CARRIER OILS AND DILUTION: ARE THEY REALLY EFFECTIVE?
Carrier oils are unscented (or slightly scented) oils used to dilute essential oils. From the word “carrier”, these oils literally carry oils to your skin affecting the therapeutic properties of essential oils.
Some worry that diluting an essential oil before applying will take away its benefits; however, dilution actually improves the absorption process - extending the benefits longer. Through dilution of essential oils with a carrier oil, you slow the rate of evaporation, enhance the absorption, and protect against sensitive or delicate skin, making the topical application even more effective. Carrier oils are also great in protecting your skin from any irritation essential oils may cause because of its potency.
It’s important to remember that essential oils are very potent and that each person will have a different reaction to each oil. For this reason, it is best to follow usage recommendations on the oil bottle. In most cases, it’s best to start with a single drop and slowly increase the amount over time.
Choosing the right carrier oil
Majority of carrier oils are from seeds or nuts of specific plants and how light or heavy the carrier oil depends on the rate of dispersion. The good news is all essential oils are suitable with any carrier oils but it’s still best to consider these things before getting one:
Skin type and absorption
Knowing which skin type you have is important because there are some carrier oils that may irritate the skin. On the other hand, a thicker carrier oil may be absorbed a bit slower than other lighter carrier oils.
Quality
It's important to use the highest quality carrier oils you can afford. Look for cold-pressed, organic, and unrefined oils with no additives to prevent it from affecting the quality of essential oils being diluted.
Shelf life and Odor
As mentioned earlier, carrier oils are supposed to be odorless (or slightly scented). Some carrier oils can be stored for a longer period of time than others without having scent or going bad.
Most Common Carrier Oils
Coconut oil
Unrefined coconut oil is from fresh coconut meat, making it chemically-pure and retains its flavor and aroma of a coconut. This oil contains skin-nourishing polyphenols and fatty acids, hence making it one of the best and most common carrier oil.
Sweet almond oil
This oil is an edible oil made of sweet almond kernels. Typically lightweight, it has a better absorption rate and is known as a great moisturizer for dry skin however this has a strong nutty aroma and may affect the essential oil's aroma being diluted with sweet almond oil
Grapeseed oil
This oil is a byproduct of the process of winemaking and is rich in vitamin E. This has a great absorption rate (lightweight) and has a neutral scent.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is high in oleic acid known for its ability to help dry, damaged skin. It is a heavy, thich oil with a nutty aroma which may not be suitable for acne-prone skin.
You can also visit this article for more info about these carrier oils.
doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil
doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil is an all-natural carrier oil that readily absorbs into the skin, making it an ideal oil for topical delivery. Its feather-light emollient effect provides a soothing barrier without clogging pores and is excellent for dry or troubled skin.
This carrier oil by doTERRA is created to leave skin feeling silky smooth and non-greasy, unlike other vegetable carrier oils. Fractionated Coconut Oil is completely soluble with all essential oils and is colorless, odorless, and will not stain.
The amount of essential oil you use will depend on your personal health status and your level of experience with essential oils. To remain within the parameters of safe usage, this guideline below will help you prevent overwhelming the body with incorrect essential oil levels.
Dilution Chart
When making a roller bottle for kids, a good rule of thumb is about one drop of essential oil per year of life. So for a 5-year old (using a 10mL roller bottle) you could have 5 drops of essential oil total and then top the rest with a carrier oil.
Easy Roller Blend Recipes
Try these easy roller blend recipes at home. Remember to use the dilution chart above as reference on how many drops of essential oil you will be using.
Pro Tip: Use a brown glass roller bottle in diluting your oils. Brown or amber bottles protect your oils from harmful radiation that may affect the potency and quality of your oils.
Seasonal Support
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Lemon
10 drops Peppermint
Top with Fractionated Coconut oil in a 10 mL roller bottle.
Motion Sickness
10-15 drops Lemon
10-15 drops Peppermint
Top with Fractionated Coconut oil in a 10 mL roller bottle.
