Essential oils are often used by diluting them with carrier oil (sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil) and then applying this blend to the skin for absorption. Essential Oils are usually sold for individual use in very small bottles. Essential oils can vary greatly in quality and price. Factors that can affect the quality and price of the oil include the rarity of the botanical, the country of origin and growing\/climate conditions, quality standards of the distiller, and how much oil is produced by the botanical.<\/p>\n
Essential oils can often be purchased as blends of several essential oils. The advantage if it is a blend of pure essential oils is that you can save from having to buy every essential oil individually. The disadvantage is that you have no control over the blend by not mixing it yourself nor can you reliably mix the blend with other oils.<\/p>\n
Carrier oils (also known as fixed oils and base oils)<\/strong><\/p>\n Essential Oils must be diluted before they are used on the skin and this is done by using carrier oil. The essential oil is mixed with the carrier oil which dilutes the concentrated molecules and this also helps to spread the oil on the skin.<\/p>\n Common Carrier Oils<\/strong><\/p>\n Almond oil – Aloe Vera oil – Apricot kernel oil<\/p>\n Avocado oil – Calendula oil – Evening primrose oil<\/p>\n Grape seed oil – Hazelnut oil – Jojoba oil<\/p>\n Macadamia oil – Rosehip oil – Sesame oil<\/p>\n Walnut oil – Wheat germ oil<\/p>\n Carrier oils should be extracted using the cold pressed method in which no external heat is used to force more oil out.<\/p>\n Diffusers are a great way to use Essential Oils:<\/p>\n