Essential Oils Beauty Tip: Choose the Right Carrier Oil

You might already use essential oils around your house, but if you are new to using them for beauty and skincare, this guide will help you create your own essential oil skincare products by mixing them with carrier oils.

If you’re an essential oil user, you should keep some carrier oils on hand. You probably already have some in your kitchen cupboards or medicine cabinet, as common carrier oils are often found there.

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils for topical application. The term “carrier oil” refers to their purpose of “carrying” the essential oils safely to your skin.

Why Do I Need Carrier Oils for Essential Oils?

Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots, or flowers of plants and are highly concentrated.

If you’ve already started using essential oils, you know that a few drops go a long way! Due to their high concentration, essential oils may cause irritation or adverse reactions if applied directly to the skin.

Using carrier oils to dilute essential oils before application helps to prevent these problems.

Additionally, carrier oils each have their own potential benefits for your skin, so the combination of essential oil and carrier oil provides both aromatherapy benefits and skincare advantages.

Choosing The Best Carrier Oils

When selecting carrier oils, always opt for pure, cold-pressed, unrefined oils with no additives.

Cold-pressed oils are processed without heat, helping them retain their natural properties.

Unrefined oils undergo minimal processing, preserving their richness and potency.

High Oleic vs. High Linoleic

Woah there, what are those terms?

Before delving into specific carrier oils, let’s understand a basic categorization. All oils consist of fatty acids, with some being higher in oleic acid (omega-9) and others in linoleic acid (omega-6).

The fatty acid profile of carrier oils influences their effects on your skin or hair.

Oils high in oleic acid tend to be heavy. They provide deep moisturization and are suitable for dry skin.

Oils high in linoleic acid are lighter and moisturize without penetrating as deeply.

However, individual results can vary. If you have very dry skin and coconut oil isn’t effective, it doesn’t mean that all high oleic oils won’t suit you. Experiment to discover which oil or blend works best for your skin.

The Best Carrier Oils & Their Benefits

High Oleic Carrier Oils

Coconut Oil

Yes, coconut oil has uses outside of the kitchen! It has become very popular as a skin moisturizer and soother. The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil are nourishing for the skin. However, this oil is fairly thick and can leave a greasy residue just after application. It also solidifies below 76 degrees, making it harder to use in cooler months. To overcome this, you can whip the coconut oil or blend it with other oils.

Sweet Almond Oil

This carrier oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamins E and K, and heart-healthy phytosterols. Sweet almond oil is a potent moisturizer—just a few drops are effective. Additionally, this carrier oil won’t clog pores and absorbs easily to nourish and revive the skin. Sweet almond oil is especially effective around the eyes and can be used as a massage oil or moisturizer in homemade lotions, creams, hair treatments, and more. It’s an excellent all-purpose carrier oil and can be used alone or blended with thicker oils.

Jojoba Oil

You’re probably beginning to notice a trend… jojoba oil is full of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, and sterols. It helps regulate skin cell hydration for normal, oily, dry, or combination skin types. It’s non-greasy, as jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum. Like other carrier oils, jojoba oil can be used in homemade lotions, creams, and hair treatments.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular carrier oil because it’s readily available (you likely have a bottle in your pantry). Olive oil, increasingly used in skincare and beauty products, is full of essential fatty acids that moisturize and soften skin. It is best when mixed with a lighter carrier oil, as it is very thick and may leave excess oil on the skin if used alone.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. This thick oil is ideal for deep moisturization, providing extra nourishment for the skin and hair with its vitamins and minerals. While it works well on its own, blending it with a lighter oil like sweet almond oil can improve its texture.

Argan Oil

A little goes a long way with argan oil. This oil, known for its anti-aging benefits, helps reduce the visibility of fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Argan oil contains vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and polyphenols. It is very hydrating, absorbs quickly, and can be used on skin or hair. A few drops in your carrier oil blend are sufficient to harness its benefits.

Macadamia Nut Oil

Macadamia nut oil is rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. One of the highest sources of palmitoleic acid (omega-7), which naturally occurs in younger skin but decreases with age, it helps maintain smooth skin. As a popular anti-aging aid, macadamia nut oil is another thick oil, yet its moisturizing benefits penetrate deeply without leaving a greasy residue.

Cocoa Butter

Okay, technically not an oil, but cocoa butter serves as a carrier oil for essential oils. It is intensely moisturizing and popular for soothing even the most sensitive skin types. However, it may clog pores on your face.

Shea Butter/Shea Nut Oil

Shea butter and shea nut oil are high in vitamins A and E, which help repair and strengthen skin. Shea is non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores.

Emu Oil

Emu oil is a natural source of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. It is an easily absorbable, nutrient-rich oil obtained from the emu bird. This oil is an excellent moisturizer and skin softener. It isn’t as thick as olive oil or avocado oil, so it feels lighter on the skin.

Apricot Kernel Oil

This oil is packed with fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and antioxidants. Apricot kernel oil is an excellent emollient for even the most sensitive skin. It absorbs well into the skin and hair, known to revitalize, moisturize, and protect without leaving a greasy residue.

High Linoleic Carrier Oils

Sesame Seed Oil

Sesame seed oil is a fairly balanced oil—it has comparable amounts of oleic and linoleic acids. It also boasts a rich array of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that support skin and hair health. For skin, sesame seed oil acts as a protectant and promotes a smooth, youthful glow. For hair, it nourishes and strengthens, providing maximum volume and shine.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Naturally high in vitamins A and E, rosehip seed oil is a lighter oil that delivers a strong antioxidant boost. It’s often used to enhance skin health.

Grape Seed Oil

This oil is very popular as a carrier oil for essential oils. It’s loaded with essential fatty acids including linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, myristic, and lauric. Grape seed oil has a rich and silky texture that is perfect for soothing dryness without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Since it’s light, it can also be used as a conditioner.

Evening Primrose Oil

Like other high linoleic oils, evening primrose oil has a lighter texture. It’s typically used to promote a healthy complexion and youthful glow. This oil also contains gamma-linolenic acid, which is particularly beneficial for nourishing and protecting healthy skin cells.

Castor Oil

Castor oil is an exception to the rule that oils high in linoleic acid have a lighter viscosity. Castor oil is heavy with a neutral to nutty aroma. Like sesame seed oil, castor oil is relatively balanced between oleic and linoleic acids. Additionally, it’s a source of vitamin E and palmitic acid. Castor oil is an excellent emollient, popular for supporting soft and healthy skin and hair, and can be used to create a “glossy” look on the lips.

Hopefully, this list of the best carrier oils for essential oils gives you a good idea of how different carrier oils can affect your skin differently.

You’ll notice that almost all of them are rich sources of essential fatty acids. Well, that makes sense—they’re oils! And those fatty acids make them all excellent moisturizers.

Think about it... would we use them as carrier oils and skincare oils if they sucked all the moisture out of the skin instead of adding it? Probably not.

Because their benefits are so similar, it might seem like it doesn’t matter which oil(s) you pick. However, many people find that one or two specific oils work best for their skin or hair, so if one doesn’t work for you, just try another.

Tell us below: which carrier oils are your favorites?