Anybody dabbing in natural skincare must at some point decide which are the best carrier oils for skin, body, and hair.
There are so many to choose from, and sometimes it is really only a personal preference, other times availability, still others, the decision can be made based on numerous trials and testing on oneself.
This is what I did and to spare you the search, I will break down the info on the most popular and widely available carrier oils. But first…
What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils are plant oils derived from seeds, nuts, plant kernels. They might have their own aroma but they are not essential oils with their distinct aromas and strong therapeutic properties.
Instead, carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and to carry them into the skin’s layers – hence the name carrier oil.
Best carrier oils for skin according to skin type
I am only mentioning a few from each category and my list of carrier oils for skin and hair here is by no means exhaustive.
There seem to be more and more new oils coming on the market and, what I find even more important, being researched for their therapeutic properties.
The most important things to consider when choosing a carrier oil are:
- skin type (some oils are more “oily” and so more suitable for drier skin, and others are “drier” and hence better for normal or oilier skin types)
- absorption (some absorb really fast and leave no residue on the skin, while others might take longer to sink into the skin and might leave a residual film on the skin)
- price and availability (carrier oils’ process vary because some are easier to obtain while others are much more precious. Price is worth considering, especially if one is planning to use a lot of the oil)
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Best Carrier Oils for the Face
Dry and Mature Skin
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is the king of the best carrier oils for aging skin. It can be rather expensive and it is usually mixed with other oils in facial treatments. The benefits for mature skin are numerous:
- rich in essential fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid, which nourishes and rejuvenates the skin
- proven anti-inflammatory effects that can help with many skin conditions
- fights free radicals with its very high levels of vitamin C and E and can even help reverse the effects of sun exposure on the skin.
Absorption: Very fast, this oil is actually considered a drying oil (but it is still an excellent choice for drier skin types)
Price: High
Argan Oil
Coming from Morocco, this precious oil is very versatile and useful both in skin and hair care. Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamins A and E, this oil has a light nutty aroma, and it is a perfect choice for those wanting to treat wrinkles and the general signs of aging.
Absorption: Moderate (leaves a slight satiny oily residue)
Price: Moderate
Extra Virgin means that the oil is of the highest quality and is produced as a result a… [More]
Argan Carrier Oil is beloved in the cosmetic industry for its incredible conditioning a… [More]
According to science that pomegranate fruit, including its seeds, has amazing anti-aging properties. In fact, “Scientists have discovered that a molecule in pomegranates, transformed by microbes in the gut, enables muscle cells to protect themselves against one of the major causes of aging.”
Aside from the anti-aging properties, this oil is also an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, and it might even be inhibiting tumors, protecting thus all skin types. It is also the best carrier oil for skin firming.
Absorption: Moderate (leaves a slight satiny oily residue)
Price: Moderate
This deep-orange-colored oil is the richest in antioxidant of all
Coming from Morocco, this precious oil is very versatile and useful both in skin and hair care. Orange-colored, Sea Buckthorn oil is of the lightweight carrier oils for skin that boast huge amounts of antioxidants.
It is also choke-full skin-friendly ingredients such as fatty acids, tocopherols, and carotenes. It is a perfect choice for those wanting to combat signs of aging such as wrinkles and discolorations.
Absorption: Moderate (leaves a satiny oily residue)
Price: Moderate to High
Normal to Oily Skin
Jojoba Oil
This is actually not an oil at all but rather a wax. The most amazing thing about Jojoba is that it is can actually mimic the sebum and so it is completely non-comedogenic, i.e. it won’t clog pores.
This is why it is very versatile and can be used by people with any skin type, including very oily or even blemish-prone skin.
Jojoba has also great anti-inflammatory properties which can be very helpful for acne-prone skin.
Absorption: Fast
Price: Low to moderate
Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil comes from tamanu nuts and is full of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
Since it fights bacteria and heals wounds [source], tamanu oil is a great treatment for acne-prone skin—and, as we know, acne can happen to adults, too. Its anti-inflammatory effects make it perfect for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Those same properties are also thought to help stretch marks and scars. We even have just the right blackhead cleanser for you made with tamanu oil.
Absorption: Moderate (leaves a slight satiny oily residue)
Price: Moderate
Hemp Seed Oil
This oil comes from the cannabis plant and it is brimming with Gamma Linoleic Acid and Omega 3 and 6- acids.
This oil has a deep green color and a nutty flavor, and also a relatively short shelf life so it is important to keep it in a cold and dark place to preserve its properties.
- can balance oily skin by reducing oil production
- hydrating and nourishing
- treats atopic dermatitis
Absorption: Moderate (leaves a slight satiny oily residue)
Price: Low to Moderate
Organic Jojoba Carrier Oil is sourced from North America and is grown native in the Son… [More]
Tamanu Carrier Oil is cold pressed from the fruit of the Calophyllum inophyllum tree. A… [More]
Plant Therapy’s Hemp Seed Oil is a natural, non-GMO, whole food product that can be use… [More]
Sensitive or compromised skin (eczema, psoriasis)
Apricot Kernel Oil
This is a very emollient oil that is high in fatty acids (especially oleic acid) and vitamin E with a sweet, slightly nutty aroma. It has a host of benefits for compromised skin:
- it can soften and calm irritated, itchy skin.
- the high content of vitamin E is very healing for skin
- because of a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA (gamma-linolenic acid.), apricot kernel oil can aid in reducing clogged pores and so it is also useful for blemish-prone and congested skin.
Absorption: Fast
Price: Moderate
Sunflower Seed Oil
This oil is used both for culinary and cosmetic purposes. Because it can act as a skin barrier against toxins and germs, it can be a real help for irritated, chapped skin.
Absorption: Moderate
Price: Low
Apricot Kernel carrier oil is good for all skin types, especially sensitive and mature … [More]
Organic Sunflower carrier oil has high amounts of Vitamins A, B, D and E, minerals, and… [More]
Best Carrier Oils for the Body
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is very versatile. Known to carry regenerative attributes, it is used commonly in skin and hair healing formulations. I love it for my body care because it is very light and fast absorbing but it still leaves a nice silky film on the skin.
Absorption: Fast
Price: Low
Sweet Almond Seed Oil
This oil is very lightweight but also very emollient, and has a pretty strong but pleasant nutty aroma. Rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, his oil is a great moisturizer for the skin, so it is best used during the drier months. It also has a great “slip” so it is a perfect oil for body massage.
Absorption: Moderate
Price: Low
Avocado Oil
This list of carrier oils and their benefits must include this edible oil pressed from the seeds of avocados.
Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, and D, and Omega 3 fatty acids. It is an ally in combatting the sign of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Because it can improve the skin’s elasticity, it is often used as a preventative oil for stretch marks.
Absorption: Low (leave a slightly oily residue on the skin)
Price: Low
Grapeseed carrier oil is cold pressed and then refined to produce a light yellow-green … [More]
Sweet Almond carrier oil is an excellent emollient which softens and reconditions the s… [More]
Avocado carrier oil contains Vitamins A, B, D, E, and Beta carotene. It is a deeply pen… [More]
Related: Body Oil DIY
Best Carrier Oils for Hair
When it comes to hair and oil, less is more. No one wants to weigh their tresses down, but so many of us are in need of hydration and nourishment for dry, stressed, or over-processed hair.
There are many oils to choose from, let me mention four of them, in my view the best choices to benefit the health and appearance of the hair.
Related: Hair Issues During and After Chemo
Argan Oil
Already mentioned above as a great option for drier skin types, argan oil is also very helpful for taming frizzy hair. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, it can also protect the hair from free radical damage, such as excessive sun exposure. Perfect for use in anti-frizz hair serums in particular.
This oil from Africa is a relatively new kid on the block. The oil comes from the famed baobab tree and is high in vitamins E, C, and B and several fatty acids (linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid among others). All these ingredients carry great benefits for hair health:
- hydration and conditioning
- balancing the scalp’s sebum production
- stimulating blood circulation in the scalp and hence potentially aiding hair growth
This heavy oil is actually not comedogenic and can be used both in skin and hair care.
It is widely used by those who want to thicken their eyelashes and brows, as well as hair on the head. Aside from helping with hair growth, castor oil can give your hair a real shine.
Castor Oil is also a great choice for a solid oil cleanser. Not by itself, but adding a bit of this luxurious oil will ensure more cleansing power (castor oil can pull the dirt out of the pores!)
Related: Oil Cleansing Method
These are only a few of the super-performing carrier oils that can be useful in skin and hair care.
It seems like every day there is a new “it” oil touted for its amazing qualities.
They are all worth exploring, I’m sure, but you can treat the list above as a starter to your exploration of the wonderful world of carrier oils.
What’s your favorite oil to use? Drop me a line.
AISilva
What a great informative post. I admit I don’t know much about carrier oils, but I know a lot more now. Your summary pin at the end is also great. I’ll definitely be coming back to this post for any carrier oil needs.
Joanna
SO glad to hear this!
Thank you for a great post! As pregnant I am now using almond oil on my stomach to hopefully reduce stretch marks 🙂
Great choice! Congrats on the baby!
Such a fascinating article, I love aromatherapy and this info about carrier oils was so interesting!
They are so necessary if you decide to move to using essential oils not only for aromatherapy but also topically. It’s crucial to dilute them in a carrier.
I like that these are all made of plants, I’ve only tried Argan oil and still using it until now.
Nature has so many gifts for us.
Thanks for this informative article. Based on your information I feel like I really should try the pomegranate oil. I will report back how I like it. x
Please do, I’d love to hear how you like it.
What a great article! So full of great information! I like using rosehip oil, but there are some new ones you listed I didn’t know about; I will definitely be trying them. Thanks!
There are so many and it seems every day there is a new oil to discover.
This is a fantastic article and one I have saved for future oil use this gives me so many options and is a wealth of information…Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you for reading. So happy you found it useful!
Thank you so much for explaining all this. This blog post is filled with so much information. Because some of these oils I have never heard of, such as Baobab Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil.
This is one aspect of globalization that I find wonderful. We are learning so much new about these amazing gifts from nature from different continents. Baobab from Africa for example, and so many others from the Amazonian forest which I didn’t even include like Buriti, Praxaci, Maracuja oils. I’m glad to hear you found the post useful.
I’ve used a few carrier oils in my skincare routine, but I’m definitely intrigued to explore more options. I noticed you mentioned Jojoba oil as one of the best for the skin. Do you have any recommendations on the best way to incorporate it into a daily skincare regimen? Also, have you ever tried mixing different carrier oils together for a customized blend? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that.
Your expertise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive guide.
Hi Linda, I use jojoba in my all over body oil (mixed with camelia or meadowfoam oil) and I add it to my facial oils. Yes, I definitely like to mix it with other oils. For example, my Blue Cactus facial oil mixes jojoba, pomegranate, and prickly pear oil with some therapeutic blue essential oils. I use a few drops of a facial oil as the last step of my evening routine to seal in all the other good stuff that went on my face before (a hyaluronic acid serum for example). I hope this helps!