Basic Guide to Carrier Oils for Essential Oils

Carrier oils are essential for diluting and delivering the benefits of essential oils in a safe and effective manner. They are typically derived from plants and seeds and serve as a base for essential oils, allowing them to be applied topically or used for various therapeutic purposes. The term “carrier” oil indicates oils usefulness as vehicles for therapeutic plant extracts, but they’re also unique therapeutic substances, with amazing benefits for holistic skin care too. In this guide, we’ll cover a basic list of carrier oils and their skin benefits.

How They’re Made

There are several methods for extracting vegetable oils, such as cold pressing, solvent extraction, super critical fluid CO2 extraction.

What’s in them?

saturated fatty acids: lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and steric acid
monounsaturated fatty acids: palmitoleic acid and oleic acid
polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, punicic acid, and gamma linolenic acid
fat-soluble vitamin & nutrients: phytosterols, squalene, tocopherols/vitamin e, vitamin a, beta carotene, vitamin d, and lecithin

What do Carrier Oils do?

Dilution: Essential oils are incredibly potent and can be too strong to apply directly to the skin. Carrier oils act as a dilution agent, allowing essential oils to be safely applied in a more diluted and manageable form.

Enhanced Absorption of Essential Oils: Carrier oils can help essential oils penetrate the skin more effectively, allowing for a better absorption of the essential oil’s therapeutic properties.

Therapeutic Benefits: skin barrier protection, creates a barrier on skin to prevent moisture loss, restore, barrier function, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Introduction to Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are natural, plant-based oils used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin. They are essential for safe and proper use of essential oils, as undiluted essential oils can be too potent and may cause irritation or other adverse reactions. Carrier oils also aid in the absorption and dispersion of essential oils into the skin.

Jojoba Oil

Origin: Derived from the jojoba plant seeds native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Benefits: Mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it an excellent moisturizer, helps control oil production, and is non-comedogenic.

Sweet Almond Oil

Origin: Extracted from the nuts of the sweet almond tree, native to the Middle East and South Asia.

Benefits: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, hydrates and soothes the skin, and supports a youthful complexion, a good emollient.

Coconut Oil

Origin: Obtained from the meat of coconuts, primarily found in tropical regions.

Benefits: Moisturizes, has antimicrobial properties, and may aid in treating skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

Rosehip Oil

Origin: Extracted from the fruit of rose plants, native to various parts of the world.

Benefits: Contains essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, aiding in skin regeneration and reducing scars and fine lines.

Argan Oil

Origin: Produced from the nuts of the argan tree found in Morocco.

Benefits: Nourishes and moisturizes the skin, rich in antioxidants, and helps reduce the signs of aging.

Other carrier oils

herbal oils, oils that are infused with herbs
fruit, nut, or seed oils
butters
gels
water-based emulsifier

Things that are not carrier oils/things that do not dilute essential oils

witch hazel
alcohol
water
vinegar
baking soda
epsom salt
honey
sugar
wax
clay

Essential oil brands we use and love

EDEN’S GARDEN: the best smelling blends/syneriges
HOHM: great blends, aesthetic bottles, well made diffusers
JADE BLOOM: lots of essential oil education
MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS: rustic organic brand with lots of other good products like teas etc
PLANT THERAPY: great prices and blends/kits for families
REVIVE: amazing prices, dupes for the popular brands
ROCKY MOUNTAIN OILS: DIY/usage videos on their socials
SIMPLY EARTH: the one for DIY lovers & sub box lovers

*NOW AVAILABLE*

I just launched a series of guides on essential oils and specific concerns. Think your one stop shop for all things essential oils. These guides are packed with every single thing you need to know + recipes and tons of uses. There are also some freebies in my store too. Shop here

Thanks for reading!

x, T

Basic Guide to Carrier Oils for Essential Oils