About essential oils » Carrier Oils

Carrier oils, also called base oils, are the oils you use to mix the essential oils into. They allow you to use essential oils safely. They are vegetable, nut or seed oils. They are mostly cold pressed. Cooking oil is not suitable.

We have most carrier oils available and they are being uploaded to our site. If there is something you’re looking for please ask us and we will endeavour to get it for you.

Below is a quick reference guide on most of the oils with regard to texture, benefits, feels, colour and smell.

Carrier oil	Blended remarks	Feels…	For use on / skin types	Colour / smell
Almond kernel (sweet)	100%	slightly oily residue	good for all skin types	clear yellow / sweet, nutty / all purpose oil / cold pressed
Aloe vera	10% – massages; 1-5 drops in baths (up to 10)	moist	scratches, light burns	clear yellow / faintly bitter smell
Apricot kernel	100% as base; contains minerals and vitamins	leaves thick, waxy residue	sensitive or inflames	clear yellow
Avocado	10% – massages; overpowers; blend – 5% fine	thick, waxy, fatty	eczema, fabulous in tender skin after tanning treatments all skin types	deep olive / nutty
Borage	10%	moderately thin	excellent skin boost	light yellow / sweet
Cocoa butter	hard to blend	thick, waxy and sticky	excellent for all skin types	tan colour, very sweet
Evening primrose	5% blends; up to 60% in heart or women problems and skin healing treatments	thin, smooth	one of the best base oils to heal damaged skin	medium yellow / lightly sweet
Grapeseed	50% to 90%; used in most commercial oils, etc.	light and smooth, solvent extracted	fabulous in massages and bath oils	clear / very slight aroma
Hazelnut kernel	can use 100%	slightly oily residue	all skin types	light yellow / sweet
Jojoba	10%-25%	is actually a liquid wax, silky smooth	excellent in hair care, good on inflamed skin	sweet / pleasant aroma
Macadamia	5% only	thick, oily	soothing	clear yellow / sweet
Olive	100%	heavy	is a body toner, rheumatic, overpowers	olive green
Peanut	1–%	very oily	all skin types, sensitivity	clear light
Pecan	100% short shelf life	moderately thick	not used extensively	clear nutty
Rosehip	10%	light oily	skin healant	clear mild / earthy aroma
Safflower	100%	enriched minerals and vitamins	pale skin types	pale yellow
Sesame	10%	thick, oily; overpowers	exzema, arthitis	sweet, nutty
Shea butter	buy commercial product	fabulous	cosmetics	off white / fatty, nutty
Sunflower	100%	thin, vitamin & mineral enriched	all skin types	clear / faintly sweet

Below a fabulous, even more detailed list of the top 50 carrier oils published by LovingEssentialOils.com.