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 >-
Aura Cacia Hemp Seed Oil is cold pressed from the seeds of organic hemp plants. Hemp seed (Cannabis sativa) oil is a wonderful skin care oil with universal appeal. It has grown in popularity in recent years as more folks are associating hemp with many positive health and wellness situations. One of the most nutritionally balanced sources of fat, hemp seed oil is a powerful single-ingredient ski...
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Aura Cacia’s Jojoba Oil can be used anywhere on the body. It serves a natural skin moisturizer and an excellent hair and scalp conditioner. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil is an ideal carrier oil for essential oils because it’s stable, absorbs quickly and has no distinguishing aroma of its own. Jojoba is native to the southwestern deserts of the United States and parts of northern Mexico. Ser...
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Sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) is one of the most diverse and accessible skincare oils. Aura Cacia Organic Sweet Almond Skin Care Oils versatility lends well to DIY recipes, natural skin and body care, and home care applications. Sweet almond oil is clear to light yellow. Its aroma ranges from odourless to a mild nutty scent. Organic Sweet Almond Skin Care Oils from is Aura Cacia a fav...
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Sourced from non-GMO seeds (primarily soy), vegetable glycerin is the non-fatty component of vegetable oils. Organic Vegetable Glycerin Skin Care Oil from Aura Cacia is a clear, odourless liquid with powerful moisture-attracting properties and is a common ingredient used in formulating soaps, creams and lotions. Aura Cacia’s Organic Vegetable Glycerin Skin Care Oil is 100% Organic and made with...
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Use Aura Cacia’s Organic Coconut Oil Unrefined Body Care as an all-over moisturizer after a day in the sun or in the winter when you’re skin needs extra moisture. Coconut oil (Coco nucifera) is one of the most popular natural ingredients in the world today. It is well known for its moisturizing, nourishing and rejuvenating abilities in body, face, hair and scalp care applications. The moisturiz...
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An emulsifier renders essential oils soluble in water. Create cosmetics gels, lotions and cream, room spray, body mist, by integrating Divine Essence Emulsium into all your custom recipes and formulas. There are many ways you can use this Organic Emulsium by Divine Essence. For a room spray or body mist use, 3ml of essential oils, 3ml of Emulsium and 30 ml of alcohol (vodka or alcohol 40%), 60m...
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To revive and clarify the skin, nothing does a better job than Divine Essence Apricot Kernel beauty oil. Its effects are almost immediate as it hydrates and rejuvenates, especially dry or dull skin. Apricot Kernel oil has been shown to strengthen the skin’s hydrolipids and protect against dehydration. Apricot Kernel Oil from Divine Essence is an excellent fighter against weather extremes, its l...
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Recognized for its nourishing properties, Divine Essence Avocado Oil can be used to help repair and revitalize skin, hair and nails. Avocado beauty oil from Divine Essence is heralded in cosmetics for its softening and hydrating action. Particularly suited to fragile or dry skin types, it gently but deeply nourishes the skin. When applied to the scalp, it can stimulate hair growth while at the ...
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Avocado beauty oil from Divine Essence is heralded in cosmetics for its softening and hydrating action. Particularly suited to fragile or dry skin types, it gently but deeply nourishes the skin. When applied to the scalp, it can stimulate hair growth while at the same time nourishing new growth. Divine Essence Avocado beauty oil is your friend in weather extremes, protecting against strong wind...
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Organic Palma Christi Castor Oil from Divine Essence helps fortify and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and can also strengthen hair and nails. Castor oil is known for its fortifying and softening properties, and is used most often to relieve common skin ailments. Divine Essence Castor Oil moisturizes very dry skin, lightens eczema scars, reduces and removes dark spots (often called liver s...
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Jojoba beauty oil is known for its nourishing and protective qualities which mimic those of sebum naturally present in human skin. Divine Essence Organic Jojoba Oil quickly and easily absorbs into the skin and balances sebum particularly in oily or acne-prone skin without leaving a greasy film. It also offers strong protection against weather damage caused by wind and cold. Ideal for massages. ...
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Jojoba is a great moisturizer that can be used to naturally treat a number of skin conditions and can easily replace many different products in your daily routine. Jojoba beauty oil is known for its nourishing and protective qualities which mimic those of sebum naturally present in human skin. Divine Essence Organic Jojoba Oil quickly and easily absorbs into the skin and balances sebum particul...
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Divine Essence organic Neem Oil is a very nourishing oil for skin-related issues, rich in fatty acids, such as palmitic, linoleic and oleic acids, which contribute to healthy skin. This 85% Neem Oil works to rebalance sebum and purify problem skin by soothing dryness and improving skin texture. Divine Essence 85% Neem Oil is certified organic and can be applied to the skin pure or diluted. You ...
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Divine Essence organic Neem Oil is a very nourishing oil for skin-related issues, rich in fatty acids, such as palmitic, linoleic and oleic acids, which contribute to healthy skin. This 85% Neem Oil works to rebalance sebum and purify problem skin by soothing dryness and improving skin texture. You can also add essential oils to enhance the smell and combine the therapeutic effects. The two mai...
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An all-natural oil that's perfect for nourishing and reviving any skin type. Rich in Omega 6, Omega 9, vitamin A, B, D and E, Divine Essence Organic Almond Oil is beneficial for sensitive, irritated and dry skin. Particularly beneficial for delicate, sensitive skin, this extract is suitable for babies and young children. Organic Almond Oil from Divine Essence works to protect skin and soothe ir...
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Divine Essence Organic Almond Oil is easily absorbed and won't clog pores, promoting clear, soft, healthy skin. This all-natural skin-nourishing oil is ideal for the entire body. An all-natural oil that's perfect for nourishing and reviving any skin type. Rich in Omega 6, Omega 9, vitamin A, B, D and E, Divine Essence Organic Almond Oil is beneficial for sensitive, irritated and dry skin. Parti...
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Divine Essence Tamanu beauty oil is a lovely shade of green and is renown for its healing and protective properties. Divine Essence Organic Tamanu Oil can be used to treat damaged skin and restore suppleness and elasticity. Tamanu oil is beneficial thanks to its many active ingredients with purifying and protective properties, making it ideal for the treatment of various skin ailments (rosacea,...
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Purify and repair skin naturally with this organic Tamanu Oil from Divine Essence. It also helps with skin regeneration and restoring radiance to nails and hair. For all skin types. Divine Essence Tamanu beauty oil is a lovely shade of green and is renown for its healing and protective properties. Divine Essence Organic Tamanu Oil can be used to treat damaged skin and restore suppleness and ela...
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This 100% pure certified organic Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil from Naka Platimum is ideal to use as a body conditioner, in your hair and on your skin. This pure Jojoba moisturizing oil is cold-pressed + UV Protected. Jojoba oil is very close in structure to our natural skin oil (sebum) and makes a great natural moisturizer and cleanser. [LIQUID]
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This 100% pure certified organic Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil from Naka Platimum is ideal to use as a body conditioner, in your hair and on your skin. This pure Jojoba moisturizing oil is cold-pressed + UV Protected. Jojoba oil is very close in structure to our natural skin oil (sebum) and makes a great natural moisturizer and cleanser. [LIQUID]
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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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