This is list of all the questions you ever wanted to ask about natural plant oils or carrier oils in aromatherapy.
Every carrier oil differs in its shelf life. How long carrier oils will last will depend on source and preservation methods. In general virgin oils of Coconut, Neem, Castor, and Jojoba will last over 2 years. Whereas, carrier oils like sweet almond and Sesame seed oil will last around a year. Check the complete list of shelf life of carrier oils here.
Moreover, you can actually mix oils to extend their shelf life, like by mixing coconut oil in the sweet almond oil will make it last longer.
Best carrier oil for essential oils depends on your application and requirement. For example, if you are topically applying it on the face than Sweet Almond or Jojoba carrier oils are best for essential oils due to their fast absorption and moisturizing properties. You can find the best carrier oils application-wise from our chart here.
Sweet Almond oil is the best carrier oil for dry skin. Other carrier oils that you can use are Coconut and Hemp seed oil. They contain excellent moisturizing properties to keep your skin hydrated. Furthermore, they create a protective layer on the skin which protects you from sun rays to some extent.
Hair growth includes two steps, reducing hair loss and improving hair health. Therefore, the best carrier oils for hair growth are sweet almond and coconut oil. But you need to make sure they are not refined oils for best results. If you have dry hair then use castor oil or jojoba oil for head massage for increasing lubrication.
Jojoba oil is one of the best carrier oil for oily skin due to its non-stickiness and fast absorption. Other than that Black seed (cumin) oil is excellent for oily skin due to its high linoleic acid content. Furthermore, black cumin seed oil prevents and fight acne.
The best oils for dry scalp and dandruff are sweet almond and coconut oils. They provide moisturization and defend against fungal infections. Various experts also suggest mixing a little neem oil or Tea tree oil in them to further improve hair and scalp health.
However, the best essential oil for dandruff is Peppermint oil. It shows excellent results against dandruff-causing bacteria.
Food grade Grapeseed oil shelf life is generally 2 years from the packing date. Even though, it will last longer if you are using it topically. Grape-seeds are a byproduct of wines. However, grapeseed oil is highly useful in skincare and haircare. This oil contains linoleic acid which makes a protective barrier on the skin.
There are many natural virgin oils that can help you fight dandruff. However, dandruff is not caused by dryness or lack of oil. If you are fighting with dandruff then do not leave the oil in hair for more than 1 hour. Even you should mix tea tree or neem oil for more effective results. Both of these oils are anti-fungal, which fights microbes causing dandruff.
So, the best oils for dandruff are Tea tree and Neem oil mixed with carrier oils like coconut, jojoba, or sesame seed oil.
Tea tree oil has strong anti-fungal properties which can help you fight fungus (pityrosporum ovale) which causes dandruff. Research has shown that tea tree oil can kill dandruff to a good extent. Tea tree base shampoo was 41% more effective against dandruff against shampoo without it.
Neem oil is very effective in personal care. It is a natural pesticide to control pests and diseases. Now it is an important component of cosmetics and personal care products. Even though Neem oil is a carrier oil in aromatherapy, you should always use it in small quantities. It is effective even in small doses. Mix it with other oils before applying it topically.
In aromatherapy, as a best practice, you should always do a patch test for oils on your hand before using them. Best carrier oil for sensitive skin is flaxseed oil. There is some research that shows that flaxseed oil reduces skin sensitivity and improves skin condition by creating a barrier. This property repairs your skin against the daily damages.
First of all, pour and mix all of the carrier oils together in a beaker and keep stirring. After that slowly add drops of essential oils while continuing to stir. After that keep the blend in an airtight container and leave it at least overnight to settle down before using. If you are preparing a blend for topical use or massage, you should not mix more than 2-3% of essential oils in carrier oil by volume.
