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Carrier Oils
Derived from seeds, kernels and nuts, our carrier oils help to dilute essential oils, ensuring that they are safely carried onto your skin
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More About Carrier Oils
Offering a diversity of therapeutic properties, Carrier Oils can be used to create an assortment of natural lotions, creams, body oils, bath oils, lip balms and moisturisers, making them the ideal addition to your aromatherapy range.
Essential oils can’t always be used undiluted, so it’s recommended that they’re mixed with an aromatherapy carrier oil. These diluted essential oils are safe to use and even more nutritionally beneficial.
Mixing essential oils with carrier oils, like Almond oil, can reduce the otherwise harsh effects of some of the essential compounds.
Why do I need a carrier oil for essential oils
If you apply pure essential oils to your skin, it can cause irritation and drying of the specific area resulting in further problems. Some extracts can be used neat, but we recommend erring on the side of caution.
To save you time, you can purchase a bottle of prediluted essential oil.
Carrier oil to essential oil ratio
For massage and body oils , use between 15 and 60 drops of essential oil per one ounce of base oil. If using on a child, use no more than 3-6 drops per ounce.
For use on the face , use between 3 drops (sensitive skin) and 15 drops (normal skin) of essential oil per one ounce of base oil.
For creams and lotions , Some essential oils such as tea tree oil and oregano oil are ideal for treating these painful blisters. Peppermint oil for cold sores is great too. Simply dilute a small amount of your favourite essence with a skin-friendly carrier oil like coconut or olive oil to protect from damage, and dab it on to the cold sore with a cotton swab. Be careful not to ingest any though – essential oils can be toxic.
For baths , use between 2 and 12 drops of essential oil or salts to each teaspoon of bath gel or oil.
For steam inhalation (adults only) , use up to 6 drops per ounce of boiling water. Halve the drops for children aged 5+.
For diffusion , check your diffuser’s guidelines.
List of carrier oils
Nut oils: Almond, Macadamia, Seasame
Notes: Avoid if you have nut allergies. Strong smell may overpower softer essential oils. Usually lighter carrier oils and are very moisturising.
Seed oils: Jojoba, Apricot, Peach, Argan, Rosehip, Grape Seed, Sunflower, Mustard, Moringa, Neem, Hemp, Kukui
Notes: Typically has a neutral or delicately nutty scent. Powerfully moisturising. Highly absorbent. Rich in vitamins.
Top Tip: Some seeds may affect those with nut allergies and you may not react well to other oils – do a patch test.
What happens if I don’t use a carrier oil?
Undiluted essential oils can be harmful to the skin causing irritation, dryness, and sensitivity due to their highly-concentrated form. Some are even potentially toxic when undiluted resulting in dermatitis and even burn-like marks.
A few people see no adverse effects when using undiluted oil, but safely thinning will minimise the risk.
Why shop with us?
In the last 170 years, Baldwins has passed from the loving care of George Baldwin whose family helped to establish 12 shops (before downsizing) to the Dagnell's, who have helped Baldwins to flourish into the store you see today: London's oldest and most established Herbalist.
At number 64, our Walworth Road Shops are featured in Time out London’s
100 best shops and we couldn’t be more delighted!
View our Catalogue online or request one to your home.
It is stocked full of our latest oils, beauty products, health foods & gifts.