Floral Favorites: 34 Ways To Use Floral Essential Oils

One of my daily joys is to go outside and take a few minutes to smell my chamomile, lilacs, and peonies. It literally brings a smile to my face and always seems to brighten my day. It should come as no surprise then that not only am I a fan of the smell of fresh flowers, but I also really love the aroma of floral essential oils. Because essential oils are extracts from the actual plants, they have the same gorgeous scent as the flowers themselves—no soapy-smelling, artificial fragrances here!

Most floral essential oils have an affinity for the skin, so many people like to use them in body care products and perfumes. But have you ever used an essential oil for the sheer pleasure of it—so that you can simply enjoy the aroma?

It’s not uncommon to find me around my house with an essential oil bottle in my hand, sniffing away. So whether you're in need of their therapeutic benefits or because you simply enjoy their fragrance, we're sharing our favorite floral essential oils and ways to use them.

Our Favorite Floral Essential Oils

Since there are a number of floral essential oils, there’s bound to be at least one or two that you end up loving. Be aware that some of them can get pretty pricey. But if you’re able to splurge on a few favorites, it’s definitely worth it to pamper your senses with their beautiful aromas!

Here are some of the most commonly used floral oils:

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is one of my absolute favorite florals. It has a pronounced sweet and fruity aroma that is just lovely. It also blends perfectly with a number of other essential oils!

—Soothe itchy skin. Make your own calamine lotion with skin-soothing chamomile, baking soda and clay.

—Zap wrinkles. Make your own DIY sheet mask to pump wrinkles and calm redness.

—Create a calming space: Diffuse 5 drops of chamomile, 2 drops of vetiver and 5 drops of cedarwood 15-30 minutes before bedtime to relax and unwind.

2. Geranium

Geranium essential oil is a very affordable floral oil with a lovely aroma. It has a slightly rose-like scent that can hold its own in blends.

—Give your face a massage. Practice your gua sha technique with an essential oil blend of geranium, chamomile and cypress.

—Beat burnout. Give yourself an aromatherapy mood boost with a diffusion blend of geranium, sweet orange and rosemary.

—Banish greasiness. Add a drop to your facial or body moisturizer to help balance oil production and moisturize your skin.

3. Helichrysum

Helichrysum is another one that I’ve grown to love. While it’s definitely floral, it’s not overtly so, with slightly earthy undertones that balance the overall aroma incredibly well.

—Boost your shampoo. To add shine and aroma to your shampoo, add 6 drops of helichrysum per ounce of shampoo and mix thoroughly. Use as normal.

—Make a restorative moisturizer. Add a drop of helichrysum to your evening moisturizer and apply to cleansed skin for an overnight boost.

—Soothe sore muscles. Combine 5 drops of helichrysum and 6 drops of lavender with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and ½ cup of Epsom salts. Stir together and add to a full bath for a relaxing muscle soak.

4. Jasmine

Technically, jasmine is an absolute, not an essential oil. This means that the oil is extracted via CO2 or a solvent. However, it is used like an essential oil in blends and product formulation, and I just can’t get enough of its gorgeous, enticing aroma!

—Travel to the tropics: Lift your spirits - no vacation required - with a diffusion of jasmine and vanilla to freshen indoor spaces.

—Soothe sun-soaked skin. Make a DIY body spray with aloe to help skin lock in moisture after a day in the sun.

—Diffuse your commute: Add 5-6 drops jasmine to a DIY car diffuser and diffuse for a delightful drive.

5. Lavender

It’s no surprise that lavender is a favorite of many people. The clean, refreshing aroma has wide appeal, and it blends well with pretty much every other essential oil.

—Fight flyaways. Use lavender-infused hair frizz spray to hydrate and condition parched strands.

—Drift off to dreamland. Diffuse lavender at bedtime to help ease stress and sleep easier.

—Enjoy a scented soak. Pamper yourself during bathtime with luxurious DIY lavender bath salts.

6. Neroli

Neroli is extracted from the blossoms of the orange tree, so the aroma contains both citrus and floral notes. It has an amazing aroma that is prized among many.

—Say goodbye to dry skin. Add 8 drops of neroli, sandalwood and vanilla to 4 ounces of carrier oil and combine with ½ white sugar. Stir well and apply to skin in circular motions and rinse with warm water.

—Bring inner peace: Add 5 drops of neroli, 5 drops of lime and 5 drops of orange to an inhaler and use as needed for happy thoughts.

—Nourish mature skin: Add 1 drop of neroli to 2 teaspoons of rosehip oil. Apply to face, throat and the back of hands to replenish dry, aging skin.

7. Rose

Since I had only experienced artificial rose fragrances, I didn’t realize how beautiful the natural aroma of rose really is. Aside from lavender, it’s arguably one of the most recognizable aromas that many people adore.

—Pamper your pits. Add rose to a DIY deodorant spray for a sweet (but not overwhelming) flower-powered scent.

—Soak it up. Add 10 drops of pre-diluted rose essential oil to 1 can of full-fat coconut milk and add to your bath.

—Make a massage oil: Rose is especially good for dry, sensitive or mature skin. Combine with bergamot for a soothing (or sensual) massage or perfume.

8. Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang is an incredible floral oil. Its strong scent is luxurious and flirty and brings so much to a blend! Just remember that a little goes a long way with this oil, so be sure to use it sparingly.

—Bring the beach to you. Diffuse this sweet, floral scent with lime or bergamot to soak in the vacay vibes.

—Amp up your mask. Add a drop of ylang ylang to an avocado face mask for a hydrating combo.

—Scent your clothes. Apply a drop or two of ylang ylang to wool dryer balls to nix wrinkles and add freshness.

Read on for more ways to combine and diffuse our favorite florals!

10 Floral Essential Oil Blends

1. Ylang Ylang & Patchouli

This blend smells absolutely lovely because all of the essential oils harmonize together perfectly. Patchouli gives the blend a sultry feel, and I find myself diffusing this blend over and over.

2 drops ylang ylang
3 drops patchouli
4 drops lavender

2. Neroli & Black Pepper

The spiciness of black pepper complements the citrus and floral notes in this blend really well, leaving a wonderfully balanced combination full of personality!

3 drops neroli
3 drops sweet orange
2–3 drops black pepper

3. Geranium & Rosemary

Rosemary, geranium, and juniper berry harmonize well together, creating a multifaceted aroma with soft floral notes.

1 drop rosemary
3 drops geranium
4 drops juniper berry

4. Helichrysum & Vetiver

I often like to mix florals with other types of essential oils. I think it creates depth and intrigue, and this blend is a perfect example of that. Helichrysum combined with cypress and vetiver is surprisingly lovely, and even those who don’t enjoy florals may find they really enjoy this blend!

2 drops helichrysum
2 drops vetiver
5 drops cypress

5. Rose & Sandalwood

Since rose is such a pricey essential oil, I tend to use it sparingly. Combining it with other essential oils is a good way to stretch the aroma.

1 drop clary sage
2 drops bergamot
2 drops rose
3 drops sandalwood

6. Jasmine & Vanilla

When done right, a blend containing jasmine can be absolute perfection! It’s important to keep the jasmine well balanced with other essential oils so that no one oil is overpowering any of the others.

1 drop frankincense
2 drops black pepper
2 drops jasmine
2–3 drops vanilla

7. Lavender & Vetiver

Lavender blends well with just about everything, but sometimes it’s nice to create a blend specifically to put it in the spotlight. This blend does just that since all of the other essential oils were chosen to complement lavender’s fresh aroma.

1 drop orange
1–2 drops Roman chamomile
2 drops vetiver
3 drops lavender

8. Chamomile & Clary Sage

Chamomile has such a lovely aroma on its own, but it can also really enhance a blend. This is a combination that I tend to use frequently (or some variation of it) because I love the aroma so much!

1 drop lemon
2 drops clary sage
2 drops vetiver
3 drops Roman chamomile

9. Ylang Ylang, Rose, & Neroli

Many times, florals blend well with florals, so it’s perfectly fine to mix and match them in your blends! This blend utilizes a few different florals to create a unique and beautiful fragrance.