Anyone who’s serious about natural beauty needs to know about carrier oils. Without them, you run the risk of damaging your skin, hair and clothes. We reveal everything you need to know about carrier oils...
What is a carrier oil?
Carrier oils are oils which are mild enough to use directly on the skin. Much like their more potent cousins, essential oils, carrier oils are usually derived from plants, seeds, nuts or kernels.
Cold pressing is typically considered to be the best method of extraction when making a quality carrier oil because it helps preserve nutrients from the raw ingredients. Some of the most popular carrier oil examples include jojoba oil, avocado oil, and sweet almond oil.
Why should we be using them?
Carrier oils are incredibly useful. Not only are they packed with health and beauty-boosting benefits, they’re also imperative for the safe use of essential oils.
Essential oils are especially potent and aren’t advisable to use undiluted on skin. They’re so strong that they can cause skin irritation, especially if the user hasn’t built up a tolerance to them.
Carrier oils are also known as ‘base oils’ because they’re used as a base for oil blends that you intend to use directly on the skin, hair or scalp. They ‘carry’ the oil onto your skin safely.
Choosing the right oil for you
As with most skincare products, carrier oils work best when you choose the right ones for the job at hand. Different plants and botanicals have different health benefits, so you’ll need to do some research before you dive in.
If you’re planning to blend your own body oil, you may find it more economical to use an oil which is affordable in large quantities, like coconut, avocado and sweet almond oils, which are readily available at the supermarket. You also have the option to indulge in an organic cold pressed version if you feel like treating yourself (and your body!)
When researching carrier oils for skin, you should consider your skin goals and make your choice based on those. Dry skin benefits from Vitamin E-rich carrier oils like prickly pear. If you have blemish-prone skin, jojoba is an excellent choice, and you can also choose an oil if you want a natural remedy for the signs of aging.
If you want carrier oils for hair, argan oil is a firm favourite, especially if you want a luxe finishing product to smooth your hair after styling. Avocado oil is great for hair too, and makes a great base for hot oil treatments and hair masks.
How to use carrier oils properly
As with essential oils, carrier oils come with their own unique benefits, so it’s worth taking the time to find a suitable match for your skin type or for the recipe you’re creating.
If you’re blending oils to use directly on the skin and hair, you should check an aromatherapy dilution guide before you begin. As we previously mentioned, you can use carrier oils directly on your skin and hair because they’re so mild. Many people like to use them as a luxurious facial oil or hot oil treatment for parched hair.
You can also choose to blend a few drops of your carrier oil in with a facial moisturiser, serum or aloe vera gel. This will allow you to lock in the moisture of the product while adding extra nourishment.
Start creating your own formulations using carrier oils — browse our collection and begin blending!