes) and breathe. A lovely quick way to enjoy a bright, invigorating scent.
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Steam: add 2–4 drops to a bowl of steaming (not boiling) water, drape a towel over your head, close your eyes and breathe the fresh, aromatic steam for a few minutes. Eucalyptus and peppermint are the classics for a lovely fresh, clearing steam.
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Aromatherapy inhalers: small lipstick-sized tubes with a cotton wick - add a few drops for portable scent in your bag.
Essential oil baths: self-care level up
There's nothing like a scented bath after a long day - but you can't just drop neat oils into the water. Oil and water don't mix, so they'll float as concentrated droplets that can irritate your skin.
The safe method: mix your oils with a dispersant first:
- Carrier oil: 4–6 drops in a tablespoon of carrier
- Unscented bath gel or liquid soap
- Full-fat milk or cream (the fat disperses the oil)
- Epsom salts: combine, let them absorb, then add to the bath
4–8 drops total for a standard bath is plenty. And skip the "hot" oils in baths - oregano, cinnamon and clove can irritate even when diluted. Stick to gentle ones like lavender and ylang ylang.
Your beginner essential oil starter kit
You don't need dozens of oils to start. A handful of versatile ones covers most everyday uses. Here are the five we recommend most often.
Lavender: the must-have
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the one everyone should own - soft, calming and universally liked. Lovely diffused before bed, added to a bath, or (well diluted) on the skin. Its gentle floral scent makes it the classic bedroom oil. See our full lavender guide for more.
Peppermint: the energiser
Cool, crisp and instantly invigorating - a lovely one to diffuse in the morning or inhale for a bright afternoon lift. Note: peppermint isn't suitable for children under 6 and should be used sparingly around young children.
Eucalyptus: the winter favourite
A New Zealand household staple in the cooler months, with a fresh, camphor-clean scent that makes a room feel bright and revived. Lovely for a fresh steam, diffusing, or in natural cleaning sprays. Like peppermint, it isn't suitable for very young children.
Tea tree: the practical one
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has a crisp, medicinal scent that's brilliant in homemade cleaning sprays and for a fresh, clean-smelling home. More of a functional oil than an ambient one - not everyone loves it for general aromatherapy.
Lemon: the mood lifter
Bright, fresh and cheerful - sunshine in a bottle. Cold-pressed from the rind, it smells exactly like fresh zest and is wonderful for diffusing and freshening. Note: lemon and other citrus oils are phototoxic on skin - if you apply them, keep that area out of the sun for 12–24 hours.
Essential safety guidelines
Essential oils are natural, but natural doesn't mean harmless - these are concentrated plant compounds that deserve respect.
Dilution is non-negotiable. Never apply undiluted oils to skin - the risk runs from temporary irritation to permanent sensitisation.
Keep away from eyes, ears and mucous membranes. If oil gets in your eye, dilute with a carrier oil (not water) and seek medical advice if irritation continues.
Don't ingest essential oils. Internal use requires professional training and guidance - for everyday aromatherapy, it simply isn't worth the risk.
Special considerations for NZ households
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Pregnancy: many oils should be avoided, especially in the first trimester. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your midwife or doctor first.
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Children: children aren't small adults - avoid oils entirely for babies under 3 months, use very low dilutions (0.5–1%) for under-6s, and check each oil before use.
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Pets: some oils are harmful to pets, particularly cats and birds. Keep diffusers where pets can leave the room, never apply oils to pets, and watch for signs of distress (drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing).
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Health conditions and medications: if you have a health condition or take medication, check with your doctor - some oils may not be suitable.
Storing your oils
Oils degrade in light, heat and air. Keep them in their dark glass bottles, lids tight, somewhere cool and dark. Most last 1–3 years; citrus oils a little less. Keep all oils well out of reach of children.
Putting it all together: daily aromatherapy ideas
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Morning lift: 3–4 drops each of peppermint and lemon in the diffuser while you get ready.
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Focused work: a peppermint or rosemary roller on your desk, rolled onto your wrists when you settle in.
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Afternoon reset: a quick palm inhalation of a citrus oil when the 3pm slump hits.
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Evening wind-down: start diffusing lavender an hour before bed - a consistent scent that signals it's time to relax.
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Restful bedroom: a few drops of lavender on your pillow, or a pillow spray.
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Fresh steam: a bowl of steaming water with eucalyptus for a lovely fresh, clearing moment in winter.
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Bath ritual: pre-mix lavender with Epsom salts, light a candle, and give yourself 20 quiet minutes.
Common beginner questions
Can I mix different essential oils together?
Absolutely - blending is half the fun. Start with simple combinations of 2–3 oils, either from the same family (all citrus, all florals) or for contrast (a citrus top note over a woody base). Our DIY blend recipes are a great place to begin, and our ready-made essential oil blends are expertly balanced if you'd rather skip the mixing.
How often should I use essential oils?
Moderation is wise - diffusing 30–60 minutes at a time, with breaks, is better than running a diffuser constantly. Your nose adapts to constant scent, so breaks help you actually enjoy the aroma.
Why can't I smell my diffuser anymore?
That's "nose blindness" - your sense of smell adapts to a constant scent and tunes it out. Leave the room for a bit, or switch to a different oil, and you'll notice it again.
What can essential oils actually do?
Let's be honest and clear: essential oils aren't a treatment for any illness, and anyone claiming they cure things is overselling. What they're wonderful for is scent and atmosphere - filling your home with natural fragrance, and the simple, pleasurable ritual of choosing a scent, pausing, and breathing it in. We see them as a lovely part of a self-care routine, never a replacement for medical care.
Start your aromatherapy journey
Using essential oils doesn't need to be complicated. Start with a few quality oils, a good diffuser, and the safety basics above, then experiment - aromatherapy is personal, and what one person finds calming, another finds energising.
Begin simply: maybe just diffusing lavender before bed for a week and seeing how it feels. Browse our range of pure essential oils and diffusers to find your perfect starting point - all 100% pure and made here in Wellington.
This information is for educational purposes only and isn't medical advice. Essential oils aren't a treatment for any health condition. We suggest checking with your doctor about using essential oils during pregnancy or around babies, and your vet before using them around pets, as some oils can be harmful to animals.
