7 Incredible Carrier Oils For Skin Benefits
From helping reduce fine lines to promoting an even skin tone, essential oils can have amazing benefits. When you’re using essential oils, it’s best to dilute them in a carrier oil to avoid irritation and better absorb their potent effects.
Did you know that carrier oils have their own impressive skincare benefits?
Carrier oils like Grapeseed and Coconut are great for cooking, but they can benefit your skin, too. Meanwhile, luxurious oils like Evening Primrose and Rosehip are frequently found in high-end skincare, but it’s easy to adapt them for your DIY creations at a more affordable price. It can be stressful finding the right combination of products for your skin.
Luckily, we have found the best carrier oils for skin types of all ranges.
1. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed’s biggest fans are often those with sensitive skin. Used in a variety of high-end lotions, sunscreens, and fancy face creams, this moisturizing formula is known for the following benefits:-
Encourages tightening and toning
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Helps to minimize the appearance of sun damage and deep wrinkles
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Rich with vitamin E
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Supports relief of rashes and itchiness
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Helps to fight blemishes
Working on the cellular level, Grapeseed’s antioxidant properties protect against tissue damage while being nearly odorless and incredibly gentle on the skin.
Grapeseed carrier oil is light, with a very slight nutty aroma. This makes it a great choice for facial skincare.
2. Evening Primrose Oil
Abundant in GLA essential fatty acids, Evening Primrose carrier oil has long been a cult favorite for mature skin. Harvested from the yellow flowers of the North American primrose plant, this rejuvenating oil:-
Nourishes dry skin
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Helps to soothe dry skin
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Replenishes the skin
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Helps to reduce signs of damage and wrinkles
3. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba carrier oil is harvested from the nuts of the Simmondsia chinensis shrub, native to the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico. It has a slight nutty aroma.A common misconception consumers have about carrier oils is that they can leave you with greasy or oily skin. In reality, most carrier oils may help restore your skin’s natural sebum balance and rid the skin of excess oil. Jojoba mimics your skin’s natural oil levels so that your skin can maintain a healthy and vibrant appearance.
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For dry and itchy or greasy and uncomfortable symptoms, this might be the best carrier oil to help your skin find the proper, happy medium.
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Loaded with vitamins B and E, Jojoba may also help brighten dark spots on acne prone skin and minimize the appearance of pores.
4. Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp Seed carrier oil is taken from the hemp plant’s seeds, just as its name suggests. Not to be confused with marijuana, hemp is free of THC, and hemp seeds in particular have no THC or CBD. They do, however, have some impressive properties.Hemp Seed is:
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Packed with Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D and E. This means it can provide moisture and nutrients, to help improve your skin’s health and appearance.
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Rich in omega‐6 and omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This means it can provide a hydrating, plumping effect that may result in more youthful looking skin.
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Powerfully anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to threats. However, when your skin becomes inflamed, it can result in both rashes and blemishes. Because Hemp Seed helps fight inflammation, it is great for people with irritation-prone skin.
Due to these nurturing and anti-inflammatory properties, Hemp Seed carrier oil is a great choice for addressing blemishes and applying essential oil blends to sensitive skin.
5. Fractionated Coconut Oil
If you’ve ever bought virgin coconut oil at the grocery store, you know that it’s solid unless heated. This makes it less than ideal for mixing with essential oils. Fractionated Coconut oil is created by removing the long-chain fatty acids that harden from Coconut oil. The process leaves behind a liquid oil with numerous skincare benefits.Coconut oil possesses the following properties :
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Analgesic and anti-itch – If you’re applying essential oils to lessen a sunburn or reduce itchiness, Coconut oil can be an ideal carrier thanks to properties that can naturally reduce discomfort.
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Antioxidant – As you probably already know, antioxidant substances are prized for their ability to undo damage caused by environmental pollutants and stressors (ozone, UV rays, etc.). As an antioxidant, Coconut oil may diminish signs of aging associated with oxidative stress.
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Anti-inflammatory – Like Hemp Seed, Coconut oil can combat inflammation.
Curious to learn more? Read our guide on Fractionated Coconut oil.
6. Tamanu Oil
While you may recognize the other plants on this list right away, you’re probably not familiar with tamanu. The nut-bearing tamanu tree is native to Polynesia, where its nuts have been used medicinally to aid skin problems and speed up wound healing.Modern science has confirmed this oil’s nourishing effect. According to researchers Jean-Luc Ansel and his colleagues, Tamanu oil:
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Helps stimulate collagen production, which may reduce signs of aging
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Helps speed up cell growth, which may help healing minor cuts and irritations
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Aids the growth of skin cells called Glycosaminoglycans, which play a role in producing both collagen and elastin
An anti-aging powerhouse, you can consider applying Tamanu oil to your body, or making it part of a thick, luxurious nighttime moisturizer.
7. Rosehip Oil
Are you hoping to achieve a more even skin tone? You may be especially interested in Rosehip carrier oil.Rosehip comes from a fruit that grows on some rose plants. Despite its provenance, it has a relatively neutral, earthy smell, but you can always combine it with Rose absolute for a more floral effect.
A 2015 study confirmed that this type of oil may aid in healing scars and decreasing discoloration in the process. This means that whether your skin concern is scarring, stretch marks, or uneven skin, Rosehip oil may be a strong choice.
It’s also a favorite for mature skin.
Two-Ingredient Homemade Moisturizer
Now that you’ve chosen your carrier oil, you’re likely eager to try out a carrier oil blend of your own. While you’ll eventually want to try out recipes for body butters, lip balms, muscle salves, and more, you can get started with a simple moisturizer using just two ingredients:-
Your favorite carrier oil
Its aromatic perfume makes for a nourishing, decadent skincare ritual that will leave you feeling and looking beautiful.
Below, we’ll give you two recipes—one for a facial moisturizer, one for a body moisturizer. (It’s necessary to dilute essential oil for direct skin application.)
Body Moisturizer Blend
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Combine 4 oz carrier oil of your choice with 1 tsp Skin Love EO
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Recommended carrier oils include Coconut, Tamanu and Hemp Seed
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Shake to combine, and apply as needed to skin.
Facial Moisturizer Blend
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Combine 4 oz carrier oil of your choice with 0.25 tsp Skin Love EO.
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Recommended carrier oils include Grapeseed, Evening Primrose, Jojoba, and Rosehip.
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Shake to combine, and apply to the face after washing.
When you’re creating homemade skincare products, you want to ensure you’re using the highest quality carrier oils and essential oils possible.
With dozens of high-quality carrier oils and signature Synergy Blends, we make it easy to get started with DIY cosmetics. Check out our website to understand the science behind each oil’s potent properties, and experiment by creating your own essential oil set.
Grab The Essentials Here:
About the Author, Danielle De Guzman
Danielle De Guzman is the former Social Media Manager for Edens Garden. Danielle’s background in the beauty industry sparked her interest in natural, non-toxic skincare and holistic remedies. Her passion for essential oils and people shines in her work and in her daily interactions.
This article was reviewed by our Lead Aromatherapist,
Bella Martinez is a Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skincare Formulator and Edens Garden’s lead aromatherapist. An industry expert, Bella has spent years training and learning in the aromatherapy field, which she continues annually. Her passion is taking evidence-based aromatherapy and making it approachable for all.
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6 comments
Steven henninger
Hi ; what I like to know what could I use to calm down my nerves I live in extreme daily pain
If u could tell me a good combination of oils to help with pain. I have small fiber neuropathy . Please research it . Thank you Steve
Edens Garden
Hi Sam! Try Age Defy and Skin Love diluted in Grapeseed. For facial use, try 6 drops of Age Defy + 1 oz of Grapeseed. For body, try 12 drops of Skin Love + 1 oz of Grapeseed. For further recommendations, you can always speak with an aromatherapist: aaa@edensgarden.com
Sam
Hi I suffer with eczema and am allergic to poppy seeds and nuts. I would like some advice as to what I can create for face and to help with getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles and body for a general body moisturiser. I have used grape seed oil snd don’t react to that as a carrier oil. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Best wishes sam
Edens Garden
Hi Linda! I suggest trying Camellia Seed or Apricot Kernel, based on your skin type and skin concerns. Note, carrier oils affect people differently and you may need to test an oil to find what works for you.
Linda Ehlen
I am uncertain which carrier oil I should try because so many sound like they are “the one”. I have aging skin and my skin texture has changed to be a little more rough. My face feels tight and itchy after I clean it but then gets oily as the day goes on. It also breaks out fairly easily. I am 52. I don’t know if it’s truly oil, dry, sensitive………. I feel like it’s all of the above. I would like suggestions on which oils, including carrier oils I should be trying.
Sincerely,
Linda
Edens Garden
August 31, 2022 at 10:34 am
Hi Steven! You can find information on essential oils for neuropathy here: https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/can-essential-oils-help-with-neuropathy-aaa