Carrier oils are used in many different circumstances for our skin care. These plant oils help to keep our skin vibrant and healthy. When it comes to topical use of essential oils carrier oils are a requirement. You must use carrier oils to safely dilute essential oils.
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What is a Carrier Oil?
I almost feel like the term carrier minimizes the benefit these plant-based oils, butters and waxes provide. They are full of healing benefits all on their own. They include a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The amount of available carrier oils can be mind boggling, but you don’t have to know about all of them. Take a few minutes and think about what you want the oils to do. Are you going to be using it to create an herb infused oil? Will you be using it for massaging essential oils into a sore muscle? Is it going to be combined with beeswax to create a body butter? Below, I explore eight options that are some popular options that can get you started.
Carrier Oils
The most popular product in the essential oil industry seems to be coconut oil or fractionated coconut oil.
Coconut oil is cold pressed from the flesh inside the shell. This is an excellent oil for dry and itchy skin. It can even be used on sensitive skin. The cold pressed variety will smell like fresh coconuts. I like using it with animals that may be experiencing fungal issues as it has some antifungal properties. A challenge with virgin coconut oil is that it will become a solid at 77°. Due to this many people will use fractionated coconut oil which will remain liquid at cooler temperatures. By fractionating the oil, it has been altered and I would rather use something that is as close to the actual plant as possible.
Aloe Vera Gel is another popular product used as a base. It is important to research this product because many things will be added to preserve it. The gel is cold pressed from the internal portion of the leaves. It is polysaccharide rich, but due to its high-water content does not have a long shelf life. It also may need additional preservatives added depending on how you are using it.
Avocado Oil is expressed from the avocado flesh. The oil is nourishing and moisturizing. It can help prevent chapping and reduce stretch marks. It can promote cell regeneration in damaged skin. It is useful for inflammation and arthritis blends.
Jojoba Wax is a carrier that confuses people. This wax is a liquid so many people think that it is an oil. It is made from pressing the beans from a jojoba bush. Jojoba can be a little pricey but because it closely resembles the skin’s sebum is a great product.
Trauma Oil is an herbal infused product. Arnica, St. John’s wort and calendula are infused in olive oil. The three herbs combine well to produce an oil that can be pain relieving, reduce inflammation and healing to tissues. This is an important one to add to an herbal first aid kit.
Shea Butter is cold pressed from the seeds of the Karite tree. It is an excellent moisturizer and can help with dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and burns.
Rose hip oil rich in vitamin c and E. This oil includes essential fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid. This help provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Commonly used in face creams.
Almond Oil is rich in vitamins E & K. It also has omegas 9 and 6, and fatty acids. It is a good all-purpose oil. The only precaution is for people that may be sensitive to nuts.
These plant-based carrier oils are compatible to our skin and help optimize our health. Many of them are also safe to use on our animals (not cats). For our animals often using a good carrier is all they will need to resolve an issue.
Do you have a favorite carrier oil? Is there something you think I should explore? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
