Aromatherapy Carrier Oils

What are Aromatherapy Carrier Oils?

Aromatherapy carrier oils also called as vegetable oils or base oils are used in aromatherapy for diluting essential oils. Aromatherapy carrier oils are extracted from various portions of plants, nuts and seeds. Aromatherapy carrier oils are usually cold pressed that is they are extracted directly from plants without using heat, so that the vitamin content is retained.

Why to Use Aromatherapy Carrier Oils?

Like essential oils, aromatherapy carrier oils also play an important role in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy carrier oils are most commonly used medium for diluting essential oils due to their versatile nature. Essential oils if used alone are very powerful. So to make them safer to use, they must be diluted in aromatherapy essential oils. Also, aromatherapy carrier oils helps in fixing the aroma or smell of the essential oil, so that the smell doesn't evaporate quickly.

During massage, diluting essential oils in aromatherapy carrier oils provides necessary lubrication so that hands can move freely over the skin. They carry essential oils onto the skin. Aromatherapy carrier oils are rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Some of them also help in improving the skin condition and therefore used in treatment of psoriasis and eczema.

List of Aromatherapy Carrier Oils

Here comes the list of most commonly used aromatherapy carrier oils.
Note: Click on individual links to get more information regarding each aromatherapy carrier oil.

• Sweet Almond Oil
• Apricot Kernel Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Borage Seed Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Cocoa Butter Oil
• Hazelnut Oil
• Peanut Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Olive Oil
• Kukui Oil
• Macadamia Nut Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Rose Hip Oil
• Walnut Oil
• Wheat Germ Oil

How to choose Aromatherapy Carrier Oil?

By looking at the above list of aromatherapy carrier oils you must have got an idea that there is a wide range of aromatherapy carrier oils to choose from. You have to choose aromatherapy carrier oils by looking at their therapeutic uses, properties and your needs.

While choosing aromatherapy carrier oil for body massage, remember that they must be non-sticky, light and have a very little odor so that the penetration takes place effectively. Almost all of the aromatherapy carrier oils can be used in body massage and facial treatments, but you have a long list to choose from.