Many of you are familiar with the benefits to skin and hair from taking essential fatty acids, such as fish or plant oils, in supplement form, but did you know that you can nourish from without as well?

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils come from the fatty parts of plants like seeds, nuts and sometimes fruit. They can be used to make infused herbal oils or to dilute essential oils and absolutes before applying to the skin or adding to a bath. Like essential oils, carrier oils are absorbed transdermally and have therapeutic value; unlike essential oils, carrier oils generally have a mild aroma and they do not evaporate quickly. Exposure to heat, light and air degrades all oils, so keep them tightly capped in a cool, dark place. Plastic bottles suffice for short-term storage, but refrigerate oils in glass bottles long-term. Don’t worry if refrigerated oils become cloudy or solidify, just bring them to room temperature before using.

Rich in fatty acids, carrier oils are very emollient (softening and soothing) which makes them excellent bath and massage oils or for skin and hair care. Even people with oily skin can benefit by applying these rich plant oils. Especially good for oily skin are grape seed, almond and apricot oils. Many of these oils can be used to remove makeup as well. Generally, they are for cosmetic use only — not to be ingested orally.

Our skin is our largest organ and it has a huge potential for absorption, especially when exposed to heat. A hot bath, for example, will open the pores making it easier for substances to pass deep into the skin’s tissues where blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands assist transdermal absorption. Therefore, it is very important to use only pure, high quality, cold-pressed oils. Make sure they are unadulterated except for the addition of Vitamin E (tocopherol), a natural antioxidant. Petroleum byproducts such as mineral oil (baby oil) and petroleum jelly are unsuitable for use as carrier oils since they clog pores and prevent the skin from absorbing nutrients and excreting toxins.

Evergreen has a variety of carrier oils from such excellent companies as Heather Lorraine and LifeFlo and some herb-infused oils as well. Here is an introduction to some of the more commonly used oils.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond is perhaps the most popular carrier oil and has been used since ancient times for skin care since it softens, protects and nourishes the skin with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. It has a light, slightly sweet, nutty fragrance and is light enough to use full strength. Good for all skin types, sweet almond oil is especially good for eczema; it helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness, inflammation and spider veins. It is also healing for burns. Combined with jojoba oil it makes a very nice, emollient massage oil.

Jojoba Oil

Also quite popular is jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) which has a molecular structure similar to sebum (skin oil) so it absorbs readily and promotes skin respiration. It has a light to medium aroma, a light, silky texture and contains protein and minerals. Actually a liquid wax, jojoba “oil” is rich in antioxidants and does not go rancid. It may actually help keep other oils from turning. It can be used straight, but blend with other oils for massage since it penetrates quickly.

Jojoba is a good carrier oil for rheumatism and arthritis since it contains anti-inflammatory myristic acid. It is also healing for inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. Use jojoba for body care and bath or massage blends since it is softening, protecting, nourishing and balancing for all skin types as well as healing and moisturizing. Its Vitamin E content slows the effects of aging. Jojoba cleanses the skin and hair by dissolving sebum — try a hot oil treatment for dry hair, dry scalp and hair loss — and can help control acne and oily skin or scalp for that reason. Jojoba is an excellent bath oil as it leaves no “ring.”

Heather Loraine’s Golden Jojoba Oil penetrates slowly, making it good for psoriasis, seborrhea, cradle cap, acne, rosacea, eczema and very dry skin. Her Filtered Jojoba Oil is lighter, penetrates quickly and can be blended with heavier oils.

Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot kernel oil is very rich and nourishing with minerals and vitamins. It has a faint aroma and a texture suitable for massage blends. It is very stable with a 12-month shelf life. It can be used full strength but is usually blended 10-50% with jojoba oil. It also blends nicely with grape seed, almond, sesame and avocado oils. Apricot kernel oil softens, protects and rejuvenates all skin types, but is especially nice for prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed or dry skin. Use for skin care, massage and baths.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a stable oil rich in vitamins with a slightly sweet, nutty fragrance. It is a thick, heavy oil so use at 10% dilution; blends nicely with grape seed, almond, sesame and apricot oils. Avocado oil improves elasticity and is useful for skin spots and for sun protection. Very nourishing for dehydrated skin, eczema and solar keratosis.

Grape Seed Oil

Grape seeds produce a light, odorless to slightly sweet, nutty-smelling oil containing minerals, antioxidants and fat-soluble Vitamins E and D. Use it alone or combine with heavier oils. Combines well with jojoba, almond, sesame and avocado oils. Useful for all skin types, grape seed oil is a collagen bonder, reducing wrinkles while it tightens and tones the skin. It will not exacerbate acne and is non-allergenic. Its light weight makes it a terrific massage oil.

There are many more plant oils that can be used topically on skin and hair — some of them quite exotic and luxurious. In Carrier Oils, Part Two we explore the properties of these more exotic carrier oils.

From Evergreen’s Archives: May 2009

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