What are carrier oils exactly?

Carrier oils, simply put, are used to dilute essential oils or “carry” those oils into the skin, hair, or otherwise. Carrier oils can be derived from a number of vegetables, but they do also sometimes come from different plant seeds. While carrier oils can have some aromatic qualities due to the fact they are derived from plants, most are mild enough that they don’t disrupt the favorable qualities of essential oil when the two are mixed together.

Essential oils are created by distilling or extracting oils from aromatic plants or plant parts, so some of these oils can be too potent to apply directly to the skin. Plus, carrier oils allow expensive essential oils to be spread further. For example, if you are using something like Myrrh essential oil or Sacred White Frankincense, which can be costly because they’re hard to obtain, you can add a few drops of oil to a good carrier oil to get prolonged use.

10 of the Best Carrier Oil for Essential Oils and Why

So, what is a good carrier oil for essential oils? The answer can actually depend on a few factors, such as what your final intention with the essential is and what kind of essential oil you are using.

1. Sweet almond oil

Sweet almond oil is one of the best carrier oils for skin-related use. The oil absorbs quickly into the skin, plus it packs a punch of nice skin-nourishing agents. Sweet almond oil is also extremely mild in terms of aromatics, which makes it a good option for pairing with essential oils that could be easily overpowered, such as carrot seed oil.

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil contains a lot of nutrients that can be good for the skin, like polyphenols and fatty acids. When coconut oil is used as a carrier oil, it is best to stick with a good fractionated version because it is in a more fluid state at room temperature. While popular, coconut oil is not the best carrier oil for face use, because it can be likely to clog pores.

3. Jojoba oil

Is jojoba oil a carrier oil? Jojoba oil is actually a carrier oil extracted from jojoba plant seeds, and the oil itself has this slightly sweet and nutty fragrance. Jojoba carrier oils are commonly used for blends that will be used on the skin—the oil is considered comparable to natural skin oils. You’ll find this oil as a base for everything from essential-infused massage oils to facial moisturizers.

4. Olive oil

Olive oil may be found in your kitchen, but it is also a common carrier oil. Olive oil is not so great for everyday use on the skin because it can clog pores, but its fragrance is light enough that it pairs well with some essentials.

5. Grape seed oil

A byproduct of making wine, grape seed oil is derived from the seeds of grapes. The oil is especially highly sought after because of its vitamin E content, but it also has a desirable neutral scent.

6. Black seed oil

Black seed oil has properties that make it desirable for soothing certain skin ailments all on its own. However, black seed oil can also make a desirable carrier oil. Some people blend this oil with other skin-nourishing oils, such as chamomile oil, to soothe skin irritation.

7. Rosehip oil

Rosehip oil comes from rosehips, which are the seeds left behind after a flower loses its delicate petals. Surprisingly, rosehip oil does not deliver a telltale rose aroma but instead has this nice earthy scent. The oil itself is high in vitamin A, which may help with various skin issues and fight signs of aging.

8. Sunflower oil

Extracted from the seeds of sunflowers, this oil is often used on the skin because it helps with moisturization and may even act as a barrier to thwart toxins. The oil has a neutral odor, which makes it a good candidate for everything from eucalyptus to citrus oils.

9. Sesame oil

Sesame oil is, of course, derived from sesame seeds, which means you get a neutral oil that doesn’t have a lot of aromatics but does offer excellent skin-nourishing properties. Sesame oil is also one of the best carrier oils for hair use because it is lightweight and delivers so many nutrients.

10. Avocado oil

Avocado oil is heavier and thicker than a lot of other essential oils because it has a lot of fatty acid content. For this reason, avocado oil is often used on skin and hair, but may not be good for some people because the oil may actually encourage the production of natural skin oils.

The Best Essential Oil Blends Start with a High-Quality Carrier Oil

Regardless of what essential oil you are using, you don’t want to compromise the quality of that oil by using a low-quality carrier. Be sure to take a look at our carrier oil collection at Aromed Essentials.

Written by Lauren Andrews.