Carrier oils are oils made from seeds, nuts and kernels and are used to dilute essential oils and make them suitable for application to the skin. Some examples of carrier oils are sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, rosehip seed oil and coconut oil to name just a few. These oils are "fixed" meaning that they are stable and have a slow evaporation rate thereby making them suitable for massage and other topical applications. Macerated oils which are carrier oils that have been infused with plant material, can be introduced to further supplement a blend for their added anti-inflammatory and vulnerary properties.
Each carrier oil lends additional benefits to a blend or formulation providing nourishment such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Some of the considerations when selecting carriers are absorption, rancidity and viscosity. Often using a combination of carriers is most beneficial in attaining an individual desired effect.
Other useful carriers include dead sea salts, aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerin and witch hazel.
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