Good evening folks! In this article we are going to discuss some frequently asked questions related to carrier oils. This will surely help learners to picture the whole topic clearly. We have seen in earlier blogs that carrier oils play crucial role in aromatherapy and in dilution of essential oil.
In this article we are going to see different carrier oils and how they can be used. It is important to gain this insight because you cannot use essential oils alone. The dilution of essential oil is an unavoidable part and for that knowledge on carrier oil is must. So without any further delay, let us check out the questions and you are free to come up with your own doubts and question. I would love to answer them.
Let us know about carrier oil through some questions:
What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils are vegetable, nut or seeds oil which has in it therapeutic properties. Carrier oils generally consists of fatty acids and so known as fatty oils. These are derived from fatty regions of the plant like seed, nut or kernel. As essential oils are concentrated in nature, it is always necessary to dilute them in carrier oils.
Which process is used to extract carrier oils?
There are various methods of carrier oil extraction like cold-pressed, hot extraction, solvent extraction, CO2extraction or maceration. As the scope of carrier oils and essential oils is huge in aromatherapy, it is important to choose cold-pressed or expeller pressed oils for better result.
Which fatty acids are present in carrier oils?
Fatty acid is carboxylic acid with long aliphatic chain which can be either saturated or unsaturated. This clears that carrier oils consist of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
Examples of saturated fatty acids are Stearic acid, Palmitic acid, Lauric acid, Capric acid, Myristic acid etc. Examples of unsaturated fatty acids are Oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid etc.
What is the shelf life of carrier oils?
Carrier oils shelf life generally range from 1 year to 3 years. But different carrier oils show different shelf life and it also depends on its source and preservation methods. In general store carrier oils properly to use them for as long as 2 years.
Which is best carrier oil for essential oils?
Dilution of essential oil is an important step so it is mandatory to know best carrier oils for dilution. I can list different carrier oils but it is always good to choose carrier oil according to your application and requirement. For instance: you are using essential oil for application on face then dilute it with jojoba oil or sweet almond oil as they have excellent moisturizing properties.
How to mix carrier oil with essential oil?
The very first step is collection of ingredients for mixture. You can prefer combination of essential oils and carrier oils. First mix all carrier oils together in beaker and give it a proper stir. After stirring, slowly add drops of essential oil while continuing stir. Then transfer it in an airtight container and leave it for overnight. Next day apply mixture as per requirement.
Which carrier oils to prefer for dry skin?
Dry skin is a problem everyone suffers from. With the right use of essential oil and carrier oil, the problem of dry skin can be solved. Sweet almond oil, Coconut oil may help you to overcome dry skin with their excellent moisturizing properties. These oils keep skin hydrated.
Are carrier oils helpful for hair health too?
Yes, off course they are very helpful for hair health and hair growth. They can be blended with essential oil or can be used individually. For instance: massaging scalp with coconut oil, mustard oil has been a common practice. Just to let you know, these are carrier oil which impart strengthening to hair scalp and reduce hair fall.
These are some generalized question that usually pops in mind when dealing with carrier oils. We will surely cover another level of questionnaire that involves answers on aromatherapy as it has wide scope. Till then keep reading and keep sharing.
I hope all the beginners found it easy to understand general concept of carrier oils.
Thank you.