August 24, 2026

Beginner Guide to DIY Aromatherapy

If you’re new to essential oils, DIY aromatherapy can feel a little confusing at first. The good news? You don’t need dozens of oils or complicated recipes. A few quality essentials, a carrier oil and some simple ideas are enough.

DIY aromatherapy for beginners is all about using essential oils at home in easy, everyday ways, from diffuser blends and rollerballs to room sprays.

What Is DIY Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy uses aromatic plant extracts, including essential oils, as part of a sensory wellbeing routine. Essential oils can be inhaled through a diffuser or used topically when properly diluted.

Aromatherapy works by stimulating your sense of smell, which sends signals to areas of the brain involved in emotion, memory and mood. This is why certain aromas may help create a sense of calm, support focus or lift your mood. Everyone responds differently, so it’s worth finding the scents that work best for you.

How to Mix Essential Oils

There’s no perfect formula for how to mix essential oils. Start with two or three oils and keep your blend simple while you work out what you like.

If you’re trying DIY essential oils for sleep, stress, focus, energy, or immunity, start here. These easy DIY essential oil recipes are a great first step

These simple combinations are an easy starting point for creating your own essential oil blend recipes. Or, skip the mixing and use one of our ready-made blends.

How Do You Make an Essential Oil Rollerball?

A DIY aromatherapy oil rollerball is one of the easiest ways to start using essential oils topically.

For a 10mL rollerball, add around 5 drops of essential oil, then fill the rest of the bottle with your chosen carrier oil and shake gently to combine.

At ECO, we have three carrier oils to choose from, and each has a slightly different feel and benefit:

Jojoba Carrier Oil: Lightweight and fast-absorbing, jojoba closely resembles the skin’s natural oils. It’s a great all-rounder for rollerballs and everyday topical blends.
Fractionated Coconut Oil: Light, silky and virtually odourless, fractionated coconut oil spreads easily across the skin without feeling heavy. It’s a simple choice if you want the aroma of your essential oils to take centre stage.
Sweet Almond Oil: A little richer and more nourishing, sweet almond oil is ideal for dry skin and blends where you want a more moisturising feel.

So, what’s the best carrier oil for a roller ball? It really comes down to personal preference. Jojoba is a great everyday option, fractionated coconut oil feels especially light on the skin, while sweet almond oil is a lovely choice when you want something more nourishing.

Always follow the directions on your essential oil label and patch test before topical use.

Easy DIY Aromatherapy Room Spray

A DIY aromatherapy room spray is another easy way to use essential oils at home. It lets you freshen a space naturally while choosing aromas to suit the mood you want to create.

For a simple 100mL room spray, you’ll need a spray bottle, distilled water, witch hazel and your chosen essential oils. Add your essential oils first, followed by the witch hazel, then top with distilled water. Shake well before each use and spritz around the room as needed.

One of the best things about DIY aromatherapy room sprays is that you can easily change the blend depending on the room, time of day or mood. Try bright citrus oils in the kitchen, relaxing florals in the bedroom or fresh, invigorating aromas in your home office.

If you already have a few essential oil blends at home, you can also use these in place of individual oils for an even easier DIY.

Choosing Quality Essential Oils

When making DIY aromatherapy recipes, quality matters. Look for botanical names, transparent ingredients, appropriate extraction methods and quality testing rather than relying on terms such as “therapeutic grade”.

At ECO. Modern Essentials, our essential oils are sourced according to where botanicals grow best and are GC/MS tested before bottling to help check their chemical composition and purity.

Not sure where to begin? Explore the ECO. Favourites Collection, Aromatherapy Starter Kit or Best-Selling Blends Collection.

How to Store Essential Oils

It is important to store essential oils correctly to help preserve their quality and freshness. Keep bottles tightly closed and store them away from direct sunlight, excessive heat, children, and pets. A cool, dry place will help protect the oils from light, heat, and oxidation.

FAQs

What do I need for DIY aromatherapy for beginners?
Start with a few essential oils you enjoy, a diffuser, a carrier oil and an empty rollerball. You can build your collection over time as you discover which oils and blends work best for you.

Can you mix essential oils together?
Yes. Start by combining two or three complementary essential oils and keep your blends simple while you learn which aromas you like together. Make a note of your favourite combinations so you can recreate them later.

What is the best carrier oil for a roller ball?
Jojoba, fractionated coconut and sweet almond oil are all great options. Jojoba is lightweight and versatile, fractionated coconut oil has a light, silky feel, and sweet almond oil is richer and more nourishing.

Do essential oils need to be diluted before applying to skin?
Essential oils are highly concentrated and generally need to be diluted with a carrier oil before topical use. Always follow the directions and safety information on the individual essential oil label.