Aroma Facts

A aromatherapy carrier oil is a personal and lifestyle choice that can add to the pleasure, beauty and well-being of aromatherapy on your skin. Because of the different effects that carrier oils have on the aroma process, using aromatherapy to relieve stress continues to grow as a alternative medicine and holistic healing practice.

Aromatherapy carrier oils carry the essential oil onto the skin. Different aromatherapy carrier oils offer different properties and therapeutic benefits for you so choosing the right carrier oil is very important. Some oils are not effective as aromatherapy carrier oils. Avoid using mineral oil since it is not a natural product and can block absorption of an essential oil through the skin.

If you are new to aromatherapy, it is easy to get confused about all of the liquids that are used. For example, there are essential oils, absolutes, floral waters or hydrosols, resins, infused oils, herbs, natural substances, and the ever useful aromatherapy carrier oil.

Unlike any other oil used in this ancient healing art, aromatherapy carrier oils are not made from herbs or fruits. they are almost entirely made from vegetable oils. Some examples include nut oils like grape seed, sweet almond, pecan, macadamia nut, and walnuts. Other include plants like avocado, olive, sesame, evening primrose and even wheat germ.

Aromatherapy carrier oils are cold-pressed and extracted from fatty portions of vegetables. They do not evaporate, unlike essential oils, and their fumes or aroma are not quite as strong. Here’s a tip to buying effective aromatherapy carrier oils. The ones you find in grocery stores may not be not cold-pressed. When these oils are heated, they lose some of their therapeutic benefits. Make sure to read the label to see if it meets this standard of being cold pressed.

Carrier oils are also called base oils. This is because they are most often used to dilute highly concentrated essential oils so that you get more coverage when you apply them to your skin. They are also used in combination with absolutes and CO2s, two other types of aromatherapy oils.

An importance difference between an aromatherapy carrier oil and an essential oil is that essential oils do not go rancid, while carrier oils can. When aromatherapy carrier oils sit, they age and decompose.

Make sure to purchase an aromatherapy carrier oil that is natural and unadulterated to prevent the oil from going bad. Also, look for ones that contain a blend of natural Vitamin E, which acts like a natural preservative to prevent decomposition.

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