Essential Oil Safety FAQs

Are Essential Oils only for aromatherapy?

NOW^® Essential Oils are highly concentrated plant and botanical extracts intended for aromatherapeutic use. Because these extracts are highly concentrated and potent, we recommend consulting with a trained professional or referencing other reputable resources for recommended dilutions before using essential oils for any purpose other than aromatherapy.

Infants, children, and pets may be highly sensitive to essential oils, even when used as directed in a diffuser. Always diffuse essential oils in well-ventilated areas, especially in the presence of children, pregnant/nursing women, pets, or individuals with respiratory or other medical conditions.

Can Essential Oils be used topically?

Some essential oils can be highly irritating to the skin, and direct skin contact with essential oils should be avoided. Do not use any undiluted essential oil directly on the skin, especially the skin of infants, children or pets, unless directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Label cautions and usage

Each of our essential oils has been reviewed for safety, and specific instructions for their use can be found on the label and our website. Please follow our label cautions, which are there for your safety and are based on authoritative sources.

Essential oil recipes found on our site have been carefully crafted and evaluated by professionals; deviation from these recipes is not recommended.

Although our essential oils are pure and produced without chemical additives, due to strict regulatory requirements, pure essential oils sold for aromatherapy cannot be labeled as food-grade or bear instructions for topical or internal use.