A carrier oil is naturally a plant-based oil extracted from vegetarian sources i.e. a nut or a seed and have a neutral smell. They aren’t volatile like essential oils, which makes them an excellent medium for dilution and application. The term carrier oil is derived from their purpose in carrying high-quality essential oils to provide specific therapeutic effects for the skin.
Essential oils are volatile, which means they evaporate rapidly and contain the natural smell and characteristics of the plant. This can make them too strong to apply undiluted. Carrier oils do not evaporate, making them perfect for diluting especially strong essential oils — reducing the concentration of the essential oil without altering its therapeutic qualities.
Finding the best oil combination for your skin can help balance oil production, improve your skin texture and reduce the signs of aging. Each carrier oil offers a different combination of therapeutic properties and when you dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil, you can also control its concentration before applying.
Carrier oils are high in fat and have a limited shelf life. Depending on the type, oils with a short shelf life should typically be used within 6 months, while oils with a longer shelf life may stay good for up to 1 year. It’s important to store oils in their original air-tight containers in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry, to maximize shelf life.
Popular Carrier Oils
Each carrier oil offers a different combination of therapeutic properties and can vary widely in their consistency, absorption, aroma, shelf life, and other characteristics. Carrier oils can be blended to change or combine their properties, so you can mix and match until you find the blend that’s just right for you!
And you are concerned about whether do these oils clog your pores, you will have to refer to the comedogenic list and its rating.
Almond Oil, Sweet
Almond oil is a mild, hypoallergenic oil which can be used on sensitive skin or dry acne prone skin due to its emollient properties. It protects skin against UV radiation damage and keeps skin soft and supple. It’s great for regenerating skin cells because it penetrates damaged cells and softens them allowing for better hydration.
- Good for sensitive types that are dry, acne, eczema, psoriasis
- Medium viscosity, light texture and easily absorbed into the skin
- Virtually clear with a yellow tinge with light, sweet, and nutty aroma
- Shelf life up to 1 year
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Apricot Kernel Oil
The semi-oily texture of Apricot Kernel Oil makes it a good choice for use in massage and massage oil blends. It absorbs into the skin well, is anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antioxidant, and antibacterial which makes it a valuable ally against acne-causing bacteria.
- Good for all skin types, including sensitive and aging skin.
- Medium viscosity, oily texture
- Good shelf life, up to 1 year.
- Virtually clear with a yellow tinge
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Argan Oil
Argan oil is all time favorite oil and you can refer to my post on argan oil on why it is such an amazing oil. It has a relatively very low chance of clogging pores with its ability to treat acne and acne scars. Argan oil regulates the production of sebum which helps prevent further breakouts and its Vitamin E content helps fade scars and smooth out the skin’s texture.
- Suitable for most skin types
- Silky and smooth, light texture, quick absorption
- Golden to yellow looking
- Good shelf life, up to 2 years
- Comedogenic Rating: 0
Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is suitable for drier skin types but may still clog pores. Since it is a heavier oil, its properties and texture make it especially suitable for use in hair care. It may be best suited to use at night. It is recommended not to refrigerate Avocado Oil as certain important, fragile constituents of the oil may be affected
- Good for sensitive, irritated skin, eczema, psoriasis, severely dry skin, wrinkles and aged skin.
- High viscosity, thick texture. Leaves a fatty and almost waxy feel on the skin
- Deep green, rich and fatty aroma
- Good shelf life, up to 1 year.
- Comedogenic Rating: 3
Coconut Oil
This oil is a favorite among many for its amazing health promoting and beautifying properties. Virgin Coconut Oil is highly emollient and moisturizing for the skin, hair, and lips. Coconut oils labeled “virgin” or “extra-virgin” are typically unrefined, meaning they haven’t been exposed to chemicals. Fractionated Coconut Oil is an option if you prefer a liquid coconut oil without the coconut aroma. If you want to know the difference between virgin/extra virgin and fractionated coconut oil, you can read here. Virgin Coconut Oil is convenient to apply and can be used on its own when desired. Coconut oil is rather heavy so if you have acne prone skin, it is better to steer clear of this oil. It smooths skin and reveals a fresh glowing complexion for those who tolerate it well.
- Good for very dry skin types
- Solid at room temperature of 76°F (24°C) and below
- Slightly oily feeling upon application
- White with penetrating coconut aroma
- Have a stable shelf life
- Comedogenic Rating: 4
Evening Primrose Oil
Taken internally, evening primrose oil has the amazing ability to help balance our hormones. It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties thus applying this oil topically has also been shown to improve cellular structure in the skin. This oil is excellent for oily acne prone skin types but may not work well for those with dry skin.
- Good for acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea
- Low viscosity, leave a trace of oil on the skin
- Medium yellow
- Shelf life 6 months, prone to rancidity. Refrigerate after opening.
- Comedogenic Rating: 3
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a fairly all-purpose oil and can be used in an array of application ranging from massage to skin care. Excellent for blending with thicker oils to lower their viscosity, lighten the texture and help increase absorption. It is rich in Vitamin E which helps tighten and moisturize the skin. A non-allergenic, astringent oil, reduces inflammation, redness, and accelerates the healing of acne.
- Good for oily, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin.
- Low viscosity, thin, very light texture, easily absorbed. Leaves a glossy film on the skin.
- Virtually clear, has a virtually unnoticeable tinge of yellow/green with slightly nutty and sweet aroma
- Good shelf life, up to 2 years.
- Comedogenic Rating: 1
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil has the ability to provide essential fatty acids that our bodies do not manufacture. It can prevent moisture loss in the skin that is effective in maintaining moisture balance. It also reduces redness and inflammation associated with acne breakouts and is a great treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and dry, itchy skin.
- Well tolerated by all skin types
- Medium viscosity
- Pleasant nutty smell, deep green color, and absorbs well into the skin
- Shelf life 6-12 months. Refrigerate after opening.
- Comedogenic Rating: 0
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is actually not an oil but a liquid wax and is said to act as a natural anti-inflammatory which makes it a good choice for use in massage and for inflamed skin. It has a light moisturizing feel and absorbs well into the skin. Jojoba oil is the only oil that closely resembles human sebum. It gets in the pore, mixes with the hardened sebum plug, dissolves it, and unclogs the pore. Many people often experience that things seem to get worse when they start using jojoba oil – there is a purging period where they break out in tiny whiteheads and small pimples and will end in a few weeks.
- Good for all skin types, oily, acne-prone, combination, sensitive, dry or aged skin.
- Medium viscosity, easily absorbed, non-greasy, non-tacky.
- Golden Yellow, has a mild odor
- Extensive shelf life, highly stable
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Kukui Nut
Kukui Nut Oil penetrates the skin layers to hydrate and lock in moisture and is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, chapped skin, dry skin, scars etc. It works amazingly well as a massage oil, it is best suited for dry skin types. Kukui nut oil is also used to help heal burns including sunburn, windburn, radiation burns and heat-induced burns
- Excellent for nourishing for the dry, mature or damaged skin.
- Low viscosity, thin, light texture, absorbs well, leaving an alight trace of oil on the skin
- Clear with a yellow tinge and it has light, sweet, pleasant and nutty aroma
- Good shelf life, up to 1 year if refrigerated after opening.
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea buckthorn oil is known for its healing and rejuvenating effects on the skin. It can also help heal burns, cuts, wounds, sunburn, rashes, and other types of skin damage. Using sea buckthorn oil can help to reduce redness, inflammation, water loss, and premature signs of aging. It regenerates cells and increases healthy skin structure. It will stain skin if used undiluted. Use caution spread evenly and dilute.
- Especially dry, weathered, acne-prone, problem skin.
- Medium viscosity, oily feeling
- Pale to Medium Yellow
- Good shelf life, up to 1 year, store at room temperature.
- Comedogenic Rating: 1
Olive Oil, Extra Virgin
Extra virgin olive oil is often referred to as a “beauty secret”. Besides being an excellent skin moisturizer, it helps stimulate cell repair for firmer and smoother skin. It reduces the signs of aging, smooth skin texture, and hydrate dry skin conditions. It reduces inflammation and brings down redness making it perfect for acne sufferers who lean more on the drier side.
- Good for dry and mature skin.
- Thick viscosity, heavy texture, may leave oily and tacky residue
- Rich, full-bodied flavor with a strong aroma and golden green color
- Excellent shelf life, stable, 1-2 years.
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are known to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines. It’s amazing for reversing hyperpigmentation, the signs of aging, sun damage, stretch marks, and scars. It penetrates skin layers to hydrate and lock in moisture. It can be used straight from the bottle as a moisturizer.
- Good for dry, weathered, dehydrated skin, aged, damaged skin.
- Considered a “dry oil”, low viscosity, light texture, easily absorbed, non-greasy.
- Virtually clear with a mild and slightly earthy aroma
- Shelf life up to 1 year, if refrigerated after opening.
- Comedogenic Rating: 1
Shea Butter
Raw or unrefined shea butter is better for treating skin conditions, as all the healing properties are kept intact. It offers UV protection (SPF~6) and provides the skin with essential fatty acids and the nutrients necessary for collagen production. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils. Shea butter is the perfect moisturizing and anti-aging option. It is an amazing oil to use during the cold, dry winter months. It smoothes wrinkles, soothes the redness that comes from being out in the elements, and stimulates the skin to produce more collagen. It forms a protective layer on the skin that reduces inflammation and smooths rough skin, especially good for elbows, knees, and heels.
- Good for dry, weathered, dehydrated skin, aged, damaged skin.
- Heavy and leaves a greasy feel on the skin
- Raw or unrefined shea butter is whiter than yellow with thick and nutty
- Good shelf life, up to 2 year
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is considered to be an affordable all-purpose carrier oil. Most skin types respond well to sunflower oil as it helps keep your skin balanced and moisturized while fighting acne-causing bacteria. You may have to be careful with high oleic sunflower oil as it may contain 80% oleic acid compared to 20% oleic acid of standard sunflower oil. Oleic acid makes oil heavier and richer and high oleic acid sunflower oil may clog pores.
- Good for all skin types, especially dry, weathered, aged or damaged skin.
- Low viscosity, light texture, easily absorbed. Penetrates well and does not leave an oily residue.
- Virtually clear with a yellow tinge with a faint and sweet aroma
- Good shelf life, up to 2 years, extreme heat and light will lessen shelf life.
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil is therapeutic, healing oil and best oil for healing acne scars and fading old acne scars. It has a thick consistency and is, therefore, better used as a spot treatment for problem areas rather than all over the face. Tamanu oil promotes new tissue formation, accelerates healing and healthy skin cell regeneration.
- Good for dry, aged, damaged or scarred skin.
- Medium viscosity, slightly tacky texture, but absorbs surprisingly fast, leaving little to no residue.
- Dark Greenish to yellow with strong nutty and fatty aroma
- Good shelf life, up to 2 years.
- Comedogenic Rating: 2
Keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different. What works for others may be a nightmare for you because there are too many factors such as lifestyle, the food you eat, how much water you drink, illness, deficiencies, mental health, environment, etc., that will make a difference in how these oils will work for your skin. You have to choose a few oils and try on your own to determine which oil(s) you like and suit your skin type.
Related posts:
The Comedogenic List and Its Rating
Other Carrier Systems For Essential Oils
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