The Secret to Choosing and Using the Right Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are much like the oils you cook with, they are just used for cosmetic purposes. The term “carrier” is used to describe the fact that they are often used to “carry” (i.e., dilute) essential oils. Since essential oils are too concentrated to be safely applied to the skin, carrier oils act as a safe solubilizing material. The therapeutic value of combined carrier and essential oils can create some fun and useful DIY projects. Here are a few examples of DIY products combining essential oils and carrier oils:
- Therapeutic massage oils
- Facial and body moisturizers
- Oil-based natural perfumes
- Topical joint pain treatments
- Relaxing and moisturizing bath oils
The Formula for Safe Dilution . Using safe and clean cosmetics can greatly assist in protecting and preserving your precious exterior. A great way to customize skincare for your skin type is to combine selected carrier oils with a combination of essential oils. While not all essential oils are suitable for topical application, as a general rule of thumb, use a 2–3% dilution for the body and a 1% or less dilution for the face. If you are inexperienced, start with gentle essential oils such as lavender, balsam fir, pine needle, cedarwood, frankincense, mandarin, sweet orange, chamomile, helichrysum, neroli, clary sage, myrrh, ginger, and patchouli. Some essential oils can be irritating even at 1% dilution.
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of the best-known emollients. Emollients penetrate the skin quickly, leaving it soft and supple. Castor oil's emollient properties make it useful for thick calluses, scars, dry eyes, and skin conditions like eczema. Some complementary physicians recommend castor oil as "fake tears" for dry eyes or meibomian gland dysfunction. It is important to note that castor oil is not sterile and therefore there is a theoretical risk of eye infection. This practice is best done under the advice of a qualified practitioner. The castor oil pack, created by Edgar Cayce, famous psychic, known as "The Bedside Healer," is also used for healing purposes such as constipation, cysts, fibroids, or pain. This involves topically applying castor oil with the use of flannel and heat. Its effects are attributed to a unique fatty acid called ricinoleic acid which is similar in structure to prostaglandin E1, an anti-inflammatory molecule. Food grade castor oil also has a history as a laxative and for inducing labor. Wow!
2. Sweet Almond Oil
Rich in Vitamin E and Squalene (an antioxidant and emollient), this is an excellent skin conditioner. Squalene is a superb moisturizer and lubricant; it softens and soothes skin while replenishing skin lipids (fats). In fact, human sebum (the naturally occurring fat in our skin) is comprised of 25% squalene. This makes sweet almond oil ideal for dry, chapped, scaly, irritated, or mature skin.
3. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil was traditionally held in high regard by Native Americans. Jojoba can reduce the skin's water loss while providing it with suppleness and softness. Most unique to jojoba is the fact that it is a liquid wax, not an oil. Jojoba is often described as being similar to the sebum naturally produced by our skin. While ideal for any skin type, it is often recommended for acne-prone skin and dry or mature skin. It has an impressive shelf-life for DIY cosmetics.