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October 25, 2026 · Gotes Essentials
5 essential oils for better sleep
Good sleep starts long before you get into bed. Slowing down, switching off screens and creating a calm atmosphere helps your body understand that it is time to rest. Essential oils are a great ally for that moment: a scent you repeat every night becomes a signal of calm.
The 5 essential oils for the night
1. Lavender
The night-time classic. Its soft, floral scent is the most popular for relaxing before bed. If you only keep one oil on your bedside table, make it this one. It also blends with almost every other oil, so it is the best base to start with.
Try it: 1 or 2 drops on a corner of your pillow or on the collar of your pyjamas, a few minutes before going to bed.
2. Petitgrain
It comes from the leaves of the bitter orange tree. Its green, slightly citrus scent is calming without feeling heavy. A fun fact: the same tree also gives us neroli, from the flower, and bitter orange essence, from the peel.
Try it: a few drops in the diffuser while you get ready for bed, on its own or with lavender.
3. Ylang ylang
Floral, sweet and intense. It comes from the flowers of the Cananga odorata tree, which grows in South-East Asia and on Indian Ocean islands such as Madagascar and the Comoros.
Try it: add a single drop to the diffuser with your lavender. One is enough: it brings warmth and depth to the scent of the room.
4. Bergamot
A different kind of citrus: fresh but serene, it helps you switch off at the end of the day. A fun fact: it is the citrus that gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive aroma.
Try it: in the diffuser, while you read or tidy up before bed. Better in the diffuser than on the skin, as it is photosensitising.
5. Sweet orange
Cheerful and warm, almost everyone likes it, so it is a good choice if florals are not your thing. It is cold-pressed from the peel, which is why it smells exactly like peeling an orange.
Try it: a few drops in the diffuser after dinner, so your home starts to smell of calm.
How to use them, the easy way
- On your pillow or pyjamas: 1 or 2 drops on a corner of the pillowcase or on your pyjama collar, never where your face rests.
- In the diffuser: 3-5 drops about 30 minutes before bed, with the door closed. Switch it off when you go to sleep.
- On your wrists: essential oils are never applied neat to the skin, so for this use a ready-made blend such as Harmony Body Oil: a little on your wrists and neck, then breathe deeply.
If you prefer something ready-made
Harmony Body Oil is our relaxing body oil, with lavender and bergamot. A slow massage before bed helps relax body and mind and release the tension of the day. And if you want to start with the basics, the Aromatherapy Classics set brings together lavender, bergamot and geranium.
If you want to go a step further
Once you have your favourites, you can try more elaborate ways to use them:
- Diffuser blends: 3 drops of lavender and 2 of petitgrain (classic calm), 2 of lavender and 1 of ylang ylang (floral night) or 2 of sweet orange and 2 of bergamot (soft citrus).
- Your own massage oil: dilute 2-3 drops in a tablespoon of vegetable oil (sweet almond or jojoba) and massage your neck, shoulders and the soles of your feet.
- A relaxing bath: mix 5 drops of lavender with a handful of salt or a tablespoon of vegetable oil before adding them to the water, because essential oils do not dissolve on their own.
- In the shower: a few drops on the shower floor before turning on the hot water, so the steam spreads the scent.
A 10-minute ritual
- Dim the lights and leave your phone outside the bedroom.
- Switch on the diffuser with your favourite oil.
- Put a drop of lavender on your pillow.
- Take a few deep breaths as the scent fills the room.
Precautions
- Never apply essential oils neat to the skin: always dilute them.
- Ventilate the room and do not leave the diffuser on all night.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or want to use them with children, check with a professional first.
- Keep them away from pets: some oils are not safe for dogs and cats.
- Keep the bottles tightly closed and away from heat; citrus oils such as sweet orange and bergamot are the first to spoil.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best essential oil for sleep?
Lavender is the most popular and the easiest to start with. From there, try blending it with petitgrain or ylang ylang.
Can I leave the diffuser on all night?
Better not. Switching it on half an hour before and off when you go to bed is enough.
How many drops should I put on my pillow?
One or two. Essential oils are very concentrated and more is not better.
Find all the night-time scents in our Sleep collection: 100% pure, organic essential oils and Harmony Body Oil.
