Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by Kiersten James, BS, RN
This is the best carrier oil blend for essential oil recipes. I use it in my salves, DIY bath and body recipes, and natural remedies for healing.
When I first started using essential oils, I would use one carrier oil at a time depending on what I was making. Over time, I gained the confidence to create more complicated remedies and personal care products.
This is now the carrier oil blend I use for all essential oil recipes regardless of what they are for.
It does make quite a bit which is great because one batch normally lasts me 4 to 5 months depending on how often I’m creating products.
Why should you be using a carrier oil for essential oils?
1. Essential oils work better when they’re diluted.
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances that have more of a watery consistency than that slippery “oil” we are all used to.
A carrier oil is a fatty extract from either a plant, seed, or nut. Diluting essential oils in a carrier oil makes them more effective.
Seems counterproductive, right?…I know.
If essential oils are applied “neat” – which means directly onto the skin without first being diluted in a carrier oil – they will quickly evaporate into the air without first penetrating into your pores.
This leaves you with all of the smell and none of the therapeutic healing properties essential oils are known for.
Diluting an essential oil in a carrier oil keeps it on your skin much longer. This ensures it has enough time to get into your bloodstream for the desired effect.
2. Diluting essential oils in a carrier oil saves a ton of money.
If you are applying essential oils neat, you’re risking a serious skin burn along with plenty of wasted money.
A few drops of essential oil in a carrier blend goes a very long way where as neat applications of rose absolute will tear through a $200 10ml bottle before the end of the week.
I’m too lazy or frugal to be replacing things more than I really have to.
3. Applying essential oils straight to the skin is just not healthy or smart.
Hives, skin burns, headaches, nausea, heart palpitations, convulsions, and miscarriages are some of the physical issues that can occur from neat applications of some essential oils.
Once your body adjusts to the highly concentrated neat applications of a particular oil, it will no longer have the same effect over time.
Basically, you’re desensitizing your body to the properties and benefits of that particular essential oil.
To Avoid Desensitization:
Be sure to rotate through your essential oil blends every 3 to 4 weeks to change it up. This especially true if you’re using a particular oil or oils daily.
Now that we all agree that we’re going to dilute our essential oils, let’s find out what’s in my go-to carrier oil blend for essential oil recipes.
Ingredients
Sweet Almond Oil: highly versatile in many areas of skin and hair health. Has very little aroma which allows the essential oils to really shine through.
Fractionated Coconut Oil: coconut oil that has been stripped of its long chain fatty acids and stays liquid at room temperature. Amazing for dry, chapped, or cracked skin and has indefinite shelf life offering stability and preservation for favorite blends.
Jojoba Oil: liquid wax that allows for deep absorption into the pores.
Vitamin E Oil: has excellent ability to repair damaged skin cells and acts as a natural “preservative” for DIY personal care products. It prevents the oxidation process of oils that causes them to go rancid. This extends shelf life with proper storage in cool, dark places.
Best Carrier Oil Blend for Essential Oil Recipes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces organic sweet almond oil
- 8 ounces organic fractionated coconut oil
- 4 ounces organic jojoba oil
- 2 ounces 5,000IU vitamin E oil
Materials You May Need
- 24oz glass jar
- Measuring cup
- Funnel
Instructions
- Pour all of the ingredients into a 24oz glass jar.
- Put the lid on tightly and swirl the jar to blend.
- Label the jar “Carrier Oil Blend”, if desired.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 2 years.
Shelf Life for this Carrier Oil Blend
I store my carrier oil blend in the pantry or basement where it is cool and away from light. It should last 1 to 2 years this way without any issues.