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Essential Oils in the Bath, Sprays and Rollers: Cautions

What sources say about essential oils added to baths, room sprays and rollerball products, including irritation of mucous membranes, flammability and children, without any recipes.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Quick answer
Baths, sprays and rollerball products are common ways essential oils are sold and used, but we found little research on them. This page reports the cautions that professional bodies and poison centers give. It contains no recipes and no amounts to add to water.

Proper evidence not found for the safety or benefit of adding essential oils to bath water, or for homemade sprays and rollers, in the sources we read. We looked at the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), Poison Control, the FDA and an educator's published guidance.

In the bath

The NCI describes essential oils as sometimes mixed with bath salts and lotions. [1] The cautions in the sources are about the skin and the delicate tissues of the body:
  • Mucous membranes. NAHA says some oils have a heating or drying effect on the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, nose and reproductive organs. It recommends that such oils not be used in the bath unless adequately diluted in a dispersant, and says bay, clove, cinnamon bark, lemongrass and thyme (thymol type) oils should be avoided in baths completely. [2]
  • Different products, different figures. One educator, Robert Tisserand, publishes a different dilution range for bath products than for body lotions. [3] This shows that sources do not agree on one number; see why charts differ.
  • Skin damage and children. Poison Control says not to use essential oils on damaged skin, and that children have thin skin and immature livers. [4] The sources we read do not give bath rules for babies, so ask a clinician.
  • Reactions. If a rash appears, Poison Control says to stop using the product and gently wash it off. [4] See patch testing and reactions.

Sprays

  • Air sprays and scented products are regulated differently. The FDA says some fragrance products, such as air fresheners and scented candles, are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. [5] See candles, sprays and room products.
  • Eyes. NAHA says to keep essential oils away from the eyes. [2]
  • Fire. NAHA says essential oils are highly flammable and should be kept away from flames. [2]
  • Reed diffusers. Poison Control says reed diffuser liquid is an essential oil dissolved in rubbing alcohol and must be kept out of children's reach. [4]
  • Breathing. For people with asthma or breathing problems, see asthma and breathing problems.

Rollers

A roller is a small bottle with a ball that spreads a mixed oil on the skin. We found no source that studied roller bottles as a product type. The skin cautions above apply: NAHA says to avoid undiluted application and application to open or damaged skin. [2] Tisserand says rollerball dilutions assume use on a small area of skin, and that people with sensitive skin may consider applying oils to clothing or using a pendant instead. [3] Drop conversions are always approximate, he adds. [3] That is one educator's view, not a regulator's.

Children and pets

  • Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets. [2]
  • Poison Control says that if you have young children, consider discarding bottles safely; otherwise lock them away. [4]
  • Poison Control describes camphor poisoning when skin products were used more often than the label recommended. [4]
  • If a child has swallowed any product, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). [4] Call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to put essential oils in a bath?

Proper evidence not found. NAHA says some irritating oils should not be used in the bath unless adequately diluted in a dispersant, and some should be avoided in baths completely. [2]

Do essential oils mix with water?

The sources we read do not state this directly. NAHA mentions using a dispersant when oils are used in the bath. [2]

Are homemade sprays and rollers recommended?

This site gives no recipes. The sources we read do not recommend homemade products, and Poison Control notes that essential oil products are not well regulated. [4]

Can sprays catch fire?

NAHA says essential oils are highly flammable and should be kept from flames. [2]

What if a child swallows something from a roller or spray?

Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). [4]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Who should ask first
Pregnant or breastfeeding people, babies and children, older adults, people with skin conditions, asthma or seizure disorders, and anyone on regular medicines should ask a clinician or pharmacist. See essential oil safety and medication interactions.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.