All About Carrier Oils

Ooooh we’re going deep today, guys! Carrier oils are huge in DIY body care so I figured we better do a deep dive into what they are, their benefits, and how to use them.

All about carrier oils and what skin types they are best for | Mossy Meadow Farm

What is a carrier oil?

Carrier oils, also called base oils, are TRUE oils. (Unlike essential oils.) If you're imagining olive oil you're totally right, except there are so many more options beyond plain ol' olive oil. Carrier oils are often used to dilute essential oils which makes the essential oils safe for skin application. Carrier oils are also used in all types of skin care such as in face oils, lip balm, bath salts, lotion, salves, etc. They have incredible properties and can be high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, good fats etc. They also contain properties such as being anti-inflammatory, emollient, anti-bacterial, etc. The properties vary depending on the oil which is why it’s important to know your base oils as different types of skin respond better to certain oils than others.

If you are just starting out, look for the oils that are suitable for "most skin types". That way you will be able to use them in a wide range of recipes. Carrier oils do have a shelf life, so until you discover which oils are YOUR favorites I would recommend buying them in smaller sizes. Experiment and have fun! Once in awhile I splurge and test out a "new" oil which is so fun to play with and switch things up a bit! But then I end up going back to my favorites. 

I'd love to hear what carrier oils you use the most! 

Where to purchase high quality carrier oils

I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog! By purchasing through one of my affiliate links you will not spend a penny more, but you are allowing me to receive a small commission. This allows me to keep posting great content for you. Thanks for your support!

If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:


Almond Oil (sweet) | Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus

Color | Pale yellow to golden yellow

Comes From | Pressed almond kernels (sweet almond, not to be confused with bitter almond)

Properties | Emollient, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory

Rich In | Antioxidants, vitamins A, E, and other fat-soluble vitamins, protein, fatty acids

Helpful For | Itchy skin, soreness, dry skin, inflamed skin, eczema, psoriasis, puffy eyes, anti-aging

Skin Types | All types

Absorption | A light oil that penetrates easily and absorbs well

Shelf Life | 12 months

Special Notes | Avoid using if you have a tree nut allergy. Also best to avoid use on infants and toddlers as many nut allergies are linked to early exposure.  


Apricot Oil | Prunus armeniaca

Color | Pale yellow

Comes From | Pressed apricot kernels

Properties | Moisturizing, emollient, anti-inflammatory, astringent, toning

Rich In | Essential fatty acids, vitamins A, and E

Helpful For | Moisturizing the skin, softening the skin, inflamed skin, itchy skin, eczema, psoriasis

Skin Types | All skin types but specifically dry, sensitive, and mature skin types

Absorption | A light oil it absorbs easily without leaving behind any residue

Shelf Life |24-30 months

Special Notes | Safe to use on babies, in pregnancy, and the elderly


Argan Oil | Argania spinosa

Color | Pale yellow to yellow/amber

Comes From | Pressed kernels of the Argan tree

Properties | Toning, slightly astringent

Rich In | Vitamins A, & E, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenes

Helpful For | Keeping the skin supple and hydrated, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, regulating sebum, nourishing the hair, strong nails, eczema, psoriasis, improving elasticity, rashes, bug bites

Skin Types | Most skin types including acne prone, normal, dry, mature, and oily 

Absorption | A light oil that is easily absorbed

Shelf Life |1-2 years, refrigerate after opening

Special Notes | The unrefined oil has a strong earthy scent


Avocado Oil | Persea americana

Color | Light to dark green

Comes From | Fruit

Rich In | Vitamins A, B, E, and D, protein, lecithin, fatty acids

Properties | Emollient, fortifying, and regenerating

Helpful For | Eczema, dry and dehydrated skin, wrinkles, premature aging, hair and scalp conditioning,

Skin Types | All types but especially dry and dehydrated

Shelf Life | 6-12 months, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Somewhat heavy but absorbs quite well

Notes | Best to dilute as it is a heavier oil. Use a 10-25% dilution


Castor Oil | Ricinus communis

Color | Clear to pale yellow

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Antioxidants, fatty acids

Properties | Anti-inflammatory, emollient

Helpful For | Traditionally used as castor packs to draw out toxins from internal organs, relieving constipation, and painful period cramps. Small amounts can be used in body care.

Skin Types |

Shelf Life | 24-30 months

Absorption | Thick, heavy, and sticky. Does not readily absorb

Notes | Some contraindications in pregnancy


Coconut Oil | cocos nucifera

Color | White

Come From | Coconut flesh

Rich In | Fatty acids

Properties | Anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant

Helpful For | Massage oil, body butters, dry flaky scalp, hair care, eczema, psoriasis

Skin Types | All types, even dry and sensitive

Shelf Life | 24-30 months

Absorption | Fairly light, but quite greasy. Does absorb after a short time.

Notes | Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but melts quickly on the skin. Very popular in soap making.


Evening Primrose | Oenothera biennis

Color | Pale yellow

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Gamma linolenic acid, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids

Properties | Anti-inflammatory

Helpful For | Multiple Sclerosis, menapausal issues, psoriasis, eczema, premature aging, dry scalp and dandruff

Skin Types | Mature skin, dry skin

Shelf Life | Very short shelf life. Keep in the fridge but still can go rancid within a couple months.

Absorption | Quite oily

Notes |


Grapeseed Oil | Vitis vinifera

Color | Nearly colorless to a pale yellow

Come From | Seed. The oil is extracted after wine has been made from the flesh.

Rich In | Fatty acids, antioxidants

Properties | Mild astringent, emollient

Helpful For | Skin care, toning and tightening the skin, itchy dry skin

Skin Types | Troubled and sensitive skin

Shelf Life | 12 months

Absorption | Absorbs easily

Notes | One of the lightest oils available


Guava Seed Oil | Psidium guajava

Color | Pale yellow

Come From | Guava seed

Rich In | Linoleic acid, antioxidants, lycopene, beta-carotene

Properties | Astringent, anti-microbial

Helpful For | Scars, stretch marks, acne, reducing pore size, toning and tightening the skin, highly moisturizing, hair care, dandruff

Skin Types | All types, but specifically, sensitive skin, mature skin, acne prone skin

Shelf Life |

Absorption |Light, non-greasy, absorbs slowly

Notes | Very exotic oil with a fruity scent


Hazelnut Oil | Corylus avellana

Color | Yellow

Come From | Kernel

Rich In | Vitamins, mineerals, protein, oleic and linoleic acid

Properties | Mild astringent

Helpful For | Spider veins, bruising, toning and tightening the skin, penetrates deeply and stimulating to the circulatory system

Skin Types | All skin types

Shelf Life | Up to 2 years

Absorption | Absorbs quickly, non-greasy

Notes |


Jojoba | Simmondsia sinsensis

Color | Yellow

Come From | The bean of the jojoba plant (shrub like plant)

Rich In | Antioxidants, proteins, minerals, vitamin E

Properties | Anti-inflammatory

Helpful For | Balancing face oils, soothing eczema, psoriasis, inflamed skin, dandruff, acne, wrinkles, helps brighten dark spots, and minimizes the appearance of pores.

Skin Types | All types, especially acne prone

Shelf Life | 4-5 years

Absorption | Highly penetrating and leaves a satiny finish

Notes | Pronounced hə-ˈhō-bə . Jojoba is actually a liquid wax that closely mimics human sebum.


Meadowfoam | Limnanthes alba

Color | Clear to pale yellow

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Fatty acids, antioxidants, tocopherols,

Properties | Anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, rejuvenating, emollient

Helpful For | Moisturizing dry skin, dry scalp, smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, blotchy skin

Skin Types | Mature skin, dry skin

Shelf Life | 2 years, possibly up to 5, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Non-greasy, easily absorbed

Notes | Very useful oil for many body care applications


Neem Oil | Azadirachta indica

Color | Yellowish green to dark brown

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Fatty acids, glycerides, vitamin E

Properties | Anti-fungal, cleansing, moisturizing

Helpful For | Used in dental products, helps deter mosquitoes, fleas, flies, ticks, and mites. Used as a treatment for lice.

Skin Types | Most skin types

Shelf Life | 2 years

Absorption | Does not absorb easily

Notes | Very strong scent. Diluting is highly recommended. Becomes a solid at room temperature.


Olive Oil | Olea europaea

Color | Pale yellow to pale green

Come From | Fruit pulp

Rich In | Protein, minerals, vitamins,

Properties | Soothing, rejevenating, slightly anti-fungle

Helpful For | Damaged dry skin, soothing cradle cap, hair and scalp care, making infused herbal oil, salves, etc.

Skin Types | Dry skin

Shelf Life |18 months

Absorption | Medium thickness, absorbs relatively quickly, a bit greasy

Notes | The smell can be a bit strong depending on the application


Pomegranate Seed Oil | Punica granatum

Color | Pale amber

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Fatty acids

Properties | Conditioning, soothing, emollient

Helpful For | Slowing the signs of aging, fine lines and wrinkles, Soothes and softens the texture of the skin, chapping, roughness, and itching, nourishes the hair

Skin Types | All types, especially dry, mature, and sensitive

Shelf Life | 6 months to 1 year

Absorption | Absorbs slowly

Notes | Only a small amount is needed. Very luxurious oil.


Pumpkin Seed Oil | Cucurbita pepo

Color | Yellow to dark green

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and zinc

Properties | Anti-inflammatory, soothing, moisturizing

Helpful For | Damaged, irritated, scarred skin, hair loss, firming and tightening the skin

Skin Types | All skin types

Shelf Life | 9 months to 2 years, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Absorbs relatively quickly, slightly oily

Notes |


Rosehip Seed Oil | Rosa rubiginosa

Color | Clear to deep golden

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, beta carotene, Vitamins C, and E

Properties | Moisturizing

Helpful For | Correcting dark skin spots, hydrating dry itch skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, rosacea, scars, stretch marks, protection from age spots

Skin Types | Most skin types, but specifically aging skin, dry skin, mature skin. Not great for oily skin and use with care on acne prone skin—can cause irritation

Shelf Life | 12-18 months, should be refrigerated after opening

Absorption | Absorbs quite quickly. Considered a “dry oil”

Notes | Stimulates the production of collagen (skin elasticity)


Sesame Oil | sesamum indicum

Color | Light to dark yellow

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Vitamins E and B, minerals, proteins, lecithin, amino acids

Properties | Anti-inflammatory, emollient

Helpful For | Psoriasis, eczema, rheumatism, arthritis, sun damages skin, inflamed joints and sprains

Skin Types | All types, but especially dry and dehydrated

Shelf Life | Up to 2 year, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Absorbs relatively quickly, somewhat oily

Notes | Generally used diluted with other carrier oils. Do not used the toasted sesame oil.


Sunflower Seed Oil | Helianthus annus

Color | Pale yellow

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Vitamins A, D, and E, minerals, lecithin, oleic acid, fatty acids

Properties | Nourishing, conditioning, anti-inflammatory

Helpful For | Useful in pretty much any type of skin application such as infusing herbs, balms, salves, butters, etc.

Skin Types | Most skin types

Shelf Life | 12-15 months

Absorption | Absorbs relatively quickly, non-greasy

Notes | Known as a jack-of-all-trades oil


Tamanu Oil | Calophyllum inophyllum

Color | Dark green to brown

Come From | Seeds

Rich In | Fatty acids

Properties | Soothing, revitalizing

Helpful For | Deeply moisturizing, improves the texture of the skin

Skin Types | Most skin types

Shelf Life | Up to 2 years, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Absorbs relatively quickly

Notes | Solid at room temperature, usually used with other carrier oils, it’s strong scent and color may change the appearance of your products.


Wheatgerm Oil | Triticum vulgare

Color | Yellow to orange

Come From | Wheat

Rich In | Protein, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins A, B, D, and E, lecithin

Properties |

Helpful For | Eczema, psoriasis, scar tissue, stretch marks, increases skin’s elasticity

Skin Types | Most skin types

Shelf Life | Up to 2 years, refrigerate after opening

Absorption | Absorbs a bit slowly, slightly oily

Notes | Not recommended for those with Celiac disease, generally used with other carrier oils.

Learn all about different types of carrier oils and their healing benefits | Mossy Meadow Farm