You’re not alone – in fact, we receive more questions about these 100% pure oils than any other product. So, your favourite natural wellness provider (that’s us!) has created this guide to help you understand their role in aromatherapy and personal care, plus how these incredibly versatile oils can make a positive impact on your life.
Here, we answer your most popular questions about carrier oils, covering everything from what they are and their best uses to choosing the right oil for your skin type — all explained by our team of experts. Let’s crack the carrier oil code!
Your Most Common Carrier Oil Questions, Answered!
What are carrier oils – and why do I need them?
Put simply, carrier oils are natural oils extracted from plants – like Jojoba, Almond, or Coconut. They’re typically used to dilute and “carry” essential oils safely onto the skin for health and wellness purposes, although you can use them on their own, too.
Rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants, carrier oils provide nourishing benefits that support everything from healthy skin and hair, to pain relief, and overall wellbeing.
While their popularity in aromatherapy surged during the 20th century, their use goes back thousands of years, with ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Ayurvedic practitioners all relying on plant oils for massage, skincare, and healing.
Today, there are over 100 carrier oils available - and growing, thanks to evolving skincare trends - with around 50 particularly popular in health and wellness circles.
Why would I choose a carrier oil?
If you’re new to carrier oils, then here's why many people are turning to these bottled oils as part of their health and wellness routine:
- Natural & plant-based – carrier oils are made from seeds, nuts, or kernels, with no synthetic additives or harsh chemicals.
- Vegan-friendly – completely derived from plants, carrier oils are a great choice for anyone avoiding animal products.
- Gentle on skin – each carrier oil helps soften, nourish, and protect the skin.
- Dilute for essential oils – use them to dilute essential oils for safe topical application (on the skin). Economical – a little goes a long way, so one tiny bottle can last for months.
- Versatile – they’re great for massages, DIY skincare, hair treatments, or even as a makeup remover.
- Customisable – you can blend them with essential oils and other carrier oils to create your own personalised products.
In other words, carrier oils are an ideal choice to support your health, animals, the planet and your back pocket!
What is the best carrier oil to mix with essential oils?
When using essential oils on the skin, it is important to dilute them with a carrier oil first due to their potency. There is no right or wrong carrier oil for this purpose as this comes down to personal preference or intended use,. Each one works the same way - that being, to reduce the risk of sensitivity when applying essential oils.
That said, you may want to consider the scent of a carrier oil before blending it with an essential oil, to avoid conflicting or overpowering odours. For example, Olive Oil has a distinct grassy scent that doesn't lend itself to delicate essential oils like Rose Geranium.
What is the best carrier oil for my face?
While carrier oils are often used for delivering or ‘carrying’ essential oil benefits safely onto the skin, many are just as beneficial in their own right – if not more so. As such, using carrier oils as part of skincare has become extremely popular in recent times.
The best carrier oil for your face depends on three main factors:
- Your skin type – Some oils are better for dry or sensitive skin, others for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Your purpose – Whether you’re targeting acne, aiming for anti-ageing benefits, or simply need a daily cleanser.
- How you’ll use it – On its own or blended with essential oils.
To help you decide which might be best for your needs, here’s a simple guide to some popular carrier oils and how they can benefit your skincare routine:
- Jojoba Oil – A true all-rounder, closely resembling the skin’s natural sebum. It helps balance oil production, making it ideal for acne-prone skin, while deeply hydrating and softening fine lines for daily use and anti-ageing care.
- Rosehip Oil – Rich in vitamins A and C, this oil promotes cell regeneration, reduces the appearance of scars and pigmentation, and smooths fine lines, making it excellent for anti-ageing and skin renewal (though it can be too rich for acne-prone skin).
- Grapeseed Oil – Lightweight and high in linoleic acid, it helps regulate sebum, clear congested pores, and soothe inflammation, making it perfect for oily or acne-prone skin. Its mild astringent qualities also support skin tone and texture, though it’s less targeted for anti-ageing.
- Sweet Almond Oil – Gentle and nourishing, packed with vitamin E and fatty acids. It soothes dryness and irritation, strengthens the skin barrier, and supports a healthy, youthful glow, making it great for sensitive or mature skin—though not the best for acne-prone complexions.
Pro Tip: You can blend carrier oils together for a custom mix that suits your skin perfectly - just remember to consider skin type, aroma, and the benefits you’re aiming for.
And... If you prefer organic products, you will be pleased to know AWO also stocks these popular carriers in a Certified Organic Carrier Oil range!
Do carrier oils help with anti-ageing?
Lots of carrier oils contain natural properties that protect, enhance and restore your complexion by minimising fine lines and wrinkles. Our favourites include Rosehip Oil (with rich regenerative and healing properties), Jojoba Oil (hypoallergenic and antioxidant), Argan Oil (evens the skin tone and protects against UV), and Fractionated Coconut Oil (smooths the complexion).
You can learn more about these oils and their benefits in our article about the best anti-ageing carrier oils. Or, why not head to our carrier oils page and explore the dozens of other products that can naturally benefit mature skin!
Do I have to use a carrier oil on its own or can I mix a few oils together?
Carrier oils can be used on their own, blended with other carrier oils or as a dilution for essential oils (again, on their own or with other carriers).
It's actually common practice to blend several carrier oils together to appreciate their ranging benefits. Just remember to follow any guidance about the correct ratios to suit your skin type and application method.
You also need to consider the aroma of each oil, which can cause a conflicting scent once blended. Try not to pair strong scents together – one heavily scented oil is plenty, with faint or odourless carrier oils making up the remainder.
When is it best to use a carrier oil vs. essential oil?
Carrier oils are perfect when you want something gentle and nourishing that you can use every day - like moisturising your skin, soothing dryness, or giving a massage. Essential oils are very concentrated, so they must be mixed with a carrier oil before you can safely use them on your skin. Think of carrier oils as the everyday base, and essential oils as the powerful extras you add when you want a boost.
I really like fragrance-free products. What are the best carrier oils with a neutral scent?
If you’re looking for a carrier oil to use on its own or that won’t compete with the aroma of your essential oils, these ones are great options:
- Fractionated Coconut Oil – light, fast-absorbing, and virtually scent-free.
- Jojoba Oil Refined – very mild aroma and closely matches the skin’s natural sebum.
- Sweet Almond Oil – faint, slightly nutty scent that disappears quickly.
- Grapeseed Oil – light texture and almost no noticeable fragrance.
- Apricot Kernel Oil – delicate scent that blends seamlessly with essential oils.
Are carrier oils safe?
Yes, carrier oils are generally safe for most people. They’re gentle, non-irritating, and can help reduce the potency of essential oils when used as a dilute, making topical application safer.
That said, everyone’s skin is unique and can react differently. When using carrier oils for skin, it’s always a good idea to perform a patch test before using a new type. Apply a small amount to your inner arm and wait 24 hours to check for any reaction. Using high-quality, 100% pure oils also helps minimise the risk of irritation and ensures you get the full benefit of their natural properties.
Carrier Oils: The Cornerstone of Natural Wellness
Whether you’re new to carrier oils or already a fan, now that you know more about their benefits, why not continue your journey?
Simple, gentle, and packed with goodness for skin, hair, and overall wellbeing, the right carrier oil can transform your daily routine - used alone or blended with essential oils. Explore our full range of 100% pure carrier oils and find your perfect match!
Where to Buy Carrier Oils
While carrier oils are generally available at health, wellness and retail stores, always keep in mind that the purity and quality of these products will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier – like AWO!
We stock a wide selection of 100% pure carrier oils and essential oils, all sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities, our costs are significantly less - allowing us to offer our high-quality products to our customers for less. We are also based right here in Australia!