Essential oils are wonderful additions to aromatherapy and self-care routines, and they have plenty of benefits. Among the many different types of essential oils out there, there are some that offer specific aromas that are more pleasing or better for creating a soothing and well-scented atmosphere. Our article gives you details, answers your questions, and directs you to the best-smelling essential oils on the market today.
What Are Essential Oils For?
Essential oils are derived from plants, and they are traditionally used in aromatherapy practices. Some essential oils are diluted and applied to the body as part of herbal remedies and traditional medicinal practices. Some are added to products like lotions, massage oils, and body scrubs to enhance the smell of the produce and add unique benefits.
Every essential oil may have different benefits, and it’s important to thoroughly research the essential oil you are interested in before purchasing it. You can find essential oils for various needs, such as clarity, focusing, and energizing, in addition to essential oils that aim to relax muscles, cure aches and pains, and provide skin or health benefits.
Essential Oils for Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is one of the most popular ways to use essential oils, and this is done through diffusing your chosen essential oil. With aromatherapy, you can diffuse essential oils at your desk, around your home, or even in your bathroom and kitchen to fill the air with a particular scent that can help you feel relaxed, and focused, or gain clarity. Some scents may even help you clear nausea or headaches, relieve stomach pain, or clear stuffiness and cold symptoms.
When choosing an essential oil for aromatherapy, remember that you can blend certain oils together to bring a beneficial aroma to your room that provides you with all the benefits you seek.
The Ideal Smelling Essential Oils
While personal preference can play a major part in which essential oils you think are the best smelling, the following essential oils are generally fan favorites and at the top of many lists when selecting the best-smelling essential oils. Plus, these essential oils all have helpful benefits when used in aromatherapy.
No matter which oils you select, you’ll want to purchase from a supplier who is up-front about their ingredients, sourcing methods, and testing processes, so you can be assured that the oils you buy will have the smell you anticipate; Wholesale Botanics is one such supplier, and you can purchase oils directly on their site.
Jasmine
Floral, sweet, and slightly musky, jasmine is one of today’s most notable essential oils. This oil is known for its somewhat sensual aroma, and many individuals consider the scent of jasmine to be an aphrodisiac. More commonly, this essential oil is diffused to promote relaxation, and it can be added to massage oils and lotions to prevent dry skin, especially when applied to areas of itchiness or irritation.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its delicate, sweet, and fairly woodsy aroma. It is a popular choice in many different skincare, haircare, and bath products that promote relaxation. Research supports the use of lavender as a part of aromatherapy treatments for anxiety, stress, and depression, and this essential oil is also utilized for its hair growth and sleep-promoting benefits.
Peppermint
Many people are familiar with peppermint’s bright, crisp, and uplifting aroma; peppermint essential oil is often used to promote clarity and focus. In addition to providing an intensely minty aroma to your home, this oil is also used to clear congestion, relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds, and reduce pain or stress.
Frankincense
Frankincense is often described as having a balanced yet woodsy and earthy aroma. It is somewhat sweet with citrus undertones and has a balsamic-like quality that many individuals find warming and calming. Frankincense is notable for its benefits on memory and concentration, and diffusing this essential oil while working or studying can decrease stress and encourage productivity.
Lemongrass
Distinctly fresh and lemony, lemongrass also has a woody undertone and a hint of fresh earth. This essential oil is best known for its refreshing aroma that can bring an uplifting atmosphere to any room, but it can also be used for cleansing skin, acting as a natural deodorizer, and improving hair health when mixed into your favorite shampoo. Lemongrass essential oil can also be diluted into a carrier oil and rubbed on the skin to relieve menstrual cramps.
Grapefruit
Citrusy, sweet, and light with a hint of tang, grapefruit essential oil smells much like what you would expect. This essential oil is notable for its bright aroma and can be uplifting when diffused throughout your home. Uses for grapefruit essential oil include relieving stressful and anxious feelings, encouraging energy or clarity, and alleviating discomfort or stiff muscles. Some research shows that grapefruit essential oil has properties that decrease blood pressure.
Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil has strong notes of camphor and pine. It is well-known for its topical uses as well as the benefits it provides when diffused. Tea tree oil can help invigorate and refresh an environment, and it reduces insomnia as well. When diluted with a carrier oil and used on the skin, tea tree essential oil can help to reduce acne, act as a natural antiseptic, boost wound healing, and act as both an antibacterial and an antifungal.
Bergamot
Known for its use in flavoring Earl Grey tea, bergamot essential oil has a somewhat citrusy, fruity, and spicy scent. It is fairly distinctive, and the aroma of bergamot is associated with calming moods and reducing stress. You can use bergamot essential oil topically to treat small blemishes, and it can be added to your hair care routine to keep your hair soft, strong, and well-scented.
Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang essential oil has a distinct and exotic smell, and it is notable for its deeply rich aroma that hints of custard, earthiness, and a sweet floral undertone. Many people compare ylang-ylang to jasmine, though ylang-ylang essential oil tends to have a spicier scent and more of a green undertone. This essential oil is often used to reduce stress and anxiety, repel insects, lower blood pressure, and relieve headaches.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil has a scent reminiscent of forests and mint witha subtle honey or citrusy sweetness. This essential oil is typically used to clear congestion and promote clarity and focus, and the uplifting aroma can be very strong for some individuals. Eucalyptus essential oil may also be used topically on the skin to relieve muscle and joint pain or as part of a massage oil blend to encourage relaxation.
Geranium
Very sweet, green, and herbaceous, geranium essential oil smells like rose essential oil. This fresh, green, and floral scent has a rose and mint undertone, and many individuals love the complex and refreshing aroma they receive when diffusing this essential oil. Research has suggested that this essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and it can be combined with a carrier oil or your favorite lotion to craft a pleasantly scented skin treatment.
Patchouli
Patchouli essential oil is often described as intoxicating and has a very rich, warm scent. This essential oil is woodsy and sweet, and has hints of musk and earthiness. Patchouli essential oil is diffused to promote relaxation, uplift mood, and relieve the symptoms of colds, headaches, congestion, or upset stomachs. When applied to the body, it may treat dry skin and reduce dandruff on the scalp.
Lemon
Lemon is a classic scent, and you may easily recognize the bright, fresh, and zesty citrus aroma. This essential oil is typically used to encourage a refreshing atmosphere, and many individuals love lemon essential oil for its benefits in uplifting mood, relieving stress or anxiety, and promoting clarity or focus. Lemon essential oil also has a few great benefits when applied to the skin, as it is thought to be antibacterial and antifungal.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood essential oil does have a distinct woodsy and earthy aroma, as the name would indicate, though it is also very piney and reminiscent of camphor or other invigorating fragrances. This essential oil can be diffused to reduce the symptoms of headaches, treat menstrual pain, and promote a warm atmosphere. Cedarwood essential oil may help with wound healing and joint pain or stiffness if used topically.
Vanilla
While many believe vanilla is a plain scent, vanilla essential oil can be fairly complex and pleasing. It is another classic scent with rich, warm undertones and a pleasant sweetness that promotes comfort and relaxation. Vanilla essential oil can be diffused to relieve the symptoms of stress, improve mood, fight anxiety, and create an overall calm atmosphere. When applied topically, vanilla essential oil may help to promote skin and hair health.
FAQs About Essential Oils
We answer your frequently asked questions about essential oils below to clarify how to use essential oils and the safest ways to enjoy these aromas.
Can I Apply Essential Oils to My Body?
It is possible to apply essential oils onto your body, but you should always dilute any essential oil you put onto your skin. This is done to stop the concentrated oil from irritating your skin, causing itchiness, or being too harsh. If you want to apply an essential oil or a blend of essential oils to your body, add a few drops to a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil. Ensure the oils are combined well, then gently massage the blend into your skin.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops of your essential oils into a lotion, cream, or even a relaxing bath to enjoy the scent and benefits they bring.
How Do I Breathe in an Essential Oil?
Breathing in the aroma of an essential oil is a key part of aromatherapy. You can breathe in an essential oil by adding it to a diffuser. The diffuser will turn water into steam, and the essential oil you have added to the diffuser will also evaporate into the air, leaving behind a pleasant scent. You add a few different scents to your diffuser to create a beneficial blend, or you can simply add one for its benefits and let the aroma fill up your room.
Where Can I Find an Essential Oil Diffuser?
Essential oil diffusers are fairly easy to find, and you can secure one of these devices at almost any store that sells household goods. If you have a specific design in mind or want a specialized essential oil diffuser, you can shop online and choose from the many diffuser options to find one that perfectly fits your needs.
Are Essential Oils Safe to Breathe in Regularly?
Essential oils are safe to breathe in regularly, as long as you are diffusing them correctly and ensuring that any essential oil on your skin is diluted. Daily use of essential oils can be part of a relaxing routine or steps that you take to focus each day and ensure you are feeling your best.
Will My Essential Oils Go Bad?
Essential oils can go bad, and this mostly has to do with how you store them. Essential oils should be kept in their bottles in a cool location from direct sunlight. Indicators of bad essential oils include a change of smell, a thicker or thinner texture than normal, a cloudy appearance, or strange separation in the bottle.
Using expired essential oils may result in itchiness, skin reactions, and other unpleasant reactions, so the best thing to do if you suspect your essential oil has expired is to replace it with a new one. With proper care, most essential oils should last between one and two years.
Are Essential Oils Edible?
Some essential oils are edible, but it is very important to be aware of which essential oils you can take in small doses and which are better choices for topical application only. In general, only food-grade essential oils should be used for consumption, and you should only take them in very small amounts. You should also consult with a medical professional before adding anything new to your routine to ensure that it is approved for your specific situation.
How Do I Safely Use Essential Oils?
Safely using essential oils means being aware of each essential oil’s effects, properly diluting or diffusing your essential oils, and taking the time to store and care for your essential oils properly. Safe use of essential oils means that you are more likely to benefit from the aromas of these oils without accidentally using an expired oil or applying an essential oil directly to your skin that is likely to cause irritation or other reactions.
Filling Your Life With Scent
Essential oils are a wonderful way to fill your life with pleasant scents and step foot into the world of aromatherapy. Our selection of the best-smelling essential oils gives you somewhere to start when choosing the essential oils you want to diffuse around your home or add to your lotions and massage oils for a wonderfully scented experience.