What are Carrier Oils and how do you use them?

Essential Oils are very concentrated so, when applied to the skin, they need to be diluted. This is where the carrier oils come in. They are used to help ‘carry’ essential oils to your skin, without interfering with the therapeutic properties of the essential oils. These carrier oils can be used on their own, infused with herbs or with other oils to help nourish your skin.

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are vegetable oils, usually derived from the seed, nut or kernel of a plant. They do have their own therapeutic properties and are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin. This is because, if essential oils are applied directly to the skin, they may cause reactions such as severe irritation, redness, a rash or itching and even skin sensitization. Dermal sensitization happens when an essential oil comes in contact with the skin, causing an immediate reaction such as itchiness, redness and swelling of the area.

Many carrier oils have are odourless, though some do have a slight odour that may be altered with an essential oil is added. Some carrier oils are also absorbed better that others, and some may irritate or worsen an exisiting skin condition, such as acne, so care needs to be taken when choosing which carrier oil to use.

There are so many different types of carrier oils to choose from. When looking for a carrier oil, select ones based on how you are using the carrier oil, its scent, therapeutic properties and the skin type it will be used on.

The main carrier oils I use are fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba and grapeseed.

List of Popular Carrier Oils

Apricot Kernel Oil

This is a gentle oil, making it great for those with sensitive skin and for use with children. It is also a great substitute for Sweet Almond Oil.

Argan Oil

This wonderful oil is high in vitamin E and helps soften the skin. It absorbs quickly, making it good for facial skin care as it can restore and repair your skin without clogging your pores. It is a great carrier oil for fizzy hair.

Avocado Oil

This oil is high in fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins. It is great for sensitive and problem skin, though it is usually combined with other carrier oils and not used alone. It contains vitamins A, D and E to help nourish the skin.

Coconut Oil

This oil is naturally antifunglal and antibacterial which makes it great for use in DIY products such as lotions and lip balms. It can be solid or liquid at room temperature depending on the temperature of where you live. It can be combined with other oils as well. Fractionated coconut oil is always a liquid and is great for using in roller bottles. Fractionated coconut oil is inexpensive, clear and doesn’t stain.. it also doesn’t have a strong odour, so it won’t compete with essential oils.

Grapeseed Oil

This is a dry oil that won’t be that oily on your skin. As it is a natural astringent, it is good for use on acne prone or oily skin. It is wonderful for oily hair and skin recipes such as sugar scrubs. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks and blemishes.

Hempseed Oil

This oil has amazing moisturising and skin softening properties. It is good for treatment of dry, itchy skin. It can also help reduce inflammation and redness caused by acne.

Jojoba Oil

This popular carrier oil is close to the oils that are produced by your body. It absorbs easily and is not greasy. It is a great carrier oil for skin products.

Macadamia Oil

Is another dry oil that isn’t oily on your skin. Great for skin and hair products.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Is high is vitamins A and E and also contains essential fatty acids that promote elastin and collagen production. Often used in creams and balms that are used for stretch marks, burns, wrinkles and eczema.

Sweet Almond Oil

This versatile oil is high in vitamins A & E and is great for moisturising for your skin and as a massage oil. Do not use this oil if you have a nut allergy. Sweet almond oil is a wet oil that absorbs into your skin slower than a dry oil will.

How to Use with Essential Oils

Although most carrier oils don’t cause allergic reactions, it is always best to do a patch test prior to using. If you’re allergic to nuts, you shouldn’t use carrier oils from nuts, such as sweet almond oil, argan oil and apricot kernel oil. Carrier oils should be kept in a cool, dark place, many are recommended to be kept in the refrigerator, in a dark glass bottle.

Carrier oils make diluting essential oils safe. Always follow proper diluting guidelines when doing this as well using essentials oil as well as following the guidelines of essential oils safe for use for children, pregnancy and breastfeeding as well as those with illnesses.

For adults:

2.5 percent dilution: 15 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons (one ounce) of carrier oil
3 percent dilution: 20 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons (one ounce) of carrier oil
5 percent dilution: 30 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons (one ounce) of carrier oil
10 percent dilution: 60 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons (one ounce) of carrier oil

For children:

.5 to 1 percent dilution: 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons (one ounce) of carrier oil

Using carrier oils not only help nourish and moisturise the skin, they also help make it possible to use essential oils safely. Not all oils make good carrier oils either. And remember, once a carrier oil has essential oils in it, it should not be used in eyes and other sensitive areas.

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What are Carrier Oils and how do you use them?