Now that you’ve read why to use a carrier oil, which carrier oil should you use? One thing that you always want to consider with carrier oils is that, no matter which oil you choose, you want to use one that is organic and has the least processing possible. There are many other factors to consider also, including properties of the carrier oil, state of the carrier oil (liquid or solid), shelf life of the carrier oil, cost of the carrier oil, and availability of the carrier oil. In this post, I will discuss the properties of the carrier oil, the state of the carrier oil, and the shelf life of the carrier. You can decide for yourself regarding cost and availability based on your own needs regarding using carrier oils. There are many other carrier options not represented in this list. This list is meant to guide you towards common aromatherapy carrier oils with therapeutic properties.
Liquid State Carrier Oils:
Avocado oil is a liquid carrier oil expressed from dried avocado flesh. It is nourishing and moisturizing, softening dry skin and improving the skin’s elastic properties. It also penetrates the skin quickly and promotes cell regeneration for damaged skin. Avocado oil has a mild aroma and a shelf life of 1-2 years.
Baobob oil is a liquid carrier oil that comes from the fruit of the African Baobab tree. The oil has a nutty aroma and a high content of essential fatty acids. It also penetrates the skin quickly and promotes cell regeneration. It is nourishing and softens dry skin. It can help with scar healing, pain from burns, and can be helpful with eczema and psoriasis. Baobob oil has a nutty aroma and a shelf life of 2 years.
While coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, fractionated coconut oil is liquid. It is more refined (and therefore less preferred). Fractionated coconut oil is cold pressed from the flesh on the inside of the shell and then refined. It can be moisturizing and soothing for some, while it can have a drying effect for others. It also can clog pores for some people. Each person will respond to coconut oil differently depending on their unique skin. Fractionated coconut oil generally has no aroma. The shelf life is around 2 years.
Though often called Jojoba oil, jojoba is actually not an oil at all, but rather a liquid wax made from pressing the beans from the jojoba bush. This wax penetrates the skin quickly and easily with a structure that very closely resembles our skin’s natural sebum. It’s a very moisturizing oil (wax) and contains an anti-inflammatory agent (myristic acid), which makes it an excellent carrier for muscle, tendon, and ligament blends. It has very little aroma. Jojoba wax does not go rancid and can be maintained on a shelf for 20 years or more.
Tamanu oil comes from the fruit of a large evergreen tree. The fruit is dried and crushed and the oil is then cold pressed and filtered. It is an aid for healing wounds, cuts, and burns, as well as boosting the immune response to these things. It promotes new tissue formation and supports accelerated healing and healthy skin growth. It can also be useful for supporting the body’s response to pain and is used as a traditional medicinal oil of the Polynesian Islands. This oil has a very strong, nutty aroma and a shelf life of around 4 years.
Solid State Carrier Oil/Butters:
Cocoa butter is a fat that is expressed from the fermented, washed, dried, and roasted seed of the cocoa tree. It creates a highly protective skin barrier that acts as a water repellent. It is known to lubricate the skin, reduce dryness, and increase flexibility. Some use it to help with wrinkles around the eyes or corners of the mouth. It contains Vitamin E and smells like chocolate! It has a smooth, thick consistency. The shelf life is about 2 years, but if can last longer if stored in the refrigerator.
Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature and is cold pressed from the flesh on the inside of the shell. Coconut oil is mild and generally safe for people with inflamed or irritated skin. It can be moisturizing and soothing for some, while it can have a drying effect for others. It also can clog pores for some people. Each person will respond to coconut oil differently depending on their unique skin. Coconut oil has a strong coconut aroma. The shelf life is around 2 years.
Kombo butter is made from the seeds of a tree in Africa. It can have a deep blue or cocoa brown color and has a rich, fruity aroma. It can help calm joints and muscles and nourish skin. It is both oily and thick with a bit of a grainy texture. Kombo butter has a shelf life of 2 years when stored in the refrigerator.
Palm kernel oil is pressed from the kernels of the palm fruit. It is has a smooth texture that is similar to coconut oil. It also contains an anti-inflammatory agent (myristic acid), which makes it an excellent carrier for muscle, tendon, and ligament blends. Palm Kernel oil is light brown and has a caramel aroma. It has a shelf life of approximately 2 years.
Shea butter comes from the seeds of the Karite tree. It is an excellent moisturizer and skin nourisher. It can be used in blends to support the body with many skin issues. Be sure to buy raw, organic, unrefined shea butter. Shea butter has a nutty, rich aroma with a shelf life about 1 year.