Essential oils are everywhere now, from bedside diffusers to bath products, and many parents wonder whether they are safe to use around their children. The short answer is that some uses can be fine for older children when the oils are well diluted and used sparingly, but babies and young children are far more sensitive than adults, and a few oils should be kept away from them entirely. This guide sums up the mainstream safety advice so you can make sensible choices at home.
Why children react differently
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. A single drop can contain the compounds of a large amount of plant material. Children have thinner skin, a smaller body weight and airways that are still developing, so the same amount of oil that an adult barely notices can cause skin irritation, coughing or breathing trouble in a child. Their bodies also process some plant compounds more slowly.
This is also why “natural” does not mean “gentle”. Many plant compounds are strong enough to irritate skin or eyes, and some are toxic when swallowed even in small amounts.
A simple age guide
Advice varies a little between aromatherapy organizations and children’s health experts, but most guidance lines up roughly like this:
- Under 3 months: avoid essential oils altogether, including diffusing in the baby’s room and adding oils to baths, creams or bedding.
- 3 months to 2 years: most experts advise against using essential oils on the skin. If you diffuse at all, keep it rare, brief and in a well-aired room the baby is not sleeping in.
- 2 to 6 years: a few gentle oils may be used occasionally in very weak dilutions, but avoid the oils listed below and check with your pediatrician first.
- 6 years and older: occasional use of well-diluted oils is generally considered lower risk, still with the same care around the face, eyes and breathing.
If your child has asthma, eczema, allergies or any ongoing health condition, talk to their doctor before using essential oils at all. Strong scents are a common trigger for asthma symptoms.
Dilution: less is more
Never put undiluted essential oil on a child’s skin. Oils should always be mixed into a carrier oil such as sweet almond, jojoba or sunflower oil. For older children, a common guideline is a dilution of around 0.5 to 1 percent, which works out to roughly one to five drops of essential oil in a tablespoon (15 ml) to two tablespoons (30 ml) of carrier oil, depending on the oil and the child’s age. That is much weaker than many adult recipes found online.
Before using a new blend, do a patch test: apply a small amount to the inner forearm and wait 24 hours to check for redness or itching. Keep blends away from the face, hands (which end up in mouths and eyes) and any broken or irritated skin. Our guide to essential oil safety covers dilution in more detail.
Oils to keep away from young children
Some oils are not suitable for young children even when diluted:
- Peppermint contains menthol, which has been linked to breathing problems in infants and toddlers when applied near the face. Many experts advise avoiding it under age 6.
- Eucalyptus and rosemary are high in 1,8-cineole, which can also affect breathing in young children. Avoid them under age 6, and some guidance says under 10.
- Wintergreen and sweet birch contain methyl salicylate, a compound related to aspirin. They are dangerous if swallowed and should not be used on children.
- Camphor can cause seizures if swallowed and should be kept well away from children.
- Cinnamon bark, clove and oregano are strong skin irritants and are not suitable for children’s skin.
Gentler oils that are more commonly used for older children, always diluted, include lavender and Roman chamomile. Even with these, use small amounts and stop if you notice any reaction.
Diffusing around children
Diffusing is often seen as the safest way to use essential oils, but it still exposes children to airborne compounds. If you diffuse in a home with children:
- Use a few drops in plenty of water and run the diffuser for short periods, such as 30 to 60 minutes, rather than all day or all night.
- Keep the room well ventilated and make sure children can leave the room.
- Do not diffuse in the room of a baby, a child with asthma or anyone who is unwell, and stop at the first sign of coughing, wheezing, headache or irritated eyes.
- Place the diffuser out of reach so it can’t be knocked over or played with.
Remember that pets share the air too. Cats in particular are sensitive to many essential oils, which is covered in our guide to essential oils and pets.
Never give essential oils by mouth
Essential oils should never be given to children to swallow, whether in drinks, food, honey or capsules. Swallowing even a small amount, sometimes just a teaspoon or less, can cause serious poisoning in a child, with symptoms such as vomiting, drowsiness, breathing trouble and seizures. Poison control centers report thousands of essential oil exposures in young children every year, most from a child drinking from a bottle left within reach.
Storage and accidents
- Store oils high up and out of sight, ideally in a locked cabinet, with the caps tightly closed.
- Choose bottles with child-resistant caps and built-in drip restrictors.
- Never leave open bottles or diffuser refills on bedside tables or bath edges.
If a child swallows essential oil, do not try to make them vomit. In the United States, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or use the online tool at poison.org. If the child is having trouble breathing, is very drowsy or has a seizure, call 911. If oil gets in the eyes, rinse with plenty of clean water for 15 minutes and get medical advice. If oil is spilled on the skin, wash it off with soap and water.
When to talk to a doctor
Essential oils are not a substitute for medical care. A child with a fever, a persistent cough, breathing trouble, a rash that spreads, or any symptom that worries you should be seen by a doctor. It is also worth asking your pediatrician before using any oil regularly, especially for sleep, congestion or skin problems, since there may be safer or better-tested options.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to diffuse lavender in a toddler’s room?
Occasional, brief diffusing of a gentle oil like lavender in a well-aired room is generally considered lower risk for children over 2, but avoid running a diffuser all night and avoid it entirely if your child has asthma.
Can I put essential oils in my child’s bath?
Oils do not mix with water, so drops can sit on the surface and touch the skin undiluted. If you want to use them at all, mix one drop into a spoonful of carrier oil or unscented bath product first, and only for older children.
Are “kid-safe” blends safe?
A label is not a guarantee. Check the ingredients for the oils listed above, check the dilution, and follow the same age guidance.
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