Top 5 Carrier Oils for Glowing Natural Skincare
You may have wondered to yourself, what exactly are Carrier Oils? If you landed here at this post anyways lol.
If you are committed to a natural lifestyle or looking to give your beauty routine a natural overhaul, then getting the lowdown on carrier oils is an absolute must!
You may already use carrier oils and not really be aware of it. Ever use coconut oil? Yes, maybe? Well if you answered yes, you've already begun using them so let's add a couple of more into the mix.
A Whole New World
I really did not know a thing about these wonderful substances until about 8 years ago when I started making my own beauty products.
To me, Olive Oil was for the kitchen and Avocado was a magical fruit that made everything taste better. But an oil for your skin, it was not lol.
I'll tell you it was like a whole new world opened up when I began deep diving into the magic of carrier oils.
So, What are Carrier Oils?
Carrier oils are base oils derived from the nuts and seeds of various plant life.
These oils are versatile, great for all skin types, and have a ton of benefits attached to them. Figure out the right combinations of oils that are ideal for your skin and you'll only be sad you didn't discover them sooner :)
Carrier Oils: The Rundown
average 6-12 month life span (some last longer)
some may be stored in fridge for longer life
store in cool dry place
zero to mild aromas (mostly)
rarely cause skin reactions (patch test still recommended)
perfect for diluting essential oils
they do not evaporate like essential oils
wonderful moisturizers
natural skin protecters
may be used on their own or mixed with other oils
safe to be put directly unto the skin
use for both skin & hair care
food grade and cosmetic grade oils are NOT the same
a little goes a long way! For real though.
My Top 5 for Natural Skincare
1. COCONUT
perfect for normal, sensitive, oily & acne prone skin
contains Vitamin A & E - natural anti-oxidants
add to bath for extra moisturizer and relaxation
put over cuts and scrapes for protection (in place of Neosporin)
absorbs quickly into skin
reduces bacteria on the skin
combats acne
great for cuticle care
works well in lip balms & facial scrubs
use a small amount on ends of hair to contain frizz and split ends
2 year - indefinite shelf life
Notes: I would highly recommend using fractionated coconut oil for skin care as opposed to virgin(or un-fractionated). It is not as oily and easier to work with. The fractionated oil is also less likely to clog pores (virgin is actually known to clog pores for some). It also has almost no scent and an indefinite shelf life. Still all natural and with the same benefits as virgin (more beneficial in some ways), it's a no brainer :)
2. OLIVE
great for dry skin
likely you have some already in your kitchen!
contains Vitamins A, D & E - antioxidants, combats aging, provides protection
has natural healing and disinfecting properties
helps repair and renew skin
can aid in healing burns & fade scars
treats itchy skin
slightly thicker consistency so may leave skin feeling oily
softens hair - mix a little in with your conditioner
6 month shelf life
Notes: There are many many Olive Oils on the market which means many are not great quality. Purchase the highest quality available to you, organic if possible.
3. SWEET ALMOND
perfect for normal, sensitive, mature, acne-prone & dry skin
rich in Vitamin E
extremely moisturizing
promotes skin regeneration
encourages younger looking skin
wonderful consistency for massage oils
hypo-allergenic
reduces under eye circles - dab a little on before bedtime
soothes skin irritations
creates healthy, shiny hair - rub a bit through your freshly washed locks
1 year shelf life
Notes: Avoid if you have any nut allergies.
4. AVOCADO
perfect for dry, sensitive and mature skin
full of omega 3's, vitamins A, D & E just like the fruit
great overall moisturizer
soothes inflammation
aids in healing sun damage & eczema
minimizes age spots & blemishes
reduces under eye wrinkles
ideal for mature skin - boosts collagen
incredibly nourishing
can treat dry scalp & fights hair loss
6-12 month shelf life
5. GRAPESEED
perfect for normal, acne prone, sensitive and oily skin
extremely versatile
one of the lightest carrier oils - easily absorbed
has antioxidant properties - helps to clean and purify skin
another good option for massage oil
full of vitamin C - helps brighten the skin
helps to regulate oily skin
natural antiseptic properties
non-greasy on skin
1 year shelf life
BONUS OIL: Jojoba
perfect for dry, oily and mature skin
contains Vitamins E - for fighting wrinkles & acne
contains Vitamin B - helps maintain hormonal balance & fights off cell damage
keeps oil levels balanced
great make-up remover
provides natural skin protection
aids in healing wounds
leaves hair soft and shiny - mix a few drops into conditioner before applying
helps treat dandruff
1 year shelf life
Example Carrier Oil Combos
Mixing 2 oils together will create a fabulous face serum or overall moisturizer. 80/20 or 70/30 ratios are a nice place to start. Think of your skin type and the areas/issues you want to target and go from there. I have included a few potential mixes here to get you started!
Normal Skin Blend: 70% Sweet Almond, 30% Coconut
Dry Skin Blend:80% Sweet Almond, 20% Olive (Olive is a thicker oil so I would use less)
Mature Skin Blend: 70% Jojoba, 30% Avocado
Oily Skin Blend: 70% Jojoba, 30% Grapeseed
Acne-Prone Skin Blend: 70% Grapeseed, 30% Sweet Almond
Sensitive Skin Blend: 70% Coconut, 30% Avocado
Glass roller bottles or bottles with a dropper work really well here.
Combine oils in bottle and shake for about 30 seconds to mix the oils together. Apply small drop to your fingertip and gently massage into forehead, cheeks and chin. I would do this each night before bed. Eh voila!
These are just ideas! The combination possibilities are endless.
You can always just use one as well. Remember you will likely need to try a few things to see which oils and blends work best for you.
You could also do blends to just address under the eyes, or acne, or dry patches. We are all unique!
There are also some pricier, extra nourishing and more heavy duty oils you may want to check out to add into your mix. Especially if treating acne-prone or mature skin. Rosehip, Tamanu (one of my favs!), Pumpkinseed and Sea Buckthorn to name just a few.
Summing up....
The plethora of benefits listed here should be enough to convince you to add a couple of carrier oils to your routine (or 5 or 10!). If I did my job that is lol.
Of course you do not need to add them all to your regime by any means. It will take a bit of experimenting to find the right oil or oil combinations to give the most benefit to your particular skin.And we all have budgets to consider.
Remember though this is your skin we are dealing with, so going for quality is always a good idea.If you have the option to buy just one better grade oil or a few cheap ones, get just the better one!
Be sure to purchase oils that are high quality, cold pressed, pure, unrefined, and with no additives. The ones I have put on this list are relatively easy to find and well priced. They can be purchased at your local natural or health food store as well as many places online.
Thoughts
Do you have any favourite carrier oils or are they brand new to you? Do you have any favourite tips or tricks?
As always, I love hearing from you and connecting with this beautiful community. Leave a comment, explore my socials, or send me a message, I promise I’m ridiculously easy to find.
If you’re looking to connect further with your inner magic, daily ritual inspiration, and guidance for living in tune with the seasons, I invite you to join us inside the Wholesome Circle Spellbook. It’s a welcoming space for modern witches who want a consistent, meaningful spiritual practice woven into everyday life.You can also join me on YouTube, where I share weekly videos filled with rituals, reflections, and inspiration for magical living.
And if you’d like even more magical inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter so you never miss a post. You’ll also receive exclusive freebies, updates, and special subscriber discounts along the way.
Sending many blessings.
Yours in health and magic,
Krystle xo
