DIY Learn News Videos Downloads

AAA: What Are CO2 Oils And How Do I Use Them?

by Bella Martinez July 15, 2020

AAA: What Are CO2 Oils And How Do I Use Them?

Most people know a handful of facts about CO2 – it stands for carbon dioxide, it’s a gas and we exhale it. So how does this relate to aromatherapy? 

A fairly new development in the aromatherapy world, CO2 oils are produced by supercritical carbon dioxide being used as a solvent to extract oil from plant material. This produces oils that are similar yet different from essential oils and absolutes which we call “CO2 oils,” “CO2 extracts” or simply “CO2s.” 

At Edens Garden, we offer a variety of 100% pure CO2 oils with rich benefits and aromas. Learn more about CO2s and how to use them in this helpful guide. 


How Are CO2 Oils Made?

As alluded to earlier, CO2 oils use supercritical carbon dioxide to extract oil from plant material. But what does that mean? Let’s break it down. Supercritical CO2 refers to carbon dioxide gas that’s pressurized into the density of a liquid. Just as chemical solvents are used to extract oil from plant material, supercritical CO2 acts as the solvent. However, unlike chemical solvents which must be carefully separated from the oils they produce (at times leading to trace amounts of solvent being left in the oil), carbon dioxide is separated from the oil by simply being returned to its gaseous state, leaving behind no trace of solvent. 


Click here for a visual on how CO2 extraction works.  


Why Are CO2s Made? 

Besides being produced for aromatherapy use, CO2s are also used in the food and beverage industry, along with the pharmaceutical industry.2 And when it comes to ingesting essential oils, the same rules apply with CO2s.


What’s The Difference Between Essential Oils And CO2 Oils?

The way in which CO2s and essential oils are obtained produces oils with slightly different components. For example, Ginger CO2 might contain gingerol and zingerone but Ginger essential oil will not.2 This is caused by the way CO2 interacts with plant material versus how water, in steam distillation, interacts with plant material. CO2 extraction also does not cause the plant material to undergo any heating, whereas steam distillation and even cold pressing may result in some heating which can in turn lead to a loss of natural plant components.


In general, it can be said that CO2 oils are closer in aroma to the plants they’re derived from, contain richer therapeutic properties and have longer shelf lives than their essential oil counterparts. 


How Do I Use CO2 Oils?

The benefits of CO2 oils can be obtained the same way essential oils are – by diffusion, topical application and by adding them to your DIY formulations. 

  • Topical Use: Before using essential oils or CO2 oils, it’s important to dilute before topical application. Diluting using a carrier oil base made of fatty acids helps to prevent any skin irritation that 100% pure essential oils and CO2s might cause if used undiluted. Not sure how to dilute or where to apply your CO2 oils? We’ve got you covered with these helpful resources. 
  • Diffusion: CO2s are generally thicker and more potent than essential oils. Therefore, you may find it’s easier to diffuse a CO2 in an ultrasonic diffuser when it’s blended with a thinner oil. And because CO2s are more potent, note that a little goes a long way. 

    • Additional Ways To Use CO2 Oils

  • Luna Facial Oil: Combine the following in an empty 30 ml amber glass bottle – 15 ml Avocado carrier oil, 15 ml Grapeseed oil, 2 drops German Chamomile CO2, 2 drops Blue Tansy, 1 drop Roman Chamomile and 1 drop Neroli. To combine and before use, close your bottle tightly and gently turn it from side to side. Use this facial oil at night as the last step of your skincare routine. Not only does this oil have gentle sedative properties but it’s also packed with massive, restorative benefits towards skin.* 
  • Luxurious Coconut & Vanilla CO2 Cream: Use the recipe found here to make a natural cream, adjusting the recipe by substituting 2 g of Massage Therapy for 1 g total of Coconut CO2 and Vanilla CO2. We know that Vanilla CO2 can be costly, in which case, replace Vanilla CO2 with Vanilla Oleoresin. If you don’t wish to make your own cream, you can also use a cream base – one that’s specifically made to have additional ingredients added to it.*
  • Digestif Diffuser Blend: After mealtime, diffuse this digestion-supportive blend in an essential oil ultrasonic diffuser. This is an especially nice touch when hosting dinner parties. To a filled 100 ml water tank, add 4 drops Ginger CO2, 4 drops Lemon and 2 drops Allspice.**
  • Super Salve: Pain and inflammation are no match for this natural, healing wonder. In a double boiler, melt 20 g beeswax and stir in 78 g Tamanu carrier oil. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in 1 g of Frankincense CO2 and 1 g of Hemp essential oil. Transfer to an airtight container. Once cooled, apply a dollop or so to areas of pain and inflammation.*

    • * A skin patch test is recommended before using a new blend or oil topically.  

    ** When diffusing in public, assess people’s ages, conditions, sensitivities and any allergies they may have. 


    [1]  What are CO2 Extracts? | AromaWeb. (n.d.). AromaWeb. Retrieved July 1, 2020, from https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatco2s.asp


    [2]  Tisserand, H. (2020, July 7). CO2 extracts - what are they and how they are made. Tisserand Institute. https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/co2-extracts-spotlight/


    [3]  Is it Safe to Ingest Essential Oils? (2018, January 30). Edens Garden. https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/is-it-safe-to-ingest-essential-oils
    About the Author, Bella Martinez

    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.

    instagram linkedin facebook

    Leave a comment (Comments will be approved before showing up)

    “IT’S LIKE HAVING AN AROMATHERAPIST IN YOUR INBOX”

    Sign up to get natural wellness and essential oil tips like these straight to your inbox.

    More like this

    Is It Safe to Ingest Essential Oils? Experts Weigh In

    Castor Oil Navel Pulling: Your New Wellness Hack

    Cortisol Face: Is It a Legitimate Concern? Exploring Stress Hormone Impacts