Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Discover how these oils benefit you	Cosmetics & Breast Cancer The darker side of cosmetics
Harmful Chemical Guide A must reference!	Blending Essential Oils Know the categories of these oils
Carrier Oils What are they and how they help us.	Toxins In The Home Commonly overlooked toxic at home
Eczema & Bath Gels The link between the two	Fertility & Cosmetics How cosmetics can affect fertility
Understanding Personal Care & Cosmetics products How these products affects us	Fragrance: Emerging Health & Environmental concerns Fragrance and its damages

Carrier Oils
Vegetable carrier oils, besides being a medium for essential oils, also have health benefits of their own. Hence, choosing the right carrier oils will add to the dynamic nature of aromatherapy, enhancing its benefit. Vegetable carrier oils are generally made up of fatty acid compounds and soluble vitamins A, D, and E, with some contain varying amounts of Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA). The fatty acid compounds are beneficial for reducing cholesterol levels and strengthening cell membranes. These also assist in slowing down aging of skin by resisting attack from free radicals formed.

For best results, always use cold-pressed, unrefined vegetable oil to dilute the essential oils. Generally, the darker the color and the stronger the scent, the less refined is the oil, therefore, the richer is its health giving properties. As each individual skin is unique and exposure to various weathering conditions also affect the skin, try experiment with various combinations of carrier oils.

See below for commonly used carrier oils and their benefits:

Almond oil
Most popular, good source of vitamin D, suitable for all skin types.

Avocado oil
Easily absorbed into deep tissue, suitable for mature oil, can help to relieve dryness and itching of psoriasis and eczema, has a distinctive fruity smell.

Borage oil
Useful for the relief of eczema and psoriasis, and PMS, rich source of GLA.

Carrot oil
Valuable source of beta-carotene, useful for healing scar tissue and soothing acne and irritated skin.

Evening primrose oil
Rich source of GLA, useful for the relief of eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, PMS, and tender breasts, suitable for face treatment, because it is quite sticky, best to mix with lighter oils such as grapeseed, soya, peanut or peachnut.

Grapeseed oil
Suitable for most skin types, since it is mostly available in refined state, best mix with almond oil to enrich the blend.

Hazelnut oil
Has astringent properties, useful for oily and combination skins.

Jojoba oil
Rich in vitamin E, excellent for sensitive and oily skins, penetrates easily, contain anti-bacterial properties, useful for treatment of acne.

Olive oil
Too sticky as carrier oil, a good addition to a blend for mature or dry skin.

Peachnut oil
Rich in vitamin E, good for dedicate skin as it gives elasticity and suppleness, useful for face massage.

Peanut oil
Highly nutritious in unrefined state but rarely available, in refined state, helpful to enrich it with a more nutritious oil.

Safflower oil
Has a light texture and penetrate the skin well, cheap and readily available in an unrefined state, a useful base for a blend.

Sesame oil
Has sun screening properties, is used in sun care preparation.

Sunflower oil
Light oil rich in vitamins and minerals.

Walnut oil
Contains small amount of GLA, has a pleasant, nutty aroma.

Wheat germ oil
Rich in vitamin E, useful for dry and mature skin, has the ability to heal scar tissue, smooth stretch marks and sooth burns, too sticky to be used on its own, add a small amount to a lighter oil.

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