Patch testing is a method used in aromatherapy to make sure that an essential oil or aromatherapy blend is suitable for general use on your skin. It involves testing a small patch of skin with the aromatherapy treatment you would like to use to check if the essential oils cause an allergic reaction or irritation.
Patch testing is essential if you have sensitive skin, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or other inflammatory and easily irritated skin condition. For example, lavender can be a helpful oil to use in the treatment of eczema, but certain individuals may find that it irritates their skin. Therefore, a patch test will help to eliminate this risk.
How To Carry Out A Patch Test
Carrying out a patch test is simple. Follow the steps below to test a single essential oil:
- Mix one drop essential oil in two teaspoons carrier oil (e.g. sunflower oil*)
- Use a cotton wool bud to dab the blend on the inside of your wrist or elbow or behind the earlobe
- Do not wash off. Leave for 24 hours, then check for signs of redness, itchiness or other irritation.
*Sunflower oil is a good choice of carrier oil to use in a patch test because it rarely causes an adverse reaction on the skin. Another good choice would be olive oil. People with nut allergies should avoid nut-based oils like sweet almond.
If there is no reaction, the oil is safe to use in treatments. If there is a reaction, you can repeat the patch test and wait for another 24 hours to be certain. If the reaction occurs again, do not include that oil in your aromatherapy treatments. If no reaction occurs, carry out a third test to be certain (two out of three for best results), and then use the oil at a low dilution (1–1.5%) in your blends.
You can also use this method to test an aromatherapy blend, to check the effect that a mixture of essential oils has on your skin.
A Guide To Dilution Percentages
With all aromatherapy blends that are to be used directly on the body, ensure that your essential oils are blended to a 3% dilution and no higher. People with sensitive skin conditions, the elderly, children and pregnant women are advised to use a 1% dilution
A guide to dilutions is provided for you below, showing the ratio of carrier oil (ml) to essential oils (drops) from 5–30 ml blends:
3% dilutions
- 5 ml:3 drops
- 10 ml:6 drops
- 15 ml:9 drops
- 20 ml:12 drops
- 25 ml:15 drops
- 30 ml:18 drops
1% dilutions
- 5 ml:1 drops
- 10 ml:2 drops
- 15 ml:3 drops
- 20 ml:4 drops
- 25 ml:5 drops
- 30 ml:6 drops
Testing And Diluting Shower And Bath Blends
If you have hypersensitive skin or are concerned about another contraindication you have to aromatherapy, it is advisable to test essential oils and blends that are to be used indirectly on your skin, such as in the shower or bath. Once you have carried out your patch test and determined whether the aromatherapy treatment you have chosen is safe for use, follow the dilution guide below for showers and baths:
5% dilutions
- 5 ml:5 drops
- 10 ml:10 drops
- 15 ml:15 drops
- 20 ml:2 drops
- 25 ml:5 drops
- 30 ml:6 drops
Again, people with sensitive skin conditions, the elderly, children and pregnant women are advised to use a 1% dilution even with shower and bath blends.
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