Basics & Safety

Why Putting Essential Oils on the Bottom of your Feet Works

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Essential oil roller applied to the bottom of the feet

Quick answer: People put essential oils on the bottom of their feet because the soles are one of the least sensitive spots on the body, they have no oil (sebaceous) glands or hair follicles, and it's an easy, low-mess place to apply oils before bed or first thing in the morning. A drop or two, diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil, rubbed into the soles is all you need.

I've been using dōTERRA oils for years, and the feet are still where I reach first for my bedtime routine and for my kids. Here's what I've learned about why it works, which oils I like, and how to do it safely.

Why Put Essential Oils on Your Feet?

Feet get a bad rap. Yes, they can be sweaty and stinky, and a little Peppermint or Melaleuca goes a long way there. But there are a few better reasons I keep coming back to the soles.

Roll-on on bottom of feet

1. The skin on your soles is tough and less sensitive

The soles have some of the thickest skin on your body. That makes them a forgiving spot for oils that can feel "hot" elsewhere, like Peppermint, Oregano or Cinnamon (still dilute those, see the table below).

It's also a great spot for kids. Little ones don't usually touch their eyes with their feet!

2. No sebaceous glands and no hair follicles

Sebum is the oily substance your sebaceous glands produce to protect the skin. The palms of your hands and the soles of your feet are the only areas of skin without sebaceous glands, and they have no hair follicles either.

So there's no oily film or hair in the way when you massage oils in. Oils spread easily, and you don't need much.

Essential oils into skin

3. Your feet are packed with nerve endings

Your feet have thousands of nerve endings, which is why a foot massage feels so good. Pairing that massage with an aroma you love, like Lavender at night or Wild Orange in the morning, turns it into a simple, relaxing ritual.

And because you breathe in the aroma as you apply, you get the aromatic benefit too.

Do your feet have pores?

Yes. Your soles have lots of sweat pores (more sweat glands per square inch than almost anywhere else), but no hair follicles or oil glands. That's why feet sweat easily and why a good foot lotion or oil blend feels so refreshing.

What Is Reflexology, and How Does It Fit In?

Reflexology is a traditional practice from East Asian and other cultures. Practitioners believe different areas of the feet correspond to different areas of the body, and they massage those points to support relaxation.

Many people like to combine reflexology-style foot massage with essential oils. The chart below shows the traditional map, if you'd like to try it. I treat it as a relaxing massage guide, not a medical map.

Foot reflexology chart

Best Essential Oils for Feet

These are the oils I reach for most:

Peppermint oil on the bottom of your feet

Peppermint is one of the most searched oils for feet, and for good reason. It gives a cooling, tingling sensation that feels amazing after a run or a day on your feet.

Mix 1–2 drops of Peppermint with a teaspoon of Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage it into your soles. Or grab a ready-made Peppermint Touch Roll-on. For a pampering version, try my Peppermint foot lotion for tired feet, and see 20 favorite uses of Peppermint.

How to Apply Essential Oils to Your Feet

  1. Wash and dry your feet. Clean, dry skin is easiest to work with.
  2. Dilute. Add 1–2 drops of essential oil to a small amount of Fractionated Coconut Oil in your palm, or use a roll-on.
  3. Massage it in. Rub into the soles, focusing on the arches and heels, for about a minute per foot.
  4. Put on socks. This keeps the oil off your floors and sheets (and keeps you from slipping!).
  5. Wash your hands. Oil residue stays on your fingers, so wash before touching your eyes.

How Much Should You Dilute Oils on Your Feet?

The soles are less sensitive than most skin, but I still recommend diluting, especially for kids and for "hot" oils. Here's the simple guide I follow:

Who Dilution In a 10 mL roll-on
Adults, gentle oils (Lavender, Cedarwood, Frankincense) Neat (undiluted) on soles is common, or 1 drop oil : 1 drop carrier Up to about half oil, half carrier
Adults, "hot" oils (Peppermint, Oregano, Cinnamon, Clove, On Guard) 1 drop oil : 3–4 drops carrier or more 10–20 drops, fill with carrier
Children (6+) About 1 drop oil : 10 drops carrier 5–10 drops, fill with carrier
Toddlers and babies Very diluted (about 1 drop oil : 30 drops carrier); avoid Peppermint and Wintergreen 2–3 drops, fill with carrier

Always do a small patch test first, and talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, nursing or have sensitive skin. For more on carriers, see my guide to different types of carrier oils.

Best Way to Apply Oils to the Feet: Roll-on Bottles

You can just drip-drop the oils onto your feet, but feet are awkward to reach, and oil tends to run off before you catch it.

Roll-on bottles to the rescue! Roll-on bottles save time, money and oil. Fill them with your favorite blend, snap on the lid, and you're done.

doTERRA also sells single oils and blends already in roll-on bottles:

Roll-on Bottle

How to make your own roll-on bottle

  1. Add your essential oil drops to an empty 10 mL roll-on bottle (use the dilution table above).
  2. Fill the rest with Fractionated Coconut Oil.
  3. Snap on the roller ball top.
  4. Screw on the lid and add a cap sticker so you remember what's inside.

Roll-on Bottle

Tip: Don't throw away an empty roll-on. If you're refilling the same blend, just pop off the top and add more. For a new blend, wash it with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly first.

DIY Roll-on Recipes for Your Feet

Add the essential oils first, then fill the rest of a 10 mL bottle with Fractionated Coconut Oil. These are adult recipes.

Get Up & Get Going (energizing morning blend)

After-Workout Massage Blend

Nighty Night (bedtime blend)

Looking for more relaxing options? Browse doTERRA Sleep Solutions and Stress Solutions.

doTERRA Ready-Made Roll-ons: What Does "Touch" Mean?

If you don't have time to make your own, doTERRA has dozens of pre-made roll-ons in two varieties: Single Oil Roll-ons and Proprietary Blend Roll-ons.

If the name includes "Touch", like Lavender Touch, the oil is already diluted in Fractionated Coconut Oil and ready to roll straight onto your feet. If it doesn't say "Touch", it's undiluted.

Why dilute with Fractionated Coconut Oil?

  1. It helps protect sensitive skin.
  2. It leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized.
  3. It slows evaporation, so the oil stays on your skin longer and a little goes further.

doTERRA Roll-on bottles

FAQ

Why do people put essential oils on the bottom of their feet?

The soles have thick, less-sensitive skin with no oil glands or hair follicles, so they're a gentle, convenient spot to apply oils, especially for kids and at bedtime.

What happens when you put peppermint oil on your feet?

You'll feel a cooling, tingling sensation and smell its fresh, minty aroma. Dilute it first and avoid using it on young children.

Can I put essential oils on my feet without diluting them?

Many adults apply gentle oils like Lavender neat to the soles. I still recommend diluting "hot" oils and always diluting for children or sensitive skin.

Which essential oils are best on the feet at night?

Lavender, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense and blends like Serenity are my favorites for a calming bedtime routine.

Should I wear socks after applying oils to my feet?

Yes. Socks keep the oil on your feet, off your floors and sheets, and help you avoid slipping.

Is it safe to use oils on my kids' feet?

Yes, with proper dilution (see the table above). Skip Peppermint and Wintergreen for little ones, and if you have pets, read my guide to essential oil safety with cats and dogs.

Written by Paul Ahlstrom, an independent dōTERRA Wellness Advocate and long-time dōTERRA user.

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