Carrier Oils (also known as fixed or base oils)

Essential oil with an except for a few, should never ever be used undiluted on the skin, and needs to be blended with a carrier oil. To dilute the essential oils and their constituents and to help spread them over the surface of the skin.

These oils are normally obtained by cold pressing the plant material and is inert – and not volatile as essential oils. They are from vegetable origin extracted from either nuts or seeds.

The dilution ratio of essential oil used with in a carrier oil depends on various factors, some of which are the age of the person it is to be used with as well as condition it is used for.

Smell of carrier oils 

Some individuals look for carrier oils with an exact smell – for example, individuals sometimes look for “almond oil” that smells like almonds.

If you come across an almond oil, that smells of almonds, you may have a highly toxic oil (bitter almond oil) for example.

Our carrier oils are 100% pure base oils – no preservatives, no fragrances or other compounds -they are as good as it gets!

Most carrier oils are extracted using a “cold pressed method”, with this method there is no external heat applied to help force the oil from its oil containing cells, this is the type of carrier oil you should buy.

People with nut allergies should do a patch test before using a nut based oil to be sure they have no issues with its use. Most people do not have allergic reactions to these type of base carrier oils, but better safe than sorry :O).

When the carrier oil has been extracted, it sometimes can be refined through numerous processes to attain certain desirable (and some undesirable) effects. (Hence the patch test is always good idea).

Carrier oils also posess their own therapeutic properties which also may assist the absorption of the essential oils through the skin.

Most carrier oils are additionally rich in fatty acids as well as other great nutrients.

List of different carrier oils and what they are good for:

• Almond oil: Acts as a natural moisturizer, it is suitable for young children and babies, helps to lubricate massage blends as well as a great makeup remover.
• Olive Oil: Deeply conditions your skin, has antiaging effects, this oil can be used as a hair tonic as well as a makeup remover.
• Apricot kernel oil: Helps to restore moisture to skin, it is suitable for sensitive skin, Acts as a massage base as well as conditions your hair.
• Avocado oil: This Base oil conditions and soothes your skin as well as repairs and protects your skin, acts as an anti-aging oil and is a natural SPF.
• Evening primrose oil: This base oil also has anti-aging effects conditions skin and can be added to any cosmetic.
• Grape seed oil: This base oil is suitable for allergenic and sensitive skin, treats acne and is also a great antiaging choice it will also make a good massage base.
• Jojoba oil: This oil conditions skin and hair is a great antiaging skin condition treatment as well as a makeup remover.
• Coconut oil: Conditions hair, cares for teeth and gums, heals rough irritated skin great hair conditioner and makeup remove.
• Rose-hip oil: This base oil eases itching, treats acne, prevents scaring and has anti-aging benefits.
• Trauma Oil: This base oil is made by macerated herbs of St. John’s Wort, Calendula and Arnica. This base oil is great for any type of mind body spirit trauma. It can be used for a healing massage in a first aid kit and aids in repairing skin.

The above is by no means a complete list of carrier oils, they are some of the ones I carry here in the shop.

As you can see from the provided list above there is a good diversity to choose from, although carrier oils are used for diluting the essential oils in aromatherapy (by applying to skin), the carrier oils can also add vary valuable properties to the process, since they all have one or more of their own characteristics to offer.