If you have kids in your house, I bet you are discovering the powerful ways in which doTERRA oils and products can support a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps you’re a little nervous to use oils on your kids; maybe you’re not sure if they’re entirely safe for the younger set.

If you are nervous about using essential oils on the younger set, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Essential oils are not novel.

While it may seem like essential oils are just the latest and greatest thing, they’ve actually been used by humans for millennia. Essential oils contain constituents that will be recognized by our body systems and handled appropriately. Rest assured that if you use essential oils on your children, you’re not inventing the wheel.

2. Kids are not tiny adults.

Remember that oils are potent, and you only need a very small amount to achieve efficacy, especially when it comes to children. A little bit goes a very long way. Adjust amounts accordingly.

3. Dilute.

Kids’ skin is different from adult skin; it’s thinner and generally more sensitive. Even though most oils tend to be non-irritating on the skin (especially on the bottom of the feet, where the skin is thickest), it’s a great idea to dilute essential oil in a good carrier oil before applying to children. You’ll still get the same benefits of the essential oil—you’re just adding extra moisture and pampering delicate child skin. The doTERRA Touch products are great for this, by the way.

4. Diffuse.

Aromatherapy is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of essential oil without the worry of skin reactions. Inhaled oils have long been studied for their ability to enhance feelings of relaxation, encouragement, excitement, focus, and well-being. Additionally, diffused oils may support a healthier indoor environment. That’s always a bonus when you’ve got a houseful of kids.

5. Oils FOR kids, not BY kids.

The labels on doTERRA’s oil bottles remind us to keep them out of reach of children. Kids won’t understand the potency of the essential oils—they only know that these lovely liquids smell divine, and may go overboard in using them. Adults, not children, should always be doing the oil applications, and judiciously at that.

6. Be informed.

doTERRA has mountains of information about safe usage of essential oils on their websites. There’s an entire team of support staff who answer questions about essential oils and products (just email productsupport@doterra.com). And don’t be afraid to chat about oil usage with your family doctor or pediatrician—medical professionals like having a holistic picture of their patients’ health situation, and they have access to other medical literature that can help guide your decisions.

1. doTERRA Touch®.

These products are awesome because they come pre-diluted. Young skin is different from adult skin—it’s thinner, more delicate, and generally more sensitive. It’s a great idea to dilute any essential oils before applying them to children, and this kit takes the mess out of dilution.

2. doTERRA OnGuard® products.

Products containing doTERRA OnGuard, they are very kid-friendly. The toothpaste is wonderful. The cleaner concentrate makes the bathroom fresh and you don’t have to worry about toxic residue. And, of course, diffuse doTERRA OnGuard.

3. doTERRA Balance® and doTERRA Serenity®.

These blends have done wonders for families. A nice massage with these oils (diluted and applied to soles of feet) helps everyone feel relaxed and grounded in the new surroundings.

4. Citrus oils.

They are so uplifting and energizing—perfect for the dreary winter days when no one feels like rolling out of bed. It’s a natural way to chase off the post-holiday blues. Some favorites are Wild Orange, Lemon, and Grapefruit. Evenly apply the oils to the palms of our hands and cup them to our noses for an easy “scent tent.” (Just be sure to avoid sun exposure after applying citrus oils topically!)

5. Correct-X®.

Always have this product on hand during our outdoor adventures; it’s great to have something natural and effective, yet gentle and non-irritating, for sensitive young skin.

Frequently Asked About Topics

Are Essential Oils Safe For Kids?

Yes, they are. Here are a few things that can give you peace of mind. First,  doTERRA’s strict testing, both within the company and through third parties. Second, research and science. There are multiple blog posts on doTERRA explaining the science behind everything. Third is sourcing. Check out doTERRA's CO-Impact Sourcing, with every model number on each bottle, you can see exactly where and when that batch was created with all the testing to back it up. And finally, the fourth is just options. doTERRA has everything from detoxing your home to supporting your little ones and to supporting yourselves.

Oil Safety With Kids

Dilute, dilute, dilute when it doubt. To make it even easier, doTERRA has a Kids Collection, that's already diluted and very safe for kids. Using one drop at a time in a bottle of carrier oil, like our Fractionated Coconut Oil, is recommended for use. It's light and absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. Some oils are considered "hot", which will have to be used more of caution with it, if it's an intense oil for the kitchen, it's going to be intense in the bottle.  A few examples are Oregano, Cinnamon, or Thyme oil that might add heat to intense flavor to your dishes, it will do the same for your kids.

What Is The Best Way To Teach My Kids To Use Essential Oils?

The best thing that you can do is just teach your kids how to use them. So this is going to keep them empowered. And it's best to stick to three things when empowering your kids.

Location:

So the first thing is location. And I know when we hear other things, we always hear location, location, location, like buying a house or something else. But this is true for your oils as well. So put them where you're going to use them. So, for example, oils may go on your nightstand or in the bedroom. Don't be afraid to have more than one bottle of the same oil, because sometimes it's just nice to have a Lavender in every kid's room. So you're not hunting down the one Lavender, right?

Consistency:

Second is consistency. The more you use them, the more it's routine. And we know great habits and great routines are all we need in our life. So if you tell your kids to get their diffuser ready every night, it's something that they eventually do without you asking. So it's teaching great consistency with the oils. And that goes as far as sitting down and figuring out what oils are best in the morning, what oils are best in the afternoon. Don't be afraid to include things like the vitamins or even a smoothie. You can always incorporate shakes or things like that into your day, but I think the better you are at creating routines, the more consistent it will be for your kids.

Choice:

Allow your kids to choose and navigate the oils they like. Now with your younger kids, obviously, you're going to need to guide this a little bit more. So if you were talking about bedtime, for example, you may give him the choice of Peace, Lavender, or Serenity. And then they could pick what when he wanted that night.

If they're older, they kind of know what they like. They are very good at navigating things that they enjoy or would maybe turn them away. You can allow them the choice, and it's okay to have little selections available to them.

How Much Oil to Use on a Child?

For children, a good rule of thumb is to start with just one drop of an essential oil, and as we said before, make sure it is diluted for topical application. From there, you can decide if the oil had the effect you wanted or if you need a second drop. It is not recommended to apply more than two drops at a time on a child. Remember, when it comes to using essential oils, less is often more. Using small amounts multiple times a day is better than using a large amount once a day.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Reaction

Although very uncommon, some people experience sensitivity to essential oils more than others. This can include:

• Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the skin

• Itchiness

• Hives, rash, or boils

• Digestive upset

• Difficulty breathing

If your child experiences a reaction to essential oils, discontinue use immediately. Do not apply any other essential oils. If the reaction is severe, prolonged, or worsens over time, seek immediate medical attention from a trained professional.