Essential oils and carrier oils go hand-in-hand and work to soothe and restore our skin, body and soul. From cosmetics to energising, they are a pillar of aromatherapy practice. But when it comes to choosing the right carrier oils for your favourite essential oils, there’s more to consider than you realise. So, let’s take a look at some of our best carrier oils for essential oils.
What are Carrier Oils?
Each carrier oil is made by extracting the seeds, nuts or kernels (usually by cold-pressing) from their respective botanical plant. As a result, each carrier oil has its own unique profile of properties for skin, hair and general health.
When you dilute essential oils with carrier oils, the oil helps absorb the nutrients from the essential oil into the skin scalp and hair. There’s no risk of the essential oils evaporating or causing skin irritations from their extreme potency.
Benefits of Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
Like essential oils, carrier oils are a powerful source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. They also retain most of their natural bioactive substances after extraction and are known to hydrate, heal and restore a variety of skin types and conditions. When paired with essential oils, carrier oils are known to benefit the following:
Skin conditions: Some carrier oils are known to be gentle on the skin and are a safe option for sensitive, dry and problematic skin types. Various carrier oils are also known to naturally balance oil production and help with skin conditions such as eczema.
Pain and Inflammation: A range of carrier oils include natural antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory components that may soothe redness, muscle pain and joint stiffness.
Hair and scalp: Many carrier oils have hydrating, nourishing and conditioning properties. This may help retain moisture in hair follicles and ease itchy, flakey scalp.
Skincare and Cosmetics: Some carrier oils are known to help stimulate collagen production, reduce the signs of premature ageing and protect the skin against environmental damage.
Best Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
Here are some of our most versatile and popular carrier oils:
Fractionated Coconut Oil
If you’re looking for a gentle and versatile carrier oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil is your best choice. It’s lightweight, clear in colour and has a neutral aroma. It easily absorbs into the skin and is a great carrier oil to mix in to existing products to enhance their benefits. Because of its versatility, it can easily be paired with any of your favourite essential oils, including:
Lavender Essential Oil: Known for its sedative properties, Lavender Essential Oil may also help with easing inflammation, cleansing and detoxifying the skin. It’s gentle for all skin types and may help with acne and skin conditions such as eczema. A perfect match.
Bergamot Essential Oil: A great option for those wanting assistance with skin conditions such as psoriasis and contains natural antiseptic properties to help fight against infection.
Tea Tree Essential Oil: One of the best-known essential for acne, Tea Tree Oil has powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties that work to cleanse and heal the skin.
Sandalwood Essential Oil: With soothing and moisturising properties, Sandalwood Oil is known to help build moisture in hair follicles as well as promote a glowing complexion.
Castor Oil
Castor Oil is filled with essential fatty acids, making it a rich source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Its nourishing, soothing and smoothing qualities make Castor Oil a favourite for diluting essential oils for both skin and hair care.
Despite having a thicker consistency, Castor Oil works well with oily and acne-prone skin types. It’s also known to ease muscle pain and promote a healthy-looking complexion. Here are some popular essential oils that work well with Castor Oil:
Lavender Essential Oil: A great pairing to promote healthy, strong hair.
Peppermint Essential Oil: To help ease joint and muscle pain due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Patchouli Essential Oil: A perfect remedy for dry or irritated skin while being known to smooth out skin imperfection and fine lines.
Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is filled with potassium, fatty acids and vitamins. It’s highly valued in anti-ageing remedies and relieving dry or cracked skin, and makes a great base for essential oil dilution. It is incredibly regenerative and easily spreadable and absorbable when used on the skin. Due to its hydrating and soothing qualities, Avocado Oil is known to work well with the following essential oils:
Neroli Essential Oil: With powerful anti-inflammatory properties, Neroli Oil works well for those wanting to ease inflammations from skin irritations and acne breakouts.
Rose Essential Oil: For topical use, Rose Oil is known to work wonders for moisture retention, soothing skin complaints such as eczema, clearing acne, and reducing the signs of ageing.
Frankincense Essential Oil: When paired with Avocado Oil, Frankincense Oil may help to balance oil production in mature, dry and oily skin types. It’s also known to remedy blemishes, and stretch marks, and encourage the healing of scars and minor wounds.
Almond Oil
Almond Oil is a well-known favourite for skincare and cosmetic use with a light consistency and subtle aroma. It’s naturally high in proteins and antioxidants and is filled with vitamins, A, B and E.
It is known to assist with dry skin and skin irritations, while working to improve moisture retention and skin complexion. In addition, it has also been seen to remove flakey and dead skin cells. Because of this, Almond Oil makes a great base for the dilution of the following essential oils:
Lavender Essential Oil: To help protect the skin, moisturise and relieve sun damage, skin irritations and rashes.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil: This pairing works well for easing inflammation such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and even infections. It also helps restore even skin tone and texture while improving blood circulation and encouraging wound healing.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed Oil is filled with essential fatty acids and is a popular all-rounder carrier oil for a variety of skin and cosmetic care uses. You can add Grapeseed Oil into existing cosmetic products to enhance their benefits, or to soothe and restore oily, sensitive, dry and mature skin types.
It has a near absent aroma and light colour and consistency, making it a versatile carrier oil for a variety of essential oils. You can use Grapeseed Oil as a base to dilute with your favourite essential oil, including:
Sweet Basil Essential Oil: This creates a highly nourishing blend for the skin and may help to reduce the appearance of impurities and soothe acne breakouts.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil: Popular in skincare, Rose Geranium Oil is known to facilitate the healing of wounds, balance oil production within the skin, and ease inflammation.
How to Apply Carrier Oils with Essential Oils
When you use carrier oils with essential oils, you can pair a host of benefits for use across skincare, cosmetic use and massage. Remember, carrier oils allow for safe topical use of essential oils on the skin. So, as a general guide, we recommend:
- 2-4% dilution for skin application
- 1-2% dilution for facial application
You can also follow our helpful guide:
Are Carrier Oils Safe?
Carrier Oils are usually safe to use directly on the skin and don’t normally cause an allergic reaction or skin irritations. When diluting essential oils with your carrier oil, we always recommend performing a skin patch test before use:
- Apply a small amount of the dilution to the inside of your wrist
- Monitor the area over the next 24 hours
- If your skin begins to irritate within 24 hours, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and discontinue use.
Be aware of any allergies that may contribute to an allergic reaction. For example, carrier oils like Almond Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil may trigger tree nut allergies.
Where To Buy Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
While carrier oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores it is important to keep in mind that the quality and purity of these carrier oils will vary. This is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO we have a wide selection of carrier oils and organic carrier oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities our costs are significantly less which allows us to offer high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!