Going Au Naturale: Vegetable Carrier Oils

If you’re an essential oil user, you’ll know something about diluting them with pure vegetable carrier oils for application onto the skin.

These delicate substances are very potent — at least 100 times more concentrated than the plants and herbs from which they come.

While many are so mild dilution is not necessary, others require it. So it’s vital to have a good quality carrier oil on hand at all times to ensure general safe use of essential oils in case of sensitivities or accidental contact with mucous membranes.  And for kids, definitely most essential oils should be generously diluted before use (roughly 15 – 30 drops to 30mL / 1oz carrier oil but consult a reference guide or healthcare professional for guidance).

Carrier oils also help piggy-back essential oils and their benefits deeper into the skin, whether applying topically with minimal dilution onto specific areas needing attention, or with a heftier slug of carrier oil to cover more land mass for a full body massage.

But this post is all about the benefits of going au naturale with carrier oils — no essential oils added. 

• Slather them onto your hair then wrap in a hot towel to help absorption. (Note: this is not a great tactic for date nights. Might as well put on a mud pack or avocado mask while you’re at it.)
• Smooth them directly onto your skin to hydrate and nourish. Oil up your feet when you’re in bed then pop on a pair of cotton socks and let them go to work while you snooze. (Again, not a great tactic for date nights.)

If you’re like me, you’ll find it hard to omit essential oils, given how wonderful they are.  But as with vitamins and supplements, too, it’s beneficial to have rest days regularly. So going au naturale is great for pampering and protecting your skin at times like those, and giving your usual skin care lotions and creams a rest as well.

Argan Oil suitable for all skin types, softens and minimises appearance of wrinkles

Also known as ‘liquid gold’, argan oil (Argania spinosa) has been traditionally used for centuries by the Berber women of Morocco for keeping their skin healthy and youthful. It hit the Western limelight by being a key ingredient in the Moroccanoil Treatment product for hair (and a bunch of similar commercial offshoots) which gained cult status amongst celebrities. If you’re comfortable with their ingredient lists, they seem very popular. But if you’re opting for a 100% natural product, organic argan oil on its own works a treat. You only need a very small amount (start with a fingernail-sized dob and assess): warm it between your hands and gently press them through your hair, then you can style as usual. If you still find it a little heavy for your hair, do this before you go to bed or an hour before washing it.

Argan oil has been increasingly finding its way into skincare products, too, being suitable for both dry and oily skin types. It has a lovely lightweight texture, plenty of vitamin A and fatty acids, and twice as much vitamin E as olive oil, making it an excellent weapon against free radicals on the skin and hair. And argan oil includes high levels of squalene, phenolic acid and carotenes. No wonder regular users say it helps soften skin and increase elasticity which also reduces the look of wrinkles. Count me in!

Grape Seed Oil skin-brightening, collagen-protective for ageing skin

Packed with nutrients, grape seed oil (Vitis vinifera) is high in vitamin C, found in many skin-brightening products targeted at evening out skin tone. It’s also high in proanthocyanidins (POCs) for antioxidants, and its collagen-protective properties give ageing skin a helping hand. It may be too greasy for you if you have oily skin. Try it and see.

Sweet Almond Oil gentle and suited to sensitive skin, great for stretch marks

Thanks to its excellent absorption into the skin and suitability for pretty much all skin types, sweet almond oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) is very popular in skin care formulations and massage oils. It has a balancing property and keeps the skin’s natural oil levels in check. And being rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and fatty acids, sweet almond oil is awesome for stretch marks. (If you want to deviate from the ‘au naturale’ version and amplify its benefits, add a little frankincense essential oil.)

If these sound so good that you’re tempted to pool their benefits, Young Living V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex will save you buying a bunch of different carrier oils. It doesn’t include argan oil, but it does combine grape seed and sweet almond with coconut — the powerhouse good oil — plus sesame (used for Ayurvedic massage), wheat germ, sunflower and olive.

Having a quiet night in? Perfect timing to take these tips for a spin !

Enjoy the good oil daily.

The information on this site does not constitute advice. Please consult with your health practitioner. When using any of the products mentioned throughout this site, please be sure to read the labels and follow their suggestions for safe use.