Top 20 Essential Oils (And What They’re Used For)
Build a practical starter collection for home, self-care, and everyday wellness routines.
If you could only buy a few essential oils, which ones actually cover the most everyday needs?
Essential oils are popular because they’re versatile—you can use them in home routines (like freshening and cleaning) and in self-care habits (like relaxation and skin support).
Below is a simple starter list of 20 oils and the most common ways people use them day to day.
Relaxation + skin support oils
These oils are often chosen first because they fit easily into simple routines like bedtime wind-down, skincare, and quick comfort moments.
They’re also the easiest to “use up,” which is great when you’re building a collection slowly.
Beginner favorites
- Lavender: commonly used for better sleep and quick relief for sunburn discomfort.
- Chamomile: often used for relaxation; Roman chamomile is described as gentler and is mentioned in diaper-spray style soothing blends.
- Frankincense: frequently used in homemade facial creams and applied to swollen areas for an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Geranium: often used for skin and described as helping balance hormones.
- Myrrh: used for skin health; the file also mentions parasite protection when ingested.
Tip: For topical use, the file specifically mentions using certain oils in diluted form—start with dilution as your default.
Quick reflection: Would you use oils more for home routines (cleaning/freshening) or personal routines (sleep/skin)?
Home cleaning + freshening oils
Several oils in the list are positioned as practical “home helpers,” especially for kitchen freshness, laundry boosts, and general cleaning.
This is also where citrus oils shine because they make the house smell clean without being harsh on surfaces.
Simple, everyday home uses
- Tea tree: suggested for mixing with vinegar for home cleaning; described as antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic.
- Lemon: described as antibacterial and anti-fungal; suggested for inhaling from hands when you feel a cold coming and adding drops to laundry to disinfect.
- Orange: mentioned for circulation and as a cleaner that isn’t harsh on surfaces.
- Thyme: described as antibacterial; suggested for fighting illness or cleaning the kitchen.
- Peppermint: mentioned for fresh breath and also for sprinkling near doors to deter ants.
Tip: If you want just 2 “clean home” oils to start, the file strongly supports tea tree + lemon as versatile picks.
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Respiratory, tummy, and “active day” oils
This group covers oils people reach for when they want support for breathing comfort, digestive discomfort, focus, or outdoor protection.
Many of these are also used through diffusing or diluted topical application as described in the file.
High-utility oils to keep on hand
- Eucalyptus: described as supporting respiratory health; mentioned for asthma, bronchitis, and colds via diffusing or diluted topical use.
- Ginger: mentioned for nausea relief and for diluted topical use on painful areas.
- Lemongrass: described as an insect repellent and also used for digestive issues.
- Citronella: well known as a mosquito repellent; also mentioned for fevers and headaches.
- Cedarwood: described as a skin-clarifying oil and as a repellent for ticks, flies, and gnats.
- Lime: mentioned for diffusing when you need to stay alert; also suggested as a shampoo add-in to prevent scalp issues like lice.
Tip: If you’re building a “tiny starter kit,” choose one oil from each category: relaxation, cleaning, and respiratory/outdoor.
Quick reflection: If you could only keep 5 oils, which needs would you prioritize—sleep, cleaning, skin, respiratory, or outdoor bugs?
| Goal | Top oils from this list | Common use examples |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep + relaxation | Lavender, chamomile | Bedtime routine; calming blends. |
| Cleaning + fresh scent | Tea tree, lemon, orange | Vinegar cleaning mixes; laundry drops; gentle surface cleaning. |
Key Takeaways:
- ✓A “starter set” works best when it covers 3 areas: relaxation, home use, and respiratory/outdoor support.
- ✓Citrus oils are positioned as versatile for cleaning and freshening routines.
- ✓The file includes topical and diffusing use ideas—start slowly and treat dilution as a default for skin use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best essential oils for beginners?
This list suggests strong all-around options like lavender (sleep/skin comfort), tea tree (cleaning), and lemon (cleaning + fresh scent).
Which essential oils are helpful for a “clean home” routine?
Tea tree, lemon, orange, and thyme are described as useful for cleaning and disinfecting-style routines in different ways.
Final Thoughts
If you could only purchase twenty essential oils, this list is designed to cover everyday needs across self-care, home routines, and seasonal comfort—start with a few and build as you learn what you use most.
Which 3 oils would you start with—and what would you use them for first?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear your perspective!
