Top 20 Essential Oils You Need In Your Collection
If you’re just getting started with your essential oil collection or are just looking to grow it, these are the top 20 essential oils every essential oil lover should own!

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I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.
When I first started using essential oils I was surprised and kind of overwhelmed by the amount of different essential oils that were available.
I was super excited to get started on my oily journey but didn’t have a clue where to begin.
So fast forward many years later and I thought it would be helpful to compile a list of the essential oils that I can’t live without. The ones that I’m constantly reaching for on a daily basis.
These essential oils are highly versatile and easy to use.
And if you’re new to the world of essential oils, they are the ones I recommend starting your collection with.
But before we go any further I need to go over two very important topics.
Essential Oil Safety:
I am by no means an essential oil expert. But I am very passionate about two things – essential oils and essential oil safety.
I’ve spent countless hours reading and researching essential oils. I’ve added a few notes about safety concerns regarding each oil in each description area below.
But I highly encourage and recommend you read the following articles. Especially if you plan on using essential oils on young children or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Essential Oil Brands:
If you are new to essential oils you may be wondering which brand is best. Well, I’m here to tell you there isn’t one essential oil brand that is better than all the rest.
In my opinion (and after extensive research) I’ve discovered many amazing essential oil brands that create high quality essential oils. My favorites are below.
- Florihana (read my full review here)
- Simply Earth (read my full review here)
- Plant Therapy (read my full review here)
- Eden’s Garden (read my full review here)
The two biggest mistakes you can make when deciding which essential oil brand to use is being close-minded and not doing your research.
The two posts below will help you to decide which brands are best for you.
Top 20 Essential Oils You Should Own
Below you will find the essential oils everyone should have in their collection as well as uses and safety concerns. Keep in mind the uses below are my favorite ways to use each essential oil and are by no means an exhaustive list.
I highly encourage you to check out the essential oil books on my essential oil favorites page to learn more about each essential oil and its uses.
1 | Lemon (Citrus x limon)
Lemon essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the rind or by steam distillation of the whole fruit.
Uses:
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
- Cleaning (add to homemade cleaners)
- Remove sticky substances (works sooo good!)
- Immune support
- Boosts mood
- Energy booster
- Improve skin conditions
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. If applied to skin wait 12 hours before being exposed to sunlight.
2 | Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)
Peppermint essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the whole plant.
Uses:
- Headache relief
- Energy booster
- Improves focus
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
- Digestive support
- Provides sunburn relief (Check out my after sun cooling spray recipe)
- Insect repellent
- Soothes insect bites
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
3 | Lavender (Lavandula angustofolia)
Lavender is by far the most versatile essential oil. Lavender essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the whole plant.
Uses:
- Sleep support
- Eases anxiety
- Improve skin conditions
- Insect repellent
- Bug bite soother (check out my all natural bug bite remedy)
- Stress relief
- Stimulate hair growth
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
4 | Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the leaves of the rosemary plant.
Uses:
- Improves concentration & focus
- Stimulates hair growth
- Insect repellent
- Immune support
- Energy booster (check out the best essential oils for energy)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. Do not use if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.
5 | Frankincense (Boswellia serrata)
Frankincense is often called the king of essential oils because it is used for so many things. Frankincense essential oil comes from hardened gum resins obtained by tapping Boswellia trees.
Uses:
- Eases anxiety
- Stress relief
- Sleep support
- Improves skin conditions (check out my diy face serum recipe here)
- Immune support
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
6 | Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Orange essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the rind or by steam distillation of the whole fruit.
Uses:
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
- Cleaning (add to diy cleaners)
- Mood booster
- Stress relief
- Digestive support
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. If applied to skin wait 12 hours before being exposed to sunlight.
7 | Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea tree essential oil is obtained from the tea tree’s leaves and twigs through steam distillation.
Uses:
- Immune support
- Cleaning (add to diy cleaners)
- Treat dandruff
- Treat infections
- Improve skin conditions (check out the best essential oils for skin)
- Disinfectant
- Insect repellent
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
8 | Grapefruit (Citrus X paradisi)
Grapefruit essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the rind or by steam distillation of the whole fruit.
Uses:
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
- Mood booster
- Energy booster
- Reduce cellulite
- Stress relief
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. If applied to skin wait 12 hours before being exposed to sunlight.
9 | Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus)
Citronella essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the whole plant.
Uses:
- Insect repellent (check out my homemade mosquito repellent)
- Mood booster
- Energy booster
Safety concerns:
Avoid applying if you have sensitive skin. Do not use undiluted on skin.
10 | Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Cedarwood essential oil is steam distilled from sawdust and wood chips from the cedarwood tree.
Uses:
- Sleep support
- Eases anxiety
- Stress relief
- Stimulates hair growth (check out the best essential oils for hair growth and thickness)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
11 | Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Clove essential oil comes from clove buds that are beaten and dried for water distillation.
Uses:
- Moth repellent
- Immune booster
- Air freshener (check out my homemade fall room sprays)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
12 | Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Patchouli essential oil is obtained from the patchouli plants young leaves through steam distillation.
Uses:
- Mood booster
- Eases anxiety
- Improves skin conditions
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
13 | Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Lemongrass (not to be confused with lemon) essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the entire lemongrass plant.
Uses:
- Insect repellent
- Stress relief
- Digestive support
- Headache relief
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. Never use on children under 10 years old. Avoid use if you have eczema or very sensitive skin.
14 | Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)
Cinnamon essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the cinnamon plant. You can also purchase cinnamon bark oil which is steam distilled from cinnamon bark. Both have similar uses and benefits.
Uses:
- Immune support
- Cleaning (add to diy cleaners)
- Digestive support
- Insect repellent
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
15 | Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the eucalyptus plants leaves and branches.
Uses:
- Immune support (check out the best immune boosting essential oils)
- Respiratory support
- Cleaning (add to diy cleaners)
- Insect repellent
- Disinfectant
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. Should not be used on sensitive skin.
16 | Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Cypress essential oil is produced through steam distillation of cypress needles and twigs.
Uses:
- Cleaning (add to diy cleaners)
- Eases anxiety
- Stress relief
- Improve skin conditions
- Air freshener (add to diffuser or create room spray)
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
17 | Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile essential oil is produced through steam distillation of the plants flowers.
Uses:
- Sleep support (check out the best essential oils for sleep)
- Itch relief
- Eases anxiety
- Treat skin rashes
- Digestive support
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin.
18 | Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum)
Geranium essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the plants leaves and stalks.
Uses:
- Stress relief
- Improve skin conditions
- Mood booster
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. Avoid applying to sensitive skin.
19 | Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Clary sage is produced by steam distillation of the plants leaves and flowers.
Uses:
- Mood booster
- Sleep support
- Stimulates hair growth
- Hormone support
- Stress relief
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. Avoid applying to sensitive skin.
20 | Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Bergamot essential oil is obtained by cold pressing the rind or by steam distillation of the whole fruit.
Uses:
- Stress relief
- Eases anxiety
- Mood booster
- Air freshener (check out my homemade poo-pourri recipe)
- Improves skin conditions
Safety concerns:
Do not use undiluted on skin. If applied to skin wait 12 hours before being exposed to sunlight.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list helps you decide which essential oils you should add to your collection. Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments below!
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