If you share oils with friends or family, the safety rules matter more than the scent. Cleveland Clinic says essential oils should be diluted before they touch skin and never swallowed. Children, pregnant people, seniors and pets need extra care. Anyone with a skin condition should ask a provider first.
Last updated 3 October 2026. This article draws on guidance published by Cleveland Clinic and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). It is a summary, not a stand-in for your own doctor’s advice. The old version of this page was unclear, so we treat “share oils” as sharing essential oils.
What does it mean to share oils?
People use the phrase when they pass essential oils to others, give a friend a sample or offer a diffuser at home. The sources we read do not cover the practice itself. They do cover the safety of the oils, and that is what matters when you hand one to someone else.
Cleveland Clinic describes aromatherapy as using essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant extracts, by breathing them in or putting them on the skin diluted.
Is it safe to share oils on the skin?
Only if they are diluted. Cleveland Clinic says essential oils must always be diluted before they go on your skin, and undiluted oil should never be put on your body or in bathwater. Its other page says that, with few exceptions, a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil helps avoid irritation.
For massage, its aromatherapy page gives a dilution of about 1%. When you share oils, say so plainly: a bottle labeled “essential oil” is not ready for skin. Our page on the best carrier oil for face explains carriers.
Who should be careful when you share oils?
Cleveland Clinic calls for care with essential oils around children, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and seniors. Its aromatherapy page tells people with epilepsy, asthma or skin conditions, or those taking prescription medicine, to talk to a provider first.
Ask first whether any of those apply.
Are essential oils safe around pets and children?
Cleveland Clinic says tea tree and eucalyptus oil have been known to cause seizures, and that essential oils are toxic to animals too. If children or pets swallow essential oil, Cleveland Clinic says to contact poison control right away.
The NCCIH says swallowing tea tree oil can cause serious symptoms, including confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma.
Can essential oils irritate the skin or cause allergy?
Yes, they can. The NCCIH says some people have redness or irritation when using tea tree oil products on the skin. Cleveland Clinic says lemon oil can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and raise sunburn risk, and it names lime, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass and bergamot too.
The NCCIH adds that these reactions are more likely if the product is old or has been exposed to heat, light or air. Cleveland Clinic’s face oil page warns against strong fragranced oils such as lavender or tea tree on the face.
For recipes with these cautions in mind, read our guide to essential oils for skin care recipes. See also our pages on essential body oils and healing oils.
A simple checklist
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Dilute first with a carrier oil if the oil goes on skin.
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Never swallow them. Cleveland Clinic says essential oils should not be drunk or consumed.
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Store sealed and out of reach. Cleveland Clinic says oils are flammable, so keep them away from open flames.
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Ask about health. Pregnancy, asthma, epilepsy, skin conditions and medicines all call for a provider’s advice.
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Skip sun after citrus oils on skin.
When to see a doctor
Cleveland Clinic says to talk to a provider if you have skin irritation, an allergic reaction or sun-triggered skin discoloration after using essential oils. For swallowed oil, contact poison control immediately. The NCCIH advises telling your health provider about any complementary approach you use, especially if you take medicines, as some can interact.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give essential oils to a child?
Only with great care, and ask a doctor first. Cleveland Clinic says caution is needed with essential oils in children. It says tea tree and eucalyptus oils have been known to cause seizures. It does not give ages or amounts, so keep all oils sealed and out of reach.
Is it safe to share oils for use in a diffuser?
The sources do not say. Cleveland Clinic describes inhaling essential oils as a main way aromatherapy works. It also says oils are toxic to animals and that pregnant people, children and seniors need caution. They set no diffuser time limits. If anyone at home has asthma, check with their provider.
Can I drink essential oils?
No. Cleveland Clinic’s aromatherapy page says not to drink or otherwise consume essential oils because doing so is not safe. Another Cleveland Clinic page says they may burn the lining of the mouth. The NCCIH warns specifically against swallowing tea tree oil.
What carrier oil should I mix with essential oils?
Coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip and sweet almond oil are the examples Cleveland Clinic gives across its pages. Which one suits you depends on your skin, and none is ranked best. Try a small skin test first, and ask a dermatologist before sharing a blend with someone who has acne, eczema or another skin condition.
Sources (all checked 3 October 2026)
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Cleveland Clinic, 11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them, 14 December 2021.
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Cleveland Clinic, Aromatherapy, updated 21 September 2023.
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Cleveland Clinic, Are Face Oils Good for Your Skin?, 25 August 2022.
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NCCIH, Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety, last updated April 2025.
Written by the Dry Skin Tips editorial team. We do not claim medical review of this article. If you have a skin concern, see a qualified health professional.