Carrier Oils
Dilute your favourite essential oils and nourish your skin with our selection of pure and natural carrier oils.
Information
What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils, like essential oils, are all natural substances derived and extracted from part of plant material - including nuts, seeds, and kernels. They are often extracted via cold pressing.
Often unscented or lightly scented, carrier oils are designed to "carry" more potent oils into the skin without causing any unwanted irritations or reactions. They can also be used on their own to help nourish and renew your skin, hair, and face.
Use of carrier oils is always recommended when applying essential oils topically, as failing to do so could lead to several, sometimes long-lasting, skin complications.
Carrier oils are the number one method for enjoying the benefits of essential oils safely.
Why use carrier oils with essential oils?
If nothing else, carrier oils are a must if you are wanting to apply essential oils to your skin.
Essential oils should never be applied undiluted, and carrier oils can provide a great shield between your sensitive skin and the potent benefits of your chosen oil.
Applied on their own or mixed with essential oils, carrier oils can have a number of restorative benefits for the skin, hair, and face - among other regions.
Commonly, carrier oils are used as a nourishing, moisturising base for massages, and can help combine the numerous advantages of the essential oils and their scents with their own soothing, vitamin-rich properties.
Carrier oils can also be used with essential oils to create effective hair masks (like rosemary oil for hair) and can make for beneficial facial cleaners as well as nail and cuticle treatments.
What makes an ideal carrier oil?
Any vegetable-based, seed-based or nut-based oil with a lightweight consistency makes for a great carrier oil.
Carrier oils like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and sea buckthorn oil, among others, are so popular due to their easy-to-use consistencies that make them ideal for application to the skin, hair, and body.
The best carrier oils for essential oils will ideally have little to no fragrance, allowing the aromas of the essential oils to come through with sufficient potency. This same rule applies for fragrance oils, if you choose to use them instead for application to the face and body.
What can be used as a carrier oil?
Using any other oil not derived from the same common sources as standard carrier oil is not recommended. Despite being labelled as possible "alternatives" baby oil and petroleum jelly, as well as butter or margarine, will not function in the same way as these plant or vegetable-based carrier oils.
Try and find something that you think will complement your existing essential oil, though it doesn’t have to be the perfect fit.
Some oils that can be used as a carrier oil include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Avocado oil is one of many alternatives to massage oils. It's moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and high in fat, making it a perfect base for a restorative massage.
Cold pressed oils like jojoba, argan, and sweet almond all make fantastic body oils thanks to their high levels of vitamin E. Vegetable oils like argan and coconut can alsomake great skincare bases.
Jojoba oil is often viewed as the most moisturising carrier oil due to its wealth of essential fatty acids that can repair and hydrate the skin, as well as its high levels of oleic acid. Though, coconut oil is another great option for overall skin health.
The most common carrier oil is often considered to be coconut oil due to its versatility, availability, and beneficial properties.
Other popular carrier oils include jojoba oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil. The choice of carrier oil can depend on the specific use and individual preferences.
Absolutely, olive oil can serve as an excellent carrier oil. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils before they're applied to the skin.
Olive oil is a great choice due to its gentle nature and compatibility with most skin types.
Its thicker consistency allows for slower absorption of essential oils, extending their benefits.
It's important to use extra virgin olive oil, as it's less processed and retains more nutrients.
However, remember that all carrier oils, including olive oil, can turn rancid over time. Store it in a cool, dark place to extend its shelf life.
Among the numerous carrier oils, jojoba oil is often praised for its quick absorption. It closely mimics our skin's own sebum, making it particularly effective at penetrating the skin's surface.
Another choice is fractionated coconut oil, which has a light consistency and absorbs quite fast.
Grapeseed oil, due to its thin texture, is also known for its rapid absorption rate. Each oil comes with its unique benefits, so the best one for you may depend on your individual skin type and the specific needs you are looking to address.
While Bio-Oil is a well-known skincare product, it's not typically used as a carrier oil for essential oils.
It's a branded product that already contains various ingredients, including vitamins and botanical extracts. If used as a carrier oil, it might alter the properties and effectiveness of the essential oil you're trying to apply.
Traditional carrier oils like jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, or almond oil are generally better options as they are pure, natural oils that effectively dilute essential oils for safe topical application.
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How to use carrier oils
The moisturising properties and gentle consistencies of carrier oils make them easy to use and ideal for creating your own all-natural remedies at home.
Not all carrier oils are built equal, so trying out the best ones for you based on scent, durability, and absorption is a great place to start.
A good rule of thumb to adopt when using carrier oils is to dilute 2 drops of your chosen essential oils with one teaspoon of carrier oil. This will then make the essential oil safe to apply all over your skin (but remember to perform a patch test first!)
Learn more about how to dilute your essential oils with carrier oils.
Where are carrier oils sourced from?
In general, carrier oils are usually extracted from a vegetable, such as avocado or coconut; however, they can also be derived from nuts, seeds, and common plants or fruit kernels.
Most carrier oils are obtained via cold pressing, whereby the source of the oil is crushed without the use of heat in order to extract the oil from within it.
A lot of carrier oils are also associated with cooking; however, ensuring the oil is food-grade is an important step if you wish to use carrier oils in this way.