Essential Oils That are More Likely to Cause Irritation and Skin Sensitization

Essential Oils that Are Higher Risk for Causing Skin Sensitization and Irritation

The undiluted use of any essential oil on the skin can potentially cause irritation or sensitization. Read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils to learn the precautions that you need to know and learn how to dilute your essential oils prior to topical application.

The below charts list display the essential oils that, even when diluted, are more likely to cause dermal irritation or sensitization. For topical applications, it is best to avoid using essential oils that are at higher risk for irritation and skin sensitization without adequate training.

Clove Oil and Skin Irritation and Sensitization

Essential Oils That are More Likely To Cause Skin Irritation

This is not necessarily a complete list...

Essential Oils Appearing On the Hazardous Essential Oil List and...
Allspice Essential Oil
Bay Laurel Essential Oil
Cassia Essential Oil
Cinnamon Essential Oil (Bark and Leaves)
Clove Essential Oil
Oregano Essential Oil
Parsley Essential Oil
Sage Essential Oil (Dalmatian)
Thyme Essential Oil

Essential Oils More Likely To Cause Skin Sensitization

This is not necessarily a complete list...

Essential Oils Appearing On the Hazardous Essential Oil List and...
Bay Laurel Essential Oil
Cassia Essential Oil
Catnip Essential Oil
Cinnamon Essential Oil (Bark and Leaves)
Clove Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Litsea Cubeba Essential Oil (May Chang Essential Oil)
Melissa Essential Oil
Oakmoss Absolute
Peru Balsam Essential Oil

Oxidized and Old Essential Oils

Essential oils that are old or that have been stored improperly are more likely to be oxidized. Essential oils that are abundant in limonene, pinene and other monoterpenes are the most at-risk for oxidation and pose increased risk of causing irritation or sensitization. Although some essential oils are more at risk of quicker oxidation than others, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid using any essential oil that has been stored incorrectly or is beyond it's shelf life even if it's not shown in the above lists.