Carrier Oils

Carrier oils

Essential oils are far too strong to be applied directly to the skin. We therefore typically use carrier oils to dilute essential oils so that they are safe to use on the skin without causing burning, irritation or sensitisation. There are other carriers available, such as creams, lotions or gels, but carrier oils are the most popular base product in aromatherapy, particularly for massage.

What are carrier oils?

A carrier oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the fatty parts of a plant - typically the nuts, kernels or seeds. They are also known as base oils or fixed oils.  Fixed oils, unlike essential oils, are non-volatile and do not evaporate over time. Carrier oil is the term that is generally used in aromatherapy, as it is the medium by which essential oils are ‘carried’ into the skin.

How are carrier oils extracted?

There are two main methods of extraction. Hot extraction is used for large scale, industrial production. This process uses extreme temperatures to maximise the yield of oil, but unfortunately destroys the oil’s natural nutrients. The resulting oil is refined, deodorised and bleached to remove its natural colour, then artificial colour, vitamins and preservatives are added back in. Oils mass produced in this way are usually destined for the supermarket shelves and are not appropriate for use in aromatherapy.

Carrier oils used for aromatherapy should ideally be extracted via cold pressing. This is done on a relatively small-scale and uses machinery to literally press the oil from the plant material. The process generates only a small amount of heat, which is not significant enough to destroy the oil’s fragile nutrients and therapeutic effects.

Refined or Unrefined oils

As discussed above, it is always best to choose unrefined cold-pressed carrier oils as these are less processed and contain the most nutrients. Refined carrier oils have been further processed to remove impurities, unwanted colours or scents, or to make them more stable and easier to work with. Unrefined coconut oil for instance, sets hard like butter, which isn’t suitable for all applications. It is often refined to remove the long-chain fatty acids which results in a liquid oil – this is known as ‘fractionated’ coconut oil. Although the liquid oil will have lost some of its nutrients, it still has excellent skincare benefits and is much lighter, less greasy and more readily absorbed into the skin. Avocado and Wheatgerm are also commonly refined to remove their dark colours and strong aromas which can be undesirable in certain products or applications. 

Therapeutic benefits

Carrier oils contain fat soluble vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and other valuable nutrients that can be beneficial to our health and wellbeing.

Our bodies cannot produce essential fatty acids, (EFAs) so for optimal health, and healthier, younger looking skin, these need to be obtained from our diet. A lack of essential fatty acids can cause various health problems including dry skin and hair, and conditions such as dandruff, eczema and psoriasis. Applying nourishing carrier oils, that are rich in essential fatty acids, can therefore help to significantly improve the look and feel of our skin and hair. 

Some oils also contain antioxidant tocopherols (Vitamin E) which help to tighten and firm the skin and protect it from environmental stressors such as pollution and ultra violet light. 

As well as being good for skincare and haircare, carrier oils also possess their own healing benefits which can enhance the therapeutic effect of your aromatherapy blends. Like essential oils, carrier oils should be chosen according to your particular need or skin type. Remember that an aromatherapy blend for the body typically contains 2% essential oil and 98% carrier oil (or 1% and 99% for the face), so they are hugely important to your overall blend and can create powerful synergies when blended with the appropriate essential oils. You can visit our product pages to find out more about each individual oil and its therapeutic effects.

Carrier oils for massage

When used for massage, the carrier oils help to lubricate the skin, preventing excessive friction between the skin and hands, and providing a smooth, easy glide over the skin’s surface. Unlike manufactured oils such as baby oil or mineral oil, these 100% natural base oils are absorbed into the skin, carrying the therapeutic essential oils into the body, so they can start to take effect. 

Certain carrier oils may be better for particular types of massage, so it is important to select the correct base oil for your particular needs.  The best oils for massage should generally have a low density and viscosity (i.e. not too thick or sticky) and should not be absorbed too quickly into the skin. It’s also best to use oils with little or no odour (whenever possible), so they don’t detract from the scent of your essential oils. 

Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Sunflower Seed and Fractionated Coconut oil are all popular and cost-effective options for general body massage and can be used at 100%. Some of the richer, heavier carrier oils, for e.g. unrefined Avocado or Wheatgerm, will need diluting with a lighter, more free-flowing oil. 

Shelf life and storage

Carrier oils vary in how long they will keep before oxidizing and becoming rancid.  This will depend on the level of fatty acids and tocopherols in the oil, extraction methods and other characteristics. To keep them in optimum condition it is best to store them in a cool, dark place. Most can be stored in the fridge to maximise their shelf-life (Avocado being the main exception). Please note that some oils may solidify or go cloudy if stored in the fridge and will need time to return to room temperature before using.

Other useful sources:

https://ifaroma.org/en_GB/home/explore_aromatherapy/essential-oils/carrier-oils