The Summer Solstice brings the longest day of the year, giving us more time to enjoy evening walks, al fresco dining and the best of the summer season.
But those long, light evenings can sometimes make it a little harder to switch off at bedtime. When daylight lingers well into the evening, your body may receive fewer of the natural cues that signal it's time to start winding down.
While we can't change when the sun sets, we can create an environment that encourages rest. By introducing calming scents and reducing light exposure in the evening, you can help signal to your senses that the day is coming to an end.
Here are three plant-based essential oils that can help support a more relaxing bedtime routine during midsummer.
1. Lavender Essential Oil (The Classic Grounding Choice)
There is a reason Lavender remains the benchmark for evening care. It contains natural linalool, a botanical compound that interacts gently with your senses to encourage relaxation. Instead of an overwhelming floral scent, a high-quality, pure Lavender oil should smell herbaceous, clean, and earthy.
How to use it: Add 3–4 drops to a bedroom diffuser thirty minutes before you plan to turn the lights out. Let the scent settle into the room while you get ready.
2. Clary Sage Essential Oil (For Quietening Late-Night Mental Chatter)
When extended daylight leaves you feeling physically tired but mentally over-alert, Clary Sage is an exceptional botanical alternative. It is naturally rich in linalyl acetate, sharing structural similarities with Lavender but offering a completely different sensory profile. It delivers a bittersweet, musky, and deeply herbaceous aroma that helps clear away the day's residual mental momentum.
How to use it: Mix 2 drops with a tablespoon of a lightweight carrier oil, such as Jojoba Oil, and gently massage it onto your wrists or inner elbows as part of your winding-down routine.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil (For Deep, Slow Breathing)
Frankincense is often overlooked for sleep, but its warm, woody, and resinous texture makes it incredibly grounding. It encourages slower, deeper breathing, which physically tells your nervous system that it is safe to downshift.
How to use it: Put a single drop onto a tissue placed near your pillow, allowing the steady, warm aroma to drift through the night.
The Midsummer Sleep Solution (Automatic Free Gift when you spend over £30)
To help you find total darkness during the longest days of the year, we're gifting a practical summer offer.
From now until 13th July, whenever you spend £30 or more on our natural ingredients or ready-to-use blends, we will automatically add a soft, woven sleep mask to your basket for free.
There are no codes to type in and no extra steps at checkout. Once your basket hits £30, the mask is added on us. Paired with a grounding evening oil, it's a simple, non-nonsense way to block out the midsummer light and get the rest your body actually needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Sleep & Natural Oils
Which essential oils are best for sleep in the summer?
Lavender, Clary Sage, and Frankincense are highly effective essential oils for summer sleep routines. Lavender contains linalool, which helps calm the senses; Clary Sage settles an overactive, restless mind; and Frankincense provides a warm, woody aroma that encourages deep, slow breathing when the evening daylight keeps you awake.
How do I use essential oils safely for sleep?
For a simple evening routine, you can diffuse 3–4 drops of pure essential oil in an ultrasonic diffuser 30 minutes before bed. If you prefer topical application, always dilute essential oils into a carrier oil—such as Sweet Almond or Jojoba Oil—before applying to your wrists or feet. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin.
Can I apply essential oils to my skin before going out in the summer sun?
Some essential oils, particularly cold-pressed citrus oils like Bergamot, Lemon, or Grapefruit, cause photosensitivity and can irritate the skin if exposed to sunlight. While the calming oils recommended for sleep (like Lavender and Frankincense) are generally safe, it is best practice to keep application to your evening routine or choose covered areas like the soles of your feet if you plan to be out in the sun the next day.
Why does the Summer Solstice affect my sleep?
The Summer Solstice brings over 16 hours of daylight to the UK. Extended evening light suppresses the natural production of melatonin, the hormone that signals to your brain that it is time to rest. Creating a physical barrier to light with a sleep mask, combined with the sensory cue of calming natural oils, helps manually reset your evening routine.