Although these are not essential oils, they have found their place in the essential oil series because how often they are used in conjunction. Most carrier oils are cold pressed and they are much more viscous than an essential oil. They are mostly odorless, while some have a faint scent and are even used in cooking (Olive Oil).
Heres a general definition:
A Carrier oil is a vegetable or plant base oil that is used to dilute aromas, essential oils, or absolutes. Carrier oils also have moisturizing and enriching skin benefits when used routinely.
Because the carrier oils are derived from plants, there is a wide variety of them, each containing an abundance of nutrients. Pairing an essential oil and carrier oil based on what type of benefit or ailment you are targeting is a great way to get compounding effects.
As an example, here is a body oil infusion that is easy to make and helps with sleeping:
Lavender Dream Body Oil :
1. Apricot Kernel Oil - Light oil absorbs easily into skin allowing EO to penetrate deep into the skin quickly.
2. Lavender EO - Promotes sleeping
3. Sandalwood EO - Promotes sleeping
4. Amber Pump Bottle 10 oz - Sunlight oxidizes essential oils over time. Protect them with amber or dark colored glass containers when storing.
Directions:
Fill the amber pump bottle halfway with apricot kernel oil. Add 6 drops of lavender EO and 2 drops of Sandalwood EO. Fill the rest of the bottle up and slowly rotate, allowing the oils to mix together evenly. You can use your oil immediately but we always suggest to leave it for at least 12 hours to get a complete infusion. The aroma will not only get stronger as it incubates, but the essential oils will have a stronger combined sleeping effect.
Tip: Put some socks on after! It allows for both aromatic and therapeutic effects to last longer.
Types of Oils: Soft, Hard, & Brittle
These are typically terms used for vegetable oils in the soap industry. Each oil is categorized based on their physical state at room temperature. We use this method to blend carrier oils to make a well-rounded oil.
SOFT OILS
These oils are liquid at room temperature and can make up of about 60% - 100% of your entire carrier oil mixture. They are very moisturizing, enriched with vitamins, and some have skin regenerative properties. Within the realm of soft oils there are "light" and "heavy" oils. These terms refer to the rate at which a soft oil is absorbed into the skin. Light oils tend to absorb much faster than heavy oils and this is because they have shorter fatty acid chains. This allows them to move quickly through our skin. The one downfall is sometimes the absorb to quickly and you may feel like you have to reapply often. Heavy oils have longer fatty acid chains which makes them move slower through the skin cells. Some heavy oils leave a "tacky" feeling on the skin because they absorb slower. Both are moisturizing, but finding a balance between the two you can get the best of both worlds.
HARD OILS
Not exactly hard but just solid at room temperature. Many of these oils melt quickly with minimal heat or can be scooped easily at its solid state. If you are creating a carrier oil mixture then hard oils should be around 20% - 40%. We use less hard oils in our mixture and more soft oils so at room temperature it stays a liquid. Putting in any more than 40% can result in separation if left too long. Hard oils also move very slowly through the skin because they have long fatty acid chains that have one "kink". This "kink" is formed from a carbon double bond and causes the oil to be less fluid like its soft oil relatives. Hard oils are enriched with vitamins and some collagen boosting properties.
BRITTLE OILS
They are firm to very hard and require to be chipped away or cut in sections. In a carrier oil mixture the range is 5% - 15%. The fatty acid chains on this oil have a few "kinks" so they tend to stay near the top to the middle of the skin when getting absorbed. Having to much brittle oil in your mixtures will just give you a coagulated mess and the skin won't be able to absorb excess brittle oils. This is why its best to use a small amount so you can be cost conscious and have a effective oil. Brittle oils have high moisturizing properties and some have skin regenerative properties.
Here is an example of a highly moisturizing carrier blend:
Skin Renew Carrier Blend
1. 7oz Cherry Kernel Oil - Contains Vitamin A, C, and E.
2. 2oz Shea Butter - Highly moisturizing and good for sensitive skin.
3. 1oz Cocoa Butter - Highly Moisturizing, contains antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory
4. 10oz Amber pump bottle - Used to hold our mixture!
Directions:
First weigh each ingredient and add to a glass bowl. Microwave the glass bowl in thirty second intervals and stir occasionally until all the oils are completely melted. Once the oils are melted stir slowly until it has cooled down. Then add the contents to an amber bottle and continue to shake for another minute (Make sure the lid is on securely!). You can use it immediately or add your favorite essential oil and infuse for 12 - 48 hours.
All together this carrier blend is giving your skin the vitamins it needs to get your natural glow, get rid of discoloration, and moisturize your skin at a deep level. Best results when applied after shower.
We hope this helped demystify carrier oils. Click here to go back to the library or onto the next post: EOS IV: Chemistry and Composition. Comment below with testimonials and bring any questions into our forum community!
Comments