Top, Middle & Base Notes of Essential Oils

The "Notes" of Essential Oils

For essential oils there is what is called "notes" and there are three of them when you are creating a blend. It is good to be aware of what these are so you know how your blends will work together to create that perfect smell that your nose will love. These three notes are called the top, middle and bottom. Below is a list of which oils are considered in which "note" category. When creating a blend the rule of thumb is to select an oil from each note but use less of the top and middle note and more of the base note.


Top Note

The "top note" of a blend is referring to the oil that you smell first but also it is the oil that evaporates the quickest. The oils used in the top note are usually oils that are light and uplifting and help energize and clear your mind which helps with fatigue. The top note oil is just an overall invigorating smell!

Essential Oils Used For "Top Note":
All citrus oils are top notes. 

• Anise, Basil, Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Coriander, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Galbanum, Grapefruit, Hyssop, Juniper, Laurel Leaf, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lime, Mandarin, Neroli, Niaouli, Orange, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Ravensara, Rosewood, Sage, Spearmint, Tagates, Tangerine, Tea Tree, Thyme, Verbena, Yuzu

Middle Note ("Heart Note")

Middle notes are pretty much the focal point of your blends. You can have both top and base note aromas within them. Middle notes provide balance both physically and energetically. They are warm and soothing oils.

Essential Oils Used for "Middle Note":

• Bay, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Carnation, Cassie, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cypress, Dill,  Fennel, Fir Needle, Geranium, Ginger,  Helichrysum, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lemongrass, Lotus, Marjoram,  Melissa, Myrtle, Nutmeg, Orange Blossom, Palmarosa, Pine, Rose,Rosemary, Spikenard, Tonka Bean, Tuberose, Yarrow, Ylang Ylang

Bottom Note

These oils are dense and provide a deep, warm, grounding and calming quality to your blend. They function as fixatives by reducing the evaporation of the top notes. Base note oils' earthy aroma add intensity to a blend. The aroma rises slowly to your nose, unlike top notes. Base notes are used to relieve stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Many oils derived from woods, resins, and roots are base notes.When soap making the bottom note is the oil that sticks around the longest smell wise and might not even appear til later as it starts to dry out. Ylang Ylang is an exception as it is extracted from a flower. 

Essential Oils Used for the "Bottom Note":

• Agarwood, Amber Oil (Fossilized), Ambrette, Amyris, Angelica Root, Balsam of Peru, Cedarwood, Cistus, Clove*, Cocao, Elemi, Frankincense, Jasmine, Labdanum, Liquidambar, Myrrh, Oakmoss, Orris Root, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Tobacco, Valerian, Vanilla, Vetiver, Violet Leaf.

-EO Nerd