If you’re using essential oils to beautify yourself ;) & making DIY beauty products, then you’ll need to be familiar with carrier oils & butters!
What is a carrier oil?
It’s a liquid oil that carries, spreads, & evenly distributes other ingredients into the skin.
What is a butter?
It’s a solid oil with moisturizing ingredients that pamper & nourish the skin.
Both have many skin benefits!
These are two quick & easy explanations of what they are. There’s tons of detailed information available out there so please check into them on your own ☺ Remember, they’re also helpful for diluting essential oils!
You can combine carrier oils & butters together in DIY recipes with your favorite essential oils. You can also use them completely by themselves if you want. You know your skin & what it needs better than anyone else.
When I look for ingredients for my DIY recipes, it’s important that they nourish the skin & don’t clog pores. I know there are many types on the market but I lean toward certain ones.
Organic, cold pressed, raw & unrefined are all key to me. Raw & unrefined basically mean the same thing. Unrefined is usually the liquids & raw is the butters.
It’s important to note that chemicals are used to refine things so that’s one of the reasons I steer clear. Cold pressed & unrefined means all the good beneficial properties are still there. I have learned a few things all these years about choosing a more natural & pure lifestyle;
~Don’t skimp on the product & know your source
~Quality = pay a bit more
~Cheap = synthetics & not worth it
My Top 6 Organic, Cold Pressed & Unrefined Carrier Oils
(All organic, cold pressed & unrefined)
Coconut Oil
-Good for all skin types
-Moisturizing
-Full of fatty acids, protein, and vitamin E
-Has antioxidant properties
-Promotes cellular health and rejuvenates and strengthens skin
Some find it helpful to mix this oil with a carrier oil to help with absorption.
Jojoba Oil
-Excellent for all skin types
-Absorbs well and does not clog pores
-Conditioning and non-greasy
-High in proteins, minerals, vitamin E
-Has antioxidant properties
-Nourishes hair follicles allowing oxygen in
Avocado Oil
-Thicker oil for damaged, dry, wrinkled skin
-Promotes collagen production and nourishes and deeply moisturizes
-Has essential fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin A, D, and E
-High in proteins, minerals, vitamin E
-Has antioxidant properties
It's better to use a small amount with another carrier oil for better absorption as well as using it before bed.
Argan Oil
-Good for all skin types
-Absorbs well and does not clog pores
-Light, absorbs well, and deeply hydrates
-Full in nutrients, fatty acids, and vitamin E
-Has antioxidant properties
-Balances skin and is good for wrinkles
-Very concentrated so a little bit goes a long
Rosehip Seed Oil
-Delicate oil that needs to be refrigerated
-Great for dry, dehydrated, scarred, or aging/wrinkled skin
-High in essential fatty acids
-Soaks in easy but its helpful to use a carrier oil
Use with care if your skin runs on the oily side.
Apricot Kernel Oil
-Good for sensitive, mature, and dry skin
-Calming, softening, and moisturizing
-Absorbs easily
-Rich in healthy fats and vitamin E and A
My Top 3 Organic, Raw Cold Pressed Butters
(All organic, cold pressed & raw)
*Butters need another liquid carrier oil to absorb. Melt them on low heat & remove immediately. You can place them in the refrigerator until they just start to form & then whip with a mixer. This will make them light & fluffy.
For me, butters need a little Beeswax! Beeswax is in its own category all together.
Organic Beeswax
-Protects skin while allowing it to breathe
-Helps all lotions and lip balms absorb
-Moisturizes, softens and provides a protective barrier
-Hydrates, calms, and soothes skin
-Contains Vitamin A, supports cells, improves and conditions skin texture, and doesn’t clog pores
Shea Butter
-Good for dry, rough, and aging skin
-Deeply moisturizing and restores cells
-High in essential fatty acids, Vitamin A and E, healthy omegas, minerals, and natural antioxidants
Mango Butter
-Good for wrinkled, damaged, and dry skin
-Repairing, nourishing, and moisturizing without being greasy
-Contains essential fatty acids and Vitamin A and C
-Encourages collagen production
Cocoa Butter
-Moisturizing, rich, and creamy texture that leaves a protective barrier on the skin
-Contains antioxidants, Vitamin e, and minerals