CARRIER OILS
Carrier oils or base oils are vegetable, nut or seed oils. Many of these carrier oils also have therapeutic properties. Vegetable oils are extracted from the seeds of the plants. Vegetable oils contain a good amount of protein, nutrients and energy. They enable the body to produce heat and lubrication.
The essential oils are highly concentrated and cannot be used directly on the skin. The essential oils are hence diluted with a base or carrier oil so that they can be massaged or rubbed into the skin in the correct proportion.
Almond oil (Sweet)
Colour: very pale yellow
Extracted: from the kernel
Contains: glycosides, minerals, vitamins and proteins
Uses: suitable for skin, helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness and inflammation
Base oil: can be used as a base without dilution
Apricot kernel oil
Colour: pale yellow
Extracted: from the kernel
Contains: minerals, vitamins
Uses: all types of skin, particularly for prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed and dry skin
Base oil: can be used as a base without dilution
Avocado pear oil
Colour: dark green
Extracted: from the fruit
Contains: vitamins, proteins, lecithin and fatty acids.
Uses: all types of skin especially dry and dehydrated skin, eczema
Base oil: to be used as an addition to a base oil in 10 % dilution
Carrot oil
Colour: Orange
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and beta-carotene
Uses: premature ageing, itching, dryness, psoriasis and eczema. Very rejuvenating by itself and reduces scarring
Base oil: to be used as an addition to a base oil in 10% dilution. Do not use undiluted directly on the skin.
Corn oil
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: minerals, vitamins and protein
Uses: soothing for all types of skin.
Base oil: can be used as a base oil
Evening Primrose
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and gamma-linolenic acid
Uses: during pre-menstrual tension, multiple sclerosis, menopause-related tensions, and heart diseases. Excellent while treating eczema and psoriasis. Helps prevent premature ageing of the skin
Base oil: use in 10 % dilution.
Grapeseed oil
Colour: nearly colourless or pale green
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin
Base oil: can be used as base oil without dilution
Hazelnut oil
Colour: Yellow
Extracted: from the kernel
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin. It has a slight astringent action
Base oil: use with 10% dilution
Peanut oil
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin
Base oil: can be used as base oil without dilution
Safflower oil
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin
Base oil: can be used as base oil without dilution
Sesame oil
Colour: dark yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, protein, lecithin and amino acids
Uses: rheumatism, arthritis, psoriasis, eczema. Valid for all types of skin
Base oil: use with 10% dilution
Soyabean oil
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin
Base oil: can be used as base oil without dilution
Sunflower oil
Colour: pale yellow
Contains: vitamins, minerals, and protein
Uses: for all types of skin
Base oil: can be used as base oil without dilution