What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils and essential oils are made from plants. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and “carry” them to your skin. That’s because essential oils are potent and can cause irritation when applied directly to your skin.
Most carrier oils are unscented or lightly scented and don’t interfere with an essential oil’s therapeutic properties. They may be used alone or with other oils to nourish your skin.
Rating Scale 5 – Very Slow Absorption Rate Feels heavy and leaves an oily protective barrier on the skin. 4 – Slow Absorption Rate May feel sticky or waxy before warming at body temperature. Leaves a slight oily residue on the skin. 3 – Average Absorption Rate Leaves a slight oily or satiny finish. 2 – Fast Absorption Rate Feels light and absorbs into the skin readily. Leaves a silky smooth finish. 1 – Very Fast Absorption Rate Considered a “drying oil” quickly absorbed by the skin and does not leave an oily feel.
Oil name Obtained from Properties/Uses
3-Almond Sweet Kernel of Prunus dulcis High in vitamin E and other fat-soluble
vitamins. A light oil, protective and nourishing
without being too greasy. Good for all skin
types, including baby care.
2-Apricot Kernel Kernel of fruit from Prunus armeniaca Similar feel and use as almond oil, slightly
more expensive. Light, non-greasy. Good for
all skin types, especially prematurely aged,
dry, and or inflamed skin. Astringent and
toning.
Arnica Infused with flowers of Arnica Mainly used as a counter-irritant to increase
montana or other Arnica spp Helpful in circulation to a localized area.
cases of bruising, inflamed and painful joints,
and sore muscles. Avoid use on broken skin.
3-Argan Kernel of fruit from Argania spinosa Very high in vitamin E. Used for its rejuvenate,
protective, and nourishing effects on the skin.
Thought to prevent wrinkles and signs of aging.
Toning and slightly astringent, useful for acne.
Increases oxygenation to the skin cells. Good
for rashes, infections, and bug bites. Also used
for hair and scalp conditioning.
4-Avocado Dried flesh of the avocado pear Fortifying and regenerating. One of the heavier
Persea Americana fixed oils, but more readily absorbed than olive
oil. Indicated for extremely dry, cracked skin,
dehydrated skin, wrinkles, and premature aging
caused by sun damage. High levels of vitamin E.
Also used for hair and scalp conditioning.
Calendula Infused with flowers of A very versatile infused oil. Anti-inflammatory,
Calendula officinalis astringent, and healing. Effective on wounds,
rashes, abrasions, eczema, psoriasis, fungal
infections and acne. Its effects are thought to be
enhanced by the addition of other base oils.
5-Castor Seeds of the castor oil plant Some contraindications to its use including
Ricinus communis pregnancy. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant.
Specific external use for gastrointestinal cramping,
constipation, and heavy congested painful periods.
Also used for ringworm and for external relief of
arthritis.
4-Coconut From coconut oil, long-chain Liquid form. Increased antioxidant and disinfectant
(Fractionated) triglycerides removed. properties due to higher levels of capric acid and
caprylic acid. Widely used in the preparation of
soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. Also used for hair
and scalp conditioning.
2-Grapeseed Hot extraction from seeds Produced by hot extraction, so not necessarily as
of Vitis vinfera high-quality as others listed. Benefits are its
astringent, toning, and emollient nature and non-
greasy feel. It has good extractive properties,
making it useful for infused/macerated oils.
3-Hemp Pressed seeds of Cannabis sativa One of the more heavy oils, but generally
considered a non-clogging oil that helps to reduce
the size of pores, clear blackheads and acne, and
protect the skin from free radicals. It is anti-
inflammatory and helps reduce redness in
inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and
eczema. Considered toning and astringent. Also
used for hair and scalp conditioning.
3-Jojoba Bean of Simmondsia chinensis More of a liquid wax than an oil. Famous for its
resemblance to sebum and specifically indicated in
acne due to its regulating effects. Highly
penetrative like hazelnut. Also useful anti-
inflammatory conditions and sunburn. Thought to
generally aid in skin elasticity.
5-Neem Pressed from nuts of Azadirachta Solid to almost solid at room temperature, often
indica sold slightly diluted. Used in creams, lotions, and
dental products as an anti-infective. Antifungal. It
is also used to deter mosquitoes, fleas, flies, ticks,
and mites. Used in the treatment of lice. Very
strong scented.
3-Olive Pressed from the fruit of Olea One of the most common and easy-to-find carrier
europaea oils. Heavy and greasier when used alone. High in
fat-soluble vitamins, helps in the repair and
rejuvenation of damaged, dry skin. Soothing to
inflammatory skin conditions. Slightly antifungal
and useful in cradle cap. Also used for hair and
scalp conditioning.
1-Rosehip Seeds of the fruit of Rosa canina A very expensive fixed oil with glorious anti-aging
and other Rosa spp. usually by properties. Very high levels of vitamin C and other
solvent extraction free-radical scavengers. Specific for reducing scar
tissue and damaged caused to skin from sun
exposure. Tissue regenerator.
2-Safflower Pressed from seed of Carthamus Very high levels of polyunsaturated fats (90%) and
tinctorius therefore less stable than other carrier oils. Used on
inflamed joints and sprains.
Shea extracted from the nut of the African Most commonly used like coconut oil in making of
shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa creams, lotions, and ointments. Traditionally used
to protect the skin from the sun (SPF 6) and repair
damaged skin. Also used for scalp and hair
conditioning. Often sold having been bleached and
deodorized.
2-Sunflower Pressed from the seeds of Very common and easily obtainable with light
Helianthus annus texture and non-greasy feel. Reliable oil that can be
used on a variety of skin types. Great base oil for
any mix or preparation.
