Essential oils are all the rage now as more and more women are joining the home party providers that carry them. But essential oils have been used for centuries, and they appear to have healing properties. I’m not sure why we moved away from them, but I love the trend back towards a more natural way of life.

While the new attention is fabulous, what I won’t do is buy them from a MLM (Multi-Level Marketer). Mostly because there have been a lot of questions about the purity of the oils. Do your homework and choose essentials oils without additives (like preservatives), or oils that are cut with cheap fillers to make them go further.

Who Makes the Best Essential Oils?

If you’d like to read the definitive “Which Essential Oil Company is Best?” primer, grab a cup of tea and head over to WholeNewMom.com. Get ready for your head to spin; she’s done extensive research on oils that covers about ten posts, and she finally names what she feels is the premium essential oil provider.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford the 1st-grade oils she recommends and sometimes you don’t need them to be that pure. I run a room diffuser that I’m OK using complete oils in (according to WholeNewMom.com, complete oils are a combination of the 1st through 3rd oils collected in the distillation process – oils from the 1st collection are the purest, though I’ve read dissenting opinions on this whole theory elsewhere).

If you’re not going to ingest the oils, try some of these oils below that are perfect for home diffusers (see my picks for great aromatherapy room diffusers below), pillow, and room spray. They’re such a step-up health-wise from the chemical laden air freshener sprays so many people use, that even at a complete oil you’re making strides towards a more natural life.

Which Oils Should I Try First? Essential Oils I Recommend

These are some of my favorite essential oils; I’ve purchased and enjoyed every one of them, so I heartily recommend them all. I’m also adding the home essential oil diffuser I use (which I love, so much I gave one to my mother, daughter-in-law, and my other son’s girlfriend for Christmas!).

Use the oils below to create a room and pillow spray – I think you’ll love it so much you’ll see that scenting your home naturally makes sense, and it’s inexpensive! Then you can move on to making your own skin care, hair care, and cleaning products. You’ll be hooked – I promise!

Find my easy essential oil recipes here.

I should mention that there are a lot of new companies selling on Amazon directly from China. I would recommend staying away from these cut-price outfits and only purchasing from established essential oil providers because there are no laws on the books about who can print the word “all-natural” and “organic” on a bottle.  I’ve tried a few of the bargain oils, and I’m not sure they’re real. Some are definitely not and smell “off” or chemically, others may be, but without a reputation to back up their claims of purity, they won’t get my money for now. The oils and diffusers I recommend below are ones I use, so I’m confident enough to recommend them.

My Must-Have Essential Oils For Aromatherapy and DIY Skin Care and Cleaning Products

These are my must-have starter essential oils. It’s overwhelming to look at the vast array of oil, so these are the best to have on hand for beginner aromatherapy. They can also be used in DIY Cleaning Supplies and skincare products.

Aura Cacia Pure Essential Oil Cinnamon Leaf - 0.5 fl oz I used so much of this during the Christmas holidays! It's a perfect room spray scent and is so fabulous when mixed with Ylang Ylang - so romantic! Combine the two for an exotic homemade Valentine's surprise!

Aura Cacia Pure Essential Oil Cinnamon Leaf– 0.5 fl oz

I used so much of this during the Christmas holidays that I had to buy three bottles! It’s a perfect room spray scent and is so fabulous when mixed with Ylang Ylang for a romantic bed spray for a romantic Valentine’s Day gift.

Aura Cacia Essential Solutions Oil Blend, Medieval Mix, 0.5 fluid ounce This essential oil blend is called thieves by many other companies - but it's a blend oils that's been around for hundred's of years (Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, citrus x limon (lemon) oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, thymus vulgaris (red thyme) oil, thymus vulgaris (white thyme) oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil.) I was afraid to try it because of the way it's described, "During the dark ages, physicians, and grave robbers alike protected themselves from the Black Death with the aromatic herbs of lavender, thyme, and rosemary." Ewwwwwwwww

Aura Cacia Essential Solutions Oil Blend, Medieval Mix, 0.5 fluid ounce

This essential oil blend is called thieves by many other companies – but it’s a blend oils that’s been around for hundred’s of years (Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) oil, lavandulaangustifolia (lavender) Oil, Citrus x Limon (lemon) oil, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, Thymus vulgaris (red thyme) Oil, Thymus vulgaris (white thyme) oil, Ros Marinus Officinalis (rosemary) oil.) I was afraid to try it because of the way it’s described, “During the dark ages, physicians, and grave robbers alike protected themselves from the Black Death with the aromatic herbs of lavender, thyme, and rosemary.”  Ewwwwwwwww,but it’s actually a pleasant and rich smell that I love! It reminds me of the Christmas holidays, but it’s a scent that’s heavy enough anytime in the winter. For summer I prefer lighter, fruitier fragrances. It’s also said to have healing properties, so I run it in my mister when I have a runny or stuffy nose, cough, or chest congestion. Create a Room Purification / Travel Protection Mist: by combining 1 oz water and 18 drops of Medieval Mix in a spray mister  – shake before spraying.

Aura Cacia - 100% Pure Essential Oil Peppermint -- 2 fl oz Peppermint is another on my must-have list. I put in my diffuser by itself or in a room spray and spritz my pillow before sleeping. It's also a classic ingredient in DIY skin care and homemade cleaning products. Pure heaven.

Aura Cacia – 100% Pure Essential Oil Peppermint — 2 fl oz

Peppermint is another on my must-have list. I put in my diffuser by itself or in a room spray and spritz my pillow to wake up. Peppermint essential oil adds a revitalizing, refreshing, and cooling element to your aromatherapy blends and products. It’s a classic ingredient in DIY skin care and homemade cleaning products. Pure heaven.

Aura Cacia Organic Essential Oil, Ylang Ylang, 0.25 Fluid Ounce A sweet floral scent with warm overtones - mixes beautifully with cinnamon. Very exotic and romantic!

Aura Cacia Organic Essential Oil, Ylang Ylang, 0.25 Fluid Ounce

A sweet floral scent with warm overtones – mixes beautifully with cinnamon. This one is created from the flowers found in Madagascar and has a very exotic and romantic fragrance. Use it to create your own perfume substitute (find a recipe here) or use it in a diffuser mixed with other florals like geranium or brighten it with a citrus like lemon.

Aura Cacia Wintergreen 100% Pure Essential Oil - 0.5 oz Another of my favorite scents. It's bright, clean, and is a great additive to homemade cleaning solutions or wake-me up pillow spray.

Aura Cacia Wintergreen 100% Pure Essential Oil – 0.5 oz 

Another of my favorite scents. It’s bright, clean, and is a great additive to homemade cleaning solutions or wake-me-up pillow spray. Use it sparingly in anything you apply to your skin. Some people find it mildly irritating, but I love it mixed with a carrier oil and used on sore muscles or in an ointment for sore joints.

NOW - Cedarwood Oil by Now Foods - 1oz. My son says this smells like Home Depot. It's his favorite oil for room spray at his house and it certainly has a masculine feel. It can overpower a blend, so I suggest starting with a few drops and adding more as needed.

NOW – Cedarwood Oil by Now Foods – 1oz.

My son says this smells like Home Depot. It’s his favorite oil for room spray at his house, and it certainly has a masculine feel. It can overpower a blend, so I suggest starting with a few drops and adding more as needed.  Because of its warm and woodsy aroma, it’s a classic in Christmas blends. It’s also effective for stress relief so make a roller ball aromatherapy blend (recipe here), and it can help to make you feel empowered so enjoy it before you go in to ask for that next raise.

NOW - Foods, Lavender Oil 4 fl oz A staple essential oil for any aromatherapy pillow spray, room spray, and even cleaning solutions.

NOW – Foods, Lavender Oil 4 fl oz

A staple essential oil for any aromatherapy pillow spray, room spray, and even cleaning solutions. It can also be added directly to your bath water or mixed with other florals or citrus for a sleepytime blend. Lavender is known for its soft and calming properties so buy a big bottle, you’ll find it’s used all around the house.

NOW Foods Tea Tree Oil, 1-Ounce This is one of my favorites! It cleared up my dandruff, cleared a rash I'd had for a year, and does so much more.

NOW Foods Tea Tree Oil, 1-Ounce

This is one of my favorites! It cleared up my dandruff, cleared a rash I’d had for a year, and does so much more. Tee Tree oil is all about cleaning, purifying, and renewing and it’s been used to treat skin issues for generations. It’s got natural antiseptic and germicidal properties so use it in DIY hand sanitizer, hotel room spray, linen spray, and more to clean away what’s causing the smell instead of just covering it up.

This oil smells like you've just zested a lemon! Fresh and clean, it's perfect anytime you need a lift. It's energizing and refreshing and a great choice for DIY cleaning supplies but I also use it in homemade perfume mixed with vanilla. I also love it in a linen spray - especially on hot summer days. So delightful!

Aura Cacia Essential Oil, Renewing Lemon, 2 fluid ounce

This oil smells like you’ve just zested a lemon! Fresh and clean, it’s perfect anytime you need a lift. It’s energizing and refreshing and an excellent choice for DIY cleaning supplies but I also use it in homemade perfume mixed with vanilla or lemon.  I also love it in a linen spray, especially on hot summer days, because it’s so delightful!

Aura Cacia Deep Rosehip Facial Oil Serum, 1 Fluid Ounce This deep rosehip facial oil serum smells divine with its penetrating oils including geranium and clary sage and does so much for your skin. This is a ready-to-use blend that replaces your skin's natural elements. Rosehip oil’s high portion of 94% unsaturated essential fatty acids enhanced with vitamin E will absorb quickly and deeply into your skin. For best results, apply this rich facial oil serum to your damp skin immediately after cleansing to restore moisture to your skin.

Aura Cacia Deep Rosehip Facial Oil Serum, 1 Fluid Ounce

This deep rosehip facial oil serum smells divine with its penetrating oils including geranium and clary sage and does so much for your skin. This facial oil serum is a ready-to-use blend that replaces your skin’s natural elements.  Rosehip oil’s high portion of 94% unsaturated essential fatty acids enhanced with vitamin E will absorb quickly and deeply into your skin. For best results, apply this luxurious facial oil serum to your damp skin immediately after cleansing to restore moisture to your skin.

Aura Cacia Organic Natural Skin Care, Restoring Rosehip Oil with Vitamin E, 1 Fluid Ounce This organic rosehip oil, valued as a potent skin rejuvenator, is extracted from the seeds of rose fruits, known as hips, in South America. It contains pure retinol (vitamin a) known for replenishing and restoring mature and sun-damaged skin. Use this ready-to-use natural skin care oil alone or add a few drops of essential oils for added therapeutic benefits.

Aura Cacia Organic Natural Skin Care, Restoring Rosehip Oil with Vitamin E, 1 Fluid Ounce

This organic rosehip oil, valued as a potent skin rejuvenator, is extracted from the seeds of rose fruits, known as hips, in South America. It contains pure retinol (vitamin a) known for replenishing and restoring mature and sun-damaged skin. Use this ready-to-use natural skin care oil alone or add a few drops of essential oils for added therapeutic benefits.

Spa Misters & Essential Oil Diffusers I Recommend

These replace the need for air fresheners in your home. Skip those and use these all-natural versions. Within minutes, the cool mist fills the air with the scents you’ve chosen, and they run for hours.

GreenAir SpaVapor+ Instant Wellness 150ml Essential Oil Diffuser for Aromatherapy

This aromatherapy diffuser is the one I’m currently using.  I get between three to four hours of cool mist per water fill-up. It has an auto shut-off and light or mist only options.

PrettyCare Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier (Multi Use for Travel Office Desk Desktop Car Small Bedroom) Personal Humidifier / USB Portable Mini Humidifier/ Air Purifier for Baby Room with Water Bottle

This ultrasonic cool mist humidifier and mister is a great option if you need a diffuser & humidifier like in a baby’s room and want a compact unit. Use the cool mist and soft scent to lull baby to sleep or cover up that diaper pail smell.

GreenAir SpaMister Jasmine Flower Petal Essential Oil Diffuser for Aromatherapy Featuring Dimming LED Lights, Multiple Settings, and Attractive Wooden Base – Run Time 5 Hours

This ceramic and wood essential oil aromatherapy diffuser is an elegant option. I purchased the previous version of this diffuser as Christmas gifts for family members, and it’s beautiful. It looks like a beautiful ceramic vase with cool mist coming out of the top. My next purchase will be one of these for my living room to replace the all-plastic version I started with.

Making your own green cleaning supplies, aromatherapy products, and DIY skincare is so easy, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Check out my easy aromatherapy recipes and start creating your own at home!