A carrier oil is a plain vegetable oil that holds and spreads essential oil on skin. The right one feels pleasant, lasts long enough to use up, and suits the job.
Common carriers
| Carrier | Feel | Good for | Keeps (cool, closed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jojoba | Light, not greasy; technically a liquid wax | Face blends, roll-ons, scalp massage | Longest of the group, often 2 years or more |
| Sweet almond | Medium, soft glide | Body and massage blends | About 6 to 12 months |
| Argan | Light to medium | Hair and scalp, hands | About 1 year |
| Rosehip | Light, dry finish | Face blends | Short, about 6 months; keep it cool |
| Fractionated coconut | Very light, clear, almost no scent | Roll-ons, massage | Long, often 2 years or more |
Shelf lives vary with the producer and the storage; the supplier's date on the bottle comes first.
How to choose
- Allergies. Nut oils (sweet almond, argan) are not for anyone with a tree-nut allergy. Choose jojoba or fractionated coconut instead.
- Feel on the skin. Fine skin and the face often like lighter oils (jojoba, rosehip). Body massage wants a bit more slip (sweet almond).
- How fast you will use it. Buy a size you will finish within the shelf life. A small bottle that lasts is better than a large one that turns.
- Scent. Choose unscented carriers so the essential oil's scent comes through.
Keep a carrier well
- Store it like an essential oil: dark, cool, tightly closed.
- Smell it before you use it. Rancid oil smells like old crayons, putty or stale nuts. Throw it out.
- Put a date on the bottle when you open it.
- Never mix essential oils into water and apply it to skin. Use the dilution calculator for amounts.
Sources
- AromaWeb: essential oil shelf life (after Robert Tisserand)
- Tisserand R, Young R. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed. Churchill Livingstone, 2014
More guides
- Dilution calculator
- Dilution and the patch test
- Babies, children and essential oils
- Pets and essential oils
- Oils and sun exposure
- Storage and shelf life
- Using a diffuser safely
- Mixing oils in a diffuser
- How to read our label
Questions about an oil or a blend? aura.elixir@outlook.com