Aromatherapy Carrier Oils

Aromatherapy carrier oils are used to apply or 'carry' essential oils onto the skin. They're sometimes described as base oils, or vegetable oils and are extracted from nuts, seeds and kernels.

Carrier oils are obtained by cold pressing and are not volatile. So, in aromatherapy and massage, they're used to dilute concentrated essential oils and absolutes, before application onto the skin.

Absolutes are highly concentrated oily plant extracts, similar to essential oils, that are also used in the perfumery industry.

Concentrated essential oils and absolutes can cause severe skin irritations, or reactions in some people, if applied to the skin undiluted. Therefore, the carrier oils chosen will depend upon the therapeutic benefits desired.

The end formulation may be a simple essential oil blend, a more complex natural moisturizing skin care product, such as a lotion, cream, or lip balm that uses a carrier oil in the mix.

Aromatherapy carrier oils should be stored in a cool dark place, in dark coloured, air tight bottles, to maximize shelf life. This is because carrier oils have a relatively short life span, compared with essential oils.

Many practitioners store their essential oils and accessories in an essential oil carrying case, starter kit, or an aromatherapy storage box made from wood, because of the 'essential' organic nature of their business!