HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A CARRIER OIL? 

PART I: Quick Reference Guide of Carrier Oils based on Conditions & Skin Types

Essential Oils are extremely concentrated and should always be diluted prior to use on the skin. This is commonly done by diluting them in a  carrier oil (base oil). These oils are usually created from cold-pressing vegetable matter, seeds or nuts. Cold-pressing involves temperatures of 60°C and below, so the desired chemical compounds are largely unaffected. There are three main categories of carrier oils:

• BASIC FIXED OILS - These oils are light, pale and have little aroma. These properties make them great for use on the face and body neat. Examples: Sweet Almond & Grapeseed
• MACERATED OILS – These oils are best described as plant extracts as they are created by adding chopped up parts of the plant to a large vat of carrier oil. This mixture is agitated and then exposed to sunlight, allowing the fat-soluble nutrients to transfer to the oil. The mixture is then filter of all the organic matter. Examples: Carrot & Calendula
• SPECIALIST FIXED OILS – These oils are darker, thicker and heavier. You would generally mix these with lighter carrier oils. Examples: Avocado & Jojoba

Below is a quick reference guide of  carrier oils based on conditions and skin types. For Part II: Properties, Uses & Shelf Life click here.

Click button below to download RDA's Complete Carrier Oil Guide (Part I & II combined).

Anti-inflammatory

• Arnica
• Jojoba
• St Johns Wort

Athlete’s Foot

• Balm of Gilead
• Neem

Body Massage

• Apricot Kernel
• Baobab
• Camellia Seed (with Apricot or Sweet Almond)
• Coconut fractionated
• Cherry Kernel
• Grapeseed
• Jojoba
• Macadamia
• Rice Bran
• Sesame
• Sunflower
• Sweet Almond

Babies and Children

• Apricot Kernel (massage and body oil)
• Avocado (diaper rash)
• Calendula
• Calophyllum inophyllum (diaper rash)
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Shea Butter

Bruising

• Arnica
• Calendula
• St John’s Wort

Burns

Calendula
• Kukui Nut
• Mango Butter
• Neem
• Rosehip Seed

Dry Skin

• Argan
• Apricot Kernel
• Avocado
• Babassu
• Baobab
• Borage
• Calendula
• Calophyllum inophyllum
• Camellia Seed
• Infused Carrot
• Cocoa butter
• Evening Primrose
• Grapeseed
• Hemp Seed
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Marula
• Rice Bran
• Sunflower
• Sweet Almond

Eczema/Psoraisis

• Argan
• Avocado
• Balm of Gilead
• Calendula
• Calophyllum inophyllum
• Castor
• Evening Primrose
• Grapeseed
• Hemp Seed
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Mango Butter
• Neem
• Red Raspberry Seed
• Shea Butter

Eye Area

• Rice Bran
• Rosehip

Facial Massage

• Apricot Kernel
• Camellia Seed
• Hazelnut
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Rice Bran
• Sunflower

GLA Rich Oils

• Black Currant Seed
• Borage
• Evening Primrose

Hair and Scalp

• Argan
• Babassu
• Baobab
• Borage
• Camellia Seed
• Hemp Seed
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Shea Butter

Infection

• Balm of Gilead
• Calophyllum inophyllum
• Neem

Mature Skin

• Argan
• Apricot Kernel
• Avocado
• Baobab
• Black Currant Seed
• Borage
• Camellia Seed
• Infused Carrot
• Evening Primrose
• Macadamia
• Mango Butter
• Rice Bran
• Rosehip Seed
• Shea Butter
• Sunflower

Nails

• Avocado
• Hemp Seed

Oily Skin/Acne

• Babassu
• Baobab
• Calyphyllum inophyllum
• Hazelnut
• Red Raspberry Seed

Pain

• Aloe vera (rheumatism)
• Argan (muscular aches and pains)
• Arnica (muscular aches and pains)
• Avocado (arthritis)
• Balm of Gilead (analgesic)
• Calophyllum inophyllum (sciatica, rheumatism, neuralgia, shingles)
• Castor
• Jojoba (inflammation)
• St John’s Wort

Sensitive Skin

• Apricot Kernel
• Baobab
• Borage
• Jojoba
• Rice Bran

Scarring

• Aloe Vera
• Argan
• Baobab (prevention)
• Calophyllum inophyllum
• Rosehip Seed

Skin Cracks

• Cocoa Butter
• Mango Butter
• Shea Butter

Skin Tags

• Castor

Skin Redness/Irritation

• Baobab
• Hemp Seed
• Jojoba
• Kukui Nut
• Marula

Stretch Marks

• Baobab
• Cocoa Butter
• Mango Butter
• Rosehip Seed
• Shea Butter

Sun Damaged Skin

• Argan
• Avocado
• Baobab
• Calendula
• Camellia Seed
• Infused Carrot
• Hazelnut
• Jojoba
• St John’s Wort

Sun Protection (limited)

• Argan
• Cherry Kernel
• Hazelnut
• Red Raspberry Seed
• Rice Bran
• Sesame
• Shea Butter

Warts

• Castor

Wound Healing

• Aloe Vera
• Balm of Gilead
• Calendula
• Calophyllum inophyllum
• Neem
• St John’s Wort