I Used to Have 20 Essential Oils—Now I Swear By These 9 (Here’s Why) A mama’s honest guide to paring down, tuning in, and finding the essentials that actually stick
There was a time when my nightstand, kitchen counter, diaper bag, and honestly even my car cupholder could have doubled as a mini essential oil apothecary. Lavender, tea tree, peppermint, frankincense—you name it, I had it. Some oils I used daily, others once in a blue moon (usually when Pinterest convinced me to make my own dish soap or bug spray at 11pm). I thought having all the oils meant I was doing natural living "right."
But over time—and a few very cluttered drawers later—I realized that more wasn’t always better. I didn’t need 20 bottles staring at me, whispering of good intentions and DIYs I'd never get to. I needed the few that really worked for me. The ones I reached for instinctively. The ones that became part of my rhythm, not just my stash.
So I let the rest go. And you know what? I don’t miss them.
If you’re a mama who’s ever felt overwhelmed by essential oil options, or just want to simplify your wellness shelf without losing the magic, come sit beside me. Here are the 9 essential oils I still use, love, and trust—after years of experimenting, learning, and finding what actually sticks in daily life.
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
If my motherhood had a signature scent, it might be lavender. It’s gentle, grounding, and endlessly versatile. I’ve used it on pillowcases for sleep, in baths for cranky toddlers (and tired mamas), and in homemade lotion bars for dry hands after too many sinkfuls of dishes.
It’s one of the few oils I feel confident using with my kids—always diluted, always in moderation. It’s also one of the first I ever fell in love with, and despite trying all the fancier blends, I keep coming back.
Why I kept it: Lavender has range. It supports rest, skin, moods, and even minor burns. Plus, it just feels like a hug in a bottle.
It takes about 250 pounds of lavender flowers to make just one pound of essential oil. That’s why even one drop carries so much botanical power.
2. Frankincense (Boswellia carterii or sacra)
This is my “sacred” oil. Not in a woo-woo way, but in the sense that it feels grounding and centering in a world that often pulls me in a hundred directions.
I dab it into my facial oil for skin support, add it to diffuser blends when I want a meditative vibe, and use it during slow mornings or journaling time. It’s earthy and ancient—and makes everything feel a little more intentional.
Why I kept it: It reminds me to slow down. Frankincense feels like deep breath energy in oil form.
3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
This one is like that honest friend who tells it to you straight. Peppermint is strong, refreshing, and not subtle—but it gets things done.
It’s my go-to for tension headaches, tired afternoons, and stuffy noses. Sometimes I add a drop to a bowl of hot water and breathe it in while hiding from the chaos (self-care, anyone?). It also works beautifully in foot soaks or a simple roller bottle blend for tired muscles.
Why I kept it: It brings clarity and energy when I feel foggy or flat. It’s bold, but in a good way.
4. Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
The ultimate workhorse. Tea tree doesn’t get the glamorous job—it’s more of the mama with a messy bun and no time for nonsense. But it’s effective.
I use it in homemade cleaning sprays, in skin care for blemishes or cuts, and in laundry when something just smells off. It’s not my favorite scent, but it’s earned its keep time and again.
Why I kept it: It’s practical, cleansing, and reliable. Especially for kid messes and everyday germs.
5. Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
This one smells like sunshine. Seriously—if joy had a smell, it might be sweet orange. I love diffusing it on mornings that feel heavy or when we all need a mood lift (especially in the long gray months).
It blends beautifully with lavender, peppermint, or cedarwood. I also add a few drops to my DIY counter spray just to make the kitchen feel a little brighter.
Why I kept it: It uplifts without overwhelming. And kids tend to love the smell too.
6. Eucalyptus Radiata
There are different kinds of eucalyptus, but I chose radiata because it’s a little gentler and kid-safe when used appropriately. It’s my must-have for cold season, and I always keep it on hand for steam bowls, chest rubs, and diffuser blends that help us breathe easy.
Eucalyptus makes me feel like I’ve got a natural remedy tucked in my back pocket—even if we’re on day four of sniffles and no one’s sleeping.
Why I kept it: It’s one of the few oils that genuinely helps us get through sick days. That alone earns it a spot.
Eucalyptus oil is used in many over-the-counter chest rubs and vapor treatments because of its component cineole, which may help ease respiratory discomfort.
7. Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica or Cedrus deodara)
Cedarwood was a surprise love. I didn’t expect to like it, but now I reach for it almost nightly. It’s grounding, slightly woodsy, and makes bedtime routines feel more rooted—especially for anxious little minds (and big ones).
I blend it with lavender or orange in the diffuser, or add a drop to lotion at night. It doesn’t shout; it whispers calm.
Why I kept it: It brings balance to my blends and peace to our evenings. Understated, but powerful.
8. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
This one’s a splurge, but worth it. Chamomile is all about nervous system support and gentleness. It’s my go-to during emotional storms—mine or the kids’.
A drop in a warm bath or diluted into a massage oil can turn a meltdown into a soft landing. It’s not just for sleep—it’s for soothing.
Why I kept it: It meets me where I am on hard days. Like a soft blanket for the soul.
9. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Geranium was the oil I didn’t know I needed until I started really tuning into hormonal shifts. It’s supportive, floral without being too sweet, and beautifully balancing for those moody days when everything feels just a little off.
I use it in skin care, diffuser blends, and even in a hot compress on days when my cycle feels intense. It feels like the plant version of holding space.
Why I kept it: Because emotional support matters too. And this oil has held space for me more than once.
Oils I Let Go—And Why
It’s not that oils like lemongrass, rosemary, or clary sage aren’t great. They just didn’t earn a regular place in my rhythm. Some felt too harsh, others I kept forgetting to use. A few I just didn’t love the smell of—and when you're putting something on your skin or in your home, that matters.
Letting go doesn’t mean they were bad. It just means I needed to get honest about what I actually used and loved.
Rhythm Reminders
- Create a “core oils” basket – Just 5–9 go-tos that live on the counter or nightstand. Make them easy to grab, not buried under the extras.
- Build rituals, not rules – Use oils to anchor parts of your day (like diffusing cedarwood + lavender at bedtime), not to create pressure.
- Blend with intention – Trust your senses. If something smells "off," it probably isn’t for you today. Scents shift with mood and season.
- Use oils for the feeling, not just the function – Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel right now?” Then build from there.
- Swap fragrance for real plant power – Add orange or geranium to your cleaning sprays and skip the synthetic stuff.
- Less is more – You don’t need 20 oils to feel supported. You just need a few you truly love and use.
The Beauty of Less: Letting Simplicity Lead
Natural living doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the deeper I get into this journey, the more I crave less—less clutter, fewer steps, more presence. That’s what letting go of 20 oils taught me.
It’s not about what you own, it’s about what you use. And more importantly, what makes you feel held in your everyday chaos.
So if your oily shelf is overflowing and you’re wondering where to even begin—start here. With the oils that show up for you, that fit into your real life, that smell like home.
And if that’s just three oils right now? That’s perfect.
Because the real magic isn’t in the bottle. It’s in how you use it, how it makes you feel, and how it brings you back to yourself—one drop, one breath, one moment at a time.
