What is a Carrier Oil and Why Should You Use One With Your EOs? (with a video)
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If you are using essential oils, you have probably heard the term ‘carrier oil'. What is a carrier oil and how are you supposed to use them?
Good questions!
The world of essential oils can be overwhelming and I advise people to take it slow and steady as they learn. Learning about carrier oils is important in the early stages of your oily journey.
What is a Carrier Oil?
A carrier oil is simply a vegetable oil usually derived from the seeds, nuts or kernels of a plant. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and carry them onto your skin.
Many essential oils should be diluted before using. While many can be used ‘neat' (undiluted), diluting helps spread the essential oil over a larger part of the skin. We recommend Young Living oils and they have dilution recommendations on the back of each bottle.
Carrier oils are also great if you get an essential oil in a sensitive part of your body (eyes!). You do not want to use water as water and oil don't really mix. Simply rubbing a carrier oil around the area will help relieve the discomfort.
Difference between Essential Oil and Carrier Oil
Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots and other parts of a plant. Essential oils are very concentrated and are volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly.
Carrier oils are pressed from the fatty parts of the plant. They do not evaporate quickly and do not have a strong aroma.
Examples of Carrier Oils
There are many, many types of carrier oils but I have some favorites.
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Fractionated Coconut Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Olive Oil
- Young Living's V6 Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
How to Buy Carrier Oils
Generally speaking, when purchasing carrier oils, look for oils that have been cold pressed or cold expeller pressed. It is also good to look for oils that are from organic or organically grown plant material, if possible. They are generally easy to find at health food stores and online.
How to Dilute
Young Living essential oil bottles have dilution recommendations on the bottle labels. There is also a lot of information in the Essential Oil Pocket Reference and other essential oil books.
I like to transfer my carrier oils into smaller glass bottles. This way I can have my carrier oils in many rooms in my home so they are on hand when I want to dilute an essential oil.
Are you ready to start your oily journey? Learn more about becoming a wholesale member for Young Living with Oh Lardy! We'd love to help get you started!
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