Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
Missing one oil for a blend you want to make? You can usually swap it for another oil with a similar scent or purpose. This essential oil substitution chart shows what to use instead, organized by aroma and by what you want the blend to do, with the age and safety notes to check for each swap.
With so many essential oils available, you will often find recipes or diffuser blends that call for an oil you don't have. Don't stress! Use the charts below the next time you are missing an oil. Jump to the substitution chart.
If you are new to aromatherapy and your collection is still small, that's OK. Start with my guide to essential oils for beginners, and see my list of affordable essential oils to grow your collection without breaking the budget.
What Is an Essential Oil Substitution?
An essential oil substitution means replacing one essential oil with another that has a similar scent or use. It is helpful when an oil is unavailable, too expensive, or one you simply don't enjoy.
We often get the question, "What can I use if I don't have (insert missing oil here)?" Don't let one missing oil stop you from making a blend you are excited about.
Will a substitute change the blend? Yes, a little. But with the right swap you can still get a lovely result with an oil you already have.
What Essential Oil Can I Use Instead?
Everybody has favorite oils, and a few they don't love. There are some oils I don't buy because they don't agree with me. When I find a blend that includes one of them, I look for a replacement.
How to Make Essential Oil Substitutions
First, decide whether you are blending for aroma (scent) or for a purpose (like sleep, focus, or skin care). This matters because they lead to different choices.
- If you are making a blend for aroma, the fragrance matters most, so choose an oil with a similar scent.
- If you are making a blend for a purpose, choose an oil that is used for the same thing, even if it smells different.
Whatever you are blending, always check the safety notes for each oil in the blend. Many oils have overlapping uses, but no two oils are exactly the same, so experiment to find what you enjoy.
Before You Swap
• Check the new oil's age. A swap can change who the blend is for (peppermint is 6+, rosemary and eucalyptus are 10+, clove is 12+).
• Check its dilution limit. Some oils, like clove and cinnamon leaf, have much lower limits on skin.
• If you're pregnant, check the new oil against my pregnancy list.
• Swapping in a cold-pressed citrus can make a skin blend sun-sensitive.
• No essential oils for babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Never put oils on pets, and diffuse with a door open so they can leave. Cats are especially sensitive, including to tea tree, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, pine, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, and ylang ylang.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Aromatic Substitutes: Blending for the Aroma
When you swap oils in a scent-focused blend, like a natural perfume, body oil, or room spray, the aroma is what matters most. Choose an oil from the same scent family, such as citrus, floral, or spicy.
I have an entire post on essential oil aromas with cheat sheets for each of the seven aroma categories. Use it to find other oils with a similar scent.
Here are some easy aromatic substitutions:
| Don't Have This | Try This | Safety Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rose otto | Rose geranium | |
| Tangerine | Sweet orange or mandarin | |
| Cassia | Cinnamon leaf | Cassia is diffuser only. Cinnamon leaf is ages 12+, 0.6% max on skin. Avoid in pregnancy, and check with your doctor if you take blood thinners. |
| Birch | Wintergreen | Adults only. Avoid with aspirin sensitivity, blood thinners, and pregnancy. |
| Spearmint | Peppermint | Peppermint is stronger and for ages 6+ (spearmint is 5+). Use fewer drops. |
| Helichrysum | Roman chamomile | |
| Sandalwood | Cedarwood | |
| Jasmine | Ylang ylang | Ylang ylang is 0.8% max on skin. |
| Clary sage | Lavender | Clary sage is 5+ and avoided in pregnancy. Lavender is 2+, so this swap makes a blend friendly for younger kids. |
| Myrrh | Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) | Myrrh is 5+ and avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Frankincense is 2+. |
| German chamomile | Roman chamomile | |
| Balsam fir | Black spruce or Siberian fir | |
| Lemongrass | May Chang (Litsea cubeba) | Both are high in citral and can irritate skin. Lemongrass is adults only on skin, 0.7% max. May Chang is 12+, 0.8% max. |
| Ginger | Cardamom | Cardamom is 10+ (ginger is 5+). |
| Cinnamon bark | Clove | Cinnamon bark is diffuser only. Clove is ages 12+, 0.5% max on skin, and 1 to 2 drops in a diffuser blend. Avoid in pregnancy, and check with your doctor if you take blood thinners. |
| Bergamot | Sweet orange | Sweet orange isn't sun-sensitive; regular bergamot is. On skin, use bergamot FCF. |
More Aromatic Substitutions
Everyone has different scent preferences, so experiment to find what you love. If a swap doesn't work for you, try another.
| Don't Have This | Try This | Safety Note |
|---|---|---|
| Amyris | Australian sandalwood | |
| Atlas cedarwood | Virginian cedarwood | Atlas cedarwood is endangered, so use up what you have and choose Virginian when buying new. Both are 2+. |
| Rosewood | Ho wood | Rosewood is endangered, so use up what you have and choose ho wood (5+) when buying new. |
| Palo santo | Virginian cedarwood | Palo santo is 12+, 3.4% max on skin. Virginian cedarwood is 2+. |
| Patchouli | Vetiver | |
| Valerian | Vetiver | Valerian is 12+, 1% max on skin, and avoided in pregnancy. Vetiver is 5+. |
| Benzoin | Vanilla absolute | Benzoin is 12+, 2% max on skin. Vanilla absolute is 5+. |
| Elemi | Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) | |
| Neroli | Petitgrain | Both come from the bitter orange tree. Petitgrain is distilled from the leaves and costs much less. |
| Palmarosa | Geranium | |
| Spike lavender | Lavender | Spike lavender is 10+ and avoided in pregnancy. Lavender is 2+, so this swap makes a blend friendly for younger kids. |
| Yarrow | German chamomile | Yarrow is 12+ and avoided in pregnancy. German chamomile is 5+; skip it with a ragweed or daisy allergy. |
| Basil (ct. linalool) | Rosemary | Rosemary is 10+ (basil is 6+). |
| Oregano | Sweet marjoram | Oregano is 12+, 1.1% max on skin, and avoided in pregnancy. Sweet marjoram is 5+ and much gentler. |
| Cajeput or niaouli | Tea tree | Cajeput and niaouli are 10+. Tea tree is 5+. |
| Citronella | Lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) | Both are 5+. Lemon eucalyptus smells like citronella, not like regular eucalyptus. |
| Lemon verbena | Lemon | Lemon verbena is 12+, 0.9% max on skin. On skin, keep cold-pressed lemon at 2% or less, or use steam-distilled lemon. |
| Yuzu | Grapefruit | Yuzu isn't sun-sensitive; cold-pressed grapefruit is. Keep it at 4% or less on skin. |
| Nutmeg | Ginger | Nutmeg is 12+, 0.8% max on skin, and avoided in pregnancy. Ginger is 5+. |
| Cumin | Coriander seed | Cumin is 12+ and sun-sensitive (0.4% max on skin). Coriander seed is 5+ and not sun-sensitive. |
Substitutes for a Specific Purpose
When a blend is made for a specific purpose, like better sleep or a refreshing workout rub, you want a substitute that is used for the same thing. The aroma can be different, since that is not the main goal.
Swapping oils this way also lets you customize a blend to your own needs and preferences. Everyone responds a little differently to each oil, so you may need to experiment.
For example, I don't enjoy the smell of oregano, so in blends that call for it I usually choose rosemary or sweet marjoram instead.
Substitutions can also make blends more budget-friendly, since some essential oils cost much more than others.
Are There Any Safety Concerns When Substituting Oils?
Yes. Each essential oil has its own safety profile, so check the age, dilution limit, and cautions for any oil you swap in. For example, swapping bergamot for lemon keeps the sun sensitivity, while swapping cinnamon for clove keeps the risk of skin irritation. Read more about essential oil safety and photosensitive essential oils.
Can I Create an Entire Blend Using Only Substitutions?
Yes! Feel free to experiment. The joy of DIY aromatherapy is in making blends that are uniquely yours.
Essential Oil Substitution Chart
Use this chart to swap out the oil you need for another oil in the same category. For example, if a hair serum calls for rosemary and you don't have it, look under Healthy Hair and Scalp and choose another oil from that list, like cedarwood.
Beautiful Skin and Hair
Tea tree is one of the most popular oils for cleansing skin, and geranium is a favorite for a smooth, even-looking complexion. Geranium also smells lovely added to shampoo or conditioner. Find more ideas in my posts on essential oils for dry skin and my DIY hair mask and scalp oil.
| For Skin | For Hair and Scalp |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: rosemary is for ages 10+. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, leave out the myrrh. Keep rose at 0.6% or less and ylang ylang at 0.8% or less.
Tummy and Breathing
When my stomach feels off, ginger is the oil I want first. Its warm, spicy scent feels grounding, and a little ginger diluted in carrier oil (2 to 3% for adults) and rubbed slowly over my belly is one of those small comforts that just feels good. Peppermint gives a cool, fresh feeling instead, and cardamom and sweet orange add a softer, sweeter warmth.
Researchers have actually tested scents like ginger and peppermint for queasy stomachs, mostly in people right after surgery. A 2018 Cochrane review found the evidence weak so far, so I treat these oils as a comfort, not a fix. If an upset stomach hangs on, or comes with fever or pain, call your doctor.
Eucalyptus is a popular choice to diffuse for a fresh, clearing aroma.
| Tummy Comfort | Easy Breathing |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: peppermint is for ages 6+, cardamom, ravintsara, and eucalyptus (globulus, radiata, and smithii) 10+, and fennel and eucalyptus dives 12+. If you're pregnant, leave out the fennel.
Seasons and Tired Muscles
Oregano shows up in a lot of seasonal blends, but it is very strong and can irritate skin. I prefer sweet marjoram and tea tree. For tired, achy muscles, copaiba is a gentle favorite.
| Seasonal Comfort | Muscle Comfort |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: basil and peppermint are for ages 6+, rosemary 10+, oregano 12+, and wintergreen is adults only. Basil is 3.3% max on skin. If you're pregnant, leave out the oregano and wintergreen. Check with your doctor before using oregano or wintergreen on skin if you take blood thinners.
Energy and Exercise
When energy is low or you need a little boost before a workout, try peppermint. Its cool, minty aroma feels instantly invigorating.
| Low Energy | Workout |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: basil and peppermint are for ages 6+, and rosemary and eucalyptus 10+. On skin, keep cold-pressed lemon at 2% or less, lime at 0.7% or less (or use steam-distilled lime), and grapefruit at 4% or less to stay sun-safe.
Sleep and Calming
Lavender is a favorite at bedtime; its soft floral scent brings a calm, settled feeling. Find more recipes in my sleep diffuser blends.
| Restful Sleep | Relaxation |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: valerian is for ages 12+, and I keep it at 1% or less on skin. It's very sedating, so skip it if you take sleep or sedative medicine. If you're pregnant, leave out the clary sage and valerian. On skin, use bergamot FCF.
Emotional Support
Frankincense has a warm, grounding scent that's lovely for quiet, calm moments, and it pairs well with almost anything. For more ideas, see my stress relief essential oils.
| Mood Lift | Stress |
|---|---|
|
|
Age and safety notes: melissa is for ages 12+, 0.9% max on skin. If you're pregnant, leave out the clary sage. On skin, use bergamot FCF, and keep ylang ylang at 0.8% or less.
More About Substituting Essential Oils
How Should I Adjust the Quantities When Making Substitutions?
Start with the same number of drops as the original oil, then adjust to your taste. If you are swapping in a stronger oil, like peppermint for spearmint or clove for cinnamon, use fewer drops, and check that the new oil's dilution limit still fits the blend.
What Can I Substitute for Eucalyptus Oil?
Rosemary, tea tree, cajuput, and peppermint all have a similar fresh, clearing scent and make good swaps for eucalyptus. Lavender works too if you want something softer. Check the chart above to see which fits your blend best, and keep the ages in mind: tea tree is for ages 5+, peppermint 6+, and rosemary, cajuput, and eucalyptus 10+.
What Can I Substitute for Bergamot Essential Oil?
Other citrus oils make the easiest swaps for bergamot.
- Sweet orange is bright and cheerful, a little less floral than bergamot, and not sun-sensitive.
- Mandarin or tangerine bring a soft, sweet citrus note and aren't sun-sensitive either.
- Lemon is a close match in brightness, but cold-pressed lemon can make skin sensitive to the sun, so keep it at 2% or less in skin blends.
- Petitgrain adds the light, floral citrus note bergamot is known for.
If you want bergamot itself in a skin blend, choose bergamot FCF, which has the sun-sensitizing compounds removed.
What Can I Substitute for Sandalwood Essential Oil?
Sandalwood is expensive, and Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is over-harvested, so many people look for alternatives. Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) is a more sustainable choice with a similar scent.
For a woody, sweet base note, try cedarwood, vetiver, or patchouli. Each has its own character, so start with a smaller amount and adjust.
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Diffuser Blend Posts
- 20 Simple Essential Oil Combinations for Your Diffuser
- Lemon Diffuser Blends
- Cypress Diffuser Blends
- Lime Diffuser Blends
- Lavender Diffuser Blends
- Rosemary Diffuser Blends
Ready to start blending? My Aromatherapy Supply Kits have the bottles and supplies you need, and my free essential oil guides are a great place to begin.
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