ANTIAGING: CARRIER OILS AND ESSENTIAL OILS: Natural Skin Care

  

CARRIER OILS

Carrier oils, also referred to as base oils or vegetable oils, are used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before applying to the skin. They “carry” the essential oil onto the skin.

Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils derived from the fatty portions of the plant. Unlike essential oils that evaporate and have a concentrated aroma, carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils, if at all. Essential oils are added to carrier oils to impart both a scent and their healing properties.

Essential oils do not go rancid. Carrier oils, however, can go rancid. Carrier oils that you purchase should be natural and unadulterated. Exceptions include carrier oils that have natural vitamin E added because Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative.

         

 CARRIER OILS:

ALMOND OIL Botanical Name: Prunus amygdalus var. dulcus Aroma: Nutty, slightly sweet and Light Texture: Absorbs moderately, slightly oily and leaves the skin feeling slightly oily. Color: Almost completely clear with a trace of yellow Additional Info: Considered to be the perfect all-purpose carrier oil. Blends well with Avocado Oil. APRICOT KERNEL OIL Botanical Name: Prunus armeniaca Aroma: Slight Texture: Usually non-irritating. Absorbs moderately and is somewhat oily. Color: Almost completely clear with a trace of yellow. Additional Info: Contains Vitamin A. Because of its texture, this makes it perfect for blending massage oils. This oil will not leave you feeling greasy or slippery. It also softens the skin. AVOCADO OIL Botanical Name: Persea americana Aroma: Medium. Somewhat sweet and nutty Texture: Thick, leaves a fatty, almost waxy feel to the skin. Color: Deep olive green Additional Info: Blend a 10% dilution of avocado oil with another carrier oil. Excellent for mature and dry skin types. Contains B Complex and Vitamins E,D and A as well as lecithin, potassium, and chlorophyll. It is a very moisturizing oil and especially beneficial for rash, eczema, mature skin, parched skin, and aging skin. BORAGE SEED OIL Botanical Name: Borago officinalis Aroma: Sweet and light Texture: Thin to medium, somewhat oily on the skin Color: Light yellow Additional Info: Excellent for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Borage oil can go rancid quickly. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of borage oil with another carrier oil. CALENDULA OIL Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis Aroma: Spicey sweet aroma Texture: Thin Color: Yellow to Amber Additional Info: CALENDULA OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN ALLERGY TO RAGWEED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Comes from the Marigold and works well blended with Sweet Almond Oil. Great for reducing inflammation. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of calendula oil with another carrier oil. CARROT SEED OIL Botanical Name: DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA Aroma: Spicy aroma Texture: Medium/thick Color: Yellow to Amber Additional Info: Rich in beta carotene and vitamins A & E, highly beneficial to skin   COCOA BUTTER Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao Aroma: In unrefined cocoa butter it is very sweet and rich with a chocolate aroma. In refined cocoa butter the aroma is not as noticeable. Texture: At room temperature the cocoa butter is solid and difficult to work with and will more than likely break-up into pieces. Color: Tan with a yellow hue Additional Info: In order to use the cocoa butter it will be necessary to blend it with other oils in order to make it more manageable. It can be used in creams or lotions. COCONUT OIL Aroma: Coconut aroma Texture: Easy to spread and non-oily Color: Light Additional Info: It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of coconut oil with another carrier oil.   EVENING PRIMROSE OIL Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis Aroma: Sweet and light Texture: Thin and its not oily on the skin. Color: Medium yellow Additional Info: Excellent for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Evening Primrose Oil can go rancid quickly. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of evening primrose oil with another carrier oil. Can be used in creams. GRAPESEED OIL Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera Aroma: Sweet, light, with a small nutty aroma. Texture: Thin fine texture, leaving no oily residue Color: Almost clear with a tiny hint of yellow/green. Additioanl Info: Inexpensive. May have some trace amounts of chemical solvent in the oil because of the manner in which it is extracted. It has the possibility of turning rancid quickly. If it is stored in a dark bottle in a cool dark area, you may not have any problems with rancidity. Blends well with Avocado Oil. HAZELNUT OIL Botanical Name: Corylus avellana Aroma: Nutty, light and slightly sweet Texture: Thin and is slightly oily on the skin Color: Pale yellow Additional Info: I've found this is an excellent oil for those with oily skin. Helps to prevent dehydration of the skin. JOJOBA OIL Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis Aroma: Light and nearly odorless Texture: Silky and usually absorbs well on the skin. Can feel waxey. Color: Yellow Additional Info: This oil is really a wax. It usually does not go rancid very quickly. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of jojoba oil with another carrier oil. Great skin conditioner for most skin types. KUKUI OIL Botanical Name: Aleurites moluccana Aroma: Nutty, light and sweet aroma Texture: Thin and its not oily on the skin. Color: Clear with a slightly yellow hue Additional Info: Excellent for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Kukui Oil can go rancid quickly. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of kukui oil with another carrier oil. MACADAMIA NUT OIL Botanical Name: Macadamia integrifolia Aroma: More aromatic than other nut oils and is very sweet. Texture: Because it is a thicker oil, it will leave an oily film on the skin. Color: Clear with a slight yellow hue Additional Info: Blend a 10% dilution of macadamia nut oil with another carrier oil. OLIVE OIL Botanical Name: Olea europaea Aroma: Smells like olives. Texture: Heavy and oily. Color: Use the greenest oil you can possibly purchase. The greener the oil, the closer it is to pure cold pressed. Additional Info: May be blended with a 10% dilution of olive oil with another carrier oil. POMEGRANATE SEED OIL Botanical Name:Punica granatum Aroma: Light and nearly odorless Texture:Thin and slightly oily on the skin Color:Clear Additional Info: Can be applied under eyes without dilution with any oil.   PUMPKIN SEED OIL   Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo Aroma: Light and nearly odorless Texture:Medium and slightly oily on the skin Color:Clear/ pale yellow Additional Info: The oil produced from the pumpkin seeds is reputed for it extraordinary wealth of vitamins A, E, C and K- excellent combination for the skin.   PEANUT OIL Botanical Name: Arachis hypogeae Aroma: Light with a slighty nutty aroma Texture: Thick and is very oily on the skin. Color: Clear Additional Info: PEANUT OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN ALLERGY TO PEANUTS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. It is used in some massage oil blends. Always let your massage therapist know if you are allergic to peanuts before the massage begins just in case they use a peanut oil blend. Peanut oil is generally Good for those who have arthritic conditions. PECAN OIL Botanical Name: Carya pecan Aroma: Extremely light with nutty aroma. Texture: Medium and slightly oily on the skin. Color: Clear Additional Info: It has the possibility of turning rancid quickly. If it is stored in a dark bottle in a cool dark area, you may not have any problems with rancidity. ROSEHIP OIL Botanical Name: Rosa mosqueta Aroma: Mild with an earthy aroma. Texture: Light and leaves the skin slightly oily Color: Clear Additional Info: Excellent for treating skin conditions such as psoriasis. Rose Hip Oil can go rancid quickly. Contains Vitamins A,C, E. It is also expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of evening primrose oil with another carrier oil. SESAME OIL Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum Aroma: Medium, sweet, and nutty. Texture: Slightly thick and leaves the skin slightly oily Color: Pale yellow Additional Info: May be blended with a 10% dilution of sesame oil with another carrier oil. Good calcium source. SHEA BUTTER Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii Aroma: Nutty aroma Texture: Solid and workable at room temperature. May leave a waxy feeling on the skin. Color: Cream colored Add'l Info: Typically used in lotions and creams SUNFLOWER OIL Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus Aroma: Sweet and light Texture: Thin with no oiliness on the skin Color: Clear with a yellow hue Add'l Info: Go for the unrefined sunflower oil. WALNUT OIL Aroma: Rich and with a nutty aroma Texture: Delicate Color: Light Add'l Info: It is expensive, so you can blend a 10% dilution of walnut oil with another carrier oil. WHEATGERM OIL Aroma: Wheat aroma and slightly nutty Texture: Thick and sticky Color: Golden orange-brown Add'l Info: WHEATGERM OIL SHOULD NOT BE USED BY ANYONE THAT HAS AN ALLERGY TO WHEAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. High in Vitamin E which gives powerful healing properties. Usually included in a blend for preservation and anti-oxidative properties. Because of this you can blend a 10% dilution of wheatgerm oil with another carrier oil. If it is blended with preferably almond or grapeseed oil, then use 25% wheatgerm to 75% almond or grapeseed.

 

 

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are distilled from leaves, barks, roots, flowers and other aromatic parts of a plant or tree. Essential oils are more potent than carrier oils and if applied to the skin undiluted can cause severe irritation or allergic reaction. Therefore, essential oils are mixed with carrier oils to dilute potency. Additionally carrier oils carry the essential oil too the skin, thus the term carrier oil.

    

Essential oils, also referred to as "essences", are botanical extracts of various plant materials, and do not only originate from flowers, but from herbs, trees and various other plant material.

There are also certain safety precautions to be followed in the use of essential oils, such as never to use pure, undiluted essential oils on the skin.

Use of essential oils:

• Air freshening
• Bathing, Jacuzzis, showers, saunas
• Compresses
• Foot and hand baths
• Hair care 
• Massage
• Sitz bath
• Skin care
• Steam inhalations 
  
  
  
  
  
  In Skin Care, essential oils are diluted with various carrier oils. There are more than 100 essential oils, but here I will mention the most popular ones used in skin care.
  
  
  
  ESSENTIAL OILS (used in Natural Skin Care)
  
  Chamomile: An excellent skin cleanser. Good for dry and itchy skin, eases puffiness and strengthens tissues. Smooth out broken capillaries thus improving skin elasticity.
  
  Geranium: A good overall skin cleanser. Wonderful oil for mature and troubled skin and brings a radiant glow and promotes circulation. Safety Precautions: Geranium essential oil is well tolerated by most individuals, but since it helps in balancing the hormonal system, care must be taken during pregnancy.
  
  Lavender: Useful for all skin types as it promotes growth of new cells and exerts a balancing effect on the sebum (oil glands). Has a healing effect on burns, sunburns, acne, eczema and psoriasis.
  
  Lemon: Brightens pale and dull complexions by removing dead skin cells. Has an effective cleansing action on oily skin. Note this oil is photo toxic; care should be taken to avoid exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet light and sun beds after application.
  
  Neroli: Useful for dry, sensitive and mature skin as it helps with regeneration of cells and improves elasticity. Helps reduce the appearance of varicose veins, scarring and stretch marks.
  
  Rose: Particularly good for mature, dry, or sensitive skin. As a tonic it is a soothing quality for inflammation and constricting action on capillaries.
  
  Rosemary: Helpful for sagging skin as it is a strong astringent. Tones and tightens the skin. Has a stimulating effect on the uterus, so do not use if pregnant.
  
  Sandalwood: A balancing oil and good for dehydrated skin, and dry eczema. Provides a softening affect and makes a great neck cream when mixed with cocoa butter.
  
  Ylang Ylang: Has a balancing effect on sebum so useful for both oily and dry skin types. 

•  You will find my homemade serum recipes which are prepared with these oils in one of my other posts called DIY Face Serums.