Sensitivity testing
It is usually a good idea to do a sensitivity test on your child when trying a new oil, to ensure that it does
not cause any irritation. To perform a sensitivity test, simply dilute the oil that you want to use, apply it to an
inconspicuous spot on your child’s skin (the feet are usually the best place because that is where the skin is
thickest), and observe the spot over the course of a few hours. This will give you the chance to see how your
child’s skin reacts to that particular oil.
Avoid sensitive areas
In addition to sensitivity testing, you can help your child avoid irritation or sensitivity when it comes to using
e ssential oils by avoiding application in any sensitive areas. As mentioned, any application of essential oils on
your children should always be supervised—with your younger children, you should be the one to apply the
oils; with older children, you should always be present during application.
When applying essential oils topically on children, there are a few areas that should be avoided to help
prevent sensitivity:
• Eyes
• Skin around the eyes
• Inner ears
Dilution for children: 1 drop of
essential oil – 5 drops
of carrier oil
• Broken, injured, or damaged skin
• Inner nose
All of these areas of the body tend to have more sensitive skin, and should be avoided when applying oils
topically. Remember, a child’s skin is even more delicate than an adult’s, so application methods will always
be a little different when it comes to using essential oils with children.
Sunlight exposure
Some essential oils, particularly citrus oils, can cause sunlight sensitivity if
the user is exposed to sunlight after applying the oil on the skin. The risk for
Essential oils that could pose a
risk for sunlight sensitivity:
sunlight sensitivity is especially prevalent for children, because they tend to
spend a lot of time outside. Before topically applying essential oils to your
children, it is wise to consider first how much time your child will be spending
in the sun over the next 12 hours, and second, whether or not the oil you are
applying includes a caution for potential sunlight sensitivity. As mentioned, it
Bergamot
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Tangerine
Wild Orange
is typically the citrus oils that present a risk for sunlight sensitivity; however,
parents must always read essential oil labels to see if an oil comes with a
warning about sunlight exposure. When an essential oil or essential oil product contains a sunlight sensitivity
warning, it is best to avoid sunlight and UV rays for up to 12 hours after the product is applied.