Carrier oils
Carrier oils for essential oils
Essential oils are far too concentrated to use neat. A carrier oil dilutes them to a safe strength and helps them spread — and the one you pick changes how a blend feels, how fast it absorbs and how long it keeps. Here are the ten worth knowing, side by side.
Compared at a glance
| Carrier | Texture | Absorption | Shelf life | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fractionated coconut oil | Light | Fast, non-greasy | 2+ years — very stable | Roller-bottle blends |
| Jojoba oil | Light–medium | Smooth, silky, not greasy | Several years — exceptionally stable | Facial oils, all skin types |
| Sweet almond oil | Medium | Moderate — gives good glide | About 12 months | Massage oils |
| Argan oil | Medium | Absorbs well, soft finish | About 12–18 months | Hair ends & frizz |
| Rosehip seed oil | Light | Fast, slightly "dry" feel | About 6 months — refrigerate after opening | Facial serums |
| Grapeseed oil | Light | Fast, thin, non-greasy | About 6–12 months | Light massage & body oils |
| Apricot kernel oil | Light–medium | Absorbs well, soft finish | About 12 months | Facial & delicate-skin blends |
| Avocado oil | Rich | Slow — rich and cushioning | About 12 months | Very dry skin |
| Castor oil | Very thick | Very slow, sticky | About 1–2 years — quite stable | Scalp & hair blends |
| Olive oil | Rich | Slow, heavy | About 12–18 months | Balms & salves |
How to choose
- Roller bottles & everyday blends Fractionated coconut oil Odourless, stays liquid, never goes rancid fast.
- Face Jojoba oil Light, balanced feel and exceptionally stable.
- Massage Sweet almond oil Classic glide with almost no scent (nut-free swap: grapeseed).
- Hair & scalp Argan oil Soft and absorbent; add castor for a thicker scalp treatment.
- Very dry skin Avocado oil Rich and cushioning — blend 10–25% into a lighter oil.
- Mature-skin serums Rosehip seed oil Light and prized for facial use — keep it refrigerated.
How much essential oil per carrier?
A 2% blend — the usual adult body strength — is about 12 drops per 30 ml (1 oz). For faces, stay around 0.5–1%.
Common questions
- What is a carrier oil?
- A plant-based oil (or wax, in jojoba’s case) used to dilute essential oils before they touch skin. Essential oils are highly concentrated; a carrier spreads them out to a safe dilution and helps them glide over skin.
- What is the best carrier oil for essential oils?
- For most blends, fractionated coconut oil: it’s odourless, light, stays liquid and keeps for years. Jojoba is the favourite for the face, and sweet almond for massage.
- How much carrier oil do I mix with essential oils?
- It depends on the dilution. At 2% — a common adult body dilution — use about 12 drops of essential oil per 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier. Our dilution calculator and chart give exact numbers for any size.
- Can I use olive or coconut oil from the kitchen?
- They work in a pinch, but olive oil is heavy and strongly scented, and virgin coconut oil solidifies below about 24 °C (76 °F). Fractionated coconut oil or jojoba are better matches for most essential-oil blends.