Essential Oil Guide

How to Use Essential Oils
PHOTO: ANTHROPOLOGIE

The world of essential oils is vast, intriguing, and honestly, a tad confusing. Are these plant extracts actually that powerful? (Yes.) Do I need to be the DIY-loving, crunchy type to use and enjoy them? (Not at all!) Can I just dab a few drops on my skin and call it a day? (Nope—please don’t.) What the heck do I use all these different scents for? (We’ll tell you!)

To answer every essential oil–related FAQ, we enlisted the help of Charlynn Avery, aromatherapist and educator at Aura Cacia, to help us craft the ultimate essential oil guide. Read on to get the lowdown on everything from why (and how) you should dilute your oils to the best scents for every occasion.