Carrier oils are usually overlooked because they don’t contain the therapeutic constituents of other essential oils, but they can play an indispensable companion of topically applied oils. Let’s take a closer look at these carriers and why they deserve a place on the shelf of anyone who uses and loves essential oils.
Carrier oils are naturally derived from vegetarian sources and have a neutral smell. They aren’t volatile like essential oils, which makes them an excellent medium for dilution and application.
Vegetable shortening, butter, and margarine are best left in the kitchen—they’re not intended for topical use. Mineral oil and other petroleum derivatives like petroleum jelly should also not be used as carrier oils.
Essential oils are volatile, which means they evaporate rapidly and contain the natural smell and characteristics of the plant. This can make them too strong to apply undiluted. Carrier oils do not evaporate or have a strong aroma, making them the perfect pair for diluting especially strong essential oils—reducing the concentration of the essential oil without altering its therapeutic qualities. When you dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil, you can also control its concentration before applying.
Like other substances that are high in fat, carrier oils have a limited shelf life, meaning that eventually they can go bad. Depending on the type, oils with a short shelf life should typically be used within six months, while oils with a longer shelf life may stay good for up to a year. It’s important to store oils in their original air-tight containers in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry, to maximize shelf life.
Carrier oils can vary widely in their consistency, absorption, aroma, shelf life, and other characteristics. Carrier oils can be blended to change or combine their properties, so you can mix and match until you find the blend that’s just right for you!
**Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.
*Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.
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HI,,,
Can i combine extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and sweet almond oil as my carrier oil? if so, what essential oils can u recommend? thank u very much!!!!
Hi Jessie, You are more than welcome to create your own carrier oil and add your favorite essential oils! You could also use our V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex which is pre-mixed and ready to create custom blends, formulas and massage oils. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
Hi our store carries your oils. I have a customer question. What are the base ouls? Shes interest in citrus and grapefruit. But is allergic to avacado and nuts.
Hi Charli, Our single oils do not contain any base oils and are 100% pure essential oil. However, some of our other products do contain carrier oils. We recommend they review the product ingredients listed on our website before beginning use. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
Hi there! Just curious, I've always used grape seed oil but am thinking of trying rice bran however I have a client who is gluten intolerant and am concerned but can't find any info if this can or can't be used in massage on those who are.
Hello Anne, Typically rice bran does not contain gluten allergens. However, as Young Living® does not carry this product we are unable to provide more information. We recommend contacting the manufacturer of the rice bran to receive further in-depth information. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
Which carrier oils are good for making up capsules? All of the oils I've found say you shouldn't ingest them, and all the vitality oils say you should dilute with a carrier.
Hello Daunell, You may dilute essential oils for dietary use with a carrier oil of your choice as directed on the product labels. Our V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex is an excellent carrier oil for diluting oils in a capsule. Thanks for stopping by!
I have used olive oil from my kitchen to make many roller recipes over the last 6 months. Upon reading this information, I am concerned about my ability to detect when the oldest oil has gone rancid. Do you have recommendations for detection of oil blends I should no longer use? And will bad olive oil affect the properties of the essential oil?
Hello Kat, Excellent questions! Our essential oil blends which contain carrier oils have a shelf life of 2-3 years, based on our past testing results. However, we are currently running stability testing to verify the shelf life of these blends. In our experience, the aroma, taste and consistency will change when olive oil has gone rancid. We do not recommend using rancid carrier oil. You may want to speak with the manufacturer of the olive oil you are using for more specific information related to the shelf life of the product.
I'm looking to dilute tea tree oil with something that contains a lot of vitamin e, would sweet almond oil be the best choice for that? What ratio of tea tree oil to sweet almond oil should I use? And should I add water, if so what ratio of that as well?
Thank you
Hi Aileen, These are excellent questions! Sweet Almond Oil would be a great choice as it is rich in vitamin E. Jojoba and Argan oil are great options as well. According to the label directions, dilution is not required for Tea Tree oil. However, you are welcome to dilute it according to your personal preference and needs. You can try starting with a ratio of 1:1 then increasing the amount of carrier oil if you choose. Thanks for stopping by!
Can macadamia nut oil be used as well?
Hi Nalani, Yes, macadamia nut oil can be used as a carrier oil if you would like. Thanks for stopping by!
How long will V6 keep in the pantry? Can I tell by looks or smell that it has expired?
Hi Francis, Based on past testing results, the shelf life of V-6™ is approximately two years. However, we are currently running additional stability testing to verify the shelf life of this specific product.
Can I use the costco Mediterranean blend as a carrier? it has (canola, grapseed, and olive oil)?
Yes, you can use this product as a carrier oil if you choose.
I am looking for a carrier oil that could be used in combination with a YL essential oil on a teething babe. Which product is labeled appropriately for this application? Thank you for your response!
Hi Meghann, V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex or any pure vegetable oil of your choice can be used to dilute essential oils for children. Due to the extreme sensitivity of children we do recommend extra caution. Please speak with a health care professional if you have any concerns. You may find the information given in this blog post useful as well: Essential Oils in the Nursery Thanks for stopping by!