Cold Pressed Vegetable Oils also referred to as base oils or carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying them to the skin in say, a massage. They “carry” the essential oil onto the skin and dilute the essential oil safely.
Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. Some are particularly moisturising, some have a high vitamin content.
Carrier oils as part of our aromatherapy supplies range are 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, if any, as strongly as essential oils. They can, however, go rancid. Our carrier oils are natural and unadulterated. They are additive free, have not been heat treated and contain no chemicals.
Exceptions include buying carrier oils that have natural vitamin E added. Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative. We do not stock any carrier oils that have vitamin E added as a preservative.
Most oils bought in the grocery store are not cold-pressed. Instead, the oils are heated treated, often have preservatives added and therefore have less therapeutic benefit. Mineral oil is not used in aromatherapy because mineral oil is not a natural product. It is a petroleum by product. It is also said that mineral oil can prevent essential oil absorption into the skin.