What Are Carrier Oils?

What are carrier oils and what are they used for?

Many websites insist that essential oils be used in combination with a carrier oil. I had no idea what a carrier oil was, so I did some research.

Essential oils are derived from the leaves, bark, or roots of the plant. Undiluted essential oils can be an irritant or can cause severe reactions in some people. 

A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually the seed, nut or kernels.  

I discovered that carrier oils are used as a base to dilute essential oils. Carrier oils carry the essential oil into the skin. That is why, in the list below, the essential oils are added to large amounts of water or another ingredient, thus lessening the harshness of the essential oil.

Carrier oils, or base oils, include:

Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Kernal Oil, Avocado Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil (Tea Oil), Cranberry Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Hazelnut Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Meadform Oil, Olive Oil, Peanut Oil, Pecan Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Seabuckthorn Brry Oil, Sesame Oil, Sunflower Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil

   

Use carrier oils that are labeled "Cold Pressed." This means they are processed without heat. Unlike essential oils, carrier oils have a light aroma or no aroma. Carrier oils do not evaporate. (Essential oils are distilled and do evaporate.) The therapeutic properties of the essential oils will only be strengthened by the carrier oils. Carrier oils contain healthy nutrients and essential fatty acids. Beware, they can become rancid over time. If the carrier oil smells strong or has a bitter aroma, do not use.

Other uses for essential oils include:

Air freshening 

Bathing

Floral waters

Foot and hand baths

Hair care

Massage

Saunas 

Showers

Steam inhalation

Vaporization/diffusing

I hope this information has shed some light on exactly what a carrier oil is and the basic differences between a carrier oil and an essential oil.

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~