How to Choose Your Carrier Oil For Skin & Hair

Essential oils are the star ingredient in many DIY beauty and wellness remedies, but carrier oils are just as important. These nourishing plant oils dilute potent essential oils, making them safe for topical use and helping them spread more evenly across the skin. Choosing the best carrier oil for essential oils ensures better skin compatibility, longer-lasting benefits, and a more pleasant sensory experience.

Below, we explore the most popular carrier oils for hair and skin, their unique properties, and how to choose the right one based on your needs.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the most popular carrier oils due to its nourishing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Rich in antioxidants, it helps hydrate dry skin and repair damaged hair. Its tropical scent blends well with citrus and floral essential and carrier oils, making it ideal for balms, body butters, and masks.

Best for: Dry skin, hair masks, affordable skincare
Avoid if: You have acne-prone or oily skin

Avocado Oil

Extracted from the creamy green fruit, avocado oil is thick, vitamin-rich, and deeply moisturising. It’s packed with vitamins A, D, and E and works wonders for irritated or mature skin. It’s also one of the best carrier oils for essential oils used in anti-aging or massage blends.

Best for: Sensitive skin, eczema, mature skin
Avoid if: You prefer fast-absorbing or light-texture formulas

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and absorbs quickly—making it a go-to choice for facial oils, baby skincare, and daily moisturising. It's rich in vitamin E and has a mild nutty scent, which complements floral or citrus essential oil blends beautifully.

Best for: Sensitive skin, lightweight texture
Avoid if: You’re allergic to nuts or want a neutral-scent base

Argan Oil

Known as “liquid gold,” argan oil is deeply regenerative. High in vitamin E and fatty acids, it’s ideal for rejuvenating sun-damaged or acne-prone skin. It also works beautifully as a carrier oil for perfume or facial elixirs thanks to its lightweight yet nutrient-dense composition.

Best for: Haircare, anti-aging, skin repair
Avoid if: You’re creating formulas in bulk on a budget

Final Thoughts

When selecting the best carrier oil for skin or hair, consider your skin type, purpose, and the essential oils you’re using. The right essential and carrier oil combination can enhance absorption, support skin health, and make your DIY blends both safe and effective. From carrier oils for hair masks to carrier oil for perfume, there’s one to suit every use and skin concern.

FAQs

Q. What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is a plant-based oil used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin. It “carries” the essential oil safely into the body while nourishing the skin. Common examples include coconut, sweet almond, and jojoba oils. Carrier oils are essential for avoiding irritation and enhancing the effectiveness of essential oil applications.

Q. How many drops of essential oil per 100ml carrier oil?

Typically, you should add 1–3% essential oil to carrier oil. That’s about 20–60 drops per 100ml of carrier oil. For facial oils, use 1% dilution (20 drops), and for body oils, a 2–3% dilution (40–60 drops) is suitable. Always perform a patch test first to ensure skin compatibility.

Q. Is castor oil a carrier oil?

Yes, castor oil is a carrier oil, though it's thicker and stickier than most. It’s known for its ability to promote hair growth and deeply moisturise dry or flaky skin. It works well in hair and scalp treatments but is usually blended with lighter oils like almond or jojoba for easier application.

Q. How do we use carrier oils?

Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, making them safe for direct skin application. You can use them in facial oils, massage oils, hair masks, scrubs, or perfumes. Simply blend your chosen carrier oil for essential oils with a few drops of essential oil, following dilution guidelines, and apply as needed.