Aromatherapy
Lesson 5
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Ca
iers
Aim
Identify what can be used as a ca
ier for essential oils and why they are used.
USING CARRIER OILS
Ca
ier oils are less concentrated oils which are blended with essential oils to dilute them before applying to the
skin. Essential oils should never be put directly onto the skin.
Some aromatherapists suggest there are two exceptions. One exception is the use of lavender oil to relieve a
urn - using a maximum of 2 drops for children between 3 – 12 years of age and 4 drops for adults. The other is
the use of tea tree oil on cold sores. In this instance, a single drop is applied to the centre of the cold sore, 3 or 4
times each day. However, using even these two oils directly on the skin can cause a sensitisation reaction and
esult in contact dermatitis. We, therefore, do not recommend using any essential oils directly on the skin.
The reason for the use of ca
iers is to ensure that the essential oil is applied evenly and not concentrated in
one spot. Using essential oils directly on the skin can cause i
itation and discomfort. Additionally, application in
a thin layer rather than in droplets on the skin is more effective because it is easier to distribute it evenly ove
the skin’s surface. Ca
ier oils are so-called because they ca
y the oil across the skin.
Combining essential oil with a ca
ier will also ensure faster results, as this helps expedite absorption into the
skin. Furthermore, ca
ier oils can be used to
ing about synergies of blended essential oils as well as
introducing their own benefits.
Ca
ier oils are not as concentrated as essential oils due to the way they are processed. Whereas essential oils
are derived from aromatic parts of plants, especially leaves, bark and roots, ca
ier oils are typically made from
fatty plant parts like kernels, nuts, and seeds. They are not usually as fragrant as essential oils, and some may be
quite odourless. Also, they do not evaporate as readily when exposed to air. Unlike essential oils which can
oxidise over time, ca
ier oils may become rancid. When this occurs, they develop a pungent aroma and should
e discarded.
Choosing Ca
ier Oils
Although many ca
ier oils have little fragrance, some are more fragrant. If you select one of these more
fragrant oils as a ca
ier you may want to think about how it will interact with fragrances of essential oils you
want it to ca
y. It could alter the smell so that it does not have the desired effect.
Also, think about how long you want the oil to last. Some ca
iers last longer than others. If it is not going to be
used regularly it may expire before it is finished.
Another consideration is absorption rates. Some ca
iers are more readily abso
ed into the skin than others.
Generally, those with greater viscosity (higher resistance to movement) are denser and less abso
ent e.g.
avocado oil. Whilst moisturising, more viscous oils can make the skin feel oily too, so keep this in mind.
Furthermore, for the best effects and most reliable performance choose pure ca
ier oils. You may encounte
lends of two or more oils or occasionally ca
iers derived from animal products or synthetic compounds. It is
usually better to blend your own ca
iers than buy readymade blends so that you have more control over the
final product.
As with essential oils you can get organic ca
ier oils, and these will usually cost a lot more. However, they are
usually better quality. Look for oils that are labelled as ‘cold-pressed’. They have not been exposed to heat
during manufacturing and consequently have higher nutrient levels. Also, look for those which contain no
preservatives or other additives. You can also find those labelled as ‘therapeutic grade’ which should be organic,
cold-pressed oils with 100% purity.
Finally, as with essential oils some ca
iers may have adverse effects on an individual’s skin. Use your knowledge
of essential oils to guide you as to which may be higher risk and do a test patch if applying to skin.
Test Patch
To conduct a test patch, apply a couple of drops of ca
ier oil to the inside of the wrist. Place a plaster over the
oil and leave it for 24 hours. Remove the plaster the next day and check for any signs of skin i
itation. If there is
any redness, thoroughly clean the skin and avoid that oil in future.
As for essential oils, consider allergies. Some oils are derived from tree nuts and some people have allergies to
those.
Absorption of Oils
When oils are applied to the skin, or massaged into it, they enter the body. The molecules of the oil are
normally small enough to enter the outer layer of skin through sweat glands and hair follicles. Once it is beyond
the outer layer, it reaches the dermis, which is a fat layer. Essential oils are fat soluble, or able to dissolve in fat,
so upon reaching the dermis, they are further
oken down and abso
ed into the bloodstream. Once in the
loodstream, they react with the cells in the blood much as a hormone reacts, by clustering with certain cells
and causing the cells to react. The essential oil molecules also react with the lymph, which is the system that
ca
ies impurities out of the body.
When essential oils are applied to the skin in a proper manner and in the co
ect dosage while also using a
ca
ier oil, lotion or cream, the reaction that results in the bloodstream is beneficial. However, if a dosage is too
high, or applied inco
ectly, it can cause discomfort or i
itation. This i
itation occurs most commonly as a skin
eaction, especially if the essential oil is applied too thickly (i.e. directly applied without a ca
ier) and cannot
abso
into the skin. These reactions are generally short lived and have no long-term side-effects, but they are
unpleasant.
POPULAR CARRIER OILS
There are many possible ca
ier oils. Some of the most familiar ca
ier oils used in aromatherapy are as follows.
They generally are those which are known to be low risk for most people but still need to be selected wisely:
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a popular choice for practitioners. It is expressed from the almond kernel, and has a slightly
nutty aroma, and is quite a clear, slightly yellowish oil. This oil is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
skin. It has excellent moisturising properties, and can be beneficial for dry, itchy, inflamed, or chapped skin. It
has a medium viscosity and stores well. It is rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins and is an excellent, cost-
effective, all-purpose oil. Its relatively strong smell can drown out those of less strong-smelling essential oils, so
e aware of this. People with tree nut allergies should avoid this oil.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil has similar qualities to sweet almond oil but is not as viscous. Produced from the kernel of the
apricot, it is virtually scentless, and is clear with a slight yellow tinge. This oil is high in polyunsaturated fatty
acids. Because it has a light texture it is suitable for facial massage and dry, dehydrated, sensitive, and mature
skin. Having only a semi-oily texture, it is a popular choice for massage blends since it is abso
ed quite quickly.
People with tree nut allergies should avoid this oil.
Avocado Oil
This oil is rich in chlorophyll, giving it a deep green appearance. It is a very nutritious oil, containing essential
fatty acids, minerals, protein, vitamins A, B, E and beta carotene. It has very high moisturising and regeneration
properties and is good for sensitive, dehydrated, or sun-damaged skin, as well as eczema and nappy rash.
However, it should be avoided for acne since it promotes sebum production. Because of its thick consistency,
for better application it is recommended to blend it at a low ratio with other ca
ier oils, such as sweet almond
oil.
Jojoba Oil
Although jojoba is made mostly from wax esters it is technically an oil and has the consistency of oil i.e. it is not
solid at room temperature like a wax. It is golden yellow in colour and is easily abso
ed by the skin. One of the
main reasons why jojoba is popular is because it does not go rancid like other oils, so has a long shelf life. It has
a similar composition to skin’s natural sebum and is thought to have natural anti-inflammatory properties. It is
an excellent choice for oily or acne prone skin because it reduces oil production by the skin and does not block
pores. It can also help treat eczema, psoriasis, and inflammation.
Macadamia Oil
Macadamia oil is a thick, nutty smelling oil, expressed from the macadamia nut meat. Macadamia oil has a rich
texture, that leaves an oily film on the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is a suitable massage
oil. Its anti-inflammatory properties may help with healing cuts, a
asions, and itchy skin. It is also rich in
vitamin E which assists with cell repair. People with tree nut allergies should avoid this oil.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is a fine-textured oil, that is popular for its moisturising properties. It contains gamma
linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid, which makes it nourishing for the skin. It is especially
eneficial for people with ageing or damaged skin, as well as those with eczema or psoriasis. This oil may also be
helpful for alleviating symptoms of PMS,
east soreness, and for reducing the severity of hot flushes. It is also
considered useful for heart health and lowering blood pressure.
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is a popular oil to use for the face. It is extracted from the seeds of the rose plant. It is orange in
colour, due to the presence of carotenoids. Rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties and is
particularly popular for its ability to reduce wrinkles, treat sun-damaged skin, promote healing, and deeply
nourish and moisturise.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is made from the fruits of the Moroccan Argan Tree (Argania spinosa). It makes a good all-purpose
ca
ier and is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids as well as vitamins A and E. It is a soothing oil that is
eneficial for dry and inflamed skin. When applied to the face it helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles and to
increase elasticity. It has a mild and sweet nutty aroma.
Canola Oil
This oil is also known as ‘rapeseed oil’ and is generally used for food preparation. The oil has a very high content
of unsaturated