Carrier oils are oils or fats that are used as a base to dilute essential oils for application to the skin. Carrier oils also provide lubrication, making it easy to apply an essential oil to larger areas of skin, such as in a massage. Carrier oils can be any type of oil, but those that are most preferred for aromatherapy use are expeller pressed vegetable oils. Sweet almond oil is one of the most popular skin care carrier oils because it can be used on all types of skin and is very economical.

Many natural vegetable oils have nourishing, skin-softening and skin-healing properties. When choosing carrier oils, you can match the properties of the carrier oil to your skin type benefits of the essential oil to be applied. For example, when making massage oil for dry skin, you might choose frankincense or carrot seed essential oil in a base of avocado and olive oils. For oily skin, it would be better to choose grapeseed or jojoba as carrier oils. Other factors to consider when choosing carrier oils for a particular application are the color and the aroma. To make a soothing foot balm, the rich green color and distinctive aroma of an unrefined olive oil might be acceptable but for making a blend for cosmetic use, lighter, odorless oils such as almond or grapeseed are better.

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