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USED IN AROMATHERAPY
an essential
oil (EO) to the skin. Carrier oils refer to base oils that are used to dilute
essential oils before applying them directly to your skin. You'll find by
reading below that each carrier oil has different properties which may
benefit one person more than another for various reasons ranging from
texture and aroma to preventing allergic reactions.
The main carrier oils are listed below: Typically most oils purchased
at a grocery store will not be cold-pressed, with the exception of olive oil and a
few others (read the label first). Oils that are not cold-pressed have been
heated and have a minimal therapeutic effect. The color is the give-away. So
when you purchase a carrier oil listed below, make sure they are natural.
Health food stores are probably your best bet. The only exception I would make
is an oil that has natural Vitamin E (like Wheatgerm Oil) because it acts as
natural preservative.
What about Mineral oil? Mineral oil is not used in aromatherapy because
they do not penetrate the skin, therefore the EO will not be absorbed. For this
specific reason, I do not recommend replacing mineral oil with any other
carrier oil, especially when making castor oil packs.
Pecan Oil
Rose Hip Oil
Sesame Oil
Shea Butter
Sunflower Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheatgerm Oil
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AVOCADO OIL
Botanical Name: Persea americana
Aroma: Medium. Somewhat sweet and nutty
Texture: Thick, leaves a fatty, almost waxy feel to the skin.
Color: Deep olive green
Add'l Info: Blend a 10% dilution of avocado oil with another carrier oil.
Excellent for mature and dry skin types. Contains B Complex and Vitamins E
and A.
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BORAGE OIL
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
Aroma: Sweet and light
Texture: Thin to medium, somewhat oily on the skin
Color: Light yellow
Add'l Info: Excellent for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Borage oil
can go rancid quickly. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of
borage oil with another carrier oil.
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CALENDULA OIL
Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Aroma: Spicey sweet aroma
Texture: Thin
Color: Yellow to Amber
Add'l Info: CALENDULA OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN
ALLERGY TO RAGWEED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Comes from the Marigold
and works well blended with Sweet Almond Oil. Great for reducing
inflammation. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of calendula
oil with another carrier oil.
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COCOA BUTTER
Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao
Aroma: In unrefined cocoa butter it is very sweet and rich with a chocolate
aroma. In refined cocoa butter the aroma is not as noticeable.
Texture: At room temperature the cocoa butter is solid and difficult to work
with and will more than likely break-up into pieces.
Color: Tan with a yellow hue
Add'l Info: In order to use the cocoa butter it will be necessary to blend it
with other oils in order to make it more manageable. It can be used in creams
or lotions.
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COCONUT OIL
Aroma: Coconut aroma
Texture: Easy to spread and non-oily
Color: Light
Add'l Info: It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of coconut oil
with another carrier oil.
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GRAPESEED OIL
Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera
Aroma: Sweet, light, with a small nutty aroma.
Texture: Thin fine texture, leaving no oily residue
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HAZELNUT OIL
Botanical Name: Corylus avellana
Aroma: Nutty, light and slightly sweet
Texture: Thin and is slightly oily on the skin
Color: Pale yellow
Add'l Info: I've found this is an excellent oil for those with oily skin. Helps to
prevent dehydration of the skin.
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JOJOBA OIL
Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis
Aroma: Light and nearly odorless
Texture: Silky and usually absorbs well on the skin. Can feel waxey.
Color: Yellow
Add'l Info: This oil is really a wax. It usually does not go rancid very quickly.
It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of jojoba oil with another
carrier oil. Great skin conditioner for most skin types.
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KUKUI OIL
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OLIVE OIL
Botanical Name: Olea europaea
Aroma: Smells like olives.
Texture: Heavy and oily.
Color: Use the greenest oil you can possibly purchase. The greener the oil,
the closer it is to pure cold pressed.
Add'l Info: May be blended with a 10% dilution of olive oil with another
carrier oil.
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PEANUT OIL
Botanical Name: Arachis hypogeae
Aroma: Light with a slighty nutty aroma
Texture: Thick and is very oily on the skin.
Color: Clear
Add'l Info: PEANUT OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN
ALLERGY TO PEANUTS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. It is used in some massage
oil blends. Always let your massage therapist know if you are allergic to peanuts
before the massage begins just in case they use a peanut oil blend. Peanut oil is
generally Good for those who have arthritic conditions.
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PECAN OIL
Botanical Name: Carya pecan
Aroma: Extremely light with nutty aroma.
Texture: Medium and slightly oily on the skin.
Color: Clear
Add'l Info: It has the possibility of turning rancid quickly. If it is stored in a
dark bottle in a cool dark area, you may not have any problems with rancidity.
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SESAME OIL
Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum
Aroma: Medium, sweet, and nutty.
Texture: Slightly thick and leaves the skin slightly oily
Color: Pale yellow
Add'l Info: May be blended with a 10% dilution of sesame oil with another
carrier oil. Good calcium source.
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SHEA BUTTER
Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii
Aroma: Nutty aroma
Texture: Solid and workable at room temperature. May leave a waxy feeling
on the skin.
Color: Cream colored
Add'l Info: Typically used in lotions and creams
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SUNFLOWER OIL
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Aroma: Sweet and light
Texture: Thin with no oiliness on the skin
Color: Clear with a yellow hue
Add'l Info: Go for the unrefined sunflower oil.
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WALNUT OIL
Aroma: Rich and with a nutty aroma
Texture: Delicate
Color: Light
Add'l Info: It is expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of walnut oil with
another carrier oil.
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WHEATGERM OIL
Aroma: Wheat aroma and slighly nutty
Texture: Thick and sticky
Color: Golden orange-brown
Add'l Info: WHEATGERM OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN
ALLERGY TO WHEAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. High in Vitamin E which gives
powerful healing properties. Usually included in a blend for preservation and
anti-oxidative properties. Because of this you can blend a 10% dilution of
wheatgerm oil with another carrier oil. If it is blended with preferably almond
or grapeseed oil, then use 25% wheatgerm to 75% almond or grapeseed.
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essential oils with children using only the gentlest oils at an extremely low
dose.