use of carrier oils for natural health & beauty
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Essential oils, absolutes, and CO2 extracts are highly concentrated, and if applied to the skin undiluted, can cause severe irritation. We recommend always diluting essential oils with a carrier oil before use. A carrier oil is a base oil obtained from vegetables, seeds, kernels or nuts, or a base oil that has been infused/macerated with botanical ingredients, such as herbs, flowers, roots and berries.
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Carrier oils moisturise and nourish the skin, providing valuable therapeutic benefits to topical massage, bath, oil and balm blends. For our carrier oil profiles list, we have included oils most commonly used for massage, bath and body blends, and balms.
Top Tips:
Top Tips:
- Using unrefined, cold-processed or organic oils are the most therapeutic
- Once opened, carrier oils should be kept in a cool place, as excessive heat can cause deterioration of the oil
- Unrefined oils may turn cloudy if kept in the fridge. The cloudiness will not adversely affect the therapeutic properties of the oil.
apricot kernal oil
A rich, nourishing oil which is light and easily absorbed into the skin. Ideal for facial massage. Suitable for all skin types, especially for dry, sensitive and mature skin. Commonly used in body massage for anyone with nut allergies as an alternative to sweet almond oil.
avocado oil
A rich, nourishing oil. Suitable for all skin types, and is especially beneficial for sensitive and dry skin. Avocado oil stimulates circulation, so is suitable for massage blends used for fluid retention and cellulite. Because it is more expensive than some other oils, avocado is often blended with other, less expensive carrier oils.
evening primrose oil
A nourishing oil, suitable for all skin types, and especially beneficial for dry skin. Evening Primrose Oil works very well for facial products, and is often used in a massage blend for hormonal symptoms including PMT and menopause. A more expensive oil, EPO is often mixed with other, less expensive carrier oils.
grapeseed oil
A light, non-greasy carrier oil that is suitable for all skin types. Because it is inexpensive, and is very lubricating, grapeseed is very popular and is most commonly used as a massage oil for face and body. Grapeseed is only available in its refined form as unrefined grapeseed oil has a very strong odour.
hazelnut oil
A very moisturising oil that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Hazelnut oil is suitable for all skin types, and is especially beneficial for sensitive, normal and dry skin. Due to its soft, nourishing properties, hazelnut works very well in a natural baby oil blend. Hazelnut should be avoided by anyone with nut allergies.
jojoba oil
A liquid wax, jojoba oil is very similar to sebum, the body's own oil secretion. Jojoba is very nourishing, with a fine texture, and is suitable for all skin types. As a carrier oil, it is especially beneficial for sensitive, dry, and oily skin. Due to it's anti-inflammatory properties, jojoba works well in a massage oil for arthritis and rheumatism.
macadamia nut oil
Macadamia nut oil is very nourishing, and is especially beneficial for dry and mature skin. As a carrier oil, macadamia nut oil provides good lubrication and absorbs very slowly into the skin, making it very useful in body massage blends. Once absorbed, macadamia nut oil leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. Macadamia nut oil should be avoided by anyone with nut allergies.
Olive oil
Olive oil has valuable skin care properties, and is suitable for all skin types, It is especially beneficial for sensitive, chapped, dry and mature skin. It is not commonly used in professional aromatherapy massage, but is often used for or included in baby massage blends. Olive oil is anti-inflammatory and works very well in blends for eczema, psoriasis, irritated and itchy skin conditions. Extra virgin olive oil has the highest therapeutic benefit, but also has a stronger scent than lighter olive oils, so can be blended with another oil to neutralise odor. Olive oil is very inexpensive and readily available so is very popular in home herbal preparations, to create infused/macerated botanical oils and for home massage.
peach kernal oil
A very moisturising oil that is suitable for all skin types, but especially beneficial for dry and mature skins. Peach Kernal Oil helps increase suppleness and elasticity of the skin, so works very well in facial blends and for abdominal massage.
sunflower oil
A dry oil that is suitable for all skin types, including oily skin. Sunflower oil is not very lubricating so for body massage it's often blended with another softening, fatty oil such as apricot kernal, olive, peach kernal or sweet almond oils. Sunflower oil is very inexpensive and readily available so is very popular in home herbal preparations, to create infused/macerated botanical oils and for home massage.
sweet almond oil
A highly therapeutic oil, suitable for all skin types and especially beneficial for dry and mature skin. Sweet Almond Oil has good lubrication and is very popular for massage blends. It is Soothing and calming, making it especially useful in blends for inflamed, irritated, itchy skin conditions. Sweet Almond OIl should be avoided by anyone with nut allergies.
Important considerations & cautions:
The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients and essential oils, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Although many essential oils are considered safe for most people in small amounts, inappropriate use of some oils could be dangerous. Prior to using any essential oils, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, qualified herbalist or professional aromatherapist.
The content on this site shares our own personal use of botanical ingredients and essential oils, is for information only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Although many essential oils are considered safe for most people in small amounts, inappropriate use of some oils could be dangerous. Prior to using any essential oils, you should always do your own research, and consult with a medical professional, your GP, qualified herbalist or professional aromatherapist.