When you look up different essential oils to help with things like headaches and body pain, you probably see that if you are using the oils to be applied directly on your skin, you need to mix it with a carrier oil. But what is that exactly? They are so named because they carry the essential oil onto the skin. It is a very important safety practice to dilute essential oils when applying them to the skin.
What is the purpose of carrier oils?
What many people don’t realize when they start using essential oils is that for the most part, these oils shouldn’t be applied directly to your skin. These are pure extracts from leaves and plants, which can be a little too strong for your skin. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, you could have a bad reaction to them because essential oils are so concentrated. Carrier oils help to dilute the essential oils to minimize both of these problems. Plus, the oils provide a little lubrication and moisture for your skin, so they help in that way as well.
What are some examples of carrier oils?
Not all oils can be used as carrier oils, but many of them are great to use. Some commonly used carrier oils include:
• coconut oil
• jojoba oil
• olive oil
• grapeseed oil
• sweet almond oil
• hazelnut oil
• hemp seed oil
• sunflower oil
Typically, any oils from nuts or seeds are going to be acceptable. You should not use other forms of oil or grease in your kitchen, such as vegetable oil or vegetable shortening, butter, or margarine. You also do not want to use any type of mineral oil for application on the skin with essential oils.
Why do carrier oils help with dilution?
In many cases, essential oils are diluted with water, such as if you add them to a diffuser and get steam from the oil and water into the air, or you add them to your bathtub for aromatherapy. However, when they go on your skin, water doesn’t work well. Essential oils absorb into your skin very quickly, going deep into the layers of skin where it causes irritation. The same problems exist with plain water. However, oil sits on your skin for longer, so you can rub it onto the top surface of your skin with the essential oils and it protects your delicate skin while also neutralizing the scent.
According to wikihow.com:
• For an essential oil solution that will be applied to a concentrated area of an adult’s body, prepare a 3-5% solution. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil that you use. This dilution is ideal for applying a small amount of essential oil to your temples or wrists.
• For an essential oil solution that will be applied to a large area of an adult’s body, prepare a 1% solution. Add 1 drop of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil that you use. This dilution is ideal for massage oil mixtures and body sprays.
Skin Types and Corresponding Beneficial Carrier Oils
Normal Skin
• Coconut oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Hemp seed oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Sunflower oil
Oily Skin
• Apricot oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Jojoba oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Sunflower oil
Dry Skin
• Avocado oil
• Olive oil
• Rosehip oil
• Sweet almond oil
Sensitive Skin
• Apricot oil
• Jojoba oil
• Sesame seed oil
• Sweet almond oil
Mature Skin
• Apricot oil
• Jojoba oil
• Rosehip oil
• Sesame seed oil
• Sweet Almond oil
