Carrier oils
Natural oils are often neglected because people are
unsure about exactly how to use them. Many people are only
familiar with their uses as a carrier oil for aromatherapy
blends or as massage oils. However, natural oils such as
coconut oil, almond oil and jojoba oil among others are some
of the simplest, easiest to use and effective skin
preparations available.
They make wonderful facial cleansers. Despite the assumption
that layering an oil on your skin might clog pores, they
actually combine well with the sebum on your face to dissolve
dirt and loosen dead skin cells.
Many can be used as hair conditioners with the appropriate
essential oil added. They also make great bath and after bath
oils, leaving the skin soft and supple as it helps your skin
hold in the moisture from your bath. And many make for
unbeatable moisturizers because of their innate
characteristics of nourishing essential fatty acids (EFAs)
which are necessary for healthy skin.
As a carrier oil - A carrier oil is any oil that is used to
dilute pure essential oils. It is always wise to mix
essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to
your skin. Pure essential oils are so concentrated and so
potent that they may irritate or burn your skin, or you might
develop a sensitivity to them. Essential oils spread more
evenly when diluted in carrier oils.
The following are brief descriptions of some of the most
popular carrier oils.
Sweet Almond Oil Obtained from the nut of a
tree native to Asia and the Mediterranean. This oil is a
favorite carrier oil for essential oil aromatherapy blends,
although it can be used by itself for moisturizing skin. The
oil has no scent and is a great nutrient for softening and
conditioning the skin. It's been known to be especially
suitable for eczema, itchy, dry and inflamed skin. It's very
lubricating but not very penetrating. Since it contains
glucosides, vitamins and minerals, it makes a fabulous
massage oil.
Apricot Kernal Oil is rich and nourishing
and is particularly helpful for dehydrated, delicate, mature
or sensitive skin. Soothes and smoothes dry or inflamed skin.
Has a high vitamin A content.
Avocado Oil nourishes and restores dry,
dehydrated and mature skin. Skin problems, especially eczema
and psoriasis, respond to its high content of vitamins A and
E. Has its own distinct odor so do not use if preparing mix
as a scent blend. It goes rancid quickly. Buy in small
amounts and refrigerate.
Borage Oil stimulates skin cell activity and
encourages skin regeneration. Penetrates the skin easily.
Best suited for particularly dry, dehydrated, mature or
prematurely aging skin. Not recommended for oily skin. Add to
other carrier oils to promote healthy skin and hair.
Coconut Oil (fractionated) is obtained from
copra, the dried "meat" of coconut. Distillers separate the
copra from the hull of the coconut. It is then dried,
crushed, and then expressed to remove the oil. This coconut
becomes a liquid at 76 degrees. It is semi-liquid at room
temperature. A percentage of coconut oil in cosmetics is
moisturizing; too much of it can be drying. Unscented.
Coconut Oil (virgin) When you take a whiff
of this virgin, pure oil you will be transported to an island
somewhere in the Caribbean or the South Pacific. It has the
most intoxicating coconut fragrance you could ask for.
Directly from the islands, its texture is a soft-solid with a
creamy texture while at room temperature. Use straight on the
skin, as lip balm, to blend with other fixed oils and
essential oils, in creams and lotions, for those who like to
tan without any protection this is it, use as an all over
body oil, massage into hair for a truly moisturizing
treatment prior to shampooing.....use your imagination.
Evening Primrose Oil has a high
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content that promotes healthy skin
and helps the skin repair itself. Soothes skin problems and
inflammation. Discourages dry skin and premature aging of the
skin. Goes rancid quickly. Refrigerate or combine with
another carrier oil that has longer shelf life.
Grapeseed Oil is one of the lightest oils.
The skin absorbs it easily. Good to use as a skin oil or body
oil. Slightly astringent and tightens and tones the skin.
Does not aggravate acne.
Hazelnut Oil tones and tightens the skin and
helps to maintain firmness and elasticity. Also helps to
strengthen capillaries.
Jojoba Oil is very similar in composition to
human natural skin oils. It penetrates the skin rapidly to
nourish it; also softens and moisturizes mature and dry skin.
Jojoba helps to heal inflamed skin conditions such as
psoriasis or any form of dermatitis, helps control acne and
oily scalps. Since it has antioxidant properties, it can keep
other oils from going rancid.
It's gentle enough for newborn babies; soothes and restores
elasticity to any dry skin area. It's very good in cases of
psoriasis, for massage, scalp and hair care, and for hands
and cuticles. For shaving legs and face, just moisten the
skin and massage a generous amount of our pure jojoba deeply
into the area to be shaved, then rinse your razor with hot
water. May be used full strength or diluted with other oils.
Kukui Nut Oil The kukui nut tree is the
official state tree of Hawaii. This oil has been used by
Hawaiians for hundreds of years. Early on, they recognized
the oil's high penetrability and soothing properties and use
it to treat sunburns and chapped skin. Also shown to benefit
acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Rose Hip Oil (also known as Rosa Mosqueta
Oil). Reduces scarring, heals burns and softens scars and
keloids. Reputed to reduce fine lines and retard premature
aging by promoting the regeneration of skin cells. May
aggravate acne or blemished skin. Goes rancid quickly.
Wheat Germ Oil Good for stretch marks, aging
skin and scarring. High in lecithin, vitamins A,D and E. Add
20% to another carrier oil (including your essential oils)
and you'll not only extend its shelf life, but you'll add the
skin nourishing properties of vitamin E as well. Wheat germ
oil has the highest concentration of Vitamin E than any other
natural oil.