{"id":9237,"date":"2015-08-28T15:17:01","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T21:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/?p=9237"},"modified":"2022-08-03T13:32:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T19:32:11","slug":"getting-to-know-your-carrier-oils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/getting-to-know-your-carrier-oils\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to Know Your Carrier Oils"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left\">Carrier oils are usually overlooked because they don\u2019t contain the therapeutic constituents of other essential oils, but they can play an indispensable companion of topically applied oils. Let\u2019s take a closer look at these carriers and why they deserve a place on the shelf of anyone who uses and loves essential oils.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #652d32\">What are carrier oils?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Carrier oils are <span style=\"color: #652d32\"><strong>naturally derived from vegetarian sources and have a neutral smell.<\/strong><\/span> They aren\u2019t volatile like essential oils, which makes them an excellent medium for dilution and application.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #652d32\">What <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">aren\u2019t<\/span> carrier oils?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Vegetable shortening, butter, and margarine are best left in the kitchen\u2014they\u2019re not intended for topical use. Mineral oil and other petroleum derivatives like petroleum jelly should also not be used as carrier oils.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #652d32\">How are carrier oils used?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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. <span style=\"color: #652d32\"><strong>Carrier oils do not evaporate or have a strong aroma<\/strong><\/span>, making them the perfect pair for diluting especially strong essential oils\u2014reducing the concentration of the essential oil without altering its therapeutic qualities. When you dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil, you can also control its concentration before applying.<\/p>\n<p>Like other substances that are high in fat, carrier oils have a<span style=\"color: #652d32\"><strong> limited shelf life<\/strong><\/span>, meaning that eventually they can go bad. Depending on the type, oils with a short shelf life should typically be used within six months, while oils with a longer shelf life may stay good for up to a year. It\u2019s important to store oils in their original air-tight containers in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry, to maximize shelf life.<\/p>\n<p>Carrier oils 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\u2019s just right for you!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Get to know some of the more popular carrier oils! <\/span><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #58952a\"><a href=\"https:\/\/queue.youngliving.com\/softblock\/?c=youngliving&amp;e=prodmain&amp;t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youngliving.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fproduct%2Fv-6-vegetable-oil-complex&amp;cid=en-US&amp;rticr=0\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">V-6<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #652d32\"><a style=\"color: #652d32\" href=\"https:\/\/queue.youngliving.com\/softblock\/?c=youngliving&amp;e=prodmain&amp;t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youngliving.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fproduct%2Fv-6-vegetable-oil-complex&amp;cid=en-US&amp;rticr=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignright wp-image-15532\" src=\"\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/V-6.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/V-6.jpg\" alt=\"V-6 Carrier Oil Vegetable Complex\" width=\"138\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27138%27%20height%3D%27397%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20138%20397%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27138%27%20height%3D%27397%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/V-6-104x300.jpg 104w, https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/V-6.jpg 356w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 138px) 100vw, 138px\" \/><\/a>**<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A proprietary Young Living formula combining fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, wheat germ oil (contains a lot of vitamin E and acts as a natural preservative), sunflower oil, and olive oil<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #652d32\"><strong>Moisturizes and nourishes the skin<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li>An <span style=\"color: #000000\">excellent carrier oil<\/span> for all your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/us\/en\/category\/singles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best essential oils<\/a> and applications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**Caution:\u00a0May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Grapeseed Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Light and thin consistency<\/li>\n<li>Well suited for massages; leaves a light glossy film over the skin<\/li>\n<li>Moisturizing<\/li>\n<li>High in linoleic acid<\/li>\n<li>Relatively short shelf life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Sweet Almond Oil*<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Slightly sweet, nutty aroma<\/li>\n<li>Medium consistency<\/li>\n<li>Absorbs relatively quickly; leaves a slight hint of oil on the skin<\/li>\n<li>Rich in vitamin E and oleic acid<\/li>\n<li>Moisturizing<\/li>\n<li>Good all-purpose carrier oil<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">*Caution: May cause a reaction to those with nut allergies.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Jojoba Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Slightly nutty aroma<\/li>\n<li>Medium consistency<\/li>\n<li>Superior, non-greasy absorption, <span style=\"color: #652d32\"><strong>similar to the skin\u2019s natural oils<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Moisturizing for skin and hair<\/li>\n<li>Long shelf life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Olive Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Popular, easy-to-find oil used in both topical and culinary applications<\/li>\n<li>Thicker consistency; leaves an oily feel on the skin<\/li>\n<li>Stronger aroma<\/li>\n<li>Good source of oleic acid (omega fatty acid)<\/li>\n<li>Relatively short shelf life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Fractionated Coconut Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Unlike coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil is liquid at room temperature<\/li>\n<li>No noticeable aroma<\/li>\n<li>Absorbs well; leaves skin feeling silky and moisturized; non-greasy<\/li>\n<li>High in essential fatty acids<\/li>\n<li>Long shelf life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Coconut Oil<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Solid at room temperature<\/li>\n<li>Distinct coconut aroma<\/li>\n<li>Solid white color<\/li>\n<li>Leaves a moisturizing, oily feeling layer on top of the skin<\/li>\n<li>Long shelf life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Cocoa Butter<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Solid and difficult to work with at room temperature<\/li>\n<li>Best used when melted and blended with other carrier oils<\/li>\n<li>Sweet, chocolate aroma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Shea Butter<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Solid at room temperature<\/li>\n<li>Nutty aroma<\/li>\n<li>Cream colored<\/li>\n<li>Moisturizing to skin and hair; leaves behind a moisturizing, waxy-feeling layer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Would you like to know <span style=\"color: #99cc00\"><a style=\"color: #99cc00\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/quiz-which-carrier-oil-is-right-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">which carrier oils is right for you?<\/a><\/span> Let also Young Living do the heavy lifting and guide you through a list of recipes and the <span style=\"color: #99cc00\"><a style=\"color: #99cc00\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/essential-oils-for-massage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">18 Best essential oils for massages.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Which carrier oils do you keep on hand? <\/span><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #652d32\">Share your go-tos in the comments!<\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We\u2019re taking time to look more closely at carrier oils, the unsung hero of the essential oil-infused lifestyle. Typically used to dilute, carrier oils can play an important part in your essential oil routine. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4775,5614],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Getting to Know Your Carrier Oils | Young Living Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about the uses of carrier oils for essential oils. Discover the uses for Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and more!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youngliving.com\/blog\/getting-to-know-your-carrier-oils\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Getting to Know Your Carrier Oils | Young Living Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn more about the uses of carrier oils for essential oils. 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