Aromatherapy Carrier Oils

Also referred to as fixed oils, base oils or vegetable oils, carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes. Here is a list of the commonly used carrier oils written in alphabetical order.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils that are attained from the fatty portions of the plant. They are also called base oils or vegetable oils and are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. Carrier oils serve the purpose of carrying the essential oils into the skin. Different kinds of carrier oils have different properties and can be selected after considering the therapeutic benefit being sought.

Unlike essential oils, carrier oils do not impart their aroma as strongly and do not evaporate. Another difference between essential oils and carrier oils is that carrier oils can go rancid.

Kinds of Carrier Oils

• Almond Oil (Sweet)

  This oil is considered to be a good all-purpose carrier oil to keep at hand. The aroma of this oil is slightly sweet and nutty. It is virtually clear with a slight tinge of yellow, it absorbs semi quickly and leaves a slight oily feeling on the skin.

• Apricot Kernel Oil

  Apricot kernel oil has a semi-oily texture that makes it helpful in massage blends. It has a faint aroma and is virtually clear in color with only a tinge of yellow.

• Avocado

  This oil should be used carefully as it may overpower a blend. The aroma of this carrier oil is somewhat sweet, fatty and nutty. It is thick and leaves an almost waxy feeling to the skin. This oils is deep olive green in green in color.

• Borage

  Borage is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions. It is expensive and is usually blended in a small quantity with other carrier oils. It is light yellow in color and thin to medium in texture. The aroma of this oil is light and sweet.

• Cocoa Butter

  This oil is suitable for use in lotions and creams. To make it workable it needs to be blended with other materials/oils. It is solid and hard to work with at room temperature. It is yellowish tan in color and in its unrefined state its aroma is rich and sweet.

• Evening Primrose

  Evening primrose is said to be excellent in treating skin conditions. It is usually blended in a small dilution with other carrier oils. This oil is sweet and light in aroma and medium yellow in color. It is thin in texture and leaves only a trace of oiliness on the skin.

• Grapeseed

  This oil is different from other carrier oils because it is solvent extracted and may have traces of chemical solvent remaining in it. It is virtually clear with only a very slight tinge of yellow/green. This oil is light and sweet with only a hint of nutty aroma. It is thin and leaves a glossy film on the skin.

• Hazelnut

  Hazelnut oil is said to be a good choice for those with oilier skin. This oil is nutty, light and somewhat sweet. It is light yellow in color and leaves a slightly oily film on the skin.

• Jojoba

  Jojoba oil is actually a wax, which is a little more expensive and is frequently blended in a small dilution with other oils. This oil is light to medium in aroma and yellow in color. It absorbs well.

• Kukui

  This oil is considered excellent in treating conditions of the skin. It is clear with only a hint of yellow. It is thin and absorbs well. The aroma of this oil is light, sweet, pleasant and nutty.

• Macadamia Nut

  This oil needs to be used carefully as it may overpower a blend. Clear with only a tinge of yellow, it is thick and leaves an oily film on the skin. The oil from the macadamia nut is more fragrant than sweet almond and some of the other nuts too.

• Olive

  Olive oil too needs to be used in small dilution. This oil is heavy and oily. It smells like olives and is light to medium green in color.

• Peanut

  This oil is said to be a good choice to include in massage blends. Though it is advisable that people who have an allergy to peanuts should avoid using this oil. Peanut oil is virtually clear in color and extremely light in aroma. It is thick and leaves a very oily film on the skin.

• Pecan

  Pecan oil is extremely light with a hint of a fatty and nutty aroma. It is medium thick in texture and leaves a slight oily film on the skin. This oil is virtually clear in color.

• Rose Hip

  Like a few other oils, rose hip oil is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions. It is mild and has an earthy aroma. It is virtually clear in color and light in texture.

• Sesame

  This oil needs to be diluted with another carrier oil as it may overpower a blend. Sesame oil has a medium aroma with a distinctive sweet, nutty sesame scent. It is light yellow in color and mildly thick. It leaves an oily film on the skin.

• Shea Butter

  Shea butter is suitable for all creams and lotions. Shea butter is solid in texture but permeable at room temperature. It is nutty and fatty in aroma and off-white/cream in color.

• Sunflower

  It is important to remember that while choosing sunflower oil, one should get unrefined oil. It has a faint and sweet aroma and is clear with only a tinge of yellow. It is thin and does not leave an oily residue on the skin.

Words of Wisdom

It is important to be cautious while using the oils. Here is information that will help you derive the full benefits of the oils.

• It is not advisable to apply undiluted essential oils, CO2s, concentrated essences and absolutes onto the skin.
• If you have medical problems like liver damage, cancer, epilepsy or you are pregnant, visit a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using the oils.
• Consult the qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using the oils on children too.
• Do a patch test before using an oil that you have not used in the past.

Tags: aromatherapy carrier oil