What is a carrier oil and what does carrier oil mean?
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils allowing you to apply them to the skin without irritation. Carrier oils are also great for the hair and skin when used alone.
You can use carrier oils to dilute your essential oils for use in products like roll on perfumes, moisturisers, body oils and more. Basically, once an essential oil is mixed with a carrier oil it is safe for use.
There are many different carrier oils you could choose to use and they all have their own benefits. Some examples include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil and more.
Choosing the right carrier oil for your blend of essential oil can enhance/ speed up the benefits from the essential oils. For example, rosehip oil is a great choice for aging skin and would work great with anti aging lavender oil.
For oily skin types, hemp oil, grapeseed oil and apricot kernel oil are all great choices of carrier oils. If you have dry skin like me, you can try sweet almond oil, avocado oil or jojoba oil. For aging skin, you can try rosehip oil, sunflower oil and argan oil.
Whether you are looking to use a carrier oil for perfume or use a carrier oil for massage this guide is here to help, answering questions like what is carrier oil and carrier oils and their benefits, the best carrier oil for skin and a lot more.
What Is A Carrier Oil?
A carrier oil is a fixed oil that is fatty based, non volatile and non evaporative. They are used to dilute essential oils to make them safe for use on the skin. Carrier oils also contain a heap of beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and are great for the skin.
In aromatherapy, carrier oils play a key role of delivering essential oils to benefit emotional and physical well being.
You may be wondering what is a good carrier oil? Well there are many different carrier oils you could use, with different carrier oils suiting particular skin types better than others and I have listed some of my favourites below.
PinWhat Can I Use As A Carrier Oil?
There are so many oils you can use as a carrier oil for your essential oils. You can find useful information below about each of my 10 favourite carrier oils, in no particular order, to help find the best carrier oil for you. Here is my list of carrier oils and their benefits.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a great choice for all skin types and dry skin. It has great emollient properties that work to smooth and soften your skin. They contain the essential fatty acids oleic acid and linoleic acids, vitamins and minerals that are touted as being anti aging. I like using sweet almond oil as a carrier oil for lavender as I find it works well on my dry skin.
Almond oil is slow absorbing, making it a good choice for massage as well. Those with nut allergies should avoid this product.
Some say sweet almond oil is the best carrier oil for lavender, tea tree oil carrier oil and one of the best carrier oil for reed diffusers.
PinJojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a great choice of carrier oil for those with dry, rough or irritated skin, oily skin and is a good carrier oil for acne prone skin. It has properties that make it softening, balancing and soothing on the skin.
Jojoba oil is absorbed fairly quickly and is light on the skin, leaving a silky texture behind. It helps to balance the skins’ oil production and so it is a great choice for acne prone, oily and dry skin.
Jojoba oil is not actually an oil, though it is called it. It is actually a liquid wax that melts at 10 degrees celcius, and it is the best occulsive agent of the vegetable oils. It forms a thin layer which helps to prevent moisture loss. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which is good for dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Jojoba oil contains high amounts of natural antioxidants that help to extend its shelf life.
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Avocado Oil
Avocado carrier oil benefits?
Avocado oil can be used by all skin types, particularly those with dry skin, aging skin and eczema.
Avocado oil comes in two varieties known as refined and unrefined. Unrefined is thick with a strong aroma and a dark green colour while refined is thin, light in smell and texture.
Both versions absorb quickly into the skin and are full of essential fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, vitamins E and D and minerals. They are great for helping with skin regenerating, anti aging, and skin softening qualities.
Both can help to prevent moisture loss on the skin. Rich, nourishing and long-lasting, it is a great oil.
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PinGrapeseed oil
Can you use grapeseed oil as a carrier oil? Yes, absolutely!
What are the grapeseed carrier oil benefits? There are plenty! Grapeseed oil is a great choice for those with oily skin types and is a great choice of carrier oil for reed diffuser as it is low in aroma.
Grapeseed oil is considered the lightest of the carrier oils, and it contains an array of properties that make it a popular product in skin and hair care. Looking for the best carrier oil for hair? This may be the one.
Grapeseed oil helps with skin redness and breakouts, it helps to balance and calm the skin. Due to its astringent properties, it can tighten and tone the pores. It can reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
If you have been looking for a carrier oil for face, grapeseed oil is a great option for all skin types. Grapeseed oil is light, absorbed easily and odourless and is one of the best carrier oil options for tea tree oil and carrier oil for diffuser.
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is a good choice of oil for those with mature, sensitive, oily, acne prone, eczema and scarring. Rosehip oil contains rejuvenating, healing and regenerating qualities that help to repair damaged skin, reduce the signs of aging, scarring and acne.
Rosehip oil contains essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid that help with anti-aging, and it is known as one of the best anti-aging carrier oils. It is fast absorbing, yellow in colour and has a light aroma that is barely noticeable.
PinEvening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is a great choice of oil for all skin types but especially those with acne, oily, dry or mature skin types. It is a light oil that is quickly absorbed by the skin.
Evening primrose oil is rich in essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid, vitamins and minerals. It has emollient qualities which help to keep the skin smooth and soft and also helps to maintain the skins’ hydration.
Evening primrose oil is used for helping skin regeneration, anti-aging, soothing the skin, helping skin retain moisture, treating eczema and psoriasis and more.
Click here to buy it on eBay now.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a light and medium to quick absorbing oil that is suitable for all skin types, especially those with dry, rough or irritated skin.
Sunflower oil is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and oleic acid, vitamin E (antioxidant) and minerals. These qualities make sunflower oil super nourishing on the skin, helping with anti aging and keeping the skin looking fresh and young.
The linoleic acid found in sunflower oil helps the skin to retain moisture which makes it a great option for those with dry skin.
PinCastor Oil
Is castor oil a carrier oil? Can castor oil be used as a carrier oil? Yes it is and yes it can. Although it should be added to a carrier oil itself.
Castor oil as a carrier oil is suitable for dry, mature skin and those with eczema, acne and psoriasis. Castor oil is very slow to absorb into the skin and it provides a very soothing, thick and shiny protective layer that makes it great for salves and balms.
When castor oil is used in cleansing skin care products, it has the ability to attract and draw away dirt from the skin. Unlike other carrier oils, castor oil is rich in the essential fatty acid, ricinoleic acid, which is a unique feature of this oil. However some people may be allergic to ricinoleic acid.
Castor oil also contains anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful for reducing skin puffiness, redness and irritation.
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Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel carrier oil is a great choice of oil for those with sensitive, dry and mature skin types. It is a slow absorbing oil – making it a good choice for massage.
Apricot Kernel oil has emollient properties which soften and smooth the skin. It contains high amounts of essential fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acids, vitamins and minerals. It contains antiseptic, antibacterial and antioxidant qualities which can help break outs and environmental pollutants.
Apricot kernel oil is good for improving the skin tone, maintaining the skins’ softness and smoothness and enhancing the radiance of the skin. It can also reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles.
How To Use A Carrier Oil
There are so many different ways you can use a carrier oil.
You can simply use the carrier oil alone on your skin or you can mix your chosen carrier oil with an essential oil/s to apply directly onto the skin.
For a single use, you can squeeze some of your carrier oil into the palm of your hand and place 1-2 drops of your essential oil into it and it’s ready to apply onto the skin.
For more recipes using carrier oils, you can check out my huge range of recipes here.
PinWhere Can I Buy A Carrier Oil?
The easiest place to buy carrier oils is online.
Click here for Amazon Australia which has many options or here for eBay.
If you are in the US, click here for Amazon US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Carrier Oil?
The best carrier oil is going to be a personal decision. My personal favourite would have to be sweet almond oil as I have found it a good fit for my skin type. Your best carrier oil may be different to mine based on your skin type and your personal wants and needs from a carrier oil.
For example, do you want an odourless carrier oil for reed diffusion? Do you want a hydrating oil for dry skin? Its up to you to find the best fit for your needs.
Is Jojoba A Carrier Oil?
Yes, as you would have guessed by now, jojoba oil, although actually a wax, can be used as a carrier oil and you can read more about this carrier oil above.
Can Olive Oil Be Used As A Carrier Oil?
Is olive oil a carrier oil? Is olive oil a good carrier oil? Can you use olive oil as a carrier oil?
Yes, olive oil can be used as a carrier oil – in a pinch. However, I do not recommend you regularly use olive oil on your skin as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria, clogging pores and causing acne.
It is considered comedogenic and has a heavier scent than other carrier oils, so like I said, yes you can use it as a safe way to use your essential oils. However, I do not recommend regular use.
What Is The Best Carrier Oil For Reed Diffuser?
The best carrier oil for reed diffusers again is going to be a personal decision. However, picking oils that are light, thin and odourless is the best option for getting the most scent out of your reed diffuser.
You can pick from a range of carrier oils that are thin and basically odourless like sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil and apricot kernel oil.
Final Words
I hope you have enjoyed this guide explaining what a carrier oil is and now have no questions left about carrier oils.
Carrier oils are super useful and essential in natural skincare.
Learn more about how to use carrier oils in my favourite recipes here. You can also find more guides to natural living here, natural preservatives here or read what emollients are here. Click here to learn how to use carrier oils with essential oils.
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