All About Carrier Oils
Are you new to the essential oil world? Then you may have the question (like I did), what are carrier oils? Everyone wants to know about carrier oils!! One of the most popular questions we get is "Which carrier oil should I use?" Oh, Lordy! That's a heavy question. {sigh} The answers really range from "Anyone you want!!!" to "You probably should use coconut oil for that". There are so many factors, but we've put this file together to answer your most pressing questions. Lucky you!! YAY!
There are really two completely different rules to using carrier oils when it comes to beauty {aka your face} vs simple dilution for essential oils, so this will contain information about both!
What is a Carrier Oil?
Carrier oils are base oils or vegetable oils, with little to no aroma used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin. They are named carrier oils because they "carry" the oils onto the skin. The term carrier oil is half misleading. It’s doesn’t even have to be an oil, but it does carry extra ingredients to a larger surface area.
Example: One drop of lavender essential oil doesn’t cover much of your skin, but 1 drop of lavender and 1 drop of almond oil will cover at least double the surface area.
Similar to choosing which essential oils to try, choosing the right carrier oil depends on how you’re going to use the final product.
What are carrier oils used for?
Diluting your essential oils to apply topically
Aid in EO absorption
Stretch your essential oils and make them go further
Use them to protect the skin
Massages and in DIY and cosmetic skin care recipes (lotions, creams, bath oils, lip balms, etc.)
You'll find by reading below that each carrier oil has different properties which may benefit one person more than another for various reasons ranging from texture and aroma to preventing allergic reactions. Not everyone reacts the same way to carrier oils, so it’s best to try out a few and find what works for you. Also, if you haven’t used a particular carrier oil before, have all who will be using the final product do a small skin test to make sure they don’t have any reactions. Please exercise caution when choosing a CO if you have any type of nut allergy.
Based on personal experience, perhaps the best use of a carrier oil is to ease the pain when you accidentally get an essential oil in your eye, like when you thought you washed all the peppermint essential oil off your hands after adding a few drops in your diffuser. The old adage of oil and water don’t mix is true. Trying to flush essential oil out of your eye with water does nothing, but putting a little carrier oil on the area provides instant relief.
Essential Oils vs. Carrier Oils
Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic portions of a botanical. Essential oils evaporate and have a concentrated aroma. Carrier oils, on the other hand, are pressed from the fatty portions (seeds, nuts, kernels) and do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils. Carrier oils can go rancid over time, but essential oils do not.
What does it mean to use a carrier oil to dilute an essential oil?
Carrier oils ensure that essential oils applied topically are comfortable to the skin. Dilution with a carrier oil does not dilute the effect of the essential oil. In fact, it prevents waste due to excessive application.
Some essential oils are considered "hot" oils... Meaning they may be irritating to the skin for some people. Therefore, carrier oils are used to reduce the risk of skin sensitivity from topical application and can provide relief if irritation or redness occurs. Also, carrier oils will allow you to cover a larger area of the body with your essential oils, such as with massage. They can even extend the therapeutic effects of essential oils, prolonging the benefits for you. Use carrier oils when massaging or making lotions, creams etc... on babies, kiddos, the elderly or on sensitive areas.
Whether using essential oils topically or internally, adding a carrier oil dilutes the essential oils.
Some essential oils can be used "neat" which means undiluted. A very common essential oils that can be used this way is lavender. It's very gentle on the skin and can be used for so many different reasons! It's called the swiss army knife of essential oils for a reason!
While some oils can be used “neat”, or without a carrier oil, other oils may need to be diluted. Always check the label on your Young Living essential oil bottle for information on how to use the oil, including dilution ratios. As an example, Young Living Essential Oils blend DiGize label contains the following information: “Directions: Dilute 1 drop with 4 drops carrier oil. Put in a capsule and take 1 daily or as directed by a health professional.” If you are unsure if an essential oil requires dilution, dilute at least 50% with ANY carrier oil. That means for every 1 drop of essential oil use 1 drop of carrier oil. If it has a mild burning sensation, tingles, or just feels a little funny: Dilute it more heavily or stop using it! All oils can be diluted and still retain their value, even the ones that can be used neatly.
What should I look for when choosing a Carrier Oil?
Much of this is personal preference, but you do want the most nourishing, freshest carrier oils possible. Many factors play a role in determining which oil you choose for which application, including processing method, shelf life, etc.
Carrier oils are typically cold-pressed oils that are produced from the fatty portions of a specific plant. Use an unrefined, cold expeller pressed or cold-pressed vegetable oil if possible. They have a shorter shelf life (except vitamin e, which is a natural preservative) and should be kept in a cool dark place. Most are susceptible to oxidation and rancidity. Oils that are not cold-pressed have been heated and have a minimal therapeutic effect.
Trends are changing, but most typical vegetable oils sold in grocery stores are not cold-pressed. Instead, the oils are processed using heat. For the most nourishing, freshest carrier oils, strive to shop with retailers and suppliers that specialize in the sale of aromatherapy or natural skin care ingredients. Your local health food/nutrition store may be a source for carrier oils, but the oils can often be pricier. Watch for dust on the bottles when buying oils locally. That can indicate the oil has been sitting around for awhile. Look for oils that are not blends of two or more oils and that have no additives. You can find carrier oils at health food stores, grocery stores, specialty shops, big box retailers and online on Amazon.
Vegetable shortening, butter, margarine, or petroleum derivatives (such as mineral oil, baby oil, and petroleum jelly) should never be used as carrier oils. They are not of natural, botanical origin and are not used within the scope of holistic aromatherapy. Mineral oil is used in baby oils and many commercially available moisturizers because it is an inexpensive oil to manufacture. It, however, can clog pores, prevent the skin from breathing naturally, prevent essential oil absorption, prevent toxins from leaving the body through the natural process of sweating. These same concerns apply to petroleum jelly.
I began choosing carrier oils by recipe. If a recipe called for fractionated or solid coconut oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, etc., then I would get that carrier oil and make the recipe. To some extent, I still do this. Along the way, I’ve developed a personal preference (pure grapeseed oil for roller bottles, pure olive oil for capsules, etc.), and I remain attuned to the needs of my friends and family when making oily goodies for them (one friend doesn’t like coconut oil, so I use grapeseed oil for her blends). Primarily, I use the pure and/or organic liquid carrier oils with essential oil blends in 10 ml glass roller bottles. Plastic rollers for non-citrus essential oils and stainless rollers for citrus essential oils, as citrus essential oils can draw toxins out of plastic.
Do carrier oils expire?
Please note: Young Living essential oils are 100% pure and have an indefinite shelf life. However, carrier oils can go rancid. Make sure they are stored in a cool, dark place. When combining a carrier oil with Young Living essential oils keep in mind that a carrier oil can go rancid eventually and needs to be used in order to avoid rancidity. Each carrier oil will have a different shelf life. Once essential oils are mixed with a carrier, the mixture expires when the carrier oil expires. Check your carrier oils in advance of needing to whip something up to make sure they’re still good.
Some carrier oils are odorless, but generally speaking, most have a faintly sweet, nutty aroma. If you come across a carrier oil that has a strong, bitter aroma, the carrier oil may have gone rancid. If you can, compare the aroma of the oil that you suspect is rancid with the same botanical oil that you know is fresh.
Carrier oils that you purchase should be natural and unadulterated. Exceptions include buying carrier oils that have natural Vitamin E added. Vitamin E, often listed as tocopherols acts as a natural preservative.
Storing Carrier OilsFor fragile carrier oils or for those that you will be keeping for a long duration, store them in dark glass bottles with tight fitting tops, and store them in a cool, dark location. Amber or cobalt blue bottles are ideal.
If you will be using up an oil well before its lifespan, it really doesn't need to be transferred to dark glass. When you purchase carrier oils, the supplier may have packaged it in a plastic (PET/HDPE) bottle. This doesn't mean that the oil is inferior. Often suppliers use plastic bottles to save packaging and shipping costs and because many customers use up the oils shortly after purchase. Unlike with essential oils which should be stored in glass (citrus essential oils can dissolve the plastic), carrier oils can be stored in plastic.
Most carrier oils can be stored in the refrigerator, and this can help prolong the lifespan of certain oils. However, there are some that should not be stored in the refrigerator. Read the directions on the bottle when you purchase. Oils stored in the refrigerator may solidify or turn cloudy and will need time to return to room temperature prior to use.
Carrier Oils for Beauty
When you are looking for a carrier oil to use for beauty you may be looking for something to dilute your essential oils with or you might be looking for something more specific like to help support aging (::cough cough:: use ROSEHIP).
There are a lot of options! Annnnnd… that’s probably why it’s so confusing, right?
First, you have to identify your skin type. Once you figure out your skin type, then it’s a lot easier to narrow down your selection for oils.
Normal Skin: Any light carrier oil such as Hempseed, Coconut oil, Grapeseed, Sunflower, Sweet Almond
Oily Skin: Grapeseed, Sweet Almond, Apricot Oil, Jojoba, Sunflower, Hempseed, Tung oil
Dry Skin: Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond, Olive Oil, Rosehips
Sensitive Skin: Jojoba Oil, Sesame seed, Sweet Almond, Apricot,
Mature Skin: Jojoba, Avocado, Apricot, Sesame seed, Rosehips
*Note that if you have a food allergy or sensitivity to a the food product listed in the oil, then do not use that oil on your body or face
It’s important to note that being on this list doesn’t promise that it will work for your skin type. Our skin will decide which oil it likes the most and remember that skin takes two weeks to turn over so anything that pops up between week 1-2 was probably already going to happen.
You’ll know which carrier works for your skin type because your skin will readily absorb the oil and you shouldn’t feel oily or sticky afterwards AND you don’t get any comedogenic acne. (Pssst. don’t worry– we will talk about at the end of this file!)
Blending Carrier Oils
Some people chose to use two or three carrier oils at a time to maximize the benefits. Feel free to mix one or more of these oils together, but be careful not to over do it because if you have a reaction to one-- then it will be harder to narrow down which one cause a problem!
Carrier Oils for the Body
The body isn't nearly as sensitive as the human face! THANK GOSH! So we don't have to worry as much about the comedogenic ratings even with people who have super sensitive skin.
There are a TON of carrier oils for the body including all the ones listed above for skin care, plus you can use shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, aloe vera, rose water, mango butter, castile soap... etc, but we are going to focus on those that actually have OIL.
How do I Pick A Carrier Oil for Body Care?
When we are applying carrier oils to the body, I think it's more important to realize we need to pick an oil based on what we want.
Do we need to achieve a purpose (wrinkles, blemishes, dry skin, etc)
Are we looking to achieve a consistency (salve, body butter, balm, serum)
What about scent?
Do we just want to dilute an essential oil?
If we are looking to achieve a purpose, then we can definitely use the chart above to find a carrier oil for our skin type. You may also want to add essential oils to your carrier oils to amplify its purpose. I found that once I started adding Young Living essential oils to my carrier oils my results were seen quicker and more pronounced than before.
If we are looking for consistency, then we want to pay attention to how the oils behave. If we want something that is going to stay a liquid, then we want a liquid carrier oil. Duh, right? But some carrier oils, namely coconut oil, will turn a solid when it gets cool, but it's a liquid when it's warm. If we make a coconut oil serum in the summer, we won't be able to use it very well in the winter! (The exception is fractionated coconut oil-- it's always a liquid). Likewise, that beautiful winter coconut oil salve you made this winter is going to change consistency in the summer. Adding beeswax and butter will help it retain it's shape.
Another thing to consider is smell -- do you want it to smell nutty (hazelnut, almond) or fruity (coconut, apricot) or maybe sweet (cocoa butter)? Carrier oils can add to the depth of scent in your DIY recipe, but sometimes they can get in the way. For an unscented carrier oil, I loooooove jojoba oil.
I can't find the right blend or oil for my skin, what should I do?
Be Patient. Skin turns over every 2 weeks so if you see something pop up right away-- it may have been coming anyways. I encourage most people to wait 2-4 weeks before changing their routine.
Look at the chart above and see if you are using the right oils for your skin type. Adjust if you need to.
Next look at the list below that has comedogenic ratings, remove or replace any oil that is high on the comedogenic rating list.
Be MORE patient. Most people take 2-4 adjustments before they find their right carrier oil for skin care.
How do I use Carrier Oils with Essential Oils?
Alright, alright, now let's make this EASY for once, for God's sake! Everyone tries to make this soooooo complicated, but it's not. I PROMISE!!
You can use ANY carrier oil to dilute essential oils! See-- easy. Oh, no? You want more? Okkkaayyy....
Young Living oils have dilution instructions on the bottles, which makes life is easy for you! Follow those instructions! But you can always dilute MORE if you want to stretch the oils (and your cash). If you are unsure if an essential oil requires dilution, dilute at least 50% with ANY carrier oil. That means for every 1 drop of essential oil use 1 drop of carrier oil.
If you're putting essential oil on children:
As a generality ALWAYS dilute essential oils when using them with children, but remember some essential oils are to be used with caution in children so I always recommend educating yourself. Ask the person who added you here for their recommendations on books and resources for kids.
Carrier Oil List
Chances are, if you’ve read through the list of ingredients for a DIY recipe, you’ve seen some kind of carrier oil mentioned. There are many types of carrier oils available for use in cooking, herbal remedies and skincare products. I recommend having a few on hand to aid you in your DIY adventures.
The main carrier oils are listed below:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a superfood and it has so many amazing properties to it. It is known to speed wound healing, lauric acid within coconut oil can kill pathogens, bacteria, and fungi, it can moisturize the skin and block 20% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays making it a great base for DIY sunblock recipes.
Coconut Oil is an excellent carrier oil. Virgin Coconut oil (unfractionated) remains semi-solid at room temperature and is great when making salves, creams and lotions. It helps various skin conditions such as eczema and rashes. It can be bought at your local grocery store. Fractionated Coconut Oil is odorless and colorless. Fractionated coconut oil can work great for skincare recipes and is easy to mix with essential oils since it will come in a liquid form. It has an indefinite shelf life... It never goes rancid. There is no greasy feeling after applying. It won't stain and easily washes out of clothes.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet Almond Oil is a widely used as a carrier oil. Fantastic for all skin types this commonly used carrier oil is wonderful for skin care and body care recipes because it is easily absorbed and it is nourishing and protective. Not only is unrefined sweet almond oil very helpful to support internal health, almond oil has been historically used for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed Oil is great for all skin types. This oil is perfect for people new to using oils as moisturizers, people with oily skin, and as a carrier for heavier carrier oil. It is very gentle and moisturizing. It is odorless, tasteless and easily absorbed it sinks into skin within seconds, leaving behind nothing but soft skin. Because it's so light, it's great for things like using around the eyes, a shaving oil that won't clog the razor, and a summertime facial oil. Grapeseed oil contains the antioxidant oligomeric procyanidin (OPC) which helps protect against cellular and tissue damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Jojoba Oil
Also called liquid wax, Jojoba oil comes from a seed that is grown in America and Africa. Jojoba Oilis very similar to the oils in our skin and is helpful for soothing dry skin. It rapidly penetrates the skin, leaving behind silky, non-greasy skin and has a long shelf life. Jojoba can be used for just about any skin condition, can be used on all skin types, and makes a great make-up remover. Jojoba oil is great for acne blends because it helps balance Ph, unclog pores and control buildup of excess sebum. It is also popular for hair, as it increases luster, encourages healthy hair growth and decreases scalp dryness. Jojoba oil the perfect carrier oil for a rub for tight muscles, sprains, soreness, discomfort or just decreasing the inflammatory response of the body. Jojoba oil is also known to be natural sunscreen. This oil has an SPF rating of 4 because it contains myristic acid which provides limited sun protection.
Olive Oil (Extra Virigin)
Olive oil is probably one of the most diverse oils out there. You can use olive oil for skin care, hair care, cooking, as a carrier oil and even in cosmetics. It contains vitamins, minerals and proteins that are great for the skin. It is moisturizing and contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. When applied it can protect the skin from premature aging, it can help restore wrinkles and protect against ultraviolet light. This can be bought at your local grocery store. When purchasing olive oil always purchase it in a dark or tinted container. It is best to always purchase olive oil cold pressed.
V-6 Oil
V-6 oil is Young Living’s vegetable Oil complex. It can be used to dilute your own custom blends or as a massage oil. It does not clog pores and is nourishing for the skin. It can be purchased in an 8 ounce and 32 ounce refill bottles through your Young Living virtual office (item number #3031). It contains a blend of fractioned coconut oil, Sesame Seed oil, Grape Seed oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower seed oil and olive oil.
Apricot Kernel Oil
This oil contain a semi-oily texture that compares to sweet almond oil. It has a very mild smell and is high in oleic acid and linoleic acid. It is an antioxidant, and is anti-inflammatory. Because of its mild properties this oil can be very good for people with sensitive skin. It can also soothe irritated skin and hydrate the skin. This nourishing and softening oil is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, to soothe irritated and inflamed skin. It can be useful in calming eczema, and is gentle enough to moisturize the tender skin of the neck the delicate eye area. Apricot kernel oil sinks into the skin within minutes, leaving behind no greasy residue.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is used in first aid blends for minor wounds and burns, including sunburns, and to prevent scarring and stretch marks. It can be used for irritated and inflamed skin, extra dry, chapped skin, and eczema. It is also commonly used on fine lines and wrinkles. Rosehip seed oil is heavy and greasy, although when used sparingly will sink in over time. This is best blended up to 10% in a lighter oil, or used full strength sparingly at night.
Avocado Oil
Avocado is a heavy oil, and when used straight, leaves a slightly greasy feeling on the skin. This is an intense, highly emollient oil, used to repair damaged skin, or is blended with a lighter oil for facial care. It is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, as well as scars and stretch marks. It can also be used for extremely dry, irritated skin, eczema, psoriasis, and other damaged skin. Avocado oil can be used straight, but is best used up to 10% in blend with a lighter oil to prevent greasiness.
Really? I feel more confused now...would you just tell me which 3 carrier oils you'd recommend? And where do you buy them?
- Coconut oil because it's so versatile
- Jojoba (or Grapeseed) because they are unscented
- Rosehips oil (or Argan) because I'm obsessed with using it for face care.
I buy most of mine on Amazon because they have such a wide selection and it's easier to buy organic or non-GMO. Just like any online purchase, I read the reviews and ratings to find the best product for me.
Are certain Carrier Oils more likely to clog pores than others?
Yes. See the comedogenic (pore-clogging) list below for various Carrier Oils.
One of the biggest problems with using carrier oils for skin care is comedogenic issues. This is NOT regular pimples! A comedo, the least severe form of acne, is the result of a clogged pore. These are tiny hard white bumps that pop up usually around 2 weeks from when you start using carrier oils on your skin. The most popular areas for comedogenic blemishes seem to be on the chin and forehead, but they can show up just about anywhere.
Comedogenic ratings
Comedogenic ratings range from 0 to 5. Meaning 0 does not clog pores and 5 is most likely to clog pores. Keep in mind, that everyone’s skin will react differently to the carrier oils, so this is merely a guide, feel free to experiment and find what works for you! Just because something has a high Comedogenic rating doesn't mean you shouldn't use it! A lot of people use oils like Coconut oil with a lot of success, but it does mean that if you have a reaction then you may want to remove the oil with the highest comedogenic rating first.
0 - Non-comedogenic: Will Not Clog Pores
1 - Low
2 - Moderately Low
3 - Moderate
4 - Fairly High
5 - High
Oils & Butters
Almond Oil - 2
Apricot Kernel Oil - 2
Argan Oil - 0
Avocado Oil - 2
Baobab Oil - 2
Borage Oil - 2
Calendula Oil - 1
Camphor - 2
Castor Oil - 1
Cocoa Butter - 4
Coconut Butter - 4
Coconut Oil - 4
Corn Oil - 3
Cotton Seed Oil - 3
Emu Oil - 1
Evening Primrose Oil - 2
Flax Seed Oil - 4
Grape Seed Oil - 2
Hazelnut Oil - 2
Hemp Seed Oil - 0
Jojoba Oil - 2
Jojoba Oil Sulfated - 3
Linseed Oil - 4
Mango Butter - 0
Mineral Oil - 0 (high linoleic acid variety only)
Mink Oil - 3
Neem Oil - 1
Olive Oil - 2
Palm Oil - 4
Peach Kernel Oil - 2
Peanut Oil - 2
Petrolatum - 0 (high linoleic acid variety only)
Pomegranate Oil - 1
Pumpkin Seed Oil - 2
Rosehip Oil - 1
Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius) - 0
Sandalwood Seed Oil - 2
Sea Buckthorn Oil - 1
Sesame Oil - 2
Shea Butter - 0
Soybean Oil - 3
Sunflower Oil - 0
Tamanu Oil - 2
Wheat Germ Oil - 5
Shark Liver Oil - 3
Waxes
Beeswax - 2
Candelilla Wax - 1
Carnuba Wax - 1
Ceresin Wax - 0
Emulsifying Wax NF - 2
Lanolin Wax - 1
Botanicals
Algae Extract - 5
Aloe Vera Gel - 0
Calendula - 1
Carrageenans - 5
Chamomile - 2
Chamomile Extract - 0
Cold Pressed Aloe - 0
Red Algae - 5
Vitamins & Herbs
Ascorbic Acid - 0
Black Walnut Extract - 0
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) - 2
Vitamin A Palmitate - 2
Panthenol - 0
GENERAL SAFETY NOTICE:
ALWAYS SEARCH for more information for your own educational purpose. This file is NOT considered fully complete and NOT a guarantee for accuracy.
ALWAYS conduct a skin patch test before applying ANYTHING new to your skin.
DISCLAIMER
**The goal is to provide you with information that may be useful in attaining optimal health. Nothing here is meant as a prescription or as medical advice. You should check with your physician before implementing any changes in your exercise or lifestyle habits, especially if you have physical problems or are taking medications of any kind.
Get your own Young Living oils here: http://bit.ly/2bNdidk
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/stones-black-oil-massage-oil-1341224/
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