Wisdom & Wellbeing: The Power of Carrier Oils Pt. 2

Published by Sherrie Dawkins on 1st Sep 2025

Wisdom & Wellbeing: The Power of Carrier Oils Continued

What are Carrier Oils and Why are they Important?

*If you haven’t yet read our previous post on carrier oils, we invite you to take a moment to explore it. There you will find helpful background and more specific information.

Have you ever wondered why your massage therapist or aromatherapy practitioner uses a mix of essential oils with other oils in your treatment? And how do they choose which ones to use?

Because essential oils are highly concentrated, often requiring large volumes of plant material to produce just a small amount of oil, they are too potent to apply neat (without dilution). Carrier oils provide a nourishing, moisturizing base that tempers the intensity of essential oils, ensuring they’re safe for topical use. Most often your practitioner will be looking for carrier oil(s) that provide the optimal “slip” or glide for your treatment, providing a safe and pleasurable indulgence for body, mind and skin.

Here is the Dilution Chart again:

Essential Oil Dilution Chart for Aromatherapy Body Treatments

Purpose	Dilution %	Drops per 1oz (30mL) Carrier
Facial Care / Sensitive Skin	0.5 - 1%	3 - 6 Drops
Everyday Body Care	1 - 2%	6 - 12 Drops
Therapeutic Massage	2 - 3%	10 - 15 Drops
Short-term Spot Treatment	4 - 5%	25 Drops

Here are a few more Carrier oil profiles to consider:

APRICOT KERNEL OIL

Texture: Light and smooth
Skin Type: Sensitive, mature, or dry skin
Benefits: High in vitamins A and E; gentle, nourishing and emollient
Scent: Light, sweet, nutty

AVOCADO OIL

Texture: Thick and rich
Benefits: High in vitamins A, D, and E; deeply nourishing and moisturizing
Skin Type: Very dry or mature skin
Ceramide-Like Action*: Helps restore the lipid barrier and may help the skin synthesize more ceramides
Scent: Earthy, nutty.

GRAPESEED OIL

Texture: Light and non-greasy
Skin Type: Oily or acne-prone skin, great for facial massage
Benefits: High in linoleic acid vitamin E and antioxidants; absorbs quickly
Scent: Odorless
Note: Shorter shelf life, so store properly

JOJOBA OIL

Why it's ideal: Feels luxurious, won’t clog pores, long shelf life
Texture: Light, waxy (actually liquid wax at room temperature)
Skin Type: All
Benefits: Closely mimics skin’s natural sebum; very stable, emollient and nourishing
Scent: Mild

OLIVE OIL (Light or Refined)

Texture: Medium to heavy
Skin Type: Dry or mature skin
Benefits: Deeply nourishing and antioxidant-rich, balances sebum production
Scent: Mild to moderate (refined has less scent)

SESAME SEED OIL

Traditionally used in Ayurvedic practices, great for face, hair and scalp treatments

Texture: Thick and rich
Skin Type: Dry or mature skin
Benefits: Warming and soothing, rich in vitamin E, B-complex, and essential fatty acids that nourish and soften hair and skin.
Scent: Mild, nutty

Tip - If you Wish to Blend Your Carrier Oils for Optimal Benefits and Perfect “Slip” - try combining oils that incorporate your preferred glide and nutrient content. Here are a few examples:

Sweet Almond + Jojoba = Balanced glide and skin nourishment

Grapeseed + Avocado = Light with deep hydration

Fractionated Coconut + Essential Oils = Long-lasting, great for aromatherapy massages and in roll-ons

NOTES & PRECAUTIONS:

DID YOU KNOW? While there has been some debate around some seed oils, concerns generally apply to when the oils are consumed rather than for topical use. In fact, many seed oils such as grapeseed, sesame seed and sunflower seed are wonderfully nourishing and make excellent carrier oils in aromatherapy and body treatments. When cold-pressed and of high quality, seed oils can be nourishing, stable, skin-friendly, and safe when stored and used properly.

PROPER STORAGE IS KEY: Keep oils in dark-colored glass bottles and store in a cool, dark area away from heat and light.

PRECAUTIONS: Consult your healthcare professional about use if you have a skin condition, hormone-sensitive issues, or are undergoing certain treatments (like radiation).