Incorporating Carrier Oils Into Your Beauty Routine
Carrier oils are a crucial part of beauty routines, especially when using essential oils. They help dilute essential oils but also have their own unique benefits for the skin, hair, and nails. Incorporating carrier oils into your beauty routine can help soften, moisturise and balance your complexion in a completely natural way.
Below you’ll find some of the best carrier oils for beauty, along with their specific uses and benefits:
Jojoba Oil
Texture: Light, non-greasy, and easily absorbed.
Benefits: Jojoba oil is very similar to the skin’s natural sebum, making it excellent for balancing oil production. It’s great for all skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.
How to Use:
Apply directly to the face as a natural moisturiser.
Mix with tea tree oil to treat acne.
Use as a hair oil to soothe dry scalps.
Argan Oil
Texture: Lightweight, slightly nutty scent.
Benefits: Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, argan oil nourishes and hydrates the skin while helping to reduce signs of aging. It is also known to tame frizz and repair split ends.
How to Use:
Apply a few drops to the face for glowing, hydrated skin.
Smooth a small amount onto damp hair to add shine and reduce frizz.
Use on nails and cuticles to strengthen them.
Sweet Almond Oil
Texture: Light, easily absorbed, mild scent.
Benefits: Packed with vitamins A, E, and fatty acids, sweet almond oil helps to soothe, moisturise, and soften the skin. It is especially good for dry or irritated skin.
How to Use:
Use as a makeup remover.
Massage onto dry areas like elbows, knees, and hands.
Mix with essential oils for a relaxing massage oil.
Rosehip Oil
Texture: Lightweight, slightly dry feel.
Benefits: Rosehip oil is rich in vitamins A (retinol) and C, which help to reduce scars, dark spots, and wrinkles. It’s especially beneficial for anti-aging and damaged skin.
How to Use:
Apply to the face as a night-time anti-aging serum.
Use on scars or stretch marks to help fade them over time.
Mix with frankincense oil for a rejuvenating facial oil.
Coconut Oil (Fractionated)
Texture: Lightweight, smooth feel
Benefits: Coconut oil is deeply hydrating, quickly absorbed and has antimicrobial properties. Whether it is applied to skin or hair it penetrates deeply to nourish, moisturise, and soften. Coconut oil can be used to great effect as a natural shaving lotion and for removing makeup.
How to Use:
Use as a deep conditioner for dry or damaged hair.
Apply as a body moisturiser after showering.
Mix with sugar for a DIY exfoliating body scrub.
Grapeseed Oil
Texture: Very light, easily absorbed.
Benefits: Grapeseed Oil is suitable for all skin types including those with nut allergies, and has good emollient properties that help calm and soothe sensitive or irritated skin. It has mildly astringent qualities which help to tone the skin, which can be helpful with oily and acne-prone skin.
How to Use:
Use as a lightweight facial moisturiser or toner.
Mix with lavender oil for a problem skin treatment.
Apply to the body after a shower for lightweight hydration.
Tips for Using Carrier Oils:
Always do a patch test before applying any carrier oil to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
Store oils in a cool, dark place.
Mix essential oils with a carrier oil at a dilution rate of 1-2% for face applications (about 1-2 drops essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil), and up to 5% for body applications.
By incorporating carrier oils into your beauty routine, you can rejuvenate your skin with the power of botanicals!
