What is a Carrier Oil and Which Ones Should You Use? [Infographic]

Carrier oils are the base to all of the wonderful creams and blends you can create with your essential oils.

They can’t be ignored.

But I get it…

When you’re just starting out with essential oils, you’ll inevitably come across a ton of industry jargon like dilution ratios, methods of application, neat, hot, and the list goes on.

It’s overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.

Using essential oils is meant to be a fun and exciting journey. And carrier oils just happen to be the lifeblood of safe and efficient usage.

So let me debunk the confusion and help you out. In this massive guide, I’ll cover absolutely everything you need to know about carrier oils.

Here’s a quick summary of what you’ll find in this post:

• What are carrier oils?
• How to use carrier oils
• The top 20 carrier oils and their uses and benefits (with infographic).
• Frequently asked questions for everything carrier oils.

Let’s set the confusion aside and jump right in.

Get a free copy of our carrier oils reference guide which includes the top 20 carrier oils, their uses and benefits.

What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is used to dilute essential oils before they are applied topically to the skin or in aromatherapy. They are base oils or vegetable oils that you’re probably already familiar with.

Most essential oils need to be diluted, and carrier oils are an excellent way to disperse them for safe topical use.

This dispersion allows for the essential oil to be spread over larger areas and to be used safely.

Why use carrier oils?

Essential oils are highly volatile, which means they begin to dissipate as soon as they are applied.

Carrier oils help slow this process.

The rate at which the oils are absorbed and/or dissipate depends largely on how light or heavy the carrier is.

You may hear carrier oils referred to in a number of ways, including fixed, base, or vegetable oils. Essential oils should always be diluted in plant-derived oils, not in chemical, animal, or mineral oils.

Good carrier oils have their own characteristics and therapeutic benefits, much like essential oils. The blend of carrier you choose has an impact just like the blend of essential oils you choose.

Fun fact: 

Essential oils are not actually oils, but carriers or ‘base’ oils are.

What are the different types of carrier oils?

Carrier oils fall into four major categories.

• Main carrier oils
• Percentage-based carrier oils
• Specialty oils
• Macerated or Infused Oils

There are many available, and they all fall into one of the following groups. Rather than giving you a complete list, here are the main ones for each category.

The recommended percentages for oils listed are from Valerie Worwood’s excellent book, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. I highly recommend grabbing a copy.

Main Carrier Oils

Main carrier oils are those that can be used at a 100 percent ratio of the entire base blend. For instance, the following oils are great on their own:

• Almond, sweet(Prunus amygdalus var. dulce)
• Apricot Kernel(Prunus armeniaca)
• Coconut(Cocos nucifera)
• Grapeseed(Vitis vinifera)
• Jojoba(Simmondsia chinensis)
• Kukui(Aleurites moluccana)

Percentage-based Carrier Oils

These are rich oils that should not be used for one reason or another on their own as 100 percent of your base blend.

They may be too greasy, too thick, expensive, or any number of reasons that you may not want to use them on their own. These include:

• Borage Seed(Borago officinalis) – 10-30%
• Evening Primrose(Oenothera biennis) – 10-30%
• Neem(Azadirachta indica) – 10 -20%
• Olive(Olea europaea) – 30-50%
• Sesame Seed(Sesamum indicum) 30-50%
• Wheat germ(Triticum vulgare) – 10-30%

Specialty Oils

Specialty carrier oils are those that are rarer. They are usually chosen for specific therapeutic reasons to use as part of blends. Examples of specialty carrier oils are:

• Blackcurrant Seed(Ribes nigrum) – .5-5%
• Passion Flower Seed or Maracuja(Passiflora incarnata) – 10-30%
• Rosehip Seed(Rosa rubiginosa) – 20-30%
• Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) – 1-5%
• Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum ) – 30-50%

Macerated or Infused Oils

Macerated or infused oils refer to those made in the traditional sense by introducing plant material into a vegetable oil for a length of time to infuse the oil with the properties of the plant matter. When choosing a macerated oil, make sure it is made like this, not extracted by another method.

Some examples of macerated oils are:

• Arnica Macerated Oil(Arnica montana) – 2-5%
• Calendula or Marigold(Calendula officinalis) – 30-70%
• Carrot Root(Daucus carota) – 5-20%
• Monoi(Gardenia taitensis + Cocos nucifera) – 30-60%
• St. John’s Wort(Hypericum perforatum) – 30-50%

Besides the above carrier oils, butters like Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa / Butyrospermum parkii) can also be beneficial to add to your essential oils.

When making up your own blend of base oil, always add the oils you are using in the most significant amounts first, and work your way down to those you’re using in the smallest quantities. This works much like regular kitchen recipes.

Top 20 Carrier Oils (With Uses and Benefits)

As I mentioned, there are many different types of carriers. Depending on the home remedy you wish to create, your choice of carrier may differ.

But remember:

you don’t need them all.

Here are the top carrier oils plus a little tidbit on their uses and benefits.

Feel free to use the following as a quick-reference chart or pin this infographic for future use.

Want a printable version of our Carrier Oils Reference Guide? Click here to download your free copy.

Use This Infographic On Your Blog

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Almond Oil, Sweet (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcus)

Sweet almond carrier oil is an extremely versatile choice that can be used in most applications up to 100 percent. It is a light carrier oil that many prefer to use for topical skin absorption of essential oils.

Before using this oil on anyone with a nut allergy, a skin test must be performed.

It is a high Vitamin E carrier oil that also has Vitamin K, as well as Omega-6 and -9 fatty acids. This oil is good for dryness, itchiness, inflammation, and irritation. You can find almond oil frequently used in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armeniaca)

Apricot carrier oil is another versatile oil for use in blends or on its own.

It also high in Vitamin E, and omegas 6 and 9. It’s an emollient that is anti-aging and helps improve elasticity. It is useful for:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)

Argan carrier oil is a toning, regenerative, and protective oil high in omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and Vitamin E. Use it for dry, flaking, and aging skin, or any of the following:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Avocado Oil (Persea americana)

Avocado carrier oil is rich in Vitamins A, B, D, and E as well as the fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9. This oil is excellent for skin conditions like rashes, eczema, or scarring.

This oil is usually used between 10-40 percent in blends for:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Hair Care
• Lotions

Borage Seed Oil (Borago officinalis)

Borage carrier oil is a wonderful choice to use in blends at about 10-30 percent. This oil is full of fatty acids; it has alpha linolenic acid in addition to omegas 3, 6, and 9.

Borage oil is great for aging skin and conditions like psoriasis and eczema. You can use boarage seed oil in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Camellia Seed Oil (Camellia sinensis / Camellia oleifera)

Camellia Seed carrier oil is usually used in blends between 30-70 percent but can be used on its own. It is good for eczema, psoriasis, dry, mature, or sensitive skin.

Camellia Seed is high in omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and can be used in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Hair Care
• Lotions
• Ointments

Coconut Oil, Fractionated (Cocos nucifera)

Some purists do not believe in using fractionated coconut oil because it is not the whole, ‘pure’ oil.

However, this highly stable oil makes an excellent light base that easily penetrates the skin. It is useful for:

• Body & face oils
• Hair Care
• Perfumes

Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)

Evening Primrose oil is usually used in blends between 10-30 percent. This oil does not have a long shelf life but is high in fatty acids.

Evening Primrose is good for psoriasis, eczema, rashes, and aging, damaged, or inflamed skin. Use in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Grapeseed Oil (Vitus vinifera)

Grapeseed carrier oil is useful for acne-prone or oily skin and is high in omega 6 and 9 as well as Vitamin E. It is a hydrating and moisturizing oil used in the following:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Hazelnut Oil (Corylus avellana)

Hazelnut carrier oil can be used in a blend between 30-70 percent or as the main carrier.

Those with a nut sensitivity should perform a skin test before use.

This oil is high in Vitamin E and omegas 6 and 9. It is useful in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis sativa)

The anti-inflammatory properties of hemp seed carrier oil make it useful for damaged, dry, or mature skin. It can also help psoriasis. It is a toning and balancing oil good in:

• Body & face oils between 10-20 percent in blends
• Balms
• Gels
• Ointments

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

Jojoba carrier oil is actually a liquid wax that can be used on its own or in blends between 30-80 percent. This is a reliable go-to oil for all skin conditions including rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.

Dry, oily, combination, prematurely aged, and even acne-prone skin can benefit from the anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, balancing, and nourishing effects of this oil.

Jojoba is the most closely related to human sebum of all the carrier oils.

You can use jojoba oil in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Gels
• Lotions
• Ointments
• Perfumes

Kukui Nut Oil (Aleurites moluccana)

Kukui Nut carrier oil is a regenerative emollient good for sensitive and aging skin. It helps dryness, acne, soreness, eczema, sun damage, and psoriasis.

Kukui Nut is high in all of the omega fatty acids as well as Vitamins A and E.

Those with a nut allergy should do a skin test first.

Otherwise, this oil can be used on its own or in blends and is exceptional for:

• Body or base oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia integrifolia)

Use Macadamia Nut carrier oil only after performing a skin patch test if there is a nut allergy present.

Otherwise, it can be used on its own as a base oil or in blends at 30-70 percent.

This oil is high in omega 7 and 9 fatty acids and is great for conditions causing dryness or redness, as well as eczema and psoriasis. Useful as an anti-aging oil and in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Olive Oil, Virgin (Olea europaea)

Olive oil carrier oil is useful in blends at 30-50 percent for all skin types including mature. It is high in omegas 6 and 9, as well as Vitamins E and K.

Do not use culinary oil. Instead, look for cold-pressed virgin olive oil.

Virgin olive oil is beneficial for bruised, chapped, damaged, itchy, and dry skin, as well as hair. Use in your:

• Body oils
• Hair Care
• Hair Conditioners
• Lotions
• Ointments

Pomegranate Seed Oil (Punica granatum)

Pomegranate seed oil is a relatively scentless light to medium carrier oil suitable for penetrating the skin. It is full of polyphenol antioxidants and useful for damaged or aging skin, and has conjugated linoleic acid, and omega 5.

Pomegranate Seed carrier oil helps rejuvenate and nourish skin and can be included in:

• Body & face oils (10-30 percent)
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Shower gels
• Soap

Rose Hip Seed Oil (Rosa rubiginosa)

Rose Hip Seed carrier oil can be used in face oils at 100 percent or added to carrier oils for the body at 20-30 percent. The oil is high in omegas 3, 6, and 9 as well as trans-retinoic acid.

This is a reddish oil that may stain clothes and/or skin, so test it first before using in excess.

Rose hip seed is beneficial in that it aids in elasticity and is a nourishing antioxidant that helps with cell and tissue regeneration. It is a good anti-aging oil that can be used for eczema and psoriasis. It is useful for mature or sensitive skin and goes well in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions

Sesame Seed Oil (Sesamum indicum)

This oil can be used in a carrier blend between 30-50 percent or in spot treatments.

A skin test should be performed to test sensitivity.

Sesame Seed carrier oil is beneficial for dry, damaged, aging, or problematic skin. It is good for skin infections, eczema, and psoriasis and useful as an ingredient in:

• Body oils
• Balms
• Gels
• Ointments

Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus)

Include Sunflower carrier oil in blends between 30-70 percent. It may also be used at 100 percent if desired. Sunflower oil is high in omegas 6 and 9 and Vitamin E.

This oil can be used for all skin types, but be sure to look for organic, cold-pressed Sunflower oil, not the culinary type.

Sunflower oil, like jojoba, is close to human sebum. This makes it an excellent choice for your:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Walnut Oil (Juglans regia)

Walnut carrier oil is high in omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids. The oil is often used in carrier blends at about 30-70 percent. Walnut oil is suitable for use on all skin types, including oily, aging, or sun damaged skin.

Perform a skin test before use if a nut allergy is present.

You can use this oil in:

• Body & face oils
• Balms
• Creams
• Lotions
• Ointments

Frequently Asked Questions About Carrier Oils

When it comes to carrier oils, you’re going to have a lot of questions. So instead of you leaving with your questions unanswered, I want to spend the rest of this post answering them.

Below, you’ll find a list of questions related to carrier oils. You can use the table of contents below to find your answers.

Table of Contents

• What are carrier oils vs. essential oils?
• What are the best carrier oils for essential oils?
• What are the best carrier oils for…?
  • For massage
  • For perfume
• Is [this] a carrier oil or essential oil?
  • Is coconut oil a carrier oil?
  • Is coconut oil an essential oil?
  • Is castor oil a carrier oil?
  • Is olive oil a carrier oil?
  • Is argan oil a carrier oil?
• Where should I buy carrier oils?
• What is V6 oil?
  • What is a good V6 oil substitute?
• What is a good jojoba oil substitute?
• Should I only use organic carrier oils?
• What are some cheap carrier oils?
• What are some non-greasy carrier oils?
• What is the shelf life of carrier oils?
• How can I make my carrier oils last longer?
• How do I determine the carrier oil to essential oil ratio?
  • General usage
  • In a bath
  • For face
  • For body massage
  • Dilution percentages to drops

What are carrier oils vs. essential oils?

Carrier oils are actually oils derived from plant matter. Essential oils are not actually oils at all, but the volatile liquids that carry the phytochemicals of the plant.

What are the best carrier oils for essential oils?

When trying to determine the best carrier oil for essential oils, you must first decide what you are using the blend for.

A lot of people ask about particular oils, i.e., what is the best carrier oil for tea tree oil or what is the best carrier oil for lavender.

In short, there is no ‘best’ carrier for the different essential oils.

Sweet almond makes as good of a tea tree oil carrier oil as it does for frankincense, lavender, or lemon.Choose the carrier that is best for your particular application, like the area of the body you are using it for.

What are the best carrier oils for…?

Best carrier oil for massage?

This really depends on what you are massaging, and why. In general, you want a non-greasy, light carrier oil.

When in doubt, sweet almond carrier oil is great for pretty much any massage blend or application.

What is the best carrier oil for perfume?

For perfumes, you want to pick an oil that is not going to overpower the scent.

You also want to choose an oil that has a longer shelf life. Jojoba carrier oil and fractionated coconut oil are both sound choices.

Is [this] a carrier oil or an essential oil?

People just starting out with aromatherapy often get confused about what an essential oil is and what a carrier oil is. Here are the most common questions and answers:

Is coconut oil a carrier oil?

Yes, coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil. You can use it in a blend between 30-50 percent or as a body oil up to 100 percent.

Is coconut oil an essential oil?

No, coconut oil is not an essential oil. It is a carrier oil.

Is castor oil a carrier oil?

No. Castor oil does come from a plant (Ricinus communis). It is full of antioxidants and can be beneficial to the skin and hair.

However, the oil leaves a sticky residue so is generally not used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. It is often used internally to treat constipation.

Is olive oil a carrier oil?

Yes, olive oil makes a wonderful carrier oil. Only cold-pressed virgin organic olive oil should be used.

Do not use regular culinary olive oil.

Is argan oil a carrier oil?

Yes, argan oil is a carrier oil. It contains vitamin E, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. It is generally used as part of a face or body blend at 15-50 percent but may be used up to 100 percent for either.

Where should I buy carrier oils?

When looking for carrier oils, you generally do not want to head to your local grocery store.

Yes, they will have items like coconut and olive oil, but these are usually culinary oils that are not suitable for therapeutic applications.

A reputable vendor will be able to assist you in choosing an appropriate carrier oil for your particular need.

A lot of these vendors sell directly on Amazon.

Just remember you want natural, pure, organic, first-pressed, cold-pressed, virgin oils to use for your essential oils.

What is V6 oil?

V6 oil is a proprietary blend from Young Living. According to their site, it is made up of:

• Fractionated Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
• Organic Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil (organic)
• Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
• Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
• Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
• Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

What is a good V6 oil substitute?

You can try making V6 oil at home. While the exact proportions are unknown, you can look at the ingredient list and get a basic idea.

Remember that ingredients are listed in the order of quantity from highest to lowest.

Therefore, for V6, it has the highest amount of fractionated coconut oil in it, followed by sesame, and on down the line.

What is a good jojoba oil substitute?

When making substitutions, you want to use an oil with approximately the same viscosity and absorption rate. If I run out of jojoba oil, I substitute another light carrier oil like sweet almond or fractionated coconut in most cases.

Should I only use organic carrier oils?

When looking for carrier oils for essential oils, look for those that are organic, pure, virgin, natural, first-pressed, and cold-pressed.

All of these terms denote that the oil is in its most natural, healthy state without the use of harmful chemicals.

What are some cheap carrier oils?

Some of the lesser-expensive carrier oils are also ones that can be used in most blends or at 100 percent. These include sweet almond, jojoba, and fractionated coconut oil.

What are some non-greasy carrier oils?

When using carrier oils as a body oil or for large-scale dispersion of essential oils, you want to choose those that are not as apt to leave a greasy residue.

Sweet almost, jojoba, grapeseed, and fractionated coconut are all good choices.

What is the shelf life of carrier oils?

Most essential oils have a reasonably long shelf life as long as they are kept in dark glass containers away from sunlight.

Even when they are beyond their life for therapeutic reasons, they can still be used for their scent or to clean with.

Carrier oils, on the other hand, can turn rancid.

Carrier oil shelf life differs depending on the type of oil and how it is stored. Here are some of the most common carrier oils and their shelf life (keep in mind these are estimates):

1. Almond Oil, Sweet (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcus) – 1 year
2. Apricot Kernel Oil – (Prunus armeniaca) – 1 year
3. Argan Oil – (Argania spinosa) – 1 year
4. Avocado Oil – (Persea americana) – 1 year
5. Borage Seed Oil – (Borago officinalis) – 6 months
6. Camellia Seed Oil – (Camellia sinensis / Camellia oleifera) 1-2 years
7. Coconut Oil, Fractionated (Cocos nucifera) – Stable / 1 year+
8. Coconut Oil, Virgin – (Cocos nucifera)  – Stable / 1 year+
9. Evening Primrose Oil – (Oenothera biennis) – 6 months
10. Grapeseed Oil – (Vitus vinifera) – 6-12 months
11. Hazelnut Oil – (Corylus avellana) – 1 year
12. Hemp Seed Oil – (Cannabis sativa) – 6-12 months
13. Jojoba Oil – (Simmondsia chinensis) – Stable / 1 year+
14. Kukui Nut Oil – (Aleurites moluccana) – 1 year
15. Macadamia Nut Oil – (Macadamia integrifolia) – 1 year
16. Meadowfoam Seed Oil – (Limnanthes alba) – Stable / 1 year+
17. Olive Oil, Virgin – (Olea europaea) – 1-2 years
18. Pecan Oil – (Carya pecan) – 1 year
19. Pomegranate Seed Oil – (Punica granatum) – 1 year
20. Rose Hip Oil – (Rosa mosqueta) – 6-12 months
21. Sesame Oil – (Sesamum indicum) – 1 year
22. Sunflower Oil – (Helianthus annuus) – 1 year
23. Walnut Oil – (Juglans regia) – 6-12 months

As you can see, the shelf-life of fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oil are generally the longest and can last over a year.

Sweet almond oil’s shelf life is about one year. If you are looking for well-rounded body oils that are versatile and going to last a while, choose one of these.

Carrier oils like primrose and borage have a tendency to oxidize quite quickly, often around six months.

In order to save money, it is better to purchase oils like these in very small quantities or even in capsules.

How can I make my carrier oils last longer?

There are certain things you can do to make your carrier oils last as long as possible. The following tips are useful for making your essential oils last, too:

• Heat and the sun’s UV rays can speed up oxidation in oils. Always keep them tightly capped in your refrigerator.
• Do not store oils in clear containers. Amber, dark blue, or another dark glass are all good choices.
• Remove the dropper from the bottle and use regular caps.
• Adding an antioxidant like Vitamin E can help your carrier oils last longer.

How do I determine the carrier oil to essential oil ratio?

When mixing essential oils with a carrier oil, you want to consider what you will be using the blend for. If you want more information on dilution ratios, we have a complete guide on diluting essential oils here.

Here are some examples:

How to mix essential oils with carrier oil (general usage):

Add your carrier to a non-reactive container, like glass. Then, add your essential oil and stir. If making a blend of essential oils, mix them first and then add them to the carrier.

How to dilute essential oils with carrier oils for a bath:

A good general rule to follow is to use 1-4 drops of essential oil for most cases. For serious cases, use no more than 8-10 total drops of essential oil or an oil blend.

This number varies depending on age, the essential oils used, and the health of the user. Mix the essential oils in with at least the same amount of your chosen carrier then add to the water.

Be careful when mixing essential oils with a carrier oil for baths. They can make things slippery!

Dilute essential oils – ratio for face blends:

For blends that will be used on the face, use 8-15 drops of essential oil in one ounce of a nourishing carrier oil that is recommended for your specific skin condition.

Then, mix it well, and apply only as much as you need.

You likely will only use a fraction per treatment. Keep the rest in a dark bottle for future use.

Dilute essential oils for body massage:

If you’re using coconut oil for a massage or another carrier for body massages, then you can follow these dilution ratios.

For a blend that will be used for a massage on a body part (not the face), use 10-30 drops of essential oil per ounce of chosen carrier. A 1-3 percent dilution is standard, depending on the situation.

If blending essential oils, combine them first. Add the carrier oil(s) to a dark bottle, and then add your essential oil blend.

What are the dilution percentages I keep seeing for essential oils in carrier oils?

• 1% dilution = approx. 6 drops EO  / oz of carrier oil
• 2% dilution = approx. 12 drops EO / oz of carrier oil
• 3% dilution = approx. 18 drops EO / oz of carrier oil

Conclusion

Carrier oils vary almost as much as essential oils do. It can be confusing to determine which will suit your needs the best. Many times, this comes down to personal preference.

Here are a few key takeaways for you as you begin using carrier oils for your own homemade blends.

Always look beyond culinary oils when choosing.

These carrier oils will be a large part of your therapeutic use of essential oils, so you want the best.

Look for descriptors like pure, organic, cold-pressed, first-pressed, virgin, and natural.

When deciding what carrier oil or oils to use, begin by figuring out what you need it for and what results you would like.

Base oils have therapeutic properties in their own right, and choosing the correct ones for the condition can extend the therapeutic effect of the essential oils you use.

I hope I’ve cleared up some of the questions surrounding these beneficial oils. Be sure to bookmark this page to use as a quick reference in the future.

If you have any burning questions that I have not addressed above, leave me a message in the comments!