Spritzers are so easy to make user friendly and bring a bit of plant magic into life.  When I make a spritzer for someone who's preferences I don't know, I almost always use lavender essential oil.  Most people love lavender and it is one of the safest essential oils.  In fact only lavender and tea tree essential oils are okay to put straight on the skin with out dilution (this is called a neat application ~ neat right?).

Here are basic instructions for making your own spritzer

Supplies ~

  • Bottle
  • Atomizer (Spray Top)
  • Water
  • Essential Oils

Instructions ~

Fill the bottle almost to the top with water but leave enough room for the sprayer tube to insert into the bottle.  You may have to trim the tube a little bit to make it the right length.  Then just add you essential oils.  You will want to put a safe amount of oils into the bottle.  Here is a good guideline for recommended dilutions:

  • 1% dilution: 5 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of water (this is the safest dilution for the very young and elderly)
  • 2% dilution: 10 to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of water

So basically if you have a 4 ounce bottle for your spritzer you would use 20 to 24 drops of essential oil to make a 1% dilution or 40 to 48 drops for a 2% dilution.  Information on proper dilutions taken from the oh so excellent Mindy Green & Kathy Keville's Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art.

Then just give it a good shake.  Add a ribbon and a label to make it pretty.

That is it!  So simple.

~ An Essential Oil Guide ~

These are some commonly used essential oils for bathing and body care.  There are so very many to choose from!  This quick little guide will give you some ideas for which oils to choose.  If you want to branch out into other essential oils or learn more, I highly recommend getting a good book on aromatherapy to aid you in your study.  

  • Lavender has a special ability to relaxe & invigorate at the same time.  It is also very cleansing and soothes skin inflammation,

  • Lemon & Orange benefit oily skin and lightens the mood with a happy, uplifting scent.  

  • Rosemary aids memory, is refreshing and alleviates fatigue.  I love it in the morning with a few drops of lavender.  

  • Spearmint also eases fatigue while also lifting sadness and providing calm.  This is a great essential oil to use with children.  

  • Rose Geranium is a skin tonic that also balances and relaxes the nervous system.  

  • Ylang Ylang is one of my favorites.  It benefits all types of skin, is calming to the nervous system and acts as an aphrodisiac.

  • Sandalwood also benefits all skin types while being grounding and relaxing.  

  • Cedarwood helps oily skin and is emotionally relaxing and centering.  

  • Frankincense is amazing.  It helps ease and soothe dry mature skin.  It also deepens the breath upon inhalation thereby assisting in meditation.  

  • Bergamot is wonderful for anxiety and stress while benefiting oily skin.

  • Jasmine helps dry, sensitive skin and soothes the emotions creating a sense of hopefulness.

  • Neroli is another oil that is great for anxiety especially if it is accompanied by depression.  It also helps to tone and heal the skin.  

  • Rose is wonderful for all skin types.  Just like the herb, it soothes the heart and is emotionally comforting.

Find therapuetic-grade essential oils here from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Cautions: Essential oils are very powerful.  They need to be diluted before use and used in the proper concentrations.  Please treat them with respect.  Bergamot, lemon and distilled orange are phototoxic so do not use on skin directly before sun exposure.  Avoid cedarwood and rosemary during pregnancy.