Secrets behind carrier oils

In a lot of Natura Emporium oil kits and blends, you will find carrier oils included in the ingredient list. But what are carrier oils and why are they so important? Carrier oils are vegetable oils, generally extracted by the cold-pressing method. Carrier oils (also known as base oils) have the ability to 'carry' essential oils. Unlike water and essential oils, carrier oils don't evaporate quickly from the surface of the skin. Adding a carrier oil helps the essential oil blend remain on the skin for a longer period of time.

Carrier oils contain heavy, fatty ingredients and also other wonderful healing and nourishing properties to the skin. Some ingredients include essential fatty acids, Lectin; which softens the skin and vitamins and minerals.

Carrier oils are an important addition to your essential oil journey because they allow essential oils,( which may be too 'hot' or 'cold' to go directly onto the skin) to be topically applied.

Some of the key carrier oils to choose from before adding your essential oils are:

Argan Oil:

• anti-inflammatory used to soothe skin with eczema and psoriasis

• excellent for dry to very dry skin types

• great for hair conditioning and moisturising

• expensive

Hemp Seed Oil:

• brilliant anti-inflammatory properties

• the anti-inflammatory properties and therapeutic cannabinoids can reduce pain and discomfort

• useful for treating skin conditions such as cradle cap, psoriatic and even acne.

• suitable for all skin types

Hazelnut Oil:

• high in vitamin E and fatty acids, this makes hazelnut oil an excellent moisturiser.

• astringent helps to dry oily skin, shrink pores and remove bacteria.

• has a lovely hazelnut aroma

• best suited to oily skin types.

Coconut Oil:

• fractionated coconut oil stays in its liquid form. Unfractionated coconut oil is solid and melts to liquid in warm temperatures. Both types are suitable as base oils.

• low in odour

• very effective for dry skin and moisturising all skin types.

• great for moisturising hair

• suitable for all skin types

Avocado Oil:

• anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle and can smooth, soften and moisturise skin and hair.

• penetrates deep into the skin.

• good for reducing redness on irritated and dry skin.

• fatty acids in avocado oil have been shown to benefit wound healing on the skin.

• best suited to dry, very dry and mature skin types.

Borage Oil:

• odourless

• locks in moisture

• high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which help to reverse dryness and help relieve eczema and psoriasis.

• anti-wrinkle

• Suited to dry, very dry and mature skin types.

Jojoba Oil:

• this 'oil' is a wax

• very long shelf life and is yellow in colour

• healing dry and sensitive skin. Can be used to relieve eczema and psoriasis.

• has anti-inflammatory properties.

• suitable for all skin types, especially oily skin.

Rosehip Seed Oil:

• this oil is quickly absorbed into the skin.

• great for stretch marks and encourages wounds to heal

• anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle, softens skin.

• short shelf life

• improves skin elasticity

• good for dry skin and dry and flakey scalp.

• best suited to normal, mature and dry skin.

These base oils can be purchased in your nearest health food shop or even supermarket. But make sure you buy very good quality oils because it's important to take care of what you put on your skin as well as what you put inside your body.