What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils are used for skin and hair. They provide safe use for essential oils that cannot be applied directly to the skin as they may cause harm. A few drops of essential oils are diluted into your favorite carrier oil. As a DIY natural product maker, I use these oils all the time!
These oils are also used in sugar scrub recipes, lotions, balms, lip balms, salves, and rubs.
Carrier oils can be swapped to fit your needs. I do not recommend swapping coconut oil for another since coconut oil is somewhat solid. The only oil similar to coconut oil is lard but I have never seen lard be used as a carrier oil. I think it might have you smelling kind of oink-oinkish!
There is no “best” carrier oil. They all have unique benefits. It just all depends on the product that you are making that will determine which carrier oil you should use. Some recipes will allow you to swap one for another while others are strict on the ingredients.
List of Carrier Oils
Shelf life – The shelf life is how long your oil is good for before it will start to go rancid.
Absorption rate – The absorption rate is how long it takes your skin to or hair to absorb the oil
Comedogenic rating – The comedogenic rate is a scale that tells you how likely the oil is to clog pores. 0 being the lowest chance and 5 being the highest chance of pores being clogged.
0 – does not clog
1 – low
2- moderate low
3- moderate
4- moderate high
5- high
Viscosity – The viscosity rate refers to the texture of the oil at room temperature.
1. Apricot Kernel Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 Months
ABSORPTION RATE
Fast
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Medium
Apricot kernel oil is very gentle on the skin. This oil is used when making products for people with sensitive skin, children or the elderly.
2. Argan Oil
SHELF LIFE
2 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
0
VISCOSITY
Thin
Argan oil is the number 1 oil used for hair. It absorbs quicky and doesn’t leave you feeling greasy.
It’s a good choice for dry hair, rashes, and bug bites.
3. Avocado Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 Months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
3
VISCOSITY
Thick
Avocado oil is another excellent choice for hair products. It can also be used for skin products.
4. Castor Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 Months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
1
VISCOSITY
Thick
Castor oil is a great choice for hair products and beard oils.
5. Coconut Oil
SHELF LIFE
3 Years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
4
VISCOSITY
Semi solid
Coconut oil is my go to oil to make balms because it is solid at room temperature. I rarely make facial products with this oil due to its high comedogenic rating. If I do end up using it on facial product recipes, I use a small amount.
6. Evening Primrose Oil
SHELF LIFE
6 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
3
VISCOSITY
Thin
Evening primrose is good for skin dryness and skin irritations. This oil can be used in recipes to help with eczema.
7. Flax Seed Oil
SHELF LIFE
6 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
4
VISCOSITY
Medium
Flax seed oil is high in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It’s especially great for your hair because it promotes hair growth
8. Fractionated Coconut Oil
SHELF LIFE
3 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
3
VISCOSITY
Thin
Fractionated coconut oil is my favorite to use to dilute essential oils. I mostly use them for essential oil rollers.
9. Grapeseed Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 Months
ABSORPTION RATE
Fast
COMEDOGENIC RATING
1
VISCOSITY
Thin
Grapeseed oil is considered “dry” because it absorbs very quicky. Good to use for skin and hair. I like to use it in beard oils.
10. Hemp Seed Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
0
VISCOSITY
Medium
11. Jojoba Oil
SHELF LIFE
3 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Thick
12. Macadamia Nut Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
3
VISCOSITY
Thick
13. Moringa Oil
SHELF LIFE
5 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
4
VISCOSITY
Thick
14. Neem Oil
SHELF LIFE
2 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Thick
15. Olive Oil
SHELF LIFE
2 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Thick
16. Rosehip Seed Oil
SHELF LIFE
9 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Fast
COMEDOGENIC RATING
1
VISCOSITY
Thin
17. Safflower Oil
SHELF LIFE
2 years
ABSORPTION RATE
Fast
COMEDOGENIC RATING
0
VISCOSITY
Thin
18. Sesame Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
3
VISCOSITY
Medium
19. Sunflower Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Average
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Thin
20. Sweet Almond Oil
SHELF LIFE
12 months
ABSORPTION RATE
Slow
COMEDOGENIC RATING
2
VISCOSITY
Medium
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