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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Does peanut oil make a carrier oil?
Hi Pam, Peanut oil can be applied topically. Although, if you have concerns about it’s use, we recommend seeing a dermatologist before trying it. Thanks for stopping by!
Hello
What would be the best carrier oil to use, to make eucalyptus oil
Thanks
Jerry
Hi there, I wanted to know if one drop of Frankincense EO could be mixed with a few drops of almond/coconut oil instead of mixing the whole 10-15mls of the EO in with the carrier oil. (Does that make any sense? I hope I could explain my confusion properly hehe!) Thanks for the informative article, have a nice day! :)
Hi new2eo, You are more than welcome to mix just one drop of Frankincense with a few drops of the carrier oil each time you use it! Please refer to the directions on the label for usage information. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
Hi I bought some essential oils and want to mix them with carrier oil. But am not able to understand that at what propotion or how much propotion shall i mix them. Please help me out as I am making my own hair oil.
Here I give you the name of the oils: coconut, olive, almond, castor, jojoba, avacado, amla, Argan and rosemary (oils).
Hi Indrani, Great question. Rosemary recommends using a 1:1 ratio by diluting one drop of oil with one drop of carrier oil and applying to the desired area as needed. As each person is unique and may have different sensitivities the ratio can be adjusted to best fit your personal preference. Thanks for stopping by!
Hello, I just bought two bottles of sweet almond oil, but although I thought it was pure, I just realised it's mixed with other ingredients, such as Glyceril Caprylate, Parfum, and Tocopheril Acetate etc. Is it still ok to use this as carrier oil for aromatherapy (inhalation), or would the chemicals interfere with the therapeutic qualities of my pure essential oils?
Hi Effie, Great question. While the efficacy of the essential oils will not be compromised by using this particular sweet almond oil, we suggest looking into alternative carrier oils such as our V-6™ Vegetable Oil Complex which contains only pure ingredients. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi is vegetable glycerine a carrier oil? As i can't seem to mix the essential oil with it. Or must i add another oil with the vegetable glycerine?
Thank you
Hi Eyqa, Vegetable glycerin is typically used as an agent for toothpastes, shampoos and soap. We suggest using one of the carrier oils listed above when using essential oils. Thanks for stopping by with your question!
What is the best carrier oil for lavender oil? Thanks.
Hi! Love the article, thank you for all the great information! I have oily, acne prone skin with some occasional dry patches, but I am primarily concerned with treating the oil and acne. So I am wondering which essential and carrier oils you'd recommend to use for a person of my skin type. Thasks again!
Hi Gyasi, We recommend viewing our blog post Keep Your Skin Looking Timeless and discussing the possibility of essential oils with a dermatologist. Thanks for stopping by!
For general defficiency of Vitamin E how much essential wheat germ oil is to be used every day and with which carrier oil?
Hi Bipin, As the health and well-being of our members is very important to us, we do recommend consulting with your health care provider for specific recommendations concerning a Vitamin E deficiency. Thank you for stopping by with your question!
Hi can all the carrier oils be mixed together with a few essential oils
Hi Phoebe, You are more than welcome to create your own carrier oil blend 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!