
Carrier oils are very important in Skincare applications
Combing both Carrier oils and essential oils is very essential for skincare applications therapeutically, as they offer excellent properties emollients, protective & nourishing the skin. They are used to dilute essential oils in various applications.
Here are some properties :
- Holistic skin Care
- Dilute Essential oils
- Vitamin A – E – D
- Fatty acids
- Health
- Tone
- Elasticity
Carrier oils examples :
1- Vegetable oils
2- Nut and seed oils
3- Herbal infused oils
Carrier oils components and properties
Sterols
Similar in function to cholesterol, great for skin repair
Waxes
Emollient, Jojoba is a great example
Hydrocarbons
Squalene is an example of protecting skin from UV rays
Tocopherol Vitamin E
An excellent Antioxidant, protect skin against pollutant
Vitamin D
Building healthy bones and cell protection
Lecithin
Emulsifying used in creams and lotions, great for cellular membranes
Fatty Acids
An important part of the membranes, our bodies do not produce them, so we need to get them topically or through food
Linoleic Acid
Build membranes that surround cells
Oleic Acid
protect from damaging effects of heat and sun
Skin Types and Carrier oils
Dry and sensitive skin
Avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, wheat germ oil, almond (sweet) nut oil, kukui (candlenut) oil, macadamia nut oil, green coffee oil, jojoba oil, marula oil, linseed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, olive oil
Oily, combination, acne skin
Babassu oil, chaulmoogra oil, baobab oil, sesame oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, linseed oil, rosehip seed oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil
Mature skin, with the signs of aging rice bran oil, wheat germ oil, corn germ oil, soybean oil, rosehip seed oil, green coffee oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sesame oil, argan oil
The skin of children and infants’ sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, linseed oil, olive oil
Carrier oils:
Sweet Almond oil
Amygdalus communis L.
Historically, almond oil had been used in Ancient Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Greco–Persian schools of Medicine to treat dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Further, it is through anecdotal evidence and clinical experiences that almond oil seemingly reduces hypertrophic scarring post-operatively soothes and rejuvenates the skin. Almond oil has emollient and sclerosant properties and, therefore, has been used to improve complexion and skin tone. Further studies looking into the use of almond oil post-operatively for the reduction of scarring are suggested(1)
According to the studies using Raman spectroscopy, which assesses penetration and occlusive properties of substances applied externally to the skin, sweet almond oil penetrates only the most external layers of stratum corneum. Moreover, it is capable of forming the skin surface film, which protects against excessive loss of water comparably to paraffin oil Oleum Amygdala rum is a valuable well- absorbed substance in cosmetology, which does not induce the effect of heaviness and has moisturizing, lipid-replenishing, soothing and protective properties. It is indicated for the child`s skin, in cases of cracked hands and feet and chapped lips It is particularly recommended for aromatherapy massages of dry and normal skin as well as sensitive and easily irritable skin. Combined with avocado and jojoba oils, sweet almond oil is excellent for extremely dry and damaged skin(2)
Olive oil
Olea europaea L
Olive oil obtained from common olive (belongs to the Oleaceae family. It contains palmitic acid (11.5%), oleic acid (72.8%), linoleic acid (10.8%), and linolenic acid (0.2%) [25]. The phenolic compounds contained in olive oil show several biological activities [26]. Olive oil and its beneficial properties were well known to the ancient world.
Olive oil was used for care as its external application affected the skin elasticity and protected against UV radiation. In ancient Greece, massage with olive oil was used for therapeutic purposes as an analgesic and as a preventive measure for averting sports injuries. It was believed that massages based on olive oil used after physical activity resulted in faster recovery of athletes Thanks to its properties,
Olive oil contains bioactive compounds and is therefore used for topical external folk treatments, e.g., as a remedy for dermatitis, eczema, xerosis, other types of inflammation, have soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin moisturizing effects it has nurturing properties, especially in cases of dry and destroyed skin, and shows therapeutic effects when used for massages.(2)
Coconut Oil
Cocos nucifera
Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skin, including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Fortunately, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin from the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of the skin. It also delays the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of skin which normally accompany aging. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin infection. For that exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredients of various body care products like soaps, lotions, and creams that are used for skin care. Coconut oil also helps in preventing premature aging and degenerative disease due to its well-known antioxidant properties.
Fractionated coconut oil
Making fractionated coconut oil is a lengthy process. By heating coconut oil above its melting point, the long-chain fatty acids and lauric acid can be removed from the rest of the mixture. Because these two elements have a higher melting point than the medium-chain fatty acids, they turn from liquid to solid at a quicker rate. The solid fraction of the oil can be removed, and the liquid oil remains. The result is a tasteless and odorless liquid coconut oil, best used as a moisturizer, hair oil, and massage oil. Fractionated coconut oil sinks into your skin quickly and is less likely to clog your pores than normal coconut oil(4)
Jojoba
Simmondsia Chinensis
Jojoba extract, while commonly referred to as “jojoba oil”, is actually a liquid wax. The liquid wax esters in jojoba are the closest thing in the plant world to the sebum our skin produces, which makes jojoba incredibly compatible with our skin.
Jojoba is nontoxic, nonallergenic (the extract is pressed from a seed, not a nut, and is safe for consumers with nut allergies), and noncomedogenic , meaning it will not clog the pores thanks to its compatibility with our sebum. Being a liquid wax with very low levels of triglycerides, jojoba does not easily oxidize, making it remarkably shelf-stable and able to withstand heat without any loss in its properties, unlike most plant oils.
which is a valuable raw material used in industry, especially in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical ones, and in medicine. Jojoba oil is the only natural source of wax esters. Moreover, it contains high amounts of tocopherols, which affects its antioxidative and radiation-protective properties. The nurturing effects of jojoba wax are associated with its high content of squalene, which has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiradical properties. Due to its similarity to natural sebum, jojoba oil is widely used in the cosmetic industry It is recommended for dry and sensitive skin as well as oily and mature skin. Oleum Jojoba is an important element of skincare preparations having moisturizing, protective, nourishing, and soothing action. Applied externally jojoba oil leads to a semi-occlusion of the skin surface, maintains moisture in the skin, and reduces TEWL Its role in cosmetic formulations is essential due to its excellent penetrating properties, high stability, and resistance to oxidation. Jojoba wax increases absorption, stabilizes and prolongs the durability of other ingredients of preparations, including plant oils and butter. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects, it is also used in therapeutic preparations for acne, dandruff, burns, including sunburns, and hard-to-heal wounds.(5)
(1) Zeeshan Ahmad,The uses and properties of almond oil, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 16, Issue 1,
2010, Pages 10-12, ISSN 1744-3881,
(2) Michalak, Monika. (2019). The use of carrier oils in aromatherapy massage and their effect on skin. 22. 23-31.
(3) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp: (124-126), Month: October – December 2014, ISSN 2348-313X
(4)https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-fractionated-coconut-oil
(5) Michalak, Monika. (2019). The use of carrier oils in aromatherapy massage and their effect on skin. 22. 23
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