A Guide to Carrier Oils in AROMATHERAPY

Carrier oils are used as a base to dilute concentrated essential oils. By doing so, it makes the essential oil safe for topical use and in DIY recipes. Carrier oils are vegetable oils derived from the fatty portions of plants. They are used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. Carrier oils do not evaporate like essential oils, and they help to carry the essential oil onto the skin.

In addition, carrier oils can provide skin benefits on their own. Some common carrier oils for essential oils include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and fractionated coconut oil. Each oil has its own unique properties, so it's important to choose an oil that is suited for your specific needs.

What are Carrier Oils?

A carrier oil is a vegetable oil made from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from the seeds, nuts, or kernels. Each carrier oil has a different combination of health benefits and therapeutic properties. Depending on the benefit or characteristic being sought will determine the choice of carrier oil.

Why use Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are used as a base to dilute concentrated essential oils. By doing so, it makes the essential oil safe for topical use and in DIY recipes. If essential oils are applied to the skin directly, they can cause irritation, burning, or redness. The carrier oil is used to help “carry” the essential oil onto the skin.

What is a Comedogenic Rating of a Carrier Oil?

Carrier oils have a comedogenic rating, which indicates how likely any given oil is to clog your pores. The comedogenic rating of carrier oils is as follows:

• Comedogenic Rating of 0: No risk; Will not clog your pores.

• Comedogenic Rating of 1: Low risk; Slight chance of clogging pores.

• Comedogenic Rating of 2: Moderately low risk; Will not clog pores for MOST people. May cause clogged pores of a “purge” in some.

• Comedogenic Rating of 3: Moderate risk; Breakouts depend on skin type, many people will break out.

• Comedogenic Rating of 4: Fairly high risk; Most people will break out, but depends on skin type.

• Comedogenic Rating of 5: High risk; Will cause breakouts, few people can tolerate this type of oil.

Complete List of Carrier Oils:

Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armeniaca) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	This oil is made from the seeds of apricots and is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial. Apricot oil is highly beneficial to use on acne-prone skin because it is non-irritant and soothing to the skin.
Argan Oil (Argania spinosa) - Comedogenic Rating of 0	Restore and repair your skin without clogging your pores with this versatile oil. Argan oil can be used to fade scars, smooth out the skin’s texture, and to treat acne. It is produced from the argan tree, which grows in Morocco. Argan oil is full of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that moisturize, soften, and protect your skin.
Arnica Oil (Arnica montana) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	This oil is known for its health-promoting and pain-relieving powers. It is a flowering perennial plant that grows in mountainous regions and is used in natural medicine. Arnica oil has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps reduce swelling, relieve pain, and protect against infection.
Avocado Oil (Persea americana) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Hydrate and renew your skin tone with this rich oil that is teeming with essential and trace minerals. Apply avocado oil to your face regularly to reduce pore size and remove impurities. Consistent use of this oil can also reverse the signs of aging and improve skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Baobab Oil (Adansonia digitata) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Effectively smooth rough and dry patches with this oil that comes from “The Tree of Life”. Baobab oil is brilliant at restoring life back into your skin, which will leave you with a supple and radiant complexion.
Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella sativa) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Used for centuries, to promote excellent health, this oil is full of antioxidants. Rub this oil into your skin to calm inflammation, accelerate healing, and as an anti-aging skincare remedy. Black cumin oil also has the power to help release and smooth acne scars and will leave your skin soft, strong, and firm.
Borage Oil (Borago officinalis) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Borage oil is one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids, as well as a wonderful source of vitamins and minerals. Apply borage oil topically to nourish, protect, and hydrate your skin. It will leave your complexion feeling calm and smooth and is an incredible skin regenerator. This oil also is beneficial to various skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Calendula Oil (Calendula officinalis) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	This herb is wonderfully healing for the skin. Using this oil will help decrease redness, bruises, hyperpigmentation, and varicose veins. Massage calendula oil onto your skin to soothe irritated, itchy, and dry skin and stimulate the formation of new tissue. It is great for damaged or injured skin tissue as it has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes blood circulation.
Camellia Oil (Camellia oleifera) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	Also known as green tea seed, this oil is best for people who suffer from acne because it has strong antibacterial qualities. Massaging camellia oil into the skin also smooths skin tone, tightens skin, and improves signs of aging. Spot treat wrinkles, acne, and other problem areas while moisturizing your skin.
Carrot Seed Oil (Daucus carota) - Comedogenic Rating of 3-4	Improve the elasticity, tone, and overall appearance of your skin with carrot seed oil. It will help calm irritated skin while slowing the signs of aging. Use this oil for rejuvenating your skin and helping with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Carrot seed oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer qualities due to its flavonoid content.
Castor Oil (Ricinus communis) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	This oil is known for its strong purging and detoxing properties. It is an effective acne treatment that helps increase cell turnover. It can be a bit too drying for some skin types due to its ricinoleic acid content.
Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao) - Comedogenic Rating of 4	This semi-solid to solid oil is best used on the body as a deep moisturizer for chapped and dry skin. When using it on the face, dab around the eyes to smooth out wrinkles and as an anti-aging cream. Cocoa butter will keep your skin supple and help reduce marks on your body, such as stretch marks and scars.
Coconut Butter (Theobroma cacao) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	This incredible butter is ultra-moisturizing and works amazingly for dry and chapped skin. Rub it into rough areas to create a barrier that protects from cold and dry climates. Coconut butter is made by scooping the white flesh of mature coconuts and ground to create a semi-solid white and creamy paste.
Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera) - Comedogenic Rating of 4	This health-promoting oil leaves skin silky smooth and glowing. Massaging coconut oil regularly on the skin also helps reduce inflammation and heal wounds. Aside from its anti-aging and skin-healing properties, this oil also stimulates the production of collagen. It is also full of vitamin E, which protects the skin from sun damage.
Cucumber Seed oil (Cucumis sativus) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	Restore elasticity and strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier with this oil that is high in phytosterols. Cucumber seed oil nourishes cells, helps regenerate new healthy skin cells, smooths the skin’s surface, and promotes moisture balance. Use a dab of this oil as a spot treatment to reduce redness, inflammation, and rough patches. Cucumber oil has many great benefits when it comes to anti-aging, acne, dry skin, and sun care remedies.
Cupuacu Butter (Theobroma grandiflorum) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	Cupuacu butter is one of the best moisturizing body butters that will hydrate and plump dry skin. This restorative butter is known for its anti-inflammatory, sun-protective, healing, and cell restructuring properties.
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis) - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	Ease acne and balance hormones by internally taking evening primrose oil. This oil can also be applied topically to promote elasticity, reduce inflammation, and enhance the skin’s cellular structure. Evening primrose oil is also helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation.
Fenugreek Oil (Trigonella foenum-graecum) - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	This oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, which makes it helpful in lowering inflammation. Fenugreek oil has many incredible qualities such as anti-aging, antibacterial, treating skin disorders (psoriasis, acne, eczema), and helping to make healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Fractionated Coconut Oil - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	The difference between fractionated coconut oil and regular coconut oil is that fractionated coconut oil has had its long-chain triglycerides removed. This makes it less oily and suitable for moisturizing dry skin. It also always stays in liquid form, which makes it useful for massages and self-care.
Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	This oil may be light, but it has many powerful properties. From speeding up acne healing to reducing redness, grapeseed oil is a great anti-inflammatory. Rub grapeseed oil onto your skin to tone and tighten it, protect against sun damage, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, and blemishes.
Guava Seed Oil (Psidium guajava) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	Guava seed oil is a great spot treatment for reducing pore size. Just a dab of this oil will tone and tighten your skin while reducing the signs of scars, stretch marks, and aging. It will give the appearance of your skin a supple and soft feeling because it is a very emollient oil.
Hazelnut Oil (Corylus avellana) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	Tighten and smooth out your skin’s texture with this “Pore Reducing Oil”. Hazelnut oil will fight all sorts of skin issues, such as acne, by killing bacteria and minimizing both black and whiteheads. This oil has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and will leave it well moisturized. However, when you apply it to the skin, it feels astringent and dry due to its ability to tighten the skin.
Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis sativa) - Comedogenic Rating of 0	With amazing moisturizing and skin softening properties, hemp seed oil is a wonderful treatment for dry, itchy skin, as well as psoriasis and eczema. It’s well-tolerated by both oily and sensitive skin and can help balance your skin’s oil production. Hemp oil also reduces inflammation and redness caused by acne.
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Detox and revitalize your skin with this light moisturizing oil. Jojoba oil mimics the consistency of our own sebum, which makes it an excellent acne treatment. Using jojoba oil will help balance the production of excess oil while also helping to leave your pore clean and clear.
Kokum Butter (Garcinia indica) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Kokum butter has a firm texture, is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that provide nourishment and healing for dry and damaged skin. Being a vegan butter, it is suitable for all types of skin. Its natural flakiness and brittleness at room temperature make it widely preferred for its stability.  When applied to the skin, it quickly melts and gets absorbed, leaving a soft and moisturized feeling without any greasiness. It is more commonly used as an ingredient and thickening agent in lotions, soaps, and body butters.
Kukui Nut Oil (Aleurites moluccanus) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Wake up tired-looking skin with this rejuvenating and moisturizing oil that is full of nutrients. Whether you use this oil as a massage oil or on dry skin, it is also effective for helping reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Other uses for kukui nut oil include after sun care and as a hair and scalp conditioner.
Macadamia Oil (Macadamia integrifolia) - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	Nourish your skin and protect it from free radical damaging by using this oil. It will keep your skin soft and well moisturized. Due to its oleic acid content, Macadamia oil acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Mango Butter (Mangifera indica) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	This rich butter has a lower chance of clogging your pores compared to cocoa butter, but has excellent moisturizing properties for the skin. Mango butter works to soothe psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and other inflamed, dry skin conditions. Rub this butter on insect bites, wrinkles, stretch marks, sunburns, and rashes as a natural treatment to reduce their appearance.
Maracuja Oil (aka Passion Fruit Seed Oil) (Passiflora) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	This luxuriant oil will leave your complexion healthy and radiant. It comes from the passion fruit seeds, which are known for having medicinal properties. Promote the wellbeing of your skin by using Maracuja Oil regularly. It will make your skin calm by taming. inflamed acne
Marula Oil (Sclerocarya birrea) - Comedogenic Rating of 4	This oil is loaded with powerful antioxidants that boost cellular vibrancy. Use it on your skin to moisturize and protect is from environmental toxins. Marula oil is also excellent at reducing the sign of again and reversing sun damage. This nutritive oil is soothing for all skin types.
Meadowfoam Seed oil (Limnanthes alba) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	This mild oil is a great choice is your skin is in need of a detox. Meadowfoam seed oil breaks down blackheads and leaves skin soft and smooth. Meadowfoam seed oil is widely used in the beauty industry for its emollient properties and non-greasy feel on the skin.
Moringa Oil (Moringa Oleifera) - Comedogenic Rating of 3-4	Protect your skin from aging with this oil that is rich in antioxidants and highly moisturizing. To reduce redness and inflammation and fight infection, use moringa oil as an effective antibacterial cleanser. NOTE: Moringa oil may cause breakouts because of its stearic, behenic, and palmitic acid content.
Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	This potent oil has strong anti-bacterial properties, making it a great oil for acne-prone skin. Neem oil helps to reduce irritation, inflammation, and redness while also moisturizing and protecting the skin. NOTE: Neem oil had a strong pungent odor similar to boiled peanuts.
Olive Oil (Olea europaea) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Hydrate, nourish, and moisturize your skin with antioxidant-rich olive oil. Using this oil in your daily routine will smooth your skin texture, reduce the signs of aging, and heal dry skin. Olive oil is also known for reducing inflammation and redness.
Pomegranate Oil (Punica granatum) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	Restore the pH balance of your skin while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles with this abundantly nourishing oil. Pomegranate seed oil encourages new cell regeneration that helps revitalize dull skin. This oil improves skin elasticity and has unique healing properties to soothe skin irritation. It’s antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Prickly Pear Seed Oil (Opuntia ficus-indica) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	Brighten skin with this highly nourishing and anti-inflammatory oil. Prickly pear oil not only tightens the skins and shrinks pores, but also slows the signs of aging and restores elasticity. Use this oil for its highly emollient and moisturizing qualities.
Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	This oil is rich in zinc and selenium, which makes it great for fighting acne-causing bacteria. It has a low chance of clogging pores while hydrating and renewing your skin. Rub pumpkin seed oil onto your skin to prevent cards and increase firmness.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus idaeus) - Comedogenic Rating of 1-2	This incredible oil has a natural SPF of 28, making it a great choice to protect your skin from the sun. Red Raspberry Seed Oil has a high antioxidant content as well as anti-inflammatory properties that will soothe swelling and skin irritation. Use this oil to heal, soothe, and keep your skin glowing.
Rosehip Oil (Rosa canina) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	This oil has a high antioxidant content, which will revitalize your skin and improve the texture. Rosehip oil is also incredible for reversing the signs of aging, stretch marks, sun damage, scars, and hyperpigmentations. Use this remarkable oil for damaged, dry, mature, and irritated skin.
Safflower Oil (Carthamus tinctorius) - Comedogenic Rating of 0	This highly moisturizing oil will leave your skin silky and smooth - every time! Safflower oil has a high linoleic acid content, which makes it effective at banishing blackheads and other skin impurities. Use this oil to improve your overall hair and skin health.
Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae rhamnoides) - Comedogenic Rating of 1	Deeply penetrate your skin’s lipid layer with this anti-inflammatory oil. Sea buckthorn oil helps to imbalances in your body from the inside out. Use this oil to reduce redness and regenerate your skin cells. Sea buckthorn oil will also show signs of aging, protect against the sun, and increase healthy skin structure.
Sesame Oil (Sesamum indicum) - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	Rubbing sesame oil on to the skin promotes the healing of wounds as well as kills acne-causing bacteria. This oil has tremendous antibacterial qualities. It can also be used as a protectant against the sun and will greatly benefit the texture and appearance of your skin.
Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii) - Comedogenic Rating of 0-2	This thick and creamy butter makes an excellent moisturizer and is highly protective of rough skin during dry and cold months. Massage shea butter onto your heels, elbow, and knees to reduce inflammation and smooth distressed skin.
Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus annuus) - Comedogenic Rating of 0	Balance, moisturize, and fight the signs of aging by using this oil on your skin. Sunflower Seed Oil is known for its hydrating, softening, and skin regenerating properties. It will also prevent the loss of moisture. Most skin types respond great to this oil so it’s a great oil for beginners to use.
St John’s Wort Oil (Hypericum perforatum) - Comedogenic Rating of 0	Use this wonderful herb for sores, bruises, wounds, burns, and other skin issues. St John’s Wort oil can be used topically for protecting the skin against sun damage and to reduce the appearance of fine lines. It is also full of powerful flavonoids that help soothe the skin.
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Soothe dry and irritated skin with this softening and hydrating oil. Sweet almond oil is wonderful for regenerating damaged skin cells by penetrating into your skin with its emollient properties. Use this oil on dry, acne-prone skin as well as sensitive skin.
Tamanu Oil (Calophyllum inophyllum) - Comedogenic Rating of 2	Tamanu oil is both regenerative and emollient, making it great for use on delicate skin. This oil is known for its power to heal and face acne scars as well as a spot treatment for other problems areas on the face. It has a softening and conditioning effect. NOTE: It has a strong odor (like bouillon cubes).
Trauma Oil *Trauma Oil is a blend of three organic flowers that have been soaked in organic olive oil. The three flowers are: Calendula (Calendula officinalis) St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Arnica (Arnica Montana)	This wonderfully blended oil has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used to treat both acute and chronic pain. Trauma oil relieves swelling, promotes healing of muscles, relieving muscle spasms, eases arthritis, and diminishes bruises. It also has been known to help alleviate headaches.
Walnut Oil (Juglans regia) - Comedogenic Rating of 2-3	This emollient has strong antibacterial properties that will fight off the bacteria that causes acne. Walnut oil is great for aging, tired, sagging, and dry skin and will also reduce inflammation and redness. The many qualities of this oil include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic. Use this oil to regenerate dull skin.
Wheat Germ Oil (Triticum vulgare) - Comedogenic Rating of 5	Wheat germ oil has a high Vitamin E content, which makes it a great choice for healing and scar reduction. CAUTION: This oil has a high comedogenic rating and will most likely cause clogged pores and breakouts.

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