Base oil (or carrier oil), also known as medium oil or carrier oil, is used to dilute most pure essential oils before they can be applied directly to the skin (except for lavender and tea tree).
Base oils are extracted from the flowers, nuts, or seeds of plants, and many base oils themselves have medicinal properties. We can produce a wide variety of plant oils from the seeds of plants growing around the world. There are hundreds of plants whose seeds can produce oils, but only a few are used commercially. Some plant oils, such as the well-known soybean oil, peanut oil, and olive oil, are primarily for consumption, serving as good sources of nutrition and energy, providing the body with heat, and are an excellent source of protein; they also provide lubricants and cooking ingredients for industrial and domestic uses.
The base oils used in aromatherapy are cold-pressed (processed below 60 degrees Celsius), while edible plant oils, such as soybean oil, are extracted at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius and are the cooking oils commonly found on supermarket shelves. Cold-pressed plant oils retain the minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids in the plant, resulting in superior moisturizing and nourishing properties.
Plant oils suitable as carrier oils must be non-volatile and unrefined, such as sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil. These oils contain vitamins D and E, as well as iodine, calcium, magnesium, and fatty acids, which can dilute essential oils and help them be quickly absorbed by the skin. Common edible oils, on the other hand, are usually refined at high temperatures, losing their natural nutrients and making them less suitable as carrier oils for aromatherapy.
1. Sweet almond oil
One of the most commonly used carrier oils in skincare, rich in Vitamins A and E, it nourishes, moisturizes, soothes, and has anti-allergic properties, making it suitable for use on tired and dull skin.
Suitable for all skin types, especially fragile and sensitive skin. It promotes cell regeneration and healing, and also has calming, soothing, and relaxing effects; used in blending various concentrations of single essential oils. Often used in body massage oils.
2. Jojoba oil
Mild in nature, highly stable, safe and non-irritating; rich in natural vitamins and highly nourishing collagen and minerals, it provides ample nutrition to the skin, restoring its vitality to tired skin; it has a strong moisturizing and hydrating effect, preventing skin moisture loss, leaving skin radiant and elastic after use.
High viscosity (for normal and dry skin) Suitable for people over 40 years old, it has effects such as fading spots, whitening, anti-wrinkle, purifying the skin, and regulating endocrine function; used to blend single essential oils of various concentrations; can regulate oily skin.
3. Wheat germ oil
Rich in squalene and vitamin E, this product boasts antioxidant and anti-aging properties, strengthens tissue function, penetrates the dermis, restructures damaged skin tissue, and promotes cell regeneration. It also aids in the healing of scars caused by acne, surgery, burns, chickenpox, wounds, and incisions. Nutrient-rich with particularly noticeable moisturizing effects, it can reduce pigmentation, even out skin tone, delay skin aging, and leave skin soft and elastic.
Suitable for all skin types, especially dry, dehydrated, and aging skin lacking oil.
It promotes blood circulation, detoxifies, fades scars, reduces wrinkles, tightens skin, and provides antioxidant benefits.
It can be used to formulate single essential oils of various concentrations.
For direct skin massage, it effectively moisturizes and softens the skin, making it especially suitable for autumn and winter use.
4. Olive oil
Antioxidant and anti-radiation (for normal and sensitive skin). Main ingredients: monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, protein, vitamin E, etc.
Suitable for aging, sunburned, rheumatic, and sprained skin. Makes skin soft and elastic; soothes sunburned skin; has good hair care effects.
How to use: Can be applied directly to the skin for massage, or blended as a carrier oil in other compound essential oil formulations; when used for hair care, add an appropriate amount of olive oil to the conditioner.
5. Grapeseed oil
Balances excessive sebum secretion (for oily and acne-prone skin). Main ingredients: Vitamins, essential fatty acids, glucose, minerals, linoleic acid, proanthocyanidins, etc.
Suitable for all skin types. The oil is lightweight and easily absorbed, helping to maintain skin elasticity and firmness, preventing sagging and wrinkles. It moisturizes and softens the skin, enhancing its hydrating and brightening effects.
How to use: Can be applied directly to the skin for massage, or blended as a carrier oil in other blended essential oil formulations.
6. Evening Primrose Oil
Significant moisturizing effect (suitable for all skin types). Main ingredients: Linoleic acid, magnesium, zinc, vitamins C, E, B6, etc. Suitable for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Also beneficial for breast enhancement and ovarian health. Can improve symptoms of eczema, atopic dermatitis, nail growth, and wound healing; an optimal base oil for regulating female physiology.
How to use: Can be used directly for skin massage; or mixed at 10% with other base oils or blended massage oils.
7. Rosehip oil
Whitening and fading dark spots. Reduces melanin production and fungal infections (for oily, sensitive, and aging skin).
Main ingredients: Linoleic acid, fatty acids, citric acid, and vitamins A and C. Suitable for normal skin and aging skin with dark spots.
Main functions: Softens skin, whitens, and prevents wrinkles; effectively prevents and fades stretch marks; also improves scars, acne, and pimples; excellent at maintaining skin moisture and preventing pigmentation after sun exposure.
Usage: For massage: Mix 10% with other carrier oils or blended massage oils; For preventing stretch marks or treating very dry, aging, or severely pigmented skin, use directly as a 100% carrier oil.
8. Camellia seed oil
Camellia seed oil has a much higher oleic acid content than olive oil and other nut oils, and also contains vitamin E, tea polyphenols, camelliaside, squalene, and other components, offering antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and soothing/anti-inflammatory effects, thus demonstrating significant skincare benefits.
Camellia seed oil effectively helps remove blackheads, blemishes, fade acne scars, and treat acne, wrinkles, and other skin problems. Therefore, camellia seed oil is suitable for those who need to repair, nourish, and address skin issues. It is particularly suitable for sensitive skin.
When blending essential oils, mixing 1-3 carrier oils as a base oil can enhance the effects.
