Base Oils
What Are Carrier Oils?
Base oils (sometimes called "carrier" oils) are a key part of aromatherapy. They should be used to dilute essential oils so they can be applied to the skin without causing reactions or side effects such as irritation, flushing, or burning. These base oils are usually extracted from seeds and nuts, such as coconut or avocado. It stands to reason that carrier oils each have different properties and uses. The carrier oil you choose will depend on the intended use and the desired outcome. Read more >-
100% PURE AND NATURAL GRAPE SEED OIL DERIVED FROM ITALIAN GRAPE SEEDS. This popular oil is often found as a base in many cosmetic products because of it light texture and skin softening benefits. Grape seed Oil is naturally odorless and many Aroma therapists use it as carrier oil when mixing fragrances. Suitable for all skin types, Grape Seed oil works wonders on dry, chapped skin and does not...
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Organic Jojoba Oil from NOW® Solutions is ideal for those in need of healthier looking hair, softer feeling skin, or an oil for general bath care and massage. Pure, Organic Jojoba Oil is derived from the seed of the jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) shrub and is one of the most popular cosmetic oils available today. Its high stability, invigorating scent and cosmetic versatility make it ideal for a...
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Organic Jojoba Oil from NOW® Solutions is ideal for those in need of healthier looking hair, softer feeling skin, or an oil for general bath care and massage. Pure, Organic Jojoba Oil is derived from the seed of the jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) shrub and is one of the most popular cosmetic oils available today. Its high stability, invigorating scent and cosmetic versatility make it ideal for a...
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PURE JOJOBA OIL FROM NOW FOODS! 100% pure jojoba oil extracted from high quality jojoba beans. Jojoba Oil is the oil of choice for quality cosmetic manufacturers and aromatherapists because it does not oxidize or become rancid. An excellent moisturizer suitable for daily use, jojoba oil nourishes and revitalizes skin, relieves sunburn and can be used on hands, nails and hair. Jojoba Oil is rem...
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PURE JOJOBA OIL FROM NOW FOODS! 100% pure jojoba oil extracted from high quality jojoba beans. Jojoba Oil is the oil of choice for quality cosmetic manufacturers and aromatherapists because it does not oxidize or become rancid. An excellent moisturizer suitable for daily use, jojoba oil nourishes and revitalizes skin, relieves sunburn and can be used on hands, nails and hair. Jojoba Oil is rem...
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PURE JOJOBA OIL FROM NOW FOODS! 100% pure jojoba oil extracted from high quality jojoba beans. Jojoba Oil is the oil of choice for quality cosmetic manufacturers and aromatherapists because it does not oxidize or become rancid. An excellent moisturizer suitable for daily use, jojoba oil nourishes and revitalizes skin, relieves sunburn and can be used on hands, nails and hair. Jojoba Oil is rem...
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NOW Solutions Fractionated Liquid Coconut Oil is ideal for dry skin or hair in need of comprehensive moisturizing and nourishment. Pure Fractionated Liquid Coconut Oil (Cocus nucifera) is a versatile cosmetic oil that’s light and easily absorbed for deep moisturizing, without clogging pores. Our oil is colourless and odourless with a smooth, non-greasy texture that’s ideal for a variety of cosm...
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LIGHT AND NOURISHING COCONUT OILNow Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil is a versatile cosmetic oil that's pleasingly light and easily absorbed for comprehensive moisturization without clogging pores. Colourless and odorless with a smooth, non-greasy texture that's ideal for a variety of personal care uses, Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil may be used for dry skin, as a carrier oil for essential oils, f...
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Nutridom Organic Castor Oil is 100% pure, expeller-pressed, and certified organic, offering a clean, natural solution for hair, skin, and body care. Free from additives, preservatives, and hexane, this versatile oil nourishes dry skin, strengthens hair, and supports healthy-looking lashes and brows. Its rich, moisturizing texture makes it ideal for scalp treatments, massages, or as part of a da...
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100% Pure Castor from Promise supports a wide variety of benefits and makes a great addition to your natural skin, hair and nail care regimens. The fatty acids found in Castor Oil help prevent your skin and scalp from drying by retaining moisture. As an essential oil, Castor Oil can be used as a carrier oil to dilute your favourite essential oil combinations when diffusing [LIQUID]
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100% Pure Castor from Promise supports a wide variety of benefits and makes a great addition to your natural skin, hair and nail care regimens. The fatty acids found in Castor Oil help prevent your skin and scalp from drying by retaining moisture. As an essential oil, Castor Oil can be used as a carrier oil to dilute your favourite essential oil combinations when diffusing [LIQUID]
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100% Pure Castor from Promise supports a wide variety of benefits and makes a great addition to your natural skin, hair and nail care regimens. The fatty acids found in Castor Oil help prevent your skin and scalp from drying by retaining moisture. As an essential oil, Castor Oil can be used as a carrier oil to dilute your favourite essential oil combinations when diffusing [LIQUID]
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100% Pure Castor from Promise supports a wide variety of benefits and makes a great addition to your natural skin, hair and nail care regimens. The fatty acids found in Castor Oil help prevent your skin and scalp from drying by retaining moisture. As an essential oil, Castor Oil can be used as a carrier oil to dilute your favourite essential oil combinations when diffusing [LIQUID]
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Promise's Pure Sweet Almond Moisturizing Oil is organic, nourishing and ideal for revitalizing dry skin, without clogging pores and is ideal for entire body use. Being odourless and light, Promise Almond Oil is a staple oil for all your aromatherapy and natural beauty needs. [LIQUID]
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Promise's Pure Sweet Almond Moisturizing Oil is organic, nourishing and ideal for revitalizing dry skin, without clogging pores and is ideal for entire body use. Being odourless and light, Promise Almond Oil is a staple oil for all your aromatherapy and natural beauty needs. [LIQUID]
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Promise's 100% Pure Organic Vegetable Glycerine is an impressive moisturizer and skin cleanser that softens the appearance and feel of skin. Made from organic vegetable oil, 100% Pure Vegetable Glycerine is also vegan and offers UV protection for versatile skin care. [LIQUID]
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Queen of the Thrones Organic Golden Castor Oil is a versatile, lightweight oil designed for head-to-toe beauty. Gently extracted without excessive heat, it retains its natural nutrients and golden colour, making it ideal for use in castor oil packs as well as on skin, nails, lashes, and brows. Its smooth texture helps moisturize and soften, supporting a healthy, radiant appearance. Packaged in ...
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Queen of the Thrones Organic Golden Castor Oil is a versatile, lightweight oil designed for head-to-toe beauty. Gently extracted without excessive heat, it retains its natural nutrients and golden colour, making it ideal for use in castor oil packs as well as on skin, nails, lashes, and brows. Its smooth texture helps moisturize and soften, supporting a healthy, radiant appearance. Packaged in ...
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Queen of the Thrones Certified Organic, Extra Virgin Golden Castor Oil is a versatile, nutrient-rich oil designed to support your daily beauty routine. Gently pressed without excessive heat, it retains its natural properties and signature golden colour. Rich in omegas and plant compounds, it helps moisturize skin, soften hair, and condition nails, lashes, and brows for a healthy-looking appeara...
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Queen of the Thrones Certified Organic, Extra Virgin Golden Castor Oil is a versatile, nutrient-rich oil designed to support your daily beauty routine. Gently pressed without excessive heat, it retains its natural properties and signature golden colour. Rich in omegas and plant compounds, it helps moisturize skin, soften hair, and condition nails, lashes, and brows for a healthy-looking appeara...
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Carrier Oils, What Are They?
Carrier oils (or base oils) are a key part of aromatherapy. They should be used to dilute essential oils so they can be applied to the skin without causing reactions or side effects such as irritation, flushing, or burning.
These base oils are usually vegetable, such as coconut or avocado. It stands to reason that carrier oils each have different properties and uses. The carrier oil you choose will depend on the intended use and the desired outcome.
Why Are Base Oils Used In Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy has been around for centuries. The practice entails using essential oils that have been extracted from various parts of plants (flowers, bark, leaves, fruit, and other aromatic portions of a botanical) and then distilled. These plant extracts contain a high concentration of aromatic compounds that offer many impressive therapeutic properties.
Aromatic use is one of three primary methods of using essential oils, along with topical applications. When inhaled, either directly from the bottle or used in a diffuser, the molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, impacting the amygdala (the emotional center of the brain). Essential oils can also be diluted with carrier oils and applied to the skin through massage, lotions, or bath salts and may be added to shampoos and conditioners, etc.
Common Carrier Oils in Aromatherapy
Some of the most frequently used carrier oils include:
Apricot Kernel Oil – has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. It nourishes the skin, decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin tone, and is an excellent base for essential oils.
Argan Oil – is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree that is endemic to Morocco. The oil is made up of fatty acids and various phenolic compounds and is a rich source of vitamin E. It offers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Avocado Oil – is rich in healthy fats. In fact, almost 70% of avocado oil is oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Used topically, avocado oil is highly emollient for dry skin types and offers balancing and nourishing properties.
Black Seed Oil – comes from the black cumin seed, which contains Nigellone, a natural antihistamine compound. Black seed oil also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, making it ideal for treating numerous skin conditions.
Coconut Oil – a very popular carrier oil that is exceptionally light and emollient. It softens and hydrates dry skin while increasing essential oil distribution. Coconut oil leaves skin feeling silky smooth, without any greasy residue.
Grapeseed Oil – is pressed from different grape varieties, including chardonnay and riesling grapes. It is commonly used in aromatherapy as an all-purpose oil and is appropriate in a wide range of applications, from massage to skin care.
Jojoba Oil – has a mild, almost imperceptible scent, so it takes on the smell of its immediate environment. As such, when used as a carrier, jojoba fixes the scent of the essential oil(s) you add to it, making it an ideal carrier or base for essential oils and perfumes.
Olive Oil – is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E and is easily absorbed into the skin. However, olive oil has an extremely heavy viscosity, oily texture, and distinct aroma, which makes it less preferred than other oils for skin care and aromatherapy applications.
Rosehip Oil – contains vitamins A and C and oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid, which are all essential fatty acids. It is ideally suited to reduce the look of sun damage, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation and treat acne.
Sweet Almond Oil – is one of the most widely used carrier oils in aromatherapy and cosmetic applications. It provides excellent slip and is not easily absorbed, which makes it ideal for massage. It helps hydrate dry, itchy skin and is the perfect base oil to use with essential oils for DIY cosmetic/self-care recipes.
How to Dilute Essential Oils In Carrier Oils/Base Oils
According to The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, DIY massage and body oil blends should contain no more than 2.5% of essential oils, depending on the essential oil(s) being used. Essential oils blends for the face should be more diluted, typically containing no more than 1% to 2.5% of essential oils. Those with sensitive skin should use no more than 0.5% to 1% of essential oils in their facial treatments.
Carrier oils can vary widely in price based on several factors, such as the plant it's made from, how it is processed, whether or not it’s organic, the quantity, and its source. Read labels carefully to ensure you select the oil that best suits your needs.
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