Whether you’re a die-hard essential oil fan or just getting started, you probably have questions about essential oils you’re searching for answers to, like “Are essential oils safe for kids?” and “What’s a Vitality oil anyway?” and maybe even “What the heck are essential oils?”

Well, you came to the right place! We’re answering all these questions and more with this special FAQ blog post. You might even discover the answer to a question you didn’t even know you had!

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained by careful steam distillation, cold pressing, or resin tapping. The resulting oils have a distinctive molecular profile that gives them specific aromas and properties. Essential oils have been used by people for thousands of years for everything from cosmetic and dietary purposes to spiritual and religious use. We believe that essential oils are the best of nature distilled, and they have the power to elevate, motivate, and inspire.

There are countless ways to use essential oils: in the kitchen or at the gym, diffusing them or applying them to the skin—the possibilities are endless. The most important thing to remember is that each oil is different. Always check individual labels to find out if an oil needs to be diluted before using it on the skin or ingesting it and how often it should be used. A great place to start is to experiment with your own custom essential oil diffuser blends to find the scents that speak to your soul. 

Pure essential oils are far more powerful than the botanicals from which they are extracted. Some oils are considered gentle and generally safe to apply directly to the skin, like Lavender and Copaiba. Other oils are considered “hot” and should be diluted before they are applied to skin, like Cinnamon Bark and Oregano. This also goes for our line of Vitality™ oils. Always refer to individual oil labels for dilution instructions.

Bottles of classic essential oils and the corresponding bottles of Vitality oils contain the same oils. However, Culinary Oils are labeled for dietary use, and the classic essential oils are labeled for topical and aromatic use. The designation of the two products allows you to share all the ways to use essential oils in the correct way, in line with package directions.

Some oils are safe for kids and some are not. To make it easy for you, we created essential oil blends and essential oil-infused products specifically for kids and babies. Before using Young Living products with your little ones, carefully review the individual product label for full information on appropriate age usage and any cautions. Each child is different, so it’s always a good idea to test a small amount to make sure no irritation occurs before applying to a large area of skin. The same goes when diffusing essential oils around babies. Be sure to test them first! You should also be generous when it comes to dilution and remember to use less than you would for an adult. Some of our favorite essential oils for babies are Grapefruit, Lavender, and German Chamomile. Learn more about using essential oils on your little ones with our Essential Oils.

Just like with babies, essential oils can be a great addition to your routine throughout pregnancy. Staying relaxed and pampering yourself during those 9 months keep you happy while the baby grows, kicks, and wiggles. Start slow with essential oils and diffuse in a large area to see how you tolerate them, then go from there. We always recommend that pregnant women consult with a trained health professional with experience using essential oils. For more info on essential oils and pregnancy, check out our guest post from Dr. Lindsey Elmore.

Our standards for purity are unmatched. Because synthetics, contaminants, cheap fillers, and unethical production practices are not an option for our essential oils, we source our oils from our own farms and vetted suppliers and test extensively. If an essential oil doesn’t meet our strict testing requirements, it’s rejected and can’t be used in any Young Living product. It’s all part of our Seed to Seal® standard and our three pillars: Sourcing, Science, and Standards. For more information visit SeedtoSeal.com.