There are a few basic safety principles to remember when you're using essential oils. One of these is always to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil!
So what is a carrier oil?
A carrier oil is an oil derived from vegetables, nuts, seeds, or kernels. They're thicker than essential oils and are used to carry the essential oil.
Types of carrier oil
There are several types of carrier oils, and it's important to choose the best one for your skin type. Here are a few examples…
Coconut oil - Hydrates the skin and absorbs easily.
Jojoba oil - Calms redness and moisturizes skin.
Avocado oil - Relieves inflammation and nourishes the skin.
Sweet almond oil - Protects skin from UV damage and keeps skin smooth.
Argan oil - Fights infection and has anti-aging effects.
Rosehip oil - Brightens and moisturizes the skin.
To dilute essential oils, you can also use unscented moisturizers, lotions, and aloe vera gel.
Why use a carrier oil?
Using a carrier oil allows your skin to absorb essential oils better, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and makes them last way longer!
Not all essential oils require a carrier oil for safety. Still, all essential oils evaporate off the skin relatively quickly, so using a carrier oil is recommended to use an essential oil efficiently.
What to look for when choosing a carrier oil
When choosing a carrier oil, look for:
Cold-pressed
Pure
Unrefined
Organic
No additives
It's important to remember that the carrier oil you're choosing will go directly on your skin, so choose your carrier oil just as you would your skincare!