Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
According to our readers, the worst smelling essential oils are patchouli, tea tree, oregano, lemongrass, and valerian, but more than 45 oils got at least one vote, which shows how personal scent really is. Below are the results, what readers said about each oil, and how to use a stinky oil you still want to keep. Jump to the results.
What would you say are the worst smelling essential oils? Is there an oil that you just really dislike? Come on, you know there is at least one that you just don't want to ever crack open again.
There are lots of lovely essential oils to enjoy, but we wanted to know which ones are the least favorite. Find out what our Loving Essential Oils readers voted on and see if they surprise you.
Here is the question we asked our readers:
What essential oil is your least favorite?
The answers all seemed to come down to the smell of the oil or how readers reacted to the aroma. Maybe a scent even reminds you of an unpleasant memory.
Worst Smelling Essential Oils: Reader Least Favorites
OK, so the results REALLY SHOCKED ME!!
There were so many different answers that I can't just make this a top 10 list, because I have a list of over 45 oils that were mentioned negatively, from A to Y (angelica root to ylang ylang).
To me, that shows smell is such an individual preference that it's hard to say what the worst smelling essential oils are, because everyone's list would be different.
Five essential oils really stood out as unpleasant for several readers. Here they are:
1. Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli was voted the worst smelling essential oil. It's deep, earthy, and musky, with a scent that comes mostly from patchoulol. It's a classic base note in perfume and soap, and a little goes a very long way. Read more about patchouli oil.
"Patchouli, I know a lot of people that wear it as perfume/cologne (men and women) and they put on way too much, it is super overpowering and gives me a headache, almost makes me gag when I smell it on people." -Kristin F, CO
"Patchouli oil I do not care for because it reminds me of a hippy smell." -Karen R, CA
"Patchouli, I am a hippie from the 60s and it brings back not so good memories!!" -Deb W, TX
"Patchouli is too grassy smelling to me." -Heather E, FL
"Patchouli oil, I associate it with my dad's divorce to my mom and have never enjoyed the smell." -Julie, VA
"Patchouli, just smelling it can bring on an asthmatic attack." -Lisa S, NJ
"Patchouli, I tried to like it. Mixed with orange the smell was OK. But to me it smells like cat pee." -Liz R, FL
2. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree is sharp, fresh, and medicinal, with a scent that comes mostly from terpinen-4-ol. It's a favorite in homemade cleaning sprays, and the scent is strong enough to linger for days. Read more in my tea tree essential oil guide.
"Tea tree because it is soo strong" -Amy V, NY
"I would have to say that the EO I dislike the smell of is also one of the most valuable and also one that I use most frequently and that is Tea Tree oil. I almost always use Tea Tree in conjunction with more pleasant smelling oils such as lavender and citrus." -Claudia S, CA
"Tea Tree oil. My brother spilled a bottle of it in my kitchen...took months to get the smell out. Am afraid to even order something that has it 'blended' in." -August S, MT
"Tea tree oil. Just don't like the smell." -Sherri F, CA
"Tea tree just because the smell is so overpowering to me." -Kristina C, TN
3. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil is pungent, spicy, and herbal, and its scent comes mostly from carvacrol. It's a hot oil that can irritate skin, so it's for ages 12 and up, used at very low dilutions, and best avoided in pregnancy.
"Oregano, don't like the stinky smell!" -Jen, CA
Okay, so this is me! This oil got my #1 vote. I do not like the smell, and it is hard to get it out once I get it in my nose. It's hard for me to smell and use, so when I do use it, I add just a drop or two into my blends.
"Oregano scent is too strong." -Mary Jo, NM
"Oregano! I love the herb in foods, but the fragrance of the oil is so potent that once I smell it, I can't get it out of my sinuses, and it isn't pleasant :-(" -Cynthia M, SC
4. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is lemony and grassy, and its strong scent comes mostly from citral. It's popular in homemade cleaners and room sprays. On skin, lemongrass is for adults only at 0.7% or less, and you can diffuse it around kids 6 and up.
"My least favorite essential oil is lemongrass, I try to avoid using it as much as possible because every time I get a whiff I start nonstop sneezing. These aren't good sneezes, these are the choking gagging sneezes. They can be quite painful too. I've given myself the benefit of the doubt and tried diffusing lemongrass in a blend using half the oil and I still suffer. It's safe to say that lemongrass is my least favorite oil." -Kim T, OR
5. Valerian Root Essential Oil
Valerian root has a strong, earthy, musty odor, largely from compounds like isovaleric acid.
"Valerian, the smell is just horrendous!!" -Barbara S, TX
More Least Favorite Essential Oils
I didn't expect some of my favorites to land on the worst smelling essential oils list. I was shocked to read that some fans disliked orange essential oil (yes, 2 people said orange), 3 people said peppermint, and 1 said cypress. I LOVE each of these oils, and I use them every day. They make a great essential oil combination too!
Some readers wouldn't name names, and others were new oil users who hadn't found one they disliked yet. Katharine M from NY said, "All essential oils deserve love!"
Why Do My Essential Oils Smell Bad?
If an oil you used to like has started to smell bad, there are a few likely reasons:
- It's oxidized. Heat, light, and air slowly change essential oils over time, and an old oil can smell flat, sour, or harsh. Here's how to tell: Can I use expired essential oils?
- Something got into the bottle. Water or residue from a dropper can change an oil's smell.
- It's just your nose. Everyone's sense of smell is different, so an oil that smells lovely to one person can smell awful to another.
How to Use Bad Smelling Essential Oils
Some essential oils have strong scents that can be off-putting. If you have an oil you don't love but still want to use, here are some things to try:
Use Fewer Drops of the Stinky Oil
- Try using fewer drops of the oil you dislike. Each drop is concentrated, so even 1 drop changes a blend. Diluting it in a carrier oil like jojoba also softens the aroma.
Blend with Another Essential Oil
- Combine the oil with others that have more pleasant smells to create a blend you enjoy.
- "Some smell more 'mediciny' or pungent. They can be diluted or blended with something else to be nicer to the nose. That's how perfumes are created ;)" -Sherry P.
Continue to Use Anyway
- "My least favorite oil is Juniper because of the smell. I will continue to use it but I don't like the smell of it." -Kris M, MI
- "I really don't like the smell of Helichrysum, but I use it because it's a super oil." -Lisa W, GA
Learn to Like It Anyway
- "You may not accept the aroma at first but you learn to accept and enjoy them." -Geralyn C.
Apply Smelly Essential Oils to Your Feet
- Instead of applying an oil close to your face and nose, try the bottoms of your feet or your ankles. It's a good spot for a strong scent you'd rather not have right under your nose. Always dilute it in a carrier oil first.
Find an Alternative Essential Oil
- There are so many essential oils that you can usually find an alternative. I don't like oregano, but sweet marjoram is in the same plant family and has a similar herbal scent that's much softer. My essential oil substitution chart has more swaps.
Just Be Happy
- "Other than not loving the smell of basil, I don't have any oils that I don't at least like. Whether I love the smell or the effect of a specific oil, they all make me happy!" -Bev J, AZ
Stop Using the Smelly Essential Oil
- Buy new essential oils in small bottles. That way, if you don't like one, you aren't out a lot of cash.
- "The smell of Spikenard is one I haven't gotten used to. I haven't used it much because of the scent." -Kimberley Z, WA
Trial and Error
- You may not love an essential oil straight out of the bottle. Its aroma can change once it's on your skin or mixed with other oils in a blend.
- With some experimenting, you can find ways to use even the strongest oils without being overwhelmed by their smell.
When I first got patchouli oil, I didn't like it. I avoided it for about 2 years. Then I pulled it back out and tried it in different recipes and blends, and now I love the oil, especially with orange essential oil. I even use it in an essential oil solid perfume recipe!
Why Does My Essential Oil Diffuser Smell Bad?
If your diffuser is giving off a bad smell, there are a few likely reasons:
- It needs a cleaning. Oil residue builds up in the tank and can turn stale. Follow your diffuser's manual, or see my guide on how to use an essential oil diffuser.
- The oil is old. Oxidized oils can smell flat or harsh in a diffuser too.
- There's too much oil. 3 to 8 drops is plenty for most diffusers, and too much can make the air smell heavy.
More Worst Smelling Essential Oils Our Readers Didn't Like
Here are more stinky oils our readers told us about.
- A digestive blend from another brand. "It is the smell I do not care for." Mary H, KS
- Citronella, smell-wise. Heather O, MA
- Cinnamon. "I know I'm weird but I can't stand the smell of cinnamon.... in any form. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in the world who doesn't like it. I don't like eucalyptus either but I'm allergic to that. Gives me an asthma attack. Yes, going into stores like Michael's, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore etc can be agonizing lol." Sara K, TX
- Frankincense...only because of the scent. Renee C.
- "Fairly new to essential oils so I don't have a lot but so far it is one of the pine scented ones." Maria E, MN
- Arborvitae is my least favorite EO. "I can not stand the smell, it makes me want to puke! lol." Jessica B, MT
- Probably peppermint, "only because I have a slight allergic reaction to it." Holly B, WA
- Angelica root is too peppery for me. Susan, OH
- Vetiver, "it's too thick so makes it hard to come out of container." Melinda H, MD
- "I would say cassia because for me it smells like hospital, but maybe I am wrong!" Johanna C, FL
- "I'm not sure which essential oil is my least favorite as I haven't experienced them all, however for now I would have to say maybe clove as it's so strong!" Jamie, IA
- Manuka is my least favorite. "The scent is off-putting to me." Kimberlee S, IL
- Nutmeg. "I read somewhere that ancient Egyptians used Nutmeg oil in embalming practices. Now, that is what comes to mind when I smell Nutmeg oil." Chris S, MI
- "I think turmeric but only because of the scent. It's not very appealing. Otherwise I love the oils I have." Susan B, NY
- "The hot oils cinnamon and clove bud, need to be careful how and what they are used for." Karen H, MN
- "Surprisingly, I'm not fond of lemon. It reminds me of a public bathroom, ha ha! I also find tea tree pretty gross." Debbie C, AR
- Cedarwood. "Usually get all sinus clogged after diffusing oils with Cedarwood in the mix. :(" Marie F, TX
- Siberian fir, "just don't like the smell." Elizabeth H, FL
- "I dislike cypress EO. The aroma is far too strong and makes me nauseous." Krista T.
- Orange. "It reminds me of cleaning supplies." Jordyn D, WA
Why Does Patchouli Oil Smell So Bad?
Patchouli oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Pogostemon cablin plant, and it's best known for its strong, musky scent. That potent smell can overwhelm some people, while others find it grounding and relaxing.
If you don't like the smell of patchouli, try using just 1 drop in a blend with a bright citrus like sweet orange, or diffusing it for a shorter time.
A Few Safety Basics
• Keep essential oils away from babies under 2, including diffusing in a room they're in.
• If a scent makes you sneeze, wheeze, or feel sick, stop using it and air out the room. Use extra care around anyone with asthma.
• 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, check with your doctor or midwife first.
• Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes, then take a break.
• 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.
Share on Pinterest
More Posts for Beginners
- Essential Oils for Beginners: 20 Questions Answered
- Essential Oil Substitution Chart
- How to Choose Quality Essential Oils
Ready to make your own blends? My Aromatherapy Supply Kits have the bottles and supplies you need, and my free essential oil guides are a great place to begin.
DIY Essential Oil Welcome Kit: Blank Aromatherapy Inhaler and Roll On Bottles
$ 17.00
Essential Oil Beginner Supply Kit: Mini Bundle of Blank Aromatherapy Inhaler and Empty Roll On Bottles Our Essential Oil Beginner Supply Kit gives you the tools you need to start your aromatherapy journey with confidence. This mini starter set includes… Read More
