PatchO + Safety

A Thoughtful Approach to Essential Oil Use for Young Children: How We Keep Little Noses (and Parents' Minds) Calm

At PatchO, we’re parents too — so we understand the need for safe, gentle, and reliable solutions that support your child’s emotional wellbeing. That’s why we’ve carefully designed our Comfort Companions with thoughtful ingredients and a lot of behind-the-scenes work to deliver gentle, low-dose aromatherapy in a way that’s safe, mess-free, and reassuring for families.

We know that as a parent, you want to know what’s in a product, how it works, and — most importantly — whether it’s safe for your child. So we've dedicated this page to run through our essential oil blend, our delivery system, and the safety standards that guide everything we do, so you feel confident using PatchO Comfort Companions.

Age Suitability: 2 Years and Up ✅

PatchO is thoughtfully crafted for children aged 2 and up — the age when big feelings begin and daily routines start to matter more. Children under two have more delicate respiratory systems and skin barriers, and some essential oils — even in small amounts — can pose risks when used regularly at that age. If your child is younger than 2, please consult your healthcare provider before use.

Have a baby or toddler under 2 nearby? That’s okay — simply use the patch on the older child, but keep it off shared bedding and avoid prolonged use in small enclosed rooms.

The PatchO Essential Oil Blend 🌿

Each patch contains a carefully crafted essential oil blend — selected for comfort, grounding, and safety, following the gold standard: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition by Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young (2014). This is the leading reference used by aromatherapists, pediatricians, and product formulators.

Here’s what’s inside, and why:

Red Mandarin essential oil (Citrus reticulata)
✔️ Safe for all ages.
🌿 Uplifting and calming — known to help lift mood and ease tension.
🍊 Extracted from the skin (peel) of the mandarin fruit.
🧪 Main component: Limonene (65–75%).
💬 Tisserand notes: Very mild, suitable even for babies.

Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
✔️ Safe for all ages.
🌿 Sleep-supportive and calming.
🪻 Extracted from the purple lavender flower.
🧪 Main components: Linalool, Linalyl acetate.
💬 Tisserand notes: Well tolerated, ideal for children.

Roman Chamomile essential oil (Anthemis nobilis)
✔️ Safe for all ages.
🌿 Emotional soother, traditionally used for teething and meltdowns.
💮 Extracted from the white chamomile flower. 
🧪 Main components: Isobutyl & isoamyl angelates.
💬 Tisserand notes: Very gentle and calming.

Rose Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens)
✔️ Safe from age 2+.
🌿 Balancing and emotionally supportive.
💮 Extracted from the pink geranium flower. 
🧪 Main components: Citronellol, Geraniol.
💬 Tisserand notes: Mild risk of sensitisation in babies.

Benzoin essential oil (Styrax benzoin)
✔️ Safe in small amounts from age 2+.
🌿 Warm, grounding, vanilla-like aroma.
🪵 Extracted from the sticky sap of a Benzoin tree.
🧪 Main components: Benzoic acid, vanillin.
💬 Tisserand notes: Use with caution due to sensitisation risk; suitable in passive formats.

Lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
✔️ Safe in small amounts from age 2+.
🌿 Bright, clarifying; supports emotional reset.
🍋 Extracted from the tall, tropical lemongrass plant. 
🧪 Main components: Citral (geranial & neral).
💬 Tisserand notes: Irritating in high doses; safe in low-dose passive inhalation.

PatchO includes only very small amounts of Lemongrass and Benzoin to round out the scent profile and extend longevity — all well within expert safety guidelines.

• 
  

Why Delivery Method Matters: Clothing-Based, Passive Aromatherapy

What makes PatchO different from other essential oil products is how it delivers the benefits:

🌀 Passive Aromatherapy
Our patches gently release essential oils through passive diffusion — like a soft scent cloud near your child’s clothing, never their skin. This means no mess, no spills, no heat, no mist and no high-dose exposure. Passive inhalation = lower systemic exposure than diffusers or roll-ons.

⏳ Timed, Gentle Release
Each patch is designed to release its aroma gently and gradually over 6–8 hours, offering consistent but low-dose support throughout the day. If required, the wear time can also be limited or adjusted for your child’s age and sensitivity by simply removing the patch.

🧥 Worn, Not Absorbed
Our patches are not absorbed through the skin like a cream or balm — they’re simply worn on clothes, bags, or comforters. This makes them a low-contact, low-risk way to enjoy aromatherapy. No direct contact with skin = greatly reduced risk of irritation or sensitisation.

What Experts Say 🧠

At PatchO, our blend was developed with guidance from the most trusted safety standards in aromatherapy. We’ve made sure our patches are aligned with expert recommendations not just for the oils we use, but for how we deliver them — through gentle, passive inhalation only, with no skin contact, and in low, child-appropriate doses.

Here’s how our approach stacks up against the leading authorities in essential oil safety:

Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand & Young (2nd Edition)

Widely considered the gold standard in clinical aromatherapy, this comprehensive reference is used by professionals worldwide to evaluate safe use of essential oils by age, delivery method, and dosage.

What they say:

• Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Mandarin, Geranium, Benzoin, and even Lemongrass are all considered safe for children aged 2+ when used in low doses via inhalation (like diffusion).
• Cautions exist for dermal use (on the skin) and ingestion, especially for younger children, but passive inhalation is consistently supported for these oils at low concentrations.
• Lemongrass and Benzoin carry mild cautions due to sensitisation risks — but these primarily apply to topical use and higher concentrations.

National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)

NAHA is a leading authority in safe, professional aromatherapy practice, particularly in holistic health and family wellness.

What they say:

• Recommends passive, ambient diffusion in children’s spaces (not direct skin or oral use)
• Notes that scented items like aromatherapy patches or toys are suitable for children when essential oil quantities are low and exposure is gentle and intermittent
• Encourages use in well-ventilated rooms, particularly for younger children
• essential oils should be used with caution in children under 2 years due to their developing systems (especially respiratory and skin sensitivity).

International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA)

IFPA sets rigorous safety standards for therapeutic essential oil use in professional settings, and includes a special focus on usage with children.

What they say:

• Supports low-dose, extended inhalation for children, particularly when oils are not in contact with skin and administered in a controlled, passive way
• Encourages careful dilution, age-appropriate oil selection, and monitoring for sensitivity.
• Advises against the routine or topical/aromatic use of essential oils in babies under 2 years unless under the guidance of a qualified clinical aromatherapist.
• Emphasises that children are more sensitive to essential oils due to thinner skin and immature immune and detoxification systems.

How PatchO aligns:

• Our oils are not applied to skin, but gently inhaled from a patch on clothing.
• Exposure is passive and adjustable (just remove the patch to end scent)
• We follow age-appropriate guidance for 2 years and up.
• Only oils that meet IFPA’s safety standards for age 2+ are included.
• Each patch contains a very small total amount of an essential oil blend.
• The ratios of the blend are chosen according to the the level of safety of the oil (i.e. mandarin and lavender highest, lemongrass and benzoin lowest).
• All patches are fixed-dose — so there’s no risk of mismeasuring or overuse.
• Scent release is slow and measured over hours.
• Patches are not to be used in poorly ventilated areas.
  
• Only one patch is used at a time, and our formula avoids overly intense oils like eucalyptus or peppermint

Clarifying the Concerns: Lemongrass & Benzoin

Lemongrass is used in very small quantities to refresh and clarify. Though citral can be irritating on skin or in large amounts, PatchO avoids these risks with low, passive, non-skin-contact use.

Benzoin acts as a natural fixative to hold the scent longer. It has a mild sensitisation risk when applied topically, which PatchO avoids by keeping it off skin.

According to Tisserand & Young and IFPA, both can be used safely in low-dose, passive inhalation formats like ours.

Made for Kids — with Care at Every Step 🧒

PatchO was made for families with young children, and we’ve taken every care to ensure that:

✅ The total dose is gentle.

✅ The delivery method is safe (passive, non-skin-contact).

✅ The exposure is controlled and slow.

✅ No strong, spicy, or phototoxic oils.

✅ Ideal for ages 2+ (adult supervision required).

We recommend starting with short wear (1–2 hours) and observing your child’s response.

How to Use PatchO Comfort Companions Safely

Here's how you can use PatchO safely:

✅ Peel and stick the patch onto your child’s clothing, ideally near the collarbone or upper chest (not on skin).

🧍 Use one patch at a time.

 ⏱  Start with shorter wear times (1–2 hours) for younger children or first-time users.

🚫 Discontinue use if irritation, rash, coughing, or any discomfort occurs.

👶 Use only with active adult supervision.

🐾 Store patches out of reach of children and pets.

💨 Use in well ventilated spaces. Avoid placing under tight clothing or blankets — airflow helps diffusion.

👪 Use alongside your child — your example of compliance, calm, and breathing helps them feel safer and more attuned.

Ready to use PatchO with your little one? Here’s our How to Use Page to help you get started.

Important Safety Information ⚠️

PatchO is recommended for children aged 2 years and older. While our essential oil blend is used in low, gentle doses and applied only to clothing (not skin), it still contains ingredients like Lemongrass and Benzoin, which may not be suitable for children under 2 due to potential sensitivities and developing respiratory systems.

• Always use PatchO as directed on this website and product packaging.
• Adult supervision is required.
• Do not use on or near broken skin, eyes, or mouth.
• Use in well ventilated areas. 
• If ingested, seek medical attention immediately (AU Poison Control: 13 11 26).
• If your child has asthma, eczema, or known sensitivities to fragrances or essential oils, consult a healthcare provider before use.
• Patch test is recommended - see below.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding? See our FAQ page for details.

Disclaimer: PatchO is not a medical product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use of PatchO outside the recommended age, guidelines, or intended method (external use only) is at your own risk. PatchO is not liable for any adverse outcomes resulting from misuse or off-label application.

Remember, PatchO supports emotional presence, but isn’t a substitute for comforting from a caring parent — emotional attunement is still the most powerful support.

Still unsure? Here’s what you can do (Patch Test):

👃 Start with a sniff test – Open the bag and let your child smell the patch before use.

 ⏱  Shorter durations – Begin with just 1–2 hours and observe.

👕 Apply to outer layers – Stick the patch to a cardigan or jacket instead of a t-shirt.

📒 Keep a little patch diary – Note how your child responds, emotionally and physically. Observe for any signs of irritation or strong reaction.  If all is well, you're good to go. 

In Summary 💛

You can feel confident knowing that each PatchO:

• Uses a calm, age-appropriate essential oil blend, specifically for age 2+. 
• Is formulated in line with industry aromatherapy guidelines (Tisserand & Young’s Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.), NAHA & IFPA).
• Delivers oils in a gentle, controlled way. (Passive delivery only — not on skin, not in air vents, not on bedsheets)
• Was designed for real family life — and big little feelings.

We believe families deserve products that are safe, effective and transparent.   Our promise? To always prioritise family safety, not just with the oils we use — but with how we deliver them.

Still Have Questions? 💬

Check out our FAQ page for answers to our most common questions about PatchO, Safe use, age guidance, product info and more or reach out to our team. We're here to support you.