What the heck is a carrier?

Alright friends, let’s talk about carriers. Just about all essential oil discussions refer to carriers but most don’t actually tell you what a carrier is. They are called “carriers” because they carry the essential oils to your skin. I think to understand the use of them, you need to understand the why you need them. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile oils. Using them without dilution can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or even more severe health issues. You should never use an essential oil undiluted or “neat” unless under the care of a certified practitioner.

That being said there are so many carrier oils, it would be an extremely large post to cover them all! So I’m going to focus on a few popular ones as well as a few you may not be familiar with.

*Avocado Oil – expressed from dried avocado flesh. It’s highly penetrating and deeply nourishing. It softens dry skin. It is also down to restore and re-moisturize the skin. Can help to prevent chapping and cracks in skin. Used for skin inflammation and for pain blends. It’s a deep green color with a milk aroma. It has a shelf life of about a year.

*Baobab – cold pressed from the fruit of the African Baobab tree. It’s also highly penetrating, nourishing and skin softening. It has a high content of essential fatty acids, it’s a good skin-penetrating enhancer. Aids in healing scars and alleviates pain from burns. Shelf life is about 2 years.

*Cocoa Butter is a popular carrier. It’s expressed from seeds of the cocoa tree. It’s highly protective of our skin and can act as a water repellent. Helps soften skin and improve flexibility. It’s praised for it’s treatment of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Shelf life of about 2 years.

*Coconut Oil is another popular one. It’s pressed from the inside flesh of a coconut. It’s wonderful for itchy or sensitive skin. It can service as a protective layer and help retain moisture. Most with sensitive skin find it soothing. Has a strong coconut scent with a 2 year shelf life.

*Jojoba Wax – it’s called an oil but actually a liquid wax that is made from the pressing of a bean from the jojoba bush. It’s very penetrating and most closely resembles the our skin’s natural sebum. It has anti-inflammatory properties that makes it a good massage oil for muscle, pain and ligament injuries. There is no expiration on the shelf life of this oil.

*Palm Kernel Oil – cold pressed from the kernels of the palm fruit. Similar to coconut oil in that it’s got a high percentage of auric acid, which lends a smooth texture to body butters. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Shelf life is about 2 years.

*Shea Butter – a popular ingredient for many lotions. Made from the seeds of the Karite tree. It’s known to alleviate dryness and an excellent moisturizer. Best to use raw, organic, unrefined shea butter. Shelf life is about a year.

*Tamanu Oil – extracted from the fruit of Calophyllum inophyllum and is renowned for it’s remarkable healing properties. Aids in the healing of wounds, cuts and burns. It’s a great anti-inflammatory and analgesic oil. It has a strong, nutty aroma with a shelf life of about 4 years.

That is just a few of the carriers that are out there. Many more to explore!

Would you like to view this info in a printable PDF? Well, lucky for you I love ya and made one! Click here to get it. 

-Much AromaLove <3

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