10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Essential Oils

Aug 14, 2025

In this article, I'm going to go in-depth with advanced training on essential oils and talk about the 10 biggest essential oil mistakes people are making regularly. I’ll also talk about internal use, topical use, and aromatic use of essential oils.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and have been one of the most powerful forms of plant-based medicine. They're referenced more than 300 times in the Bible, and they're used in Egyptian medicine, Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine. They should be used, but they should be used responsibly as well. Hopefully, you’ll learn something useful for the next time you buy organic essential oils online.

Mistake 1: Thinking You Need to Know Everything Before Using Oils

Number one mistake people are making with essential oils is thinking they need to know everything about all essential oils before they use them. Here's the truth—pick a handful of oils and make those your go-to oils regularly. Here are five of the most popular essential oils that I think people can use regularly, safely and effectively:

Number 1 is frankincense oil. Why is frankincense oil so highly recommended?

Frankincense oil is a versatile go-to for many people, especially for its broad health benefits. It contains a compound called pinene, which is known for its ability to modulate the immune system and provide mild anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a great oil for supporting overall wellness. Due to its safety and effectiveness, it's a popular choice for both topical application and aromatic use, making it an excellent all-purpose oil, particularly when travelling.

Number 2 is Lavender oil. Why is lavender the most popular essential oil?

Lavender, like the one by NOW Essential Oils, is the most popular essential oil in North America because it's known for promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Its pleasing floral scent is widely used in aromatherapy to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve sleep quality. In addition to its calming properties, lavender oil is very versatile and is also used for soothing minor skin irritations and promoting overall well-being.

is the number one used essential oil in North America today, and is great for relaxation. Lemon oil is great for cleansing your lymphatic system and uplifting the spirit. Peppermint oil is a great natural energizer and for digestion. Tea tree oil, like the AKARZ Tea Tree Essential Oil, is a great natural household cleaner and air purifier. You don't have to know everything about every oil—just use these five go-to oils or the five you want to learn about regularly.

Number 3 is lemon oil. What are the Benefits of Lemon Essential Oil?

Lemon essential oil, extracted from the peel of fresh lemons, is a powerful tool in aromatherapy and holistic wellness. Its distinct, clean citrus scent is a key to its popularity and a source of many of its benefits. Lemon essential oil is well-known for two key benefits: supporting the body's cleansing processes and boosting your mood.

Detoxification: When applied topically with a carrier oil, lemon oil can stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps your body remove toxins and improve circulation.
Mood Elevation: The fresh, citrus scent of lemon oil is a natural mood-lifter. Diffusing it can create an energizing and positive atmosphere, helping to reduce stress and improve focus.

Number 4 is Peppermint oil. What are the Benefits of Peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is a popular essential oil with a wide range of uses, primarily known for supporting digestive health and providing pain relief.

Headache Relief: Applying diluted peppermint oil to your temples can help soothe tension headaches.
Digestive Aid: When taken in special enteric-coated capsules, it helps with symptoms of IBS and indigestion.
Nausea: The aroma of peppermint oil can be very effective in reducing feelings of nausea.
Respiratory Support: Inhaling the vapour can act as a natural decongestant, helping to clear sinuses and ease breathing.

Number 5 is Tea tree oil. What are the Benefits of tea Tree oil?

Tea tree oil, like the AKARZ Tea Tree Essential Oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a popular essential oil derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. It is widely recognized for its powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Acne Treatment: Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in many acne products due to its ability to kill bacteria that cause breakouts and reduce inflammation. It can be as effective as benzoyl peroxide but may work more slowly and cause less irritation.
Fungal Infections: Its antifungal properties make it a traditional remedy for conditions like athlete's foot and toenail fungus.
Dandruff Relief: When used in a shampoo, a small amount of tea tree oil can help reduce the symptoms of dandruff, such as flakiness and itching.
Minor Cuts and Scrapes: It can be used as a natural antiseptic to disinfect and promote healing of minor wounds.
Insect Repellent: Studies have shown that tea tree oil can be effective at repelling certain insects.

Mistake 2: Giving the Wrong Essential Oil Advice

I've seen people say, "Oh, essential oils are natural, so you can use as much as you want internally." Alright, here’s the deal: essential oils pack a punch. You gotta know what you’re doing. This isn’t just, like, “Oh, it smells nice, let’s chug it.” Some oils? Not for internal use. Wormwood, eucalyptus, birch, wintergreen—don’t even think about swallowing that. Seriously, your liver will send you hate mail.

Now, there are a few oils—turmeric CO2 extract, ginger, peppermint, like Organic Essential Oils in Peppermint, lemon—that folks sometimes use internally, but only in tiny, tiny amounts. Get some training, or at least, read up from actual experts before you start tossing oils into everything. Your body will thank you. Or at least, it won’t revolt. It's a common misconception that all "natural" essential oils are safe for internal use in large quantities. Here are some key questions about the internal use of essential oils:

Can I use as much essential oil as I want internally because it's natural? : No, that's a dangerous misconception. Essential oils are extremely potent and concentrated. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's safe to consume freely.
Which essential oils should I never swallow? You should never ingest oils like wormwood, eucalyptus, birch, and wintergreen. These can cause serious harm to your body, especially your liver
Are there any essential oils that can be used internally? : A few oils, such as turmeric CO2 extract, ginger, peppermint, and lemon, are sometimes used internally, but only in extremely small amounts and with expert guidance

What's the best way to ensure I'm using essential oils safely? The most important thing is to get proper training or consult with actual experts before using oils internally. Using them incorrectly can be harmful, so always know what you're doing.

Mistake 2: Giving the Wrong Essential Oil Advice

Can I use as much essential oil as I want internally because it's natural? : No, that's a dangerous misconception. Essential oils are extremely potent and concentrated. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's safe to consume freely.
Which essential oils should I never swallow? You should never ingest oils like wormwood, eucalyptus, birch, and wintergreen. These can cause serious harm to your body, especially your liver
Are there any essential oils that can be used internally? : A few oils, such as turmeric CO2 extract, ginger, peppermint, and lemon, are sometimes used internally, but only in extremely small amounts and with expert guidance

Mistake 3: Disregarding Quality

This is a big deal. Did you know that many essential oil companies are using synthetics? They are not truly essential oils. Many plants are sprayed with pesticides, which may end up in the essential oil.

When buying essential oils, make sure they're not fake. Look, let’s be real—some of those bargain-bin oils are basically a science experiment gone wrong. Who even knows what’s floating around in there? Mystery chemicals, fake scents, stuff that makes your skin freak out… hard pass. If you’re after the real deal, stick with organic or wildcrafted oils. Your nose (and your skin) will thank you. Like, make sure nobody’s dousing them in pesticides or dumping additives and fillers in the mix. Oh, and bonus points if they’re harvested the way local folks have done it forever, at the right season and all that. Trust me, your nose (and probably your liver) will thank you. Also, look for oils that have been tested for internal use if applicable.

Mistake 4: Using Photosensitive Oils in the Sun.

Certain oils, if you put them on and then go into direct sunlight, can cause a skin reaction. The big ones are citrus oils—lime, orange, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon—along with cumin and sometimes lemongrass. You can find these types of essential oils sold in many sets, like the Organic Essential Oil Aromatherapy Set, which features citronella, bergamot, sandalwood, and peppermint. You can use them on your skin, but don’t go into the sun right after. It can give you a burn or a rash.

Mistake 5: Using All Oils the Same Way.

Some oils can be safe in therapeutic doses internally if they are of really good quality, like an organic turmeric CO2. Certain oils, like wintergreen, should never be used internally. Honestly, you don’t wanna slap straight-up oregano or cinnamon oil on your skin unless you’re looking for a spicy disaster. Those suckers are strong—like, “why is my arm tingling?” strong. Mix 'em up with something chill first, like coconut oil, MCT, or jojoba. Your skin’ll thank you, trust me. Or perhaps purchase essential oils that are designed to be used on skin and hair, like the PHATOIL 236ml/118ml Organic Castor Oil.

Mistake 6: Using Essential Oils Too Long

This is rare—less than one in a million people have this issue—but when using a diffuser, you typically don't want to diffuse more than eight hours in a moderate-sized room. In a big room, you can go longer. For direct inhalation when sick, like with a cold or flu, you can sit in front of a diffuser or breathe in steam with oils for about five minutes, but not 20–30 minutes. Too much can stress your liver or kidneys if overused internally in large amounts.

Mistake 7: Assuming Oils Safe for Humans Are Safe for Pets.

Yeah, don’t mess around with certain oils if you’ve got dogs or cats. Stuff like birch, clove, oregano, tea tree, thyme, and wintergreen? Hard no. Those can be nasty for pets—like, “emergency vet visit” nasty. Just stick to the safe stuff, and when in doubt, skip the essential oils altogether. Your furry overlords will thank you. Some of the best oils for dogs are lavender, frankincense, and helichrysum.

Mistake 8: Using Oils the Same on Kids and Adults.

Children are much smaller, so use smaller amounts and dilute with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Or even use the Coconut Essential Oil in smaller amounts to keep it safe for kids. Strong antimicrobial oils like oregano or lemongrass generally should not be used on children. Eucalyptus must be diluted for kids and never used near the face. Kids may grab and drink oils, which can be dangerous. Some favourite oils for kids include Roman chamomile and frankincense.

Mistake 9: Using No-No Oils During Pregnancy

Alright, let’s not sugarcoat it—ditch the oils that can throw your hormones outta whack when you’re pregnant. Seriously, don’t mess around with cinnamon, clove, birch, clary sage, fennel, wintergreen, or myrrh. Maybe they’ve got their perks elsewhere, but when you’ve got a bun in the oven? Hard pass. Why risk it? Nope. Your body’s already running a hormonal circus, no need to add more drama. If you’re looking for something chill, gentle oils like lemon, frankincense, ginger, lavender, or orange are way safer bets. Even floral ones like the EUGEE 6 Bottles Floral Series Essential Oils are gentle enough to use. Stick with those and you’ll dodge the hormone rollercoaster.

Mistake 10: Not Being Trained in Essential Oils.

Many give advice without training or certification. Getting certified increases confidence, builds credibility, and establishes authority. Education helps you better support people in transforming their health.

Final Thoughts:

Thanks for checking out the article. You can easily buy essential oils online. It’s a great way to find great deals on Inasbay marketplace and explore a vast selection.