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Updated November 2026
Pressed from the seeds of the neem tree, neem oil for skin is a rich, earthy carrier oil. It has a strong garlicky scent, so I blend a little into a milder carrier and add essential oils like lavender and cedarwood to soften the smell. Below: what neem is, how to dilute it, safety tips, and two adults-only recipes. Jump to the recipes
Want to compare it with other carriers? See my list of carrier oils.
What Is Neem Oil?
Neem oil is pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), also called Indian lilac. The tree is an evergreen native to the Indian subcontinent that also grows in other tropical areas. The oil ranges from golden yellow to reddish brown and is often cloudy.
You may know neem from the garden center, since it's used in products for plants. That's for plants only: neem oil is not a bug repellent for skin. Where mosquito-borne illness is a concern, use an EPA-registered repellent.
Neem Oil Quick Facts
| Feature | Neem Oil |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Azadirachta indica |
| Scent | Strong, pungent, often compared to garlic, sulfur, or boiled peanuts |
| Feel | Thick; may turn soft or solid when cool, and doesn't absorb quickly |
| Comedogenic rating | 1 to 2 |
| Shelf life | About 1 to 2 years; store cool and dark |
| Ages | Adults only (my choice for this oil) |
| Safety | Toxic if swallowed; keep it well out of children's reach |
Fatty acids in neem oil: oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, alpha-linolenic, and palmitoleic acids.
If it has turned solid, set the closed bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
Need neem oil? Look for 100% pure, cold-pressed, organic neem oil, like this organic neem oil (affiliate link).
How to Use Neem Oil for Skin
Neem is strong in both scent and feel, so it works best as a small part of a blend rather than on its own.
- Dilute it. Mix a small amount of neem (about 1 teaspoon per ounce) into a milder carrier like jojoba, fractionated coconut, or grapeseed oil. The carrier also tames the smell.
- Patch test first. Try the blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours before using it on a larger area. Stop if your skin turns red, itchy, or stings.
- Skip the face and broken skin. Use it on small dry areas like elbows, heels, and hands.
- Skip the bath. Oil floats on bath water instead of mixing in, so neem doesn't belong in the tub.
Neem won't treat acne, warts, moles, or skin conditions. If a spot or mole changes, or a rash doesn't clear, please see your doctor.
Neem Oil with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
The right essential oils make a neem blend much more pleasant to use. Woods and soft florals cover its earthy smell best:
- Lavender: a soft, calming floral that rounds off neem's sharp edge.
- Cedarwood: a warm, woodsy scent that blends right into neem's earthiness.
- Sweet orange: a bright, cheerful top note.
- Rosemary: a fresh, herbal scent for scalp blends.
My dilution chart and calculator does the drop math for you.
Neem Oil Recipes with Essential Oils
| Recipe | Ages | Dilution |
|---|---|---|
| Neem and Lavender Skin Oil | Adults only | 2% |
| Neem Pre-Wash Scalp Oil | Adults only | 1% |
1. Neem and Lavender Skin Oil
Body oil · Adults only · 2%
A woodsy, floral oil for dry elbows, heels, and hands.
- 6 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 4 drops cedarwood Virginian (Juniperus virginiana)
- 2 drops sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
- 1 tsp neem oil
- Jojoba oil to make 1 oz
Directions: Add the essential oils and neem oil to a 1 oz bottle, top with jojoba, and shake. Massage a small amount into dry areas.
2. Neem Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
Scalp oil · Adults only · 1%
A fresh, herbal scalp massage before you wash your hair.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 3 drops rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis, ct. cineole)
- 1 tsp neem oil
- Jojoba oil to make 1 oz
Directions: Shake to blend. Part your hair and massage a small amount into your scalp. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, then shampoo well, twice if needed.
Note: Keep it away from your eyes.
A Few Safety Basics
• Never swallow neem oil or essential oils. Neem is toxic if swallowed, so store it well out of reach of children. If someone swallows either, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• Always dilute oils before they touch skin, and patch test a new blend on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours.
• If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip neem oil and check with your doctor or midwife before using essential oils.
• 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.
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More Carrier Oil Spotlights
- List of Carrier Oils: 25 Best Carrier Oils and Their Benefits
- Jojoba Carrier Oil Benefits and Uses
- Pumpkin Seed Oil for Skin
- Hemp Seed Oil Uses and Benefits for Aromatherapy
Ready to make your own blends? Browse my aromatherapy kits, or grab one of my free essential oil guides.
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