There is a perceptible shift towards natural remedies worldwide. Carrier oils are best to answer for concentrated and efficacious care; they are also very gentle and offer holistic benefits, away from chemical solutions.
The trending concept of essential oil and carrier oils has been there since old-age remedy was invented and used centuries ago, which is why investing in carrier oils is important and beneficial. Essential oils are extracted from plants. Carrier oils have their characteristics and therapeutic benefits, impacting the complexion and health. All of them include essential fatty acids. So choosing the right carrier oil is just as important as choosing the right essential oil.
Most carrier oils are scented, but some aren't. So they blend well with all concentrated essential oils and are easy to mix and match. Just consider the scent of all substances to blend without a foul-smelling oil. The only way to think about the oils to improve acne, something to soothe dry skin or the best massage oils. There will be a lot of experimenting before you find the right oil for your skin! Not all oils make good carrier oils, but you should avoid using butter, petroleum jelly, and mineral oil.
If you want to relax and calm your stressed mind, essential oils work wonders, but when it comes to healthy and glowing skin, carrier oils work best all year round but are best beneficial in winter. Carrier oils have these benefits since they are dense and absorb quickly into the skin. They nourish your skin from the inside without any side effects. Hence, it can be safely used by sensitive skin users.
Why is it so Beneficial to use Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are vegetables from seeds, nuts, or kernels. Plant-based carrier oils have many wonderful, natural properties that make them essential in any good skincare product or routine. Each carrier oil offers different properties and characteristics and contains essential fatty acids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and skin-healing vitamins.
They can be used for various reasons and help with hydration, collagen production, skin tone, soothing irritated skin and repairing sun damage. Finding carrier oils high in oleic gave a high oleic content absorb faster into your skin, meaning your skin feels without oily after applying it.
If you are interested in using carrier oil as part of your essential oils routine, read through this list of carrier oils and their specific uses and benefits. Your carrier oils are important in perfecting your skin care regimen, whether you want something to use in addition to your usual skincare products or alone topically direct to your skin. Carrier oils have their characteristics and therapeutic benefits, impacting the complexion and health. Choosing the right carrier oil is just as important as choosing the right essential oil. It adds volume to your high-performance ingredients.
A complete list of carrier oils can be used in essential oil mixes, skincare regimens, lip balm, hair care products, lotions, soap, and more.
TYPES OF CARRIER OILS & THEIR COMEDOGENIC RATING
The list is extensive, but we will highlight some in this post. Some of these oils are highly comedogenic (they clog pores), some are moderate, while some do not clog pores at all, e.g. hemp seed oil.
Comedogenic Scale
The scale uses a numbering system of 0 to 5. How the numbers rank on the scale:
0 – non-comedogenic and will not clog your pores.
1 – very low chance that the oil will clog your pores.
2 – moderately low chance of clogged pores or a skin reaction.
3 – moderate chance depending on their skin type.
4 – fairly high chance unless with good tolerance of skin type factor
5 – high likelihood of clogging pores
Plant-Based Carrier Oil List With Comedogenic Rank Scale
Abyssinian Seed Oil 0 | Jojoba Oil 2 |
|---|---|
Acai Berry Oil 2 | Karanja Oil 2 |
Almond Sweet Oil 2 | Kiwi Seed Oil 1 |
Andiroba Seed Oil 2 | Kukui Nut Oil 2 |
Apricot Kernel Oil 2 | Macadamia Nut Oil 2-3 |
Argan Oil 0 | Maracuja Oil 1-2 |
Arnica Oil 2 | Marula Oil 3-4 |
Avocado Oil 3 | Meadowfoam Seed Oil 1 |
Babassu Oil 1-2 | Milk Thistle Seed Oil 1 |
Baobob Seed Oil 2 | Moringa Oil 3-4 |
Blackberry Seed Oil 0-1 | Neem Oil 1-2 |
Black Cumin Seed Oil 2 | Olive Oil 2 |
Black Currant Seed Oil 2 | Palm Oil 4 Very Dry, Best for Body Use |
Black Raspberry Seed Oil 1-2 | Palm Kernel Oil 4 Suitable for those with even the driest skin. |
Blueberry Seed Oil 0-1 | Papaya Seed Oil 2-3 |
Borage Oil 2 | Passionfruit (Maracuja) Seed Oil 1-2 |
Brazil Nut Oil 2 | Peach Kernel Oil 2 |
Broccoli Seed Oil 1 | Pecan Oil 2 |
Buriti Oil 2 | Perilla Oil 1-2 |
Cacay oil 1-2 | Amaranth Oil 2-3 naturally contains high amounts of squalene. |
Calendula Oil 1 | Pistachio Oil 0 |
Camelina Oil 3-4 | Plum Kernel Oil 1-2 |
Camellia Oil 2-3 | Pomegranate Oil 1 |
Canola Oil 4 | Prickly Pear Seed Oil 1-2 |
Carrot Seed Oil 3-4 | Red Raspberry Seed Oil 0-1 |
Castor Oil 1 | Rice Bran oil 2 |
Chamomile Oil 2 | Rosehip Seed Oil 1 |
Cherry Kernel Oil 2 | Sacha Inchi Oil 1 |
Chia Seed Oil 3 | Safflower Oil 1 |
Cloudberry Seed Oil 1 | Sea Buckthorn Oil 1 |
Coconut Oil 4 | Sesame Seed Oil 3 |
Corn Oil 3 | Shea Oil 0-2 |
Cottonseed Oil 3 | Soybean Oil 4-5 |
Cranberry Seed Oil 2 | Strawberry Seed Oil 1 |
Cucumber Seed Oil 1 | Sunflower Seed Oil 0-2 |
Date Seed Oil 3 | Squalane Oil 0-1 |
Elderberry Seed Oil 1-2 | St John Wort Oil 0 |
Evening Primrose Oil 2-3 | Tamanu Oil 2 |
Fenugreek Oil 0 | Tea Seed Oil 2 |
Flax Seed Oil 4 | Tomato Seed Oil 2 |
Goji Berry Seed Oil 0-1 | Trauma Oil (arnica, calendula & St.John's wort) |
Grapeseed Oil 1-2 | Vegetable Glycerin (coconut or palm oils) |
Guava Seed Oil 1-2 | Walnut Oil 1-2 |
Hazelnut Oil 1 | Watermelon Seed Oil 0-1 |
Hemp Seed Oil 0 | Lanolin Oil 2 for very dry skin |
Mustard Seed Oil 2-3 | Wheat Germ Oil 5 |
Each oil has different benefits for your skin, so important to research before using a new oil. Coconut oil stimulates collagen production and healing wounds. Jojoba oil can balance excessive oil production, giving you a more even skin tone. The type of carrier oil you choose depends on your desired outcome.
Plant-Based Carrier Oil Butter List With Comedogenic Rank Scale
Almond Butter na | Kokum Butter 0-1 |
Avocado Butter na | Macadamia Butter 2-3 |
Babassu Butter 2 | Mango Butter 2 |
Cocoa Butter 4 | Mowrah Butter (Madhuca Latifolia) 0 |
Coconut Butter 4 | Olive Butter 2 |
Cupuacu Butter(Theobroma grandiflorum) 4 | Sal Seed Butter (Shorea Robusta) 1 |
Hemp Seed Butter na | Shea Butter 2 |
How do the benefits of natural carrier oils works?
Carrier oils allow people to enjoy the benefits of applying essential oils to their skin without experiencing irritation and other skin symptoms. Many carrier oils have therapeutic properties. Different combinations of carrier and essential oils can have unique health benefits. Plant-based carrier oils have wonderful, natural properties that make them essential in any good skincare product or routine. Essential oils or other oil-soluble high-performance ingredients are mixed and diluted into the carrier oil to make the most of them and get the right ratio and concentration. Carrier oils do much more than add volume to your high-performance ingredients – they also have amazing qualities!
Plant-based oils are emollient, which soften and smooth the skin, which helps improve the texture and complexion. The fats and oils of these plant oils help fill the lipid barrier between the cells, encouraging moisturised and healthy-looking skin.
Mother of Nature - they can also do wonders – some carrier oils can enhance penetration through the skin, the cells, and the bloodstream. This helps the skin absorb high-value, high-performance active ingredients so they can go to work where needed. Avoid internal intake that goes through the whole body stream to reach the target area.
But what makes carrier oils so important to the health and well-being of our skin? Having fatty acid content.
Natural fatty acids are fundamental nutrients that we need to survive. Some of these fatty acids are produced in our bodies, but many are not, and we need to get them from the external environment. We do this through the things we ingest and put on our skin. Fatty acids are essential fatty acids.
We call these fatty acids essential fatty acids, which is these essential fatty acids are vital to the healthy functioning of our bodies. When applied topically, they feed, nourish and replenish our skin. You will find these essential fatty acids in abundance in many carrier oils, especially omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids.
Each carrier oil is unique because each has its precise amount and balance of essential fatty acids, a range of vitamins and other special natural compounds. Some oils work better with different skin types and conditions; each will have applications they are ideally suited to and understanding how your skin works.
Carrier oils can vary widely in their consistency, absorption, aroma, shelf life, and other characteristics. Carrier oils can be blended to change or combine their properties, so you can mix and match until you moisturise and find the blend just right for you!
Carrier oils are plant oils and fats extracted from nuts, seeds and fruit pulp using cold press, maceration or CO2 extraction methods – and the foundation of many natural skincare products. Carrier oils are packed with nourishing and revitalising qualities, as they are less expensive; they also help to keep the cost down whilst delivering a safe, stable and effective product. The great thing about carrier oils is they are the core of most cosmetics and skincare, whether shampoo, conditioner, soap, cream, lotion, scrub, balm, butter, serum or cleanser!
How are Carrier Oils Extracted?
Cold pressing is a process that does not involve any chemicals. Nuts seeds from which the oil needs to be extracted are pressed under a horizontal pressing device known as the expeller. In cold pressing, there is no residue, and the oil production is much cleaner with a much higher concentration of natural colour and aroma.
How to select the carrier oil you need
Knowing these carrier oils is one of the most worthwhile and rewarding benefits of your natural skincare routine. There are plenty to choose from, and most are suitable for essential oil. Consider a few things before choosing one. Light, heavy, pale, and dark oils can be absorbed into the skin quickly or slowly. Some oils have a neutral fragrance, and others with a strong aroma.
Odour: A few carrier oils have a distinct odour. When added to essential oil, it may alter the aroma.
Absorption: Your skin can absorb some carrier oils better than others.
Skin type: Depending on your skin type, some oils may irritate or worsen a skin condition, such as acne.
Shelf life: Some carrier oils can be stored longer than others without going bad.
Allergic to nuts, you shouldn't use oils derived from tree nuts. This includes sweet almond oil, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil. There are specialist oils like sea buckthorn, prickly pear seed oil, and kiwi seed oil that are ideal for high-performance face products, and oils that can be used as an alternative if you want to avoid nuts or other ingredients that could affect allergies.
Spend time smelling them, applying them on your skin in different places to observe how it feels, how quickly or slowly they absorb, how the feeling changes over time and taking note of anything specific that happens.
Store carrier oils in a cool, dark place, preferably in the refrigerator.
To perform a patch test:
Add a small amount of carrier oil to the inside of your wrist or just below your ear.
Cover the oil with a bandage.
Check back on the area after 24 hours.
If irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly, and avoid future use.
If you're allergic to tree nuts, don't use oils derived from tree nuts. This includes sweet almond oil, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil.
When diluting essential oils with carrier oils, follow these dilution guidelines.
For adults:
2.5 per cent dilution: 15 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
3 per cent dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
5 per cent dilution: 30 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
10 per cent dilution: 60 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
For children:
0.5 to 1 per cent dilution: 3 to 6 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
Carrier oils make it possible to use essential oils safely. They also help nourish and moisturise your skin. Not all oils make good carrier oils, though. You should avoid using butter, petroleum jelly, and mineral oil. Different oils are better suited to specific skin types and conditions, and they can work well whether the skin is dry or oily, sensitive or combination, mature or damaged.
There are so many carrier oils to choose from, with such a wide range of properties and qualities that with the right knowledge, you can find the ones that suit you and your skin perfectly.
Oils can be light and thin, like hazelnut, or rosehip oil, absorbed into the skin quickly and suitable for all skin types. Or they can be thicker and richer, like avocado oil and macadamia nut oil, which are very useful for dry, dehydrated and mature skin types. Some take a long time to absorb, such as sweet almond and grapeseed oil, making them more useful for massage.
Whatever oil you choose, avoid using it on your lips, eyes, or other sensitive areas after it's been mixed with essential oil. However, you can safely apply carrier oil alone to these areas.
Collection of carrier and exotic oils are carefully selected to deliver nature's richest gifts of mother nature for your face, hair and body.
Feel cared for, pampered, and renewed directly from nature.
Each rich drop of our oils nourishes, replenishes, and cares for your body, delivering essential fatty acids to soothe, balance, and moisturise. Use as a carrier oil for your favourite essential oils, smooth directly into skin or hair, or make products. Combining carrier and essential oils makes hair and skin care products easy without nasty chemicals.
Next, coming up soon with the List of Carrier Oils and Their Specific Uses and Benefits.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.
Studied at The School of Natural Skincare International. Reference: Further reading at Holistic Health Herbalist, Healthline, Medical News Today, and most can be researched to confirm.
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