How to Choose a Carrier Oil for Skin and Hair
Which carrier oil is best for skin and hair? Coconut, argan, almond, jojoba and more compared, with how to mix them with essential oils.
In this guide
A carrier oil is a plain plant oil that dilutes essential oils so they are safe to use on your skin and hair. The best carrier oil for you depends on your skin type and what you are making. Sweet almond and argan suit most skin, avocado helps dry and mature skin, and coconut and castor oil are firm favourites for hair.
Key takeaways
- Carrier oils dilute essential oils, help them spread evenly and nourish the skin at the same time.
- For skin: sweet almond for sensitive skin, avocado for dry or mature skin, argan for skin repair.
- For hair growth and thickness: castor oil, coconut oil and argan oil are the most popular choices.
- Use 1% essential oil for the face and 2 to 3% for the body. That is 20 to 60 drops per 100ml of carrier oil.
- Always do a patch test first, and skip nut oils if you have a nut allergy.
What is a carrier oil?
A carrier oil is a plant-based oil, usually pressed from nuts, seeds or fruit. It "carries" a strong essential oil safely onto the skin while nourishing it. Common examples are coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, avocado, argan and castor oil.
Essential oils are the star ingredient in many DIY beauty and wellness remedies, but they are very concentrated. Carrier oils are just as important. They help avoid irritation, spread the essential oil evenly and make your blend feel pleasant to use.
Choosing the best carrier oil for essential oils means better skin compatibility, longer-lasting benefits and a nicer feel on the skin. Below are the most popular carrier oils for hair and skin, and how to pick the right one.
Carrier oils list: which one should you choose?
Here is a quick comparison of the most common types of carrier oils, how they feel and what they are best for.
| Carrier oil | Texture | Best for | Avoid if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut | Rich, solid when cool | Dry skin, hair masks, budget skincare | You have acne-prone or oily skin |
| Avocado | Thick and rich | Sensitive skin, eczema, mature skin | You want a fast-absorbing, light oil |
| Sweet almond | Light, absorbs quickly | Sensitive skin, face oils, daily moisturising | You have a nut allergy or want no scent |
| Argan | Light but nourishing | Haircare, anti-ageing, skin repair | You make big batches on a budget |
| Jojoba | Light, silky | Face oils and everyday blends | You want a thick, rich balm |
| Castor | Very thick and sticky | Hair and scalp treatments | You use it on its own, without a lighter oil |
Pro tip
Looking for a non-greasy carrier oil? Light oils such as sweet almond, jojoba and argan sink in faster. Rich oils such as avocado, coconut and castor stay on the surface longer, which is great for masks and dry patches.
What is the best carrier oil for skin?
The best carrier oil for skin depends on your skin type. Here are the four most popular choices and what each one does best.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of the most popular carrier oils thanks to its nourishing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is rich in antioxidants, so it helps hydrate dry skin and repair damaged hair.
Its tropical scent blends well with citrus and floral essential oil blends, which makes it ideal for balms, body butters and masks. It is best for dry skin, hair masks and affordable skincare. Avoid it if you have acne-prone or oily skin.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is pressed from the creamy green fruit. It is thick, vitamin-rich and deeply moisturising, packed with vitamins A, D and E, and it works wonders for irritated or mature skin.
It is one of the best carrier oils for anti-ageing and massage blends, and a good pick for sensitive skin and eczema. Skip it if you prefer a fast-absorbing, light texture.
Sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil is lightweight, hypoallergenic and absorbs quickly. That makes it a go-to choice for facial oils, baby skincare and daily moisturising.
It is rich in vitamin E and has a mild nutty scent, which pairs beautifully with floral or citrus essential oil blends. It is best for sensitive skin. Avoid it if you are allergic to nuts or want a scent-free base.
Argan oil
Argan oil is known as "liquid gold" because it is deeply regenerative. It is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, so it is ideal for reviving sun-damaged or acne-prone skin.
It is light yet full of nutrients, so it also works beautifully as a carrier oil for perfume or facial elixirs. It is best for haircare, anti-ageing and skin repair. It is less suited to large batches on a budget.
Best carrier oil for face, dry, sensitive and mature skin
Use this quick guide to match a carrier oil to your skin type.
| Skin type | Best carrier oils |
|---|---|
| Dry skin | Avocado, coconut |
| Sensitive skin | Sweet almond, avocado |
| Mature skin | Avocado, argan |
| Eczema-prone skin | Avocado |
| Acne-prone or oily skin | Argan, and avoid coconut |
| Face oils | Sweet almond, argan, jojoba |
For more ideas on which essential oils suit your skin, read what essential oils suit your skin type.
What are the best carrier oils for hair growth and thickness?
A carrier oil for hair is used to dilute essential oils for scalp massages, hair masks and pre-wash treatments. These are the most popular picks.
- Castor oil is known for its ability to promote hair growth. It is thick, so blend it with a lighter oil such as almond or jojoba.
- Coconut oil helps repair damaged hair and makes a rich, nourishing hair mask.
- Argan oil is a favourite for haircare, adding softness and shine.
- Sweet almond oil is light, so it suits fine hair that gets weighed down easily.
Many people add rosemary essential oil to their carrier oil for hair growth. Find out why in rosemary oil for natural hair growth, or see 6 essential oils for hair growth and shine.
How many drops of essential oil per 100ml of carrier oil?
Most blends use 1 to 3% essential oil in a carrier oil. That is about 20 to 60 drops per 100ml. Use the lower amount for the face and the higher amount for the body.
| Use | Dilution | Per 10ml | Per 100ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial oils | 1% | 2 drops | 20 drops |
| Body and massage oils | 2 to 3% | 4 to 6 drops | 40 to 60 drops |
To mix, pour your carrier oil into a clean glass bottle, add the essential oil drops, close the lid and roll the bottle gently. A few drops of lavender oil in sweet almond oil makes an easy first blend.
Safety first
Never put essential oils on your skin undiluted. Always do a patch test on your inner arm 24 hours before using a new blend. Use lower amounts for children, and check with your GP or midwife if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How do you use carrier oils?
Carrier oils make essential oils safe for direct skin use. Blend your chosen carrier oil with a few drops of essential oil, follow the dilution guide above and apply as needed.
- Facial oils and serums
- Massage and body oils
- Hair masks and scalp treatments
- Body scrubs and balms
- Natural roll-on perfumes
Ready to make your own? Try our DIY facial serum for your skin's needs.
FAQs
What is a carrier oil?
A carrier oil is a plant-based oil used to dilute essential oils before you apply them to the skin. It carries the essential oil safely while nourishing the skin. Common examples are coconut, sweet almond and jojoba oil.
What is the best carrier oil for essential oils?
There is no single best one. Sweet almond is a great all-rounder for sensitive skin, argan suits anti-ageing and hair, avocado suits dry and mature skin, and coconut is ideal for balms and hair masks.
What are the best carrier oils for hair growth and thickness?
Castor oil is known for promoting hair growth, coconut oil helps repair damaged hair, and argan oil adds shine. Blend thick castor oil with a lighter oil such as almond or jojoba so it is easier to apply.
How many drops of essential oil per 100ml carrier oil?
Typically 1 to 3%, which is about 20 to 60 drops per 100ml. Use 1% (20 drops) for facial oils and 2 to 3% (40 to 60 drops) for body oils. Always do a patch test first.
Is castor oil a carrier oil?
Yes. Castor oil is a carrier oil, though it is thicker and stickier than most. It is known for promoting hair growth and deeply moisturising dry or flaky skin, and it is usually blended with a lighter oil.
What is the best carrier oil for the face?
Light oils that absorb quickly work best on the face. Sweet almond, argan and jojoba are popular choices. Use a 1% dilution, which is 2 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil.
What is the best carrier oil for mature skin?
Avocado oil and argan oil are the top picks. Avocado is rich in vitamins A, D and E, and argan is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, which makes both great for anti-ageing blends.
Which carrier oils are not greasy?
Sweet almond, jojoba and argan feel light and absorb quickly. Coconut, avocado and castor are richer, so they suit masks, balms and very dry skin.
The bottom line
When choosing a carrier oil for skin or hair, think about your skin type, what you are making and the essential oils you are using. The right pairing helps your DIY blends feel good, stay safe and work well. Pick your essential oils from our essential oils collection.
