Chances are, you’re constantly on the hunt for the newest skincare trends that will help make your skin look youthful, clear, plump, and glowy. Adding oil to your skincare routine could make a big difference in your complexion, both in your face and body. However, we aren’t just talking about any oil; we’re talking about carrier oils.
If you’ve never heard of carrier oils before, no matter! Keep reading to learn all about them and discover why they’re a must in any face and body skincare routine.
What Are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are a crucial part of topical aromatherapy. Aromatherapy’s goal is to reduce stress, tension, chronic pain, and insomnia in all aspects of life via the use of potent essential oils. Carrier oils are mixed with essential oils in order to make the powerful essence of essential oils safe for use on the skin. Without some sort of dilution, essential oil could cause discomfort and even mild burns due to the potency of active compounds present in essential oils.
Carrier oils are gentle, generally odorless oils cold-pressed from seeds, kernels, or nuts of various plants. These oils have been specially refined so as not to interfere with the activity of whichever essential oil you use. While diluting the essential oil may seem like it would decrease the results you seek, it’s actually the opposite. Carrier oils are absorbed easily into the skin, while essential oils typically sit on top of it. By mixing the two together, the essential oil is able to penetrate the skin, increasing efficacy without causing harm or discomfort.
Want to learn more about aromatherapy? Click here to check out our full guide on essential oils and aromatherapy
More of the Science
We like to know everything about the ‘how’ of our products, and we’re sure you
do, too. Carrier oils are fats (lipids) made from triglycerides. These triglycerides, in turn, are made up of three kinds of fatty acids, typically palmitic acid, omega-3, and alpha-linoleic, all bonded by a glycerol molecule that makes for easy application.
These oils closely resemble the body’s natural oil, sebum. By imitating the molecular structure and texture of sebum, carrier oils make the body think you’re just applying sebum to the skin. This allows the pores to widen and absorb the essential and carrier oils.
How to Use a Carrier Oil With Essential Oils
Carrier oils can be used topically or in a bath for a relaxing at-home spa treatment. Many massage therapists mix carrier and essential oils to create a therapeutic massage oil for their clients, but you can do this at home, too.
A basic rule of thumb is to aim for 1-3 parts essential oil per 100 parts carrier oil. Yes, that’s how concentrated essential oils are. Try using one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil (or per tablespoon and a half, depending on your preference). You can mix these ingredients in a non-metal bowl, since some essential oils tarnish metals, or mix them directly onto the skin by pouring the carrier oil and then a drop of essential oil on top. Use your hand to massage the oil into the skin. For a bigger batch, such as massage oil for later use, pour the carrier oil and essential oil into a plastic bottle and shake well.
How to Use a Carrier Oil Alone
Did you know carrier oils don’t have to be accompanied by essential oils? Carrier oils hold a plethora of benefits on their own
and can be used on the body, skin, face, and hair, depending on the particular oil.
Carrier oils aren’t only good for diluting essential oils. They can provide moisture, offer anti-aging benefits, decrease hyperpigmentation, and plenty of other things.
To use a carrier oil without an essential oil, simply dispense the product where you want to use it and massage it into the skin with clean hands. Work in upward motions, pushing lymph fluid and blood towards the heart to increase circulation. Some research says that this massage motion may help break up fat deposits (cellulite) and result in a less dimpled appearance of the skin. Additionally, massage helps reduce muscle tension and relieves stress.
Some carrier oils are great for hair, too. In this case, apply liberally from the ends to the mid shaft of your hair. If using the oil as a hair mask, apply to the roots, too.
Why Organic is the Way to Go
GMO and commercial farming is becoming
more and more common in our industrialized society. However, organic methods are not only better for the environment, but they’re also better for your body.
If you’re wondering what organic means, you’re not alone! Most people know the term as a good thing but often don’t know what it actually means. Organic means a non-GMO (genetically modified organism) plant farmed without most conventional pesticides, sewage, or ionizing radiation. When compared to conventional farming, traditional organic farming techniques lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, less erosion, and less pollution in our natural environment.
Artificial pesticides, such as glyphosate, a potential carcinogen, can end up in your food and beauty products. Organic is the safer way to go, whether it be for fresh produce or carrier oils.
Types of Carrier Oils
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is great for use on both the face and body because it is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. Rosehip seed oil has a gentle, therapeutic scent that many people find relaxing and clean-smelling. This oil helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, acne scars, and wrinkles. For hair, rosehip seed oil moisturizes the scalp and unclogs hair follicles, encouraging hair growth. It also moisturizes dry ends, reducing breakage and split-ends.
PURA D’OR USDA Certified Organic 100% Rosehip Seed Oil is just what you need to add to your aromatherapy closet and skincare cabinet. When combined with your favorite essential oil, this carrier’s sweet rose scent doesn’t dampen the therapeutic properties of the essence. Instead, it enhances them and increases nutrient content dispersed to skin cells. Our rosehip seed oil is enriched with omegas 3, 6, and 9, allowing for deep, penetrating moisturization everywhere that you need it. Rosehip seed oil is naturally high in Vitamin A and C, which helps decrease the appearance of scars and dark spots and promote a more even skin tone.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is most of the most popular carrier oils used hand-in-hand
with essential oils. This lightweight oil helps moisturize sensitive skin in any season and can even be used to remove waterproof makeup. Its gentle scent will not interfere with the powerful aroma of your favorite essential oil, and it can be used as a relaxing aromatherapeutic massage oil.
Our certified organic 100% Sweet Almond Oil is perfect for aromatherapy, skincare, and haircare. It’s a natural hair softener that reduces frizziness for softer, smoother hair. Good hair days are only a bottle away! Additionally, sweet almond oil helps to reduce the appearance of scarring as it’s chock-full of Vitamins A and E.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is derived from the jojoba plant’s seeds and is native to parts of Mexico and southwest America. This iconic carrier oil can
be used as a nourishing cuticle oil or as a non-comedogenic makeup remover. Of course, it is excellent as a carrier oil due to its low scent and quick absorption, as well as its deeply hydrating properties. Jojoba oil is a common ingredient in scalp care products since it reduces dandruff and itchy scalp, as well as hydrating the root and shaft of the hair, which leads to shiny, soft, voluminous hair.
PURA D’OR Certified Organic 100% Jojoba Oil is for you. This extremely nourishing natural oil revitalizes brittle nails, hair, and skin with its antioxidant properties. It’s also full of various vitamins and minerals that aid collagen and elastin production, leaving you with less noticeable wrinkles, fine lines, and scarring. Many people choose jojoba oil as a lightweight face oil or moisturizer since it locks moisture into the skin’s microbiome and prevents the growth of fungi and bacteria. In fact, jojoba oil can even be used to prevent mildew!
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Most of us have heard of coconut oil. You can cook with it, spread it on bread, or even use it like body butter. However, the fractionated part makes all the difference when it comes to carrier oils. Fractionation involves separating the types of fats that make up raw, unrefined coconut oil. By removing certain lipids, fractionated coconut oil will stay liquid at room temperature, unlike normal coconut oil, which will solidify. Additionally, fractionated coconut oil is much less greasy and is easily absorbed into the pores, while unrefined coconut oil sits on top of the skin and causes acne and clogs pores.
Like regular coconut oil, the fractionated variety is excellent for removing hard-to-remove waterproof mascaras and lipsticks. Like jojoba oil, this carrier oil is great for increasing hydration in the skin, body, and hair. Fractionated coconut oil is found in many body care products due to its ability to moisturize cracked heels and elbows that are hard to revive with other ingredients. It may also prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Our Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil is a stupendous carrier oil for essential oils. Fractionated coconut oil has a milder smell than its unrefined form, making it perfect to use with your favorite essential oil. Our virgin oil reduces straw-like strands and stimulates hair follicles in the scalp for longer, thicker, healthier hair.
Vitamin E Oil
Want all of those benefits talked about with the previous carrier oils? Vitamin E Oil is the oil for you. Vitamin E is a naturally-occurring antioxidant that helps boost collagen production and increase water retention in the skin. Additionally, it lightens the appearance of stretch marks, dark spots, acne scars, and wrinkles.
It also reduces hyperpigmentation, and evens the skin tone. Vitamin E oil promotes skin elasticity and healing and reduces the puffiness and darkness of undereye bags. Its powerful shot of antioxidants and nutrients provides extreme hydration to the skin in all seasons, leaving you with silky smooth, glass-like skin. Did we mention you can use it as a hair conditioner?
PURA D’OR Organic Vitamin E Oil is made of argan oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, apricot oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil. You reap all the benefits of all the oils in just one bottle with 70,000 IU (international units) of Vitamin E, the highest dosage on the market. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that ‘rounds up’ free radicals which permanently damage cells, and as such, it is necessary for skin, hair, and nail health.
Kick Back and Relax
It’s no secret that carrier oils provide immense beauty benefits, from removing makeup to reducing the appearance of wrinkles. However, carrier oils can make you look AND feel great, especially when paired with the right essential oil.
For a boost of energy…
- Carrier oil
- Citrus oil (tangerine, orange, lemon, etc.)
Mix a tablespoon of your choice of carrier oil with a drop of your favorite citrus essential oil. Dab this mixture behind your ears, on your wrists, and on your chest for a quick boost of energy.
For relaxation…
- Carrier oil
- Lavender oil
Mix a tablespoon of carrier oil with a drop of lavender essential oil. Rub the solution on your chest, wrists, and neck to relieve some tension from your body.
In Conclusion…
Carrier oils are exactly what’s missing from your skin and body care routines. Whether you’re looking to reenergize with citrus essential oil or need a hair conditioner that really works, carrier oils can be used for any of your needs.
Want more PURA D’OR oils? Check out our homepage for more about us. You can also see our entire collection of carrier oils if you want to check out all your options. If you’re looking to get started in aromatherapy, try out our Perfect 10 Essential Oil Set for ten classic scents. Let the smell-venture begin!