Essential Oils That Belong On Mount Rushmore Of Essential Oils

When someone says something deserves a place on Mount Rushmore, what do they really mean?

They’re usually not talking about carving faces into stone anymore. Today, “Mount Rushmore” is used as a way of saying “the top four”—the best of the best. It’s often used in fun conversations to rank favorite athletes, musicians, tech brands, or even fast food chains.

Mount Rushmore itself is a famous monument in South Dakota, USA. It has the giant faces of four American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt—carved into a granite mountain. These four leaders were chosen to represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States.

In everyday talk now, people say things like:

• “What’s your Mount Rushmore of basketball players?”

• “Name your Mount Rushmore of comfort foods.”

• “What’s your Mount Rushmore of classic movies?”

So today, we’ll do something fun and interesting: we’ll build our Mount Rushmore of essential oils—the four oils that stand out in every way. These are the oils that have earned their place in almost every home, spa, wellness kit, and even doctor’s cabinet.

These essential oils are famous not just because they smell nice, but because they’re versatile, effective, and backed by years of traditional use and modern research.

Ready to find out which oils made the cut?

1. Lavender Essential Oil – The Universal Hero

If there’s one essential oil that almost everyone has heard of—or even owns—it’s lavender. It’s the most obvious pick, and for good reason. Lavender essential oil is known as the “Swiss Army knife” of aromatherapy. It's calming, soothing, and widely loved.

The aroma is floral, light, and relaxing. It helps ease stress, anxiety, and insomnia, making it a favorite for nighttime routines. But lavender isn’t just for your pillow or diffuser. It also has mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which means it’s used in skin care for acne, minor burns, and insect bites. You’ll find lavender in soaps, bath products, creams, oils, shampoos, and even natural first-aid kits.

Lavender belongs on Mount Rushmore because it’s gentle but powerful, and it can be used by almost anyone—including children. It supports both the body and mind, and it does so gracefully, without ever being too strong or overwhelming.

2. Tea Tree Essential Oil – The Cleanser and Protector

If lavender is the gentle hero, tea tree oil is the tough protector. Native to Australia, tea tree essential oil has been used for centuries by Aboriginal people for its strong antimicrobial properties. Today, it’s one of the most trusted oils for fighting bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Tea tree oil is found in countless products—face washes, shampoos, acne creams, foot sprays, and cleaning solutions. Why? Because it works. It helps treat acne, dandruff, fungal infections, cuts, scrapes, and even mold in your home. It’s nature’s disinfectant—and unlike synthetic chemicals, it doesn’t come with a harsh smell or side effects when used properly.

What makes tea tree oil worthy of its spot on the essential oil Mount Rushmore is its effectiveness, reliability, and versatility. It’s one of those oils that actually replaces several synthetic products in a home. If there’s one oil you’d want in your medicine cabinet, it’s this one.

3. Frankincense Essential Oil – The Sacred All-Rounder

Frankincense may sound exotic and ancient—because it is. This oil was one of the gifts brought to baby Jesus, and has been burned in temples, used in rituals, and prized in medicine for over 2,000 years. Today, it still holds a sacred place in both spiritual and wellness communities.

Frankincense oil is known for its ability to reduce inflammation, support skin health, and promote emotional balance. It’s often used in meditation and yoga practices because it helps center the mind and slow down the breath. Many users say it creates a feeling of peace and inner stability.

On the physical side, frankincense is great for scar healing, anti-aging skincare, and even respiratory support. It's commonly blended into face serums and oils because it tones the skin and promotes regeneration.

What earns frankincense its Mount Rushmore spot is its deep-rooted history, powerful properties, and calming energy. It’s one of the few oils that benefits the mind, body, and spirit equally.

The Toughest Pick: Choosing the Final Face on the Mountain

Deciding the first three oils was easy—Lavender, Tea Tree, and Frankincense are legends in the world of essential oils. But the fourth? That took some time.

There are so many deserving contenders:

• Peppermint – famous for its energy boost and headache relief

• Eucalyptus – essential for respiratory health and seasonal support

• Chamomile – loved for calming nerves and soothing sensitive skin

• Rose – the queen of skincare and emotional balance

• Lemon – the go-to oil for detoxing and cleaning

• Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, Geranium, Bergamot—each of them has something special

But only one oil could make it to the mountaintop. After long thought, we picked a star that’s not only powerful but also multi-functional, emotionally uplifting, and widely used in both personal and professional aromatherapy. So, our fourth essential oil that belongs on Mount Rushmore is…

4. Peppermint Essential Oil – The Sharp and Strong Performer

Peppermint oil is the wake-up call in a bottle. One whiff and you’ll feel its crisp, minty coolness rush through your senses. It's an oil that speaks loud, works fast, and lingers just long enough to make a strong impact.

Peppermint belongs on Mount Rushmore because of its broad range of benefits. It’s commonly used for:

• Headache relief – a dab on the temples can ease tension

• Mental clarity – it improves focus and alertness

• Digestive aid – just a whiff can help calm nausea or bloating

• Muscle relief – when blended into massage oils, it cools and soothes sore muscles

• Respiratory support – it helps open up the airways

Unlike some oils that are subtle or slow to show effects, peppermint works almost instantly. Its menthol-rich composition gives it that icy-hot feel, which also helps with joint and muscle pain. It’s one of the few oils that’s equally useful in a morning routine, post-workout care, or even during travel.

Plus, peppermint is found in toothpastes, balms, pain rubs, shampoos, foot creams, and lip balms. It’s not just an essential oil—it’s a daily necessity in many homes around the world.

Its boldness, versatility, and effectiveness earn peppermint its rightful place as the fourth face on the Mount Rushmore of essential oils.

Final Thoughts: Building the Mountain of Essentials

So there you have it. The Mount Rushmore of essential oils, according to us, looks like this:

1. Lavender – The calm

2. Tea Tree – The protector

3. Frankincense – The sacred healer

4. Peppermint – The powerhouse

Each of these oils is more than just a pleasant smell. They’re time-tested, research-supported, and deeply loved by essential oil users around the world. They bring comfort, healing, and support—naturally.

Of course, every essential oil has something beautiful to offer. And maybe your personal Mount Rushmore looks different. That’s the beauty of nature—it gives us so many options to choose from.

But if you’re just starting your essential oil journey or looking to build a solid, reliable collection—these four are the perfect foundation.

Now the question is: which one will you reach for today?