List of Carrier Oils for Essential Oils

What is it about carrier oils for essential oils that make them so delectable? The aromas? The variety? The fun of trying them all out?  I say – all of it :)

If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you probably already know that essential oils are the peanut butter to my jelly!

I use them in my salt bath to help me ground, in the air to help me relax and sleep deeply (hello, lavender!), and even on my chakra jewelry so I can benefit from essential oil properties all day long.

I’m a girl obsessed, I tell ya!

But, I quickly realized they can be a little irritating to skin due to their concentration levels.

Thankfully, it’s super easy to correct this issue by using carrier oils for essential oils.

How carrier oils work:

Essential oils are awesome on their own and have tons of amazing benefits.

Carrier oils for essential oils slightly dilute the oil so that it doesn’t irritate skin. (This is practicing good essential oil safety :)

Plus, a lot of carrier oils have their own awesome benefits – win/win!

Essential Oils for Carrier Oils RECIPE:

Basically, you’ll want to mix 4 parts of your carrier oil with 1 part of your essential oil. Some people are a little more or less sensitive than others, so feel free to play with the ratio and discover what’s best for you!

And of course if you are pregnant or have any health issues, be sure to check with your doctor before using essential oils, okay?

List of Carrier Oils for Essential Oils

• Sweet Almond Oil

The ‘sweet’ basically means this oil comes from the almonds that we chow down on rather than bitter almonds. Sweet almond oil is chock full of Vitamin E, potassium, and zinc, which means our skin LOVES it. My 90-year old grandmother says that Vitamin E is her secret to looking AMAZING!

**Please note, those with nut allergies should steer clear of this oil.**

• Coconut Oil

I have to admit, I open my coconut oil just to smell it sometimes… It smells like toes-in-the-sand / sun-on-my-face goodness!

Coconut oil is actually solid at room temp, and even heated it’s is a little thicker than some of the others on our list. (which makes it great for skin rub concoctions).

I love it’s texture for specific applications because it’s extremely moisturizing. Also, if the oil-pulling trend going around has peaked your interest, this is a good one to keep on hand!

• Olive Oil

This is a great starter carrier oil because it’s super easy to find… you probably already have one sitting in your cabinet! I personally like to use extra-virgin cold pressed oil and always keep some in my kitchen. Because this is a lightweight oil, it does tend to be a little on the greasy side. 

• Argan Oil

You may have also heard this called ‘Moroccan oil’ because it comes from the kernels of a tree most commonly found in Morocco. Let me tell you, this stuff is amazing! I’ve used a shampoo with argan oil in it for years (it smells amazing and makes my hair silky soft). It’s loaded with antioxidants and has a ton of great uses (hair included), so I always have a bottle handy.

• Avocado Oil

It really doesn’t take much to convince me to dig into an avocado – bring on the guac and margaritas please! Same goes when it’s in oil form. Avocado oil is known as one of the healthiest oils on the planet and is specifically tagged as ‘heart healthy’. Plus, it’s great for cooking, so you really can’t go wrong keeping avocado oil in the house.

• Emu Oil

Yes… like the bird! This oil comes from the fatty tissue on the birds back underneath the skin and muscle. I wasn’t familiar with this oil before my essential oil journey, but it’s got some great benefits! It’s full of essential fatty acids and has been used for topical issues like diaper rash, athlete’s foot, and canker sores. It’s anti-aging properties also make it great for sun damaged skin!

• Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil closely mimics the oil our skin naturally produces – which makes it super hydrating (perfect for the winter)! It comes from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis plant (say that three times fast!), native to Arizona, California, and Mexico. Plus, because it’s so close to our skin’s natural chemistry, it’s great as a natural makeup remover and face wash!

• Neem Oil

Be forewarned: this oil does have a little ‘pungent’ (earthy) smell. But it also has some amazing benefits. Neem oil naturally contains an aspirin-like compound making it one of the best carrier oils for essential oils for people with sensitive skin or skin issues – like rosacea, rashes, or eczema! It’s also a great choice for those with acne.

• Organic, Unscented Body Lotion

Organic, fragrance-free lotion is one of my “go to” carrier oils for essential oils. I always keep some in the house. It’s not only great for moisturizing the skin, it makes a great carrier oil for ALL of your essential oils! (I’ve been using this one from The Honest Company for over a year. I LOVE it because a little goes a long way – and I use it instead of chemically loaded face moisturizers, too.)

Carrier Oils for Essential Oils Takeaways

Remember, you really can’t go wrong when picking a carrier oil for essential oils – so try a few out and see what works best for you! They all have their own benefits and can be effectively used for different applications.

More Essential Oil Goodness:

• 10 Essential Oils You Can’t Live Without
• How Essential Oils Work (seriously, you are gonna wanna know… it actually has nothing to do with the smell of the oil itself – and everything to do with the brain – totally fascinating!)