Due to their ability to treat everything from aging skin to acne, carrier oils have never been more popular. When it comes to healthy and glowing skin, carrier oils work best as it has their own added benefits since they are dense and get absorbed into the skin very quickly. But which carrier oil is best for your skin? In this post you will get 17 best carrier oils for skin care and why are they important for the skin. So, take a look at what are carrier oils and what carrier oil is best for your skin requirements.
What Is Carrier Oil?
Carrier oils are vegetable oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil or avocado oil, that have been derived from the seeds, kernels, or nuts of a plant. Carrier oils are used to dilute the essential oils and help “carry” them into the skin. It can be used alone or in combination with other oils to find just the right formula for your skin type. High-quality essential oils are often added to carrier oils to provide specific therapeutic effects for the skin.
How To Choose Carrier Oils For Skin?
There are hundreds of carrier oils which can be used for skin. But you have to be careful while choosing the right carrier oil for your skin. Because some oils will increase the number of clogged pores, the condition that leads to those highly annoying, embarrassing and sometimes painful blackheads, whiteheads, and pustules. And, other oils are less likely to produce such issues or may even lead to an improvement in the skin condition. These oils can help heal acne breakouts, and by healing the skin, even prevent them from reoccurring!
Oils that have a tendency to aggravate acne are described as comedogenic and those that prevent the pores from blocking are described as non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic oils are also called “dry” oils, as they can penetrate the skin quickly, without leaving a greasy feeling on the skin.
Comedogenicity is measure on a scale of 1 to 5 whereby:
0 – Will Not Clog Pores
1 – Low
2 – Moderately Low
3 – Moderate
4 – Fairly High
5 – High
Generally, be considered a non-comedogenic oil it must be rated 2 or lower.
Benefits Of Carrier Oils For Skin
- Natural carrier oils often deliver many benefits. They can make the skin very soft and smooth to touch.
- Some have anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties since direct application delivers fatty acids and nutrients directly to the skin.
- Non-comedogenic carrier oils can often contain antioxidants which can help protect the skin against free radicals and reduce inflammation.
- Non-comedogenic carrier oils are usually rich in linoleic acid which helps to boost hydration. These oils can also be used to regulate sebum production.
Let’s move on what are the best carrier oils for skin and how can they benefit the skin.
1. Argan Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 0
Argan Oil hydrates, softens and protects the skin and it is good for all skin type. It is non-sticky in nature and absorbs quickly into the skin. It fades wrinkles and dark spots while lightening scars.
It’s high in linoleic acid content which helps to reduce the inflammation associated with acne while healing damaged skin, scars and acne. From acne and dull, sallow skin to stretch marks, argan oil can maintain your youthful look and reverse some of the signs of aging.
Argan oil is approximately 80% essential fatty acids, which can be delivered to your skin where they are needed to treat dryness. The primary job of essential fatty acids in the skin is to repair cell membranes, enabling cells to absorb water and the proper nutrition they need for optimal health.
Read: 12 Benefits Of Argan Oil For Face And How To Use It
2. Hemp Seed Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 0
Hemp Seed Oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help to renew and heal your skin when you apply it. It also acts as a wonderful moisturizer for your face. One reason you can use hemp oil for acne is that it contains high levels of the same compound as your skin oil, linoleic acid.
Deep cleanse your skin with hemp seed oil! It dissolves stale sebum and drives out grime, dirt, and pollution from deep within the pores.
Rich in antioxidants, the hemp seed oil is a powerful anti-aging natural ingredient for smooth wrinkle-free skin. Hemp seed oil helps improves the skin’s elasticity and water retention in the skin’s tissues thereby keeping skin supple & youthful. Its skin firming, tightening and toning properties also help prevent sagging skin.
3. Safflower Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Safflower Oil is found to be ideal for improving the quality and texture of skin due to the abundance of linoleic acid. It is very light in texture and is easily absorbed by the skin. They combine with the sebum in human skin to unclog the pores and reduce rashes and acne.
It also facilitates the regeneration of new skin cells, helping in fading scars. It prevents dryness and roughness and removes dirt and oil. Its content makes safflower oil a key treatment for issues including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Its hydrating properties lend skin a healthy glow, promote elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
4. Rosehip Seed Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Rosehip Seed Oil deeply penetrates into the skin and it is super light and non-greasy. It is good for oily and dry skin. It is high in vitamin A, C, and lycopene. It removes the age spots and discolourations made by sun rays. It is great for acne prone skin.
The rosehip oil has anti-aging benefits due to its antioxidant property. It is high in vitamin A and Vitamin C which are the perfect nutrients needed to remove fine lines and wrinkles. They encourage healthy skin cell production. Rosehip oil is a natural source of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids, which help repair and regenerate damaged skin while reducing the appearance of scars.
Read : 10 Benefits Of Rosehip Oil For Face And How To Use It
5. Calendula Carrier Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Calendula Oil is a wonderful ingredient to include in acne, eczema, and dermatitis skin care formulas because it has amazing anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce the swelling and the desire to scratch these areas. It has also antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating acne and prevent future acne.
Calendula oil is known to have antioxidant properties which are very beneficial for the skin. Antioxidants promote the growth of healthy skin cells by increasing cell turnover. Calendula boosts the collagen production in the body while making your skin radiant and healthy.
Recipe To Try : Skin Repairing Calendula Face Cream
6. Pomegranate Seed Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Pomegranate Seed Oil stimulates “keratinocytes”, major cells found in the outer layer of the skin. This helps to reverse skin damage, revive skin and reveal a more youthful appearance. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps to protect the skin from free radicals and to keep skin aging at bay. It also provides protection against sun damage.
It easily absorbs deeply into the skin without leaving any greasy residue behind and makes the skin hydrated. It helps with collagen production, firming the skin. It also regulates the sebaceous gland that helps to control skin oil production.
7. Jojoba Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
Jojoba Oil is very light in texture and non-greasy. It easily absorbs into the skin. It works as an antibacterial, which is suitable for acne caused by P.acne bacteria. It also works as an anti-inflammatory for already existing acne conditions. The oil will help your pimples to heal faster. The moisture in the oil works to soften your skin.
Jojoba oil is noncomedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores. It works as a protectant and cleanser. Jojoba oil is rich in iodine, which fights harmful bacteria growth that leads to breakouts. The antioxidants present in jojoba oil soothe fine lines, wrinkles and naturally slow down other signs of aging.
8. Grapeseed Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Grapeseed Oil is rich in beta-carotene, and vitamins D, C, and E and is packed with fatty acids. It has antioxidants which treat acne, tighten skin, helps diminish dark spot, moisturize, reduce scars, restore collagen and fight aging. It quickly penetrates the skin due to its light and thin consistency. It is suitable for all skin types.
9. Sweet Almond Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
Sweet Almond Carrier Oil can heal damaged skin, boost collagen production, keeps skin hydrated and supple, and protects it against potential damage caused by UV radiation. It can purge the skin of toxins, and support the growth of new healthy skin cells.
The main chemical constituents of Sweet Almond Carrier Oil are Oleic Acids (Omega 9), Linoleic Acids (Omega 6), Stearic Acid, and Palmitic Acid. These nutrients can maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of the skin. They also reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines.
A 2007 study by the Departments of Pharmaceutics at Hamdard University in India found it to both prevent initial UV damage and slow down the effects of UV damage after it happened. (Source)
Sweet almond oil can heal superficial skin burns, soothe dry and chapped skin, as well as skin affected by dermatosis, eczema, and psoriasis. Being non-comedogenic, anti-bacterial, and non-greasy, this medium-light lubricant has a quick absorption rate that is ideal for use in facial care and on the skin that is sensitive or acne-prone.
10. Avocado Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – Dry, Mature
- Comedogenic Rating – 3
Avocado oil contains various fatty acids like palmitic acid, linoleic, oleic acid and linolenic acid. Other compounds include minerals and vitamins A, C, D, and E. It can penetrate into the second layer of the skin (dermis) and provide deep moisturizing.
The lecithin in avocado oil helps boost collagen, and the pro-vitamin A carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin enhance the skin’s natural antioxidant store. This makes avocado oil an ideal night cream that aids in the skin repair process. With its high level of vitamin E, avocado oil may reduce itching and skin inflammation and is also beneficial in softening rough and cracked patches.
A 2001 study found that avocado oil mixed in vitamin B-12 cream could ease psoriasis symptoms for a longer period than the traditional vitamin D-3 therapy. (Source)
Collagen is the main protein structure found in our skin. It’s what binds, strengthens and elasticizes skin. Without collagen, skin becomes wrinkly, saggy and droopy. Avocado oil helps boost collagen production in the skin. This promotes soft youthful skin and delays aging.
11. Olive Carrier Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – Dry, Mature
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
Olive oil is packed with vitamins, minerals, and natural fatty acids. Even, it can be used on sensitive skin. Olive oil is a potent natural ingredient in anti-aging skin care beauty products. Due to its high-level antioxidant contents, it prevents skin aging and the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Olive oil contains vitamin E, which improves skin health by treating inflammation, acne, and dryness. It also improves skin elasticity and its regenerative properties. Olive oil is the best oil which exfoliates the skin pores deeply. It also dissolves dead cells and drives out dirt, grime, germs, and pollution stuck deep within skin pores (contaminants responsible for acne, pimples, blackheads).
12. Evening Primrose Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
Evening primrose oil is a good source of linoleic acid, which is one of the essential fatty acids we need for healthy looking skin. It soothes dryness, redness and nourishes skin with important fatty acids that can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The potent level of antioxidants in evening primrose helps to neutralize free radicals, which protect the skin from oxidation in living tissue. The anti-inflammatory properties of this oil also help reduce swelling, redness, itching, and rashes on the skin. It is also known to lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation or any dark spots.
13. Sunflower Carrier Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 0
Sunflower oil is useful as an effective emollient; this will help keep the skin moist. Vitamins A, C, D, and E, and essential fatty acids present in sunflower oil will provide a protective layer, which prevents bacterial skin contact. Therefore, sunflower oil also works as an effective remedy against acne.
The application of vitamin E, which is present in sunflower oil, can help protect your skin from the damaging effects of sun exposure as well as smoothen skin. It can also help to maintain moisture and speed up the growth of new skin. The vitamin K keeps skin elastin healthy. Elastin is the protein that makes up the connective tissue in the skin. This means sunflower oil improves wound healing and scar reduction.
14. Tamanu Carrier Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 2
Tamanu oil has the therapeutic property of promoting the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. Tamanu oil has antifungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tamanu Oil facilitates the growth of newer skin and leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer. It soothes, repairs, and diminishes redness, scars, irritation, itchiness, dryness, and peeling. It prevents blemishes from forming, and it protects against the harsh effects of the elements. It works to reduce age spots, stretch marks, cellulite, and dryness.
A study showed that the oil offers an excellent inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, particularly on Propionibacterium acnes, which is an acne-causing germ, proving that it truly is outstanding for treating acne.
15. Seabuckthorn Seed Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Sea buckthorn oil has been a popular superfood because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This is helpful for inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and even acne. This cherished “super fruit” is rich in antioxidants which protect from free radicals that cause skin damage.
Due to the moisturizing fatty acids that buckthorn oil contains, it has an innate ability to revive skin cells, and the high content of vitamin E and C reduces the gravity and length of wrinkles while alleviating tough skin. In fact, vitamin E has been proven to be one of the leading natural ingredients in anti-aging remedies.
16. Castor Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – All Skin Type
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
You can use castor oil for wrinkles and fine lines. The oil goes deep within the layers of your skin and encourages the production of collagen and elastin. Using this regularly gives you a youthful appearance. Castor oil contains antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are responsible for accelerating the aging process, making wrinkles appear sooner.
Excess production of melanin, environmental factors, and diet you ingest can result in dark spots or complexion on your skin. With Castor oil packed with benefiting nutrients, it can lighten the blemishes, unwanted scars and pigmentation.
17. Neem Oil For Skin
- Skin Type – Acne-prone, Dry
- Comedogenic Rating – 1
Neem oil is naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, so it’s great for removing bacteria from your skin and combatting acne. It also soothes redness and known to reduce acne scars as well. Because neem oil contains vitamin E and also rich in healthy fatty acids, it’s great for healing cracked dry skin by penetrating into the skin. It also locks in moisture to smooth out the skin texture.
Neem has been known to reduce redness and inflammation for eczema and relieve dry itchy skin. It’s an effective emollient, which prevents loss of moisture and helps build a protective layer over the skin.
A study on hairless mice shows that neem oil is a promising agent to treat aging symptoms like thinning skin, dryness, and wrinkling. (Source)
Carrier Oils To Avoid For Skin
- Coconut Oil
- Flaxseed Oil
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Butter
- Palm Oil
- Soybean Oil
These carrier oils are rated 4 or above 4 (on the scale of 0-5 ratings). These carrier oils are called comedogenic oils which means they can clog pores. And, clog pores can lead to acne, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Always choose carrier oils with a low comedogenicity rating (0-2). Non-comedogenic oils moisturize and nourish the skin without clogging pores (the best ones even help unclog them!) and are an essential ingredient in skincare for all skin types.
How To Use Carrier Oils For Skin Care?
1. Use It Alone
One of the easiest ways to use carrier oils for skin is by simply using them alone to moisturize and nourish the skin. Each carrier oil has unique benefits towards the skin, making them beneficial to be used alone on the skin
2. Blending Different Carrier Oils
Some people chose to use two or three carrier oils at a time to maximize the benefits. Feel free to mix one or more of these oils together, but be careful not to overdo it because if you have a reaction to one– then it will be harder to narrow down which one causes a problem.
3. Blending Carrier Oils With Essential Oils
When you are looking for a carrier oil to use for the beauty you may be looking for something to dilute your essential oils with or you might be looking for something more specific like to prevent acne or to help support aging. First, you have to identify your skin type. Once you figure out your skin type, then it’s a lot easier to narrow down your selection for carrier oils. Then, choose essential oils according to your skin requirements and blend the oils with the recommended amount.
When making up carrier oil and essential oil blends, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends the following dilution ratios:
For infants and young children
- 0.5 to 1 percent dilution = 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
For adults
- 2.5 percent dilution = 15 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
- 3 percent dilution = 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
- 5 percent dilution = 30 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
- 10 percent dilution = 60 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
Anyone who notices any irritation or sensitivity when using these dilutions is advised to stop applying the mixture.
Carrier oils are used in combination with essential oils in order to dilute them and alter their absorption rate. When combined with 1–3 drops of essential oils, carrier oils can cover a large surface of your skin and help to relieve skin issues like acne, eczema, dry skin, age spots, and sun spots.
Those with nut allergies should consult their medical practitioner before coming into contact with nut oils, butter or other nut products. Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner.
Although most carrier oils don’t cause an allergic reaction, you should always do a patch test prior to using.
How To Buy Carrier Oils For Skin
Most of the typical carrier oils sold in grocery stores are not cold-pressed. Instead, the oils are processed using heat. For the most nourishing, freshest carrier oils, strive to shop with retailers and suppliers that specialize in the sale of aromatherapy or natural skin care ingredients. And keep the following tips in the mind while purchasing carrier oils-
Choose Cold Pressed Carrier Oils
In Cold Pressed Method, the oil has been pressed from the fatty portions of the botanical without the use of added heat. When oils are processed without cool conditions, the high-temperature degree and duration of the processing method can harm the fragile nutrients in the oil.
Is It Organic
Organic carrier oils generally cost more than conventional oils. When purchasing organic carrier oils, verify if the oil is certified.
Shelf Life
Carrier oils vary in how long they last before oxidizing and becoming rancid. When purchasing carrier oils, estimate the quantity of the oil that you think you’ll use within the lifetime of the oil.
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