Carrier Oils
What are Carrier Oils
A carrier oil is a vegetable oil which is used as a ‘base’ to dilute the concentrated essential oil(s) before applying to the skin. Thus, carrier oils are base oils which carry the essential oil on to the skin. If essential oils are applied directly to the skin, they can cause severe skin reactions as they are concentrated and volatile. Carrier oils constitute 98% of an aromatherapy treatment. Every carrier oil has a distinct characteristic and therapeutic property. Hence, your choice of the base oil would depend on what ailment you want to treat.
How are Carrier Oils different from Essential Oils
• Carrier oils are applied directly on the skin while essential oils need to be diluted with carrier oils before skin application to provide lubrication and stability.
• Carrier oils are largely obtained by pressing the fatty portions of plants namely, nuts, seeds and kernels. Essential oils are obtained by the process of distillation of the roots, bark, leaves and other such aromatic portions of a plant.
• Carrier oils are more odorless or have a mild nutty smell while essential oils have a concentrated aroma.
• Carrier oils can get rancid over a period of time but do not evaporate, while essential oils do not go rancid but instead get oxidized, evaporate easily and lose their therapeutic benefits.
Vegetable Oils, Base Oils or Fixed Oils
Carrier oils are also known as vegetable oils, base oils or ‘fixed’ oils in aromatherapy and natural skin care treatment. These oils are termed as “fixed oils” as they do not evaporate. While most vegetable oils are derived from kernels, seeds and nuts, there are some exceptions like coconut oil and jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is liquid wax rather than free flowing oil and derived from a shrub which has the appearance of leathery leaves. Coconut oil is extracted from the white flesh inside the coconut unlike oil extraction processes for other oils.
How to Choose a Carrier Oil
As a novice, it may be confusing to pick the right carrier oil from too many choices available. Once you are familiar with some simple practical tips you should be able to choose the right base oil for yourself.
1. Base Oil Guide: Learn some basic facts about vegetable oil properties, their actions and viscosity information as a guide to select the right base oil for your needs and therapeutic care.
2. Aroma: Carrier oils are odorless, but generally speaking, most have a faintly sweet, nutty aroma. If you come across a carrier oil that has a strong, bitter aroma, the carrier oil may have gone rancid. Avoid rancid oils.
3. Oil Processing Method: Choose carrier oils that are cold pressed or cold expeller pressed. Avoid vegetable oils from grocery stores which are typically processed using heat and not cold pressed. High temperatures and longer duration of processing harm the oil nutrients and reduce therapeutic effect of oils.
4. Carrier Oil Nutrients: Prefer “unrefined oils” versus “refined oils” for skin nourishment as they are a richer source of nutrients. Wheatgerm and unrefined avocado are perfect for overnight skin nourishment treatment but not suitable for body massage.
Check labels for “tocopherols” or “Vitamin E”. These are natural anti-oxidants which are great for skin care as well as extend the shelf life of the oil. Carrier oils can contain minerals, fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and other useful nutrients. For e.g. Seabuckthorn Berry Oil is deep orange in color due to its high ratio of beta carotene content.
5. Where to shop: Always buy your oils from suppliers and retailers who specialize in aromatherapy products or natural skin care products. Your local health food store may carry carrier oils but at more expensive prices.
6. Ensure that the bottle does not have dust on it. This confirms that the bottle hasn’t been lying around for sometime.
7. Avoid bottles containing oil blends of two or more oils.
8. Do not pick bottles with additives or preservatives.
9. Varied Prices: Price of carrier oils vary based on a number of factors. Method of oil processing, organic or not, quantity of oil, source from where you buy; all these determine the cost of the oil. Organic carrier oils are pricier than conventional oils. It is important to verify that the oil is certified, before purchasing.
10. Oil Color: The color of the oil normally does not matter for simple blends. However, the color may be important to you if you are using it for a recipe that matters to you.
11. Viscosity, Absorption and Feel: An oil can be thin, medium or of thick viscosity. The absorption, feel and quickness with which the oil is absorbed in the skin after application i.e. oily feel or dry feel would depend on an individual’s preference.
12. Essential Fatty Acids: Carrier oils have varied content of EFAs which our bodies require and mainly obtain through the diet. EFAs can nourish the skin when oil containing EFAs is applied topically and gives tremendous skin benefits. But EFAs can make the oil fragile and prone to rancidity.
13. Shelf Life of Oil: Carrier oils can become rancid and get oxidized. How long it takes to become rancid would vary from oil to oil. Make an estimate of how much oil you require and buy the bottle size accordingly.
