Plants are used to create essential oils and carrier oils. Essential oils are “carried” to your skin via carrier oils after being diluted. This is because essential oils are strong and irritate the skin when used topically. The medicinal effects of essential oil are not affected by most carrier oils, which are often odourless or only mildly perfumed. They can be used alone or with other oils to hydrate your skin.
To learn more about selecting the best carrier oil, some available varieties, and other topics, keep reading Soapery’s guide on carrier oil for essential oils.
What Is The Use Of Carrier Oils?
Since essential oils are volatile, they quickly lose their scent and other inherent qualities of the plant. They may become too potent to use undiluted as a result. Carrier oils are the ideal vehicle for diluting particularly potent essential oils since they do not evaporate and have a mild odour, lowering the essential oil concentration without changing its therapeutic properties. You can also manage an essential oil’s concentration before applying it by diluting it with carrier oil.
Carrier oils have a finite shelf life, which means that someday they may go wrong, much like other things that are heavy in fat. Short-life oils should be utilised within six months. However, oils with a longer shelf life may remain helpful for up to a year, depending on the type. Oils should be kept in original, airtight containers and in a cool, dark location, like the pantry, to extend their shelf life.
The consistency, absorption, aroma, shelf life, and other properties of carrier oils can vary greatly. You can mix and match carrier oils to create the perfect combination until you find one that changes or combines their qualities.
How to Choose The Appropriate Carrier Oil
There are numerous carrier oils on the market. The majority can be used with any essential oil. Here are factors to consider before selecting one.
Odour: It may change the aroma of essential oil when introduced.
Absorption: Some carrier oils are better absorbed by your skin than others.
Skin type: Some oils may irritate the skin or exacerbate an issue like acne, depending on your skin type.
Shelf life: Some carrier oils have a longer shelf life and can be stored without going bad.
Some carrier oils marketed for cosmetics are not governed by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, they control edible cooking oils that may also be used as carrier oils. Only purchase carrier oils of the highest medicinal quality from a supplier you can rely on. Look for cold-pressed, completely pure, additive- and preservative-free oils. Choose cold-pressed, organic varieties of cooking oils if you wish to utilise them as carrier oils.
Best Oils and Uses
The following is a list of popular carrier oils diluted with essential oils for skin care, massage, and aromatherapy. Although not comprehensive, the list is a decent place to start.
Olive Oil
Pressed olives are the source of olive oil. It is primarily recognized as a fruity-smelling, healthful culinary oil but also a carrier oil in aromatherapy. Extra-virgin is the optimum type of olive oil for aromatherapy and skin care products. Some essential oils’ scents may clash with olive oil’s aroma.
Uses: It is excellent for washing and hydrating dry skin because it contains fatty acids and plant sterols. For massage, facial cleansers, hair care, and handmade soaps, use olive oil as a carrier oil.
Coconut Oil
An edible oil called coconut oil is created from the meat of mature coconuts. You can buy it in refined or unrefined forms. Fresh coconut meat is the source of unrefined coconut oil. It is not chemically processed and yet has the flavour and aroma of coconut. Dried coconut meat, often known as copra, is a source of refined coconut oil. It is bleached and deodorised to get rid of impurities and the distinctive coconut flavour and scent. Coconut oil that has been refined is not natural and should not be used as a carrier oil.
Uses: Coconut oil is an excellent carrier for massage and skin care products since it includes skin-nourishing fatty acids and polyphenols.
Rosehip Oil
The Rosa rubiginosa or Rosa moschata bush produces rosehips as its seeds. Both shrubs have flowers that don’t resemble typical roses. The rosehip is left over when these flowers wither and drop their petals. Rosehips are used for crushing rosehip oil. However, rosehip oil doesn’t smell like a rose. It smells earthy and nutty.
Uses: Rosehip oil has high levels of vitamins A and C. Both vitamins can assist in reversing the effects of the sun on your skin. Vitamin A is a natural retinoid that fights age. Use it as a carrier oil for moisturisers, massage oils, and treatments for dry skin.
Jojoba Oil
The seeds of the jojoba plant are the source of jojoba oil. It smells lovely and nutty. Jojoba is technically a wax with strong moisturising characteristics rather than an oil. Sebum, the skin’s natural oil, is said to resemble it closely. Because jojoba oil tricks the skin into believing it has created enough oil, using it on acne-prone skin may help reduce oil production.
Uses: Jojoba oil is used because it quickly absorbs into the skin and doesn’t clog pores. As a result, it functions well as a carrier oil for bath oils, facial moisturisers, and massage oils.
Sweet Almond Oil
The aroma of sweet almond oil is intensely nutty. It is an edible oil produced from sweet almond kernels. The oil is a fantastic moisturiser for dry skin because it is thin and absorbs readily. Although its powerful perfume might obscure the aroma of an essential oil, it is also utilised in general aromatherapy.
Uses: One of the most widely used carrier oils for skin care is sweet almond oil. It works well in soaps, bath oils, and massage oils.
Bottom Line
Carrier oils are oils used to dissolve essential oils to be safe to put on the skin. Odour, absorption, skin type, and shell life are the factors you need to consider when choosing carrier oil. We truly hope that this article has provided you with a better understanding of how carrier oils work and why they are so essential. If you have any questions, kindly share them in the comments section.