Essential Oil Substitutes List (20 Common) – Smarter Swaps

1. Why You Might Need Substitutes

Even the most prepared aromatherapy enthusiasts may find themselves out of a favorite essential oil. In such cases, knowing how to select safe and effective substitutes ensures that your relaxation, emotional balance, and wellness routines are not interrupted.

Substitutes can be chosen based on aroma, therapeutic benefits, or chemical composition. For example, if lavender is unavailable, rosewood or ho wood can provide a similarly floral and calming fragrance. If peppermint is missing, spearmint can offer a comparable cooling and invigorating effect.

When selecting a replacement, consider your primary goal. Are you seeking a similar scent to maintain the aromatic experience, a similar therapeutic effect for stress relief or sleep support, or a substitute that contains the same key active compounds? Each choice impacts the overall outcome of your blend, so understanding the purpose of the original oil is essential.

Using substitutes thoughtfully allows you to maintain your aromatherapy practices, calm corner routines, and self-care rituals without compromise. For more guidance, explore our Aromatherapy Basics Guide, which offers tips on blending, safety, and choosing appropriate oils for everyday wellness.

Learn more in aromatherapy basics guide.

2. How to Choose the Right Alternative

Sometimes your preferred essential oil may be unavailable, and selecting a safe and effective alternative becomes necessary. Choosing the right substitute requires balancing aroma preference with therapeutic benefits.

1. Decide Your Priority – Begin by identifying your main goal. Are you primarily focused on matching the scent of your original oil, or are you seeking its specific therapeutic effects? Knowing your priority will guide your substitution choices effectively.

2. Check the Aroma Family – Essential oils are categorized by aroma families such as citrus, floral, herbal, or woody. For example, if a recipe calls for sweet orange, other citrus oils like lemon, mandarin, or grapefruit can provide a similar uplifting aroma. For floral blends, consider swapping chamomile, rose, or geranium to maintain a consistent scent profile.

3. Match Therapeutic Benefits – Consider the primary benefits of the original oil. If you need a calming effect, chamomile can be substituted with lavender or geranium, which share soothing properties.

4. Compare Chemical Components – When in doubt, choose oils with similar chemical constituents. This ensures that the substitute provides comparable emotional or physical effects, even if the aroma is slightly different.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently select alternatives that preserve both the aromatic pleasure and therapeutic value of your essential oil blends, making your aromatherapy practices consistent and effective.

(Reference: Aromachologyoils Guide)

3. List of 20 Common Essential Oil Substitutes

When you run out of a favorite essential oil, smart substitutions can keep your aromatherapy routine flowing without compromising scent or therapeutic benefits. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of 20 common essential oils along with thoughtful substitutes that match both their aroma profiles and functional properties.

4. 3-Step Formula for Finding Substitutes

• Step 1: Identify your need. Before choosing a substitute, think about why you are using the essential oil. Is it for its scent, its therapeutic effect, or because of a personal need like budget, allergies, or skin sensitivity? Knowing your goal will help you choose the right replacement.

• Step 2: Find a similar oil. Look for an essential oil that has a similar aroma or belongs to the same scent family. You can also consider oils that offer the same therapeutic benefits, such as calming, energizing, or supporting digestion. This ensures your blend still works as intended.

• Step 3: Experiment and test. Start with small amounts to see how the substitute performs in your blend. Testing in small batches helps you discover whether the new oil blends well with the others and achieves the effect you want without wasting product.

5. DIY Blending Tips When You’re Out

Even when your favorite essential oil is unavailable, you can still enjoy aromatherapy and calming scents by creating simple alternatives at home. With a few creative strategies, you can maintain your self-care routines without interruption.

1. Mix Closely Related Oils – If a direct 1:1 substitute isn’t available, combine two oils from the same aroma family. For instance, blending lavender and chamomile can replicate a soothing, floral scent, while orange and grapefruit produce a refreshing citrus aroma. This technique creates a well-rounded fragrance while retaining some therapeutic benefits.

2. Use Carrier Oils for Roll-Ons – Mix essential oils with gentle carrier oils such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil to create a safe, skin-friendly roll-on. This approach allows you to enjoy the aroma topically without using large amounts of concentrated oil. It is especially useful for on-the-go relaxation or bedtime routines.

3. Experiment with Pantry Ingredients – Temporary fragrances can also be achieved using natural items from your kitchen. Vanilla extract, citrus peels, or fresh herbs like mint and rosemary can be infused in a small container or diffuser to create a pleasant aroma until your preferred oils are available.

By applying these DIY blending tips, you can maintain emotional balance, stress relief, and relaxation even when essential oils are not immediately at hand.

6. Final Thoughts

With a little creativity and the wisdom to swap thoughtfully, you’ll never be stuck without a fragrant solution. Keep exploring aromatic friends and blends—your home (and self-care moments) will always smell just right. Browse Scentreat’s diffuser collection 

Read more: Are Citrus Oils Safe in Sunlight?