Have some questions about carrier oils and how to use them with essential oils? If you use essential oils, then you are very familiar with carrier oils used to dilute your essential oils. This post goes over everything you need to know about Carrier Oils. There is no need to get overwhelmed when it comes to using essential oils with carrier oils. They go hand in hand so beautifully and offer so many positive benefits.
What Are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are used in aromatherapy to dilute essential oils before applying them topically to the skin. Also called vegetable oils, base oils, or fixed oils. Carrier oils are mainly extracted from the seeds, nuts or kernels of plants.
Carrier oils are used with essential oils to dilute the potency of the essential oil and to help the essential oils go further in roller bottle blends.
The term “carrier” also refers to any substance used to dilute essential oils:
- Unscented Lotion
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Natural Butters (shea butter, mango butter)
Carrier Oils vs Essential Oils
| Carrier Oils | Essential Oils |
| Extracted from fatty plant parts (seeds, nuts, kernels) | Extracted from a variety of plant or tree parts (leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, bark, wood, resin, fruit) |
| Little to no aroma | Highly aromatic |
| Can apply liberally to the skin as is (no dilution needed), or can be used as a base to dilute essential oils | Before applying topically to the skin, it is best practice to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil |
| Fixed oils, they do not evaporate | Volatile oils, they evaporate quickly |
Benefits of Using Carrier Oils
Protect Skin: Applying essential oils directly to the skin may cause irritation, burning, or redness.
Moisturise the Skin: With skin being our largest organ it is important to keep it healthy, carrier oils have nourishing properties.
Easy Application: You can cover a larger area when using carrier oils.
Better Absorption: Essential oils evaporate quickly, using them with carriers slows down the evaporation process so they have time to absorb.
Save Money: Drop per drop, carrier oils cost less.
Common Carrier Oils
- Coconut Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Argan Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Rosehip Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Olive Oil
- Avocado Oil
1. COCONUT OIL
- The most versatile carrier oil.
- Blends nicely with essential oils.
- Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal.
- Use it in its whole form for DIY recipes.
- Use it in its liquid format (the proteins have been removed so it stays liquid) for roller bottle recipes.
Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is extracted from the white meat of coconuts. The rich and emollient oil is solid at room temperature and has a sweet coconut aroma (melting point 76 °F). Highly moisturising to the skin, does leave a greasy feel. Use for homemade creams and balms.
- Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera.
- Colour: White.
- Aroma: Very Fragrant Coconut Aroma.
- Viscosity: Solid/Creamy at Room Temperatures of 76°F (24°C) and Below.
- Shelf Life: Highly stable.
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Coconut oil that has had the long-chain fatty acids removed. Leaving a light, clear, odorless oil that is always in liquid form. It absorbs well and is highly stable with a long shelf life. Great for roller bottle recipes, as well as massage and bath oil!
- Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis.
- Colour: Clea
- Aroma: Odourless.
- Viscosity: Light.
- Shelf Life: Highly stable.
2. JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba Oil is actually a liquid wax that is excellent for skincare because it closely resembles the natural oils the skin produces (called sebum). It is balancing, nourishing, and protective to skin, making it great for everyday use.
- Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis.
- Plant Part: Jojoba seeds (looks similar to coffee beans).
- Colour: Golden Yellow.
- Skin Type: All skin types, including oily, inflamed, acne-prone, or sensitive skin.
- Aroma: Virtually odourless.
- Viscosity: Medium, absorbs well.
- Shelf Life: Highly stable, doesn’t go rancid because it is a wax.
- Uses: Roller bottle recipes, bath blends, face oils, lotions, and perfume blends.
- Best for using on your face as it mimics the skins natural oil properties.
- Has a slightly nutty aroma.
- Makes a lovely make-up remover and absorbs easily into the skin.
3. SWEET ALMOND OIL
Sweet Almond Oil is a popular and affordable all-purpose carrier oil. It is non-greasy and has emollient properties that can assist inflamed and irritated skin. It’s gentle on the skin making it suitable for all ages and skin types.
- Botanical Name: Prunus dulcis.
- Plant Part: Almond kernels.
- Colour: Pale yellow.
- Skin Type: All skin types including dry, sensitive skin, combination, or acne-prone.
- Aroma: Light, sweet, nutty.
- Viscosity: Medium, easily absorbed.
- Shelf Life: 1-2 Years.
- Uses: Massage oils, hair care recipes, body oils, face blends, creams, lotions.
- Highly rich in vitamin E and antioxidants
- Supportive in skin rejuvenation, retaining moisture and nourishing the skin
- A good choice for massage, face and nail serums
- Note: Avoid if nut allergy or sensitivity present, learn more here
4. ROSEHIP OIL
Rosehip oil is a valuable oil that has high antioxidant content which can rejuvenate the skin, keeping it healthy and young. It’s also incredible for stretch marks, sun damage, scars, and hyperpigmentations.
- Botanical Name: Rosa canina, R. mosqueta, or R. rubiginosa
- Plant Part: Hips (fruit) of wild rose bushes.
- Colour: Golden reddish.
- Skin Type: Dry, mature, or irritated skin.
- Aroma: Mild, slightly earthy.
- Viscosity: Light, leaves a hint of oil on the skin.
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months (fragile oil, best stored in the refrigerator).
- Uses: Anti-aging blends, nail serums, skincare blends.
5. ARGAN OIL
- Botanical Name: Argania spinosa.
- Uses:
- Loaded with rich nutrient dense properties and is most known for supporting hair growth and repair.
- Since it is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A + E, argan oil is helpful for healing and reducing inflammation.
- Best for hair, nails and skin support.
6. GRAPESEED OIL
- Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera.
- Colour: Virtually Clear. Has a Virtually Unnoticeable Tinge of Yellow/Green.
- Aroma: Light. Slightly Nutty and Sweet.
- Viscosity: Thin
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months.
- Uses:
- High in proteins, minerals, vitamin E and linoleic acid making it great for cosmetic applications.
- Use in sunscreen, creams and lotions.
- Has anti-bacterial properties and lightweight – good choice for acne prone skin.
7. HEMP SEED OIL
- Botanical Name: Cannabis sativa.
- Colour: Light to Medium Green.
- Aroma: Faint, Slightly Nutty.
- Viscosity: Medium
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months.
- Uses:
- Non-greasy making it a lovely massage oil.
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties making it great to mix with oils for pain relief and skin regeneration.
8. OLIVE OIL
- Botanical Name: Olea Europaea
- Colour: Green
- Aroma: Fruity, slightly peppery.
- Viscosity: Thick
- Uses:
- Has a light and fruity aroma.
- Has many benefits to the body making it a good choice to add into a veggie capsule for taking essential oils internally.
- Non-greasy and will not clog pores – good choice for dry skin, dry hair.
9. AVOCADO OIL
- Botanical Name: Persea gratissima.
- Colour: Deep Olive Green.
- Aroma: Sweet, Fatty and Nutty
- Viscosity: Thick
- Shelf Life: 12 months.
- Uses:
- The thickest oil to use with essential oils – good to use for anti-aging remedies.
- Rich in nutrients, it is good to use for irritable conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
- Dries slowly making it good for massage.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a thick and creamy natural butter that makes an excellent moisturizer. It’s perfect for dehydrated skin, especially during dry or cold months. Massage a small amount of shea butter to soften rough hands, heels, elbow, and knees.
- Botanical Name: Vitellaria paradoxa
- Plant Part: Nuts of the Shea Tree.
- Colour: Off white.
- Aroma: Nutty.
- Skin Type: All skin types.
- Texture: Semisolid, melts on contact with warm hands/skin, leaves an oily feel.
- Shelf Life: Up to 2 years.
- Uses: Body butters, lotions, creams, and other natural skin care products.
- Note: May trigger an allergic reaction in people who have a latex allergy.
Diluting Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated, 75-100 times more concentrated than dried herbs, each drop is so powerful.
Dilution Guidelines
In order to know how much essential oils to use with a carrier oil, you can follow a dilution guideline. First, determine what dilution percentage is best. In general, a good dilution level for a healthy adult is 2% for the body, and 0.5%-1% when using on the face.
Dilution Percentage Guidelines:
- Up to 1%: Young children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, elderly, sensitive skin, blends for face
- 2%: Older children, adults, chronic issues, daily use
- 3-5%: Short-term, acute issues, spot treatments
