Do essential oils enter bloodstream through skin?

Author: Cali Schamberger III  |  Last update: Thursday, November 6, 2025

The membrane of your skin allows some things to pass through (such as essential oil molecules), where the capillaries carry them into your bloodstream.

Can essential oils be absorbed through the skin?

Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin. A massage therapist might add a drop or two of wintergreen to oil to help relax tight muscles during a rubdown. A skincare company may add lavender to bath salts to create a soothing soak.

How long does it take for essential oils to penetrate the skin?

Essential oils can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to absorb into the skin, depending on factors such as the type of oil and application method. Using a carrier oil, a diffuser, a bath, or a massage can help enhance the absorption of essential oils for maximum benefits.

Are there any oils that penetrate the skin?

The results demonstrated skin penetration of fatty acids from all oils tested. Only soybean and olive oils significantly increased the skin distribution of dihydroquercetin and can be used as skin penetration enhancers.

Is it safe to put essential oils on your skin?

In short, not for the skin. All essential oils are not deemed safe or even recommended, to be used on the skin – especially on the face. Your face is a sensitive area of your body that may be easily irritated by the wrong product.

Dermal Absorption of Essential Oils | How Do Essential Oils Get Into The Bloodstream

How long do essential oils stay in your bloodstream?

The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the type of essential oil, the method of application, and individual metabolism. In general, essential oils can stay in your bloodstream for up to 24 hours.

What are the side effects of using essential oils topically?

The use of undiluted essential oils on sensitive skin or in the nostrils can irritate or burn. Susceptible people may also develop an allergic reaction and a skin rash.

Does oil get absorbed into skin?

The oil itself does not add any moisture to the skin as it can't absorb. A plant oil is obviously from plants and unlike mineral oil, it can absorb into the skin. Some plant oils will have higher absorption abilities due to smaller molecules in the oil that allows them to penetrate the skin.

Do essential oils penetrate the dermis?

Key findings: Essential oils and their volatile constituents can penetrate through the skin as well as enhance penetration of different drug from topical formulation into the lower skin layers using different mechanisms of action based on (1) disintegration of the highly ordered intercellular lipid structure between ...

Is frankincense absorbed through the skin?

Frankincense oil is used by either inhaling the oil or absorbing it through the skin, usually mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. It's believed that the oil transmits messages to the limbic system of the brain, which is known to influence the nervous system.

What part of the body absorbs essential oils best?

The bottom of your foot has very soft skin, big pores, and no hair – in other words, it's excellent for absorbing essential oils! With little to no obstacles, oils penetrate the skin fast and effectively. There are also over 70,000 nerve endings located in that area, so essential oils can quickly remedy foot pains.

Which essential oils should not be mixed?

Citrus oils, oils high in phenols, monoterpenes, ketones, esters, oxides, aldehydes, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and lactones should not be mixed.

Does tea tree oil penetrate skin?

Tea tree oil penetrates poorly into and through human skin, with most being lost to evaporation [57].

What is the strongest essential oil for pain?

There is no single “strongest” essential oil, as the effectiveness varies based on the type of pain. However, oils such as kunzea, wintergreen, clove, peppermint, and eucalyptus are generally recognized for their powerful pain-relieving properties but should always be used diluted with caution.

What oils are best absorbed into the skin?

Instead, opt for lighter oils such as argan, jojoba or grapeseed oil. These oils absorb more quickly into the skin and can also help soothe dry areas zapped of moisture.

Where is the best place on the body to apply essential oils?

The inside of your wrist, forearm, or behind the ear are commonly used spots. Dilute the essential oil before applying it to your skin. Mix one or two drops of the essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil. This helps prevent potential irritation from using undiluted essential oil.

Can essential oils enter the bloodstream?

The membrane of your skin allows some things to pass through (such as essential oil molecules), where the capillaries carry them into your bloodstream. Since skin is much thicker than mucous membranes, it takes a longer time for essential oils to be absorbed in this way.

Which oil penetrates the deepest into skin?

Olive oil penetrates the skin best, but coconut oil, almond oil, and tea tree may be better choices depending upon your skin type.

Does your skin absorb things into your bloodstream?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. We can most assuredly absorb things through our skin and into our bloodstream, but it's not as simple as “60 to 70 percent of everything.” Some things absolutely absorb right into our bodies, especially if there are other chemicals present that increase the absorption rate.

Do essential oils penetrate skin?

It is clear that topically applied essential oils will penetrate the epidermis of the skin”.

Does oil get absorbed into blood?

Oils are absorbed through the skin. It is not the impenetrable layer it was once believed to be, it is permeable to certain substances. The skin is composed of several layers, each layer made up of different cells. Within the layers are sebaceous glands, hair follicles, nerves and both blood and lymphatic capillaries.

What is the most penetrating oil?

PENETRATING CARRIER OILS
  • Coconut oil.
  • Avocado oil.
  • Olive oil.
  • Rosehip oil.
  • Marula oil.
  • Raspberry seed oil.
  • Shea butter.

What essential oils should not be used on skin?

Citrus oils, including lemon, orange and bergamot, are particularly dangerous, as they can be phototoxic, meaning they react to UV light and can cause skin to burn and blister. Cinnamon bark, clove, lemongrass, oregano, peppermint and jasmine oils are also known to cause irritation.

Are essential oils hormone disruptors?

Endocrine Disrupting Activities

In addition, these chemicals are known to interfere with hormone synthesis, metabolism, transport, and degradation [28]. In previous reports, essential oils have been determined to act as an EDC [16-18].

Which essential oil is best for anti-aging?

Examples of essential oils that are effective in anti-aging are Frankincense, Lavender, Rose, Neroli, Geranium, Sandalwood, Citrus, Carrot seed, Ylang Ylang, and Rosemary.

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