Definition: Carrier oils are base oils used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. They are also used as a base in oil-based and solid perfume making.
Common Types:
Jojoba Oil: Highly stable with a long shelf life. It is technically a liquid wax and is known for its moisturizing properties and similarity to the skin's natural sebum.
Fractionated Coconut Oil: A highly stable oil that remains liquid at room temperature. It is light, non-greasy, and has an extended shelf life due to the removal of long-chain triglycerides.
Characteristics:
Jojoba Oil:
Appearance: Clear to golden yellow liquid.
Odor: Virtually odorless, making it an excellent carrier that does not interfere with the fragrance of essential oils.
Properties: Moisturizing, non-greasy, long shelf life, and absorbs well into the skin.
Fractionated Coconut Oil:
Appearance: Clear, thin, and colorless liquid.
Odor: Odorless, which makes it a neutral carrier that doesn’t alter the scent of the essential oils it carries.
Properties: Lightweight, non-greasy, highly stable, and easily absorbed by the skin.
Uses in Natural Perfumery:
Dilution: Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils to make them safe for topical application, reducing the risk of skin irritation.
Base for Perfume: They serve as the base for oil-based perfumes, helping to carry and preserve the fragrance of essential oils and absolutes.
Solid Perfumes: Used as a base ingredient in solid perfumes, combined with waxes and other ingredients to create a solid form.
Benefits:
Shelf Life: Both jojoba and fractionated coconut oils have long shelf lives, making them ideal for natural perfumery where stability and longevity are important.
Skin Compatibility: These carrier oils are generally well-tolerated by most skin types and provide additional skin benefits such as moisturization and nourishment.
Neutral Scent: Their lack of strong odor ensures that the true essence of the essential oils and absolutes can shine through without alteration.
Blending Suggestions:
With Essential Oils: Carrier oils can be blended with a variety of essential oils to create customized perfumes and therapeutic blends.
For Solid Perfumes: Combine with beeswax or plant-based waxes to create solid perfumes that can be easily applied.
Additional Notes: While jojoba and fractionated coconut oils are commonly used due to their superior properties, other carrier oils such as sweet almond, grapeseed, and apricot kernel oil can also be used depending on the desired texture, scent, and skin benefits.
