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17 MOST POPULAR Carrier Oils For Essential Oils [2024]

What Is A Carrier Oil

Here are the best carrier oils for essential oils. If you are wondering what a carrier oil is and what the options are for using essential oils, you have come to the right place.

What Is A Carrier Oil

A carrier oil will blend with the essential oil fragrance and deliver it to the skin, hair or whatever you are intending on using it for.

Carrier oils are the base oil in a recipe or formula. Different carrier oils can be blended together and used as a carrier for essential oil, and they can also diffuse the essential oil if your scent is too strong.

Essential oils on their own are often too strong if applied directly on the skin. They can possibly even cause irritation, so diluting them with a carrier oil is considered safe practice.

Carrier oils also help retain the scent of the essential oils, which would dissipate quite quickly on their own.

best carrier oils for essential oils

There are mainly two types of carrier oils:

Those that are liquid at room temperature, such as olive oil, and those that are solid at room temperature, such as coconut oil.

Depending on what you are making, you can create your own custom blend of carrier oils, so long as they are all liquid at the time of blending. Carrier oils can be brought to a liquid state by gently heating them. Carrier oils can also be whipped too.

best carrier oils for essential oils

Here is a list of the most popular carrier oils if you are wondering which oils are considered carrier oils. Some of the most popular oils for essential oils are jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil.

Do be aware of nut allergies when choosing a carrier oil. When custom blending for someone else, make sure that they do not have a nut allergy when choosing your oils, such as almond oil or peanut oil. Just something to keep in mind.

Best Carrier Oils For Essential Oils

1. Sweet Almond Oil

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Sweet almond oil comes from the nuts produced by the sweet almond tree and also has a soft, sweet nutty odor, which is very mild.

It is also used in many moisturizers as it absorbs quickly into the skin. It is recommended as an addition to another carrier oil as it can spoil easily on its own, especially if it is kept in a non-tinted bottle to prevent UV rays breaking it down.

2. Hazelnut oil

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Hazelnut oil is a nutty and aromatic oil derived from roasted hazelnuts, commonly used in culinary applications for its rich flavor and high smoke point.

Additionally, it is a popular choice as a carrier oil in aromatherapy and massage, known for its light texture and ability to moisturize the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

hazelnut carrier oil

3. Apricot oil

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Apricot oil is a gentle and lightweight oil extracted from the kernels of apricots, prized for its nourishing and moisturizing properties for the skin.

It is often used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy to dilute and enhance the effectiveness of essential oils, allowing for easier application and absorption into the skin.

4. Avocado oil

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Avocado oil is a rich and deeply moisturizing oil derived from the flesh of ripe avocados, known for its high content of healthy fats and vitamins.

It is widely used as a carrier oil for essential oils, providing a smooth and nourishing base that helps deliver the therapeutic properties of the essential oils while also promoting skin hydration and rejuvenation.

best carrier oils for essential oils

5. Sesame oil

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Sesame oil is a flavorful and fragrant oil extracted from sesame seeds, commonly used in aromatherapy.

Sesame oil is a popular choice as a carrier oil for essential oils, as it possesses natural antioxidants and emollient properties that help enhance the absorption and efficacy of the essential oils when applied to the skin

6. Olive oil

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Olive oil is a versatile and widely used oil obtained from olives, renowned for its rich and smooth texture as well as its health benefits.

It serves as an excellent carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care routines, as it deeply moisturizes the skin, nourishes hair, and helps essential oils disperse effectively, providing a luxurious and rejuvenating experience.

7. Argan oil

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Argan oil is a luxurious and nourishing oil extracted from the kernels of argan trees, valued for its high vitamin E and fatty acid content.

Its versatility makes it an ideal carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care routines, as it deeply hydrates the skin, promotes elasticity, and works synergistically with essential oils to provide a pampering and rejuvenating experience.

best carrier oils argan oil

8. Cocoa butter

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Cocoa butter is a rich and aromatic fat derived from cocoa beans, renowned for its moisturizing and soothing properties.

When used as a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care, cocoa butter melts at body temperature.

This allows for easy absorption, while providing deep hydration and nourishment to the skin, resulting in a delightful and indulgent self-care experience.

9. Evening primrose oil

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Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant and is known for its high content of gamma-linolenic acid, which can support skin health.

It is often used as a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care and aromatherapy, as it can help enhance the absorption of essential oils and provide nourishment to the skin, promoting relaxation and overall well-being.

10. Camellia seed oil

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Camellia seed oil, extracted from the seeds of the Camellia oleifera plant, is a lightweight and non-greasy oil with high levels of antioxidants and vitamins.

It is a popular choice as a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care and aromatherapy, as it deeply moisturizes the skin, absorbs quickly, and helps deliver the aromatic benefits of essential oils while leaving a silky and nourished feel.

11. Borage seed oil

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Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of the borage plant and is renowned for its high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which can benefit skin health.

As a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care and aromatherapy, borage seed oil provides nourishing and moisturizing properties, helping to promote skin elasticity and soothe dryness, while enhancing the aromatic experience of essential oils.

borgage seed oil for essential oils

12. Sunflower oil

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Sunflower oil is a light and versatile oil extracted from sunflower seeds, known for its high vitamin E content and moisturizing properties.

It serves as an excellent carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care, aromatherapy, skin care, and beauty routines, as it easily absorbs into the skin, nourishes and softens it. 

It acts as a vehicle to deliver the therapeutic benefits of essential oils for a rejuvenating and pampering experience.

13. Marula oil

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Marula oil is a luxurious oil extracted from the seeds of the marula fruit, known for its high content of antioxidants and fatty acids.

It is a highly sought-after carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care, aromatherapy, skin care, and beauty applications.

It deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, promotes a youthful complexion, and enhances the therapeutic properties of essential oils for a truly indulgent and rejuvenating experience.

14. Jojoba oil

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This carrier oil is produced from the seed of the jojoba plant. It is popular in cosmetics and is often used to make moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners, and other products for skin, hair, and nails.

best carrier oils jojoba 

15. Coconut oil

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Extracted from the meat of matured coconuts, this carrier oil has really become popular over the past 5 years.

Due to its extremely high level of saturated fatty acids (82.5% of it is saturated fatty acid by weight of total fat). You can find this oil in the beauty industry as skin moisturizer, lip balms, hair masks and moisturizer, as toothpaste in oil pulling, as massage oil and as the base for many handmade soap formulas.

It is solid at room temperature though, so a few seconds in the microwave before you add to any other oils is advised.

16. Emu oil

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Emu oil is a unique and versatile oil derived from the fat of emu birds, known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

It is commonly used as a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care, aromatherapy, skin care, and beauty routines, as it easily penetrates the skin, soothes irritation, and helps essential oils effectively deliver their therapeutic benefits.

17. Shea Butter

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Shea butter is a rich and creamy fat derived from the nuts of the shea tree, renowned for its deeply moisturizing and nourishing properties.

It is widely used as a carrier oil for essential oils in bath and body self-care, aromatherapy, skin care, and beauty applications, as it provides a luxurious and emollient base.

Shea butter promotes hydration, soothes dryness, and enhances the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, resulting in a pampering and rejuvenating experience for the skin and senses.

best carrier oils shea butter 

What is carrier oil

 

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best carrier oils

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