06/08/2026
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VEGETABLE CARRIER OILS
THEIR QUALITIES AND BENEFITS
SWEET ALMOND OIL
There is an essential oil of almond, which is obtained from the bitter almond but the carrier almond oil we use is obtained by expression of the sweet almond kernels. Almonds are cultivated in Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and parts of Asia. The oil is pale yellow, a fine light soothing oil, excellent for general use and lovely for removing make up and skin suffering from the effects of wind and sun. It helps itching, soreness, dryness and inflammation and contains glycosides, minerals, vitamins and proteins.
APRICOT KERNEL
Is very similar to almond, pale yellow in colour. Also has the same qualities and uses as almond but possibly better for ageing and sensitive skins. It contains some vitamins.
AVOCADO OIL
Avocado's are dehydrated and sliced before pressing, refined and bleached oil is available but the unrefined is preferable for therapeutic use. The unrefined oil is dark green in colour, a heavy rich penetrating oil. It has excellent keeping qualities but will be precipitated if stored in very cold temperatures, though warmth will return it to normal. Useful for deep muscular massage and good for dry skin conditions and cellulite due to its ability to pe*****te the fatty adipose tissue. Helps dehydrated skin and eczema. It contains vitamins A, B, D, protein and lecithin.
CALENDULA OIL
Is made from the Marigold plant (calendula officinalis) by maceration or infusion. The fixed oil is wonderful to add approximately 25% for massage where any kind of skin condition exists and particularly chapped cracked skin.
CARROT
Naturally a rich orange colour obtained from this highly nutritious root plant. Rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2 (beta carotene) and minerals it is helpful for premature ageing, itching, dryness, psoriasis, eczema, acne, impetigo, boils and ulcers. Rejuvenating and reduces scarring.
COCONUT OIL
In it's whole state is a white solid fat which is obtained by pressing the white flesh of the coconut. Well known for its familiar odour, a popular skin emollient making the skin feel silky smooth. Excellent as a hair pomade which is very beneficial for dry hair and one of the best treatments for dandruff. Because of the solid state it is not practical for massage but the fractionated light coconut oil is a useful oil to mix in proportion with another carrier. It can be used on its own but is fairly runny and difficult to work with. It has relatively little odour and is good for dry skin conditions in massage and also scalp and hair.
CORN OIL
Is used generally for cooking but the cold first pressed could be used for massage, however generally has an odour which does not enhance essential oils.
EVENING PRIMROSE
Therapeutically Evening Primrose is a very beneficial oil, rich in G.L.A gamma linoleic acid (vitamin F). Useful for dry, scaly skin and dandruff. Reportedly excellent for helping many ailments such as P.M.T, menopause, psoriasis, eczema, ageing and ageing skin, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.
GRAPESEED
Is obtained from wasted grape seeds, washed dried ground and pressed. It is tasteless, odourless, fairly colourless and has no allergic effects on the skin. The skin is left feeling silky but not greasy. Grapeseed contains vitamin F but no cholesterol and keeps fairly well. It is used widely in Aromatherapy due to its non odour and is also relatively inexpensive. However it is useful for practising, but there is little goodness in it and will not feed or nourish the skin in any way and it maybe preferable to use sweet almond or one of the other kernel oils.
HAZELNUT
Amber yellow colour, with a pleasant nutty aroma. hazelnut oil is good for pe*******on and is also nourishing to the skin. It is stimulating to the circulation, good in cases of acne and slightly astringent. However although its odour is pleasant it is too overpowering to use with essential oils.
HYPERICUM
Commonly known as St Johnswort is produced in the same way as Calendula, which is by maceration of the buds of the plant. The oil is a deep rich red, very helpful for burns, wounds, sores, bruises and in general good for skin conditions.
JOJOBA
Is obtained from a desert plant native to regions in Australia, California, and Arizona. It is a very stable oil, highly penetrative and imparts a very silky feel to the skin. Helps conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also said to dissolve sebum, which makes it a good oil to use for acne. Mimics collagen, and therefore very useful for the ageing process and all cosmetic uses.
MACADAMIA
Rich in niacin, riboflavin and thiamine and also a rich source of minerals, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. It has been described " possibly the miracle of the 90s " and is 95% triglyceride with wax esters which are constituents of human skin lipids. Also high in linoleic acid. 80% of the oil is mono-unsaturated or "good oil", which is metabolised differently by the body from saturated and polyunsaturated oils and is most effective in reducing cholesterol in the blood. It is high in palmitoleic acid, found in sebum, which diminishes in the ageing process and therefor makes it especially good for mature and dry skin conditions. It is rapidly absorbed into the skin and therefor ideally penetrative for aromatherapy massage. Macadamia is also very resistant to rancidity and will not leave free radicals on the surface of the skin which is said to be the major cause of ageing skin.
PEACH KERNEL OIL
Similar to Almond and Apricot oil , fine light regenerating oil, that has a tonic effect and helps to cleanse and contract pores and smooth wrinkles.
PEANUT
Is sometimes referred to as groundnut oil. Expressed from the seeds it is used generally as a substitute for almond being less expensive. It has a characteristic odour and is too oily for massage. Pressed from the nut with many names i.e. peanut, monkey nut, pig nut, earth nut, arachis nut.
SESAME
Is a very useful oil but has a little odour. It protects the skin, helps rheumatism, arthritis, dry eczema and psoriasis. Rich in vitamins A and E with amino acids it stimulates muscular activity by dilating the capillaries and oxygenating the blood. A very stable oil that has it's own antioxidant properties. The best oil to use for any muscular problems.
SUNFLOWER
Expressed from the sunflower seeds and contains vitamin F, pseudo (supposed but not real) vitamins, which consist of fatty acids. It can be useful for mild skin conditions.
WHEATGERM
Deep, orange brown colour, very rich in vitamin E and good for dry and ageing skin, eczema and psoriasis. This is a natural antioxidant useful to add to an aromatherapy mix for keeping and preventing rancidity.
OLIVE
Rich clear green colour, with a little odour, olive oil is pressed from the fruit. Cultivation of olive trees is recorded as ancient, the main areas being the Mediterranean countries and more recently Australia, California and Mexico. It is a laxative and emollient, good for cosmetic use and hair care, very soothing to the skin it relieves pruritis (itching) and is useful for rheumatism. The condition of rheumatism and arthritis is relatively unheard of in Mediterranean countries which is mostly attributed to the high consumption of olive oil.
HOW TO USE YOUR CARRIER OILS
For body massage, any of the following oils are suitable on their own or mixed with one or two more oils. However, coconut is a lovely fine light oil to use for body massage, but is very runny and difficult to work with and may be more easily used 50% with one of the other body massage oils.
Sweet Almond Apricot Kernel Sesame Macadamia
Coconut
For beauty treatments and massage of the face the oils below are suitable on their own - mixed together or mixed with one of the body oils above. The following oils are also suitable to mix up to 25% with one of the oils above for body massage where particular conditions exist for which the oils are indicated.
Avocado oil is a wonderfully penetrating oil, particularly useful for making sure essential oils reach deep into the tissues. But it is not suitable to use on its own as it quickly disappears into the skin. It needs to be mixed in with one of the other body massage oils at a ratio of no more than 20%.
Jojoba Wheatgerm Carrot Evening Primrose Calendula Hypericum Avocado
Happy massaging!
