The 7 Best Carrier Oils For Your Skin and Haircare Routine & How To Use Them

Carrier oils are naturally derived vegetable oils from the fatty portion of plant based sources such as seeds, kernels or nuts. Each carrier oil has their own unique properties and benefits. They may be used alone or with other oils to nourish your skin and with essential oils.

Find out how to blend them with other carrier oils and essentials here in our Guide to Carrier Oils.

If you want to find out more about Essential Oils, you can find out How To Use and Blend Essential Oils In Your DIY Cleaning & Beauty Routine.

The 7 Best Carrier Oils For Your Skin and Haircare Routine

Apricot Oil

Cold Pressed Organic Apricot Oil, 100ml, £18.00

Benefits: Dry skin, under eye and cleansing oil, face oil

• Rich in Vitamins A, C, E & K as well as Omega 3,6,9 essential fatty acids.
• Non greasy great face and body moisturiser for all skin types, including oily complexions.
• Supports healthy collagen and elastin keeping the skin looking soft and supple.
• Perfect as a carrier oil with an essential oil of your choice.
• Comedogenic rating: 2

Argan oil

Cold Pressed Organic Argan Oil, 100ml, £18.00

• Rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, Vitamin A & E.
• Penetrates the hair follicles and keeps the hair moisturised.
• May help reduce fine line & wrinkles
• Helpful for breakouts and acne scars.
• May help reduce stretch marks and improves skin hydration.
• Comedogenic rating: 0

Evening Primrose oil

Cold Pressed Organic Evening Primrose Oil, 100ml, £20.00

• Contains Gamma Linoleic acid (GLA)
• Rich source of Omega 6 fatty acids, commonly used for women to relieve PMS symptoms.
• Known to be a good choice for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
• Comedogenic rating: 2

Hemp Seed Oil

Cold Pressed Organic Hemp Oil, 100ml, £16.00

Benefits: Dry skin, acne, skin healing, face oil, body oil

• Rich sources of Omega 3 fatty acids and Gamma Linoleic acids (GLA).
• Reduces inflammation, hydrates, regulates oil production.
• Locks in hydration and attracts moisture.
• Comedogenic rating: 0

Jojoba oil

Cold Pressed Organic Jojoba Oil, 100ml, £18.00

Benefits: dry skin, sensitive skin, acne, stretch marks and scars, under eye and cleansing, baby oil, face oil, body oil and hair.

• Naturally hypoallergenic oil
• Balancing oil for both dry and oily skin
• Rich in Vitamin E
• Suitable for skin and hair
• Comedogenic rating: 2

Rosehip Oil

Cold Pressed Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, 100ml, £20.00

Benefits Anti ageing and fine lines, stretch marks and scars, boost skin and elasticity, under eye and cleansing, face oil.

• Rich in Vitamin A, E and Essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
• Very dry & thin oil, it softens & hydrates the skin deeply.
• Great for sun damaged and pigmented skin.
• Helps treat scaly, irritated and dry skin conditions.
• Skin regeneration.
• Comedogenic rating: 1

Sweet Almond Oil

Cold Pressed Organic Sweet Almond Oil, 100ml, £18.00

Benefits: Dry skin, sensitive skin, stretch marks and scars, baby oil, face oil, body oil.

• Excellent emollient.
• Soften and re-condition the skin.
• Extremely nourishing, it is rich in proteins, vitamin D and essential fatty acids.
• Sooth dry and irritated skin.
• Great carrier oil.
• Comedogenic rating: 2

DIY Beauty - Quick Buy

To make it easier for you, here are the best carrier oils for the following:

• Cleanser: Apricot, Jojoba, Rosehip.
• Face Oil (Oily/Acne prone skin): Argan, Evening Primrose, Hemp, Jojoba.
• Face Oil (dry skin): Apricot, Evening Primrose, Hemp, Jojoba., Sweet Almond.
• Face Oil (Mature skin): Argan, Rosehip.
• Sensitive Skin: Jojoba, Sweet Almond.
• Body/Bath Oil: Hemp, Jojoba, Sweet Almond.
• Massage: Sweet Almond , Apricot.
• Babies Skin: Sweet Almond.
• Hair: Argan, Jojoba.

How To Use Carrier Oils in Your Skincare Routine

Cleansing Oil

1. Base Cleansing Oil: Ideally, the base of your oil cleansing mix should be an oil with cleansing and antibacterial properties such as Castor Oil. Start with 30% of your whole formulation. If you do not have Castor Oil, you can use Olive Oil (make sure it is a good quality extra-virgin organic olive oil).

2. Core Oil: Choose the oil that works best for your skin type. Add up to 50% of this oil to your cleansing oil base. Depending on your skin type, you could choose between hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil etc. If you want, you can also mix two different oils at 25% each.

3. Luxury Oil: Finally, for the remaining 20% you could add a more luxurious oil with unique properties. These are normally more expensive but can truly top up and complement your oil blend, for example argan, jojoba, evening primrose oil or rosehip oil. If you prefer to stick to using only your base & core oil/s, simply up your Base & core oil percentage by 20%.

4. Essential Oil: This is also entirely optional and I would skip this step if you have very sensitive skin. If you want to include essential oils, add up to 1% maximum of essential oils of your total recipe. A 1% dilution is 6 drops per 30ml.

Choose essential oils based on their unique properties. Bear in mind that citrus essential oils contain photosensitizers, so make sure to wear them at night or avoid any sun exposure.

Facial Oil

1. Base Oil: We recommend starting with 80% jojoba oil and then find the oil that will give you that glow, specific and suitable to your skin type. (See above for recommendations).

2. Core Oil: 20% based on your skip type and intended benefits.

3. Essential Oils: Essential oils boost the healing properties of your skin oil and have regenerating and toning properties. Not only are they easily absorbed into your skin, but they also improve the texture, fee and look of your skin!  This is also entirely optional step and I would skip this step if you have very sensitive skin. If you want to include essential oils, add up to 2.5% maximum of essential oils of your total recipe. A 1% dilution is 6 drops per 30ml.

Body & Bath Oil

1. Base Oil: Choose 1 or 2 carrier oils. Either use a carrier oil on it's own or mix 50/50 with another based on your skin type and intended benefits.

2. Essential Oil: If you want to include essential oils, add up to 3% maximum of essential oils of your total recipe. A 1% dilution is 6 drops per 30ml.