The only way to truly make essential oils completely dissolve in water is to use a very high-proof alcohol (190 proof or higher). Lower proof alcohol may not fully dissolve the oil.
Here's a breakdown of the challenge and a potential solution:
Why Essential Oils Don't Mix with Water
Essential oils are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This is because they are composed of non-polar molecules, while water is made of polar molecules. "Like dissolves like," so non-polar substances (like oils) don't readily mix with polar substances (like water). They separate into distinct layers.
The Alcohol Solution:
- High-Proof Alcohol: Using 190-proof (95%) alcohol, such as Everclear, can act as a solvent to bridge the gap between the oil and water. The alcohol molecules have both polar and non-polar characteristics, allowing them to interact with both the essential oil and the water.
- How it Works: The alcohol molecules surround the essential oil molecules, creating a solution that can then disperse more evenly in water.
Important Considerations:
- Concentration: The amount of alcohol needed depends on the type and amount of essential oil you're using and the desired final concentration in the water. You'll likely need a significant amount of alcohol to achieve complete dissolution.
- Safety: Using high-proof alcohol requires careful handling due to its flammability and potential for skin irritation. Avoid ingestion and keep away from open flames.
- Applications: Consider the intended use of the water-soluble essential oil. Alcohol may not be suitable for all applications, such as aromatherapy for children or internal consumption.
Alternative Approaches (Partial Solutions):
While high-proof alcohol is generally the best for completely dissolving essential oils, other methods can help disperse them in water to some extent:
- Solubilizers/Emulsifiers: Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, and other emulsifiers can help to break down essential oils into tiny droplets that remain suspended in water for a period of time. These solutions are not truly dissolved, but finely dispersed. They can make the water cloudy.
- Hydrosols: These are the aromatic waters produced during steam distillation of plant materials. They contain a very small percentage of essential oil compounds and are naturally water-soluble.
Summary:
While essential oils and water don't mix naturally, using a sufficiently high-proof alcohol can help dissolve the oil into the water. Alternatively, using a solubilizer can help the essential oil to be dispersed into the water, but not truly dissolved.
