Carrier Oils for Different Skin Types - 5 Skin Types
Besides using essential oils for skin, carrier oils provide their own moisturizing and nourishing benefits, and are important for the safe use of essential oils. There are many different carrier oils, and many skin types, so choosing the best carrier oils for different skin types is very important.
Whether your skin is oilier than a greased pig at the fair, or drier than the Sahara desert, just because carrier oils are "oils" doesn't mean that every skin type can't use them!
Carrier oils are vegetable oils, such as coconut oil or avocado oil, that have been derived from the seeds, kernels, or nuts of a plant.
When selecting the correct carrier oil, you want to find one that is cold pressed, organic, unrefined, and unscented. This is important because it ensures that more of the nutrients of the plant parts are retained, and you are not putting harmful chemicals on your skin- your biggest organ!
To summarize, essential oil formulator and aromatherapist Hope Gillerman states, "Carrier oils are loaded with essential fatty acids and vitamins that help nurture skin health and promote healing."
Here are the best carrier oils for different skin types:
Normal Skin
Oily Skin
Dry Skin
Sensitive Skin
Mature Skin
Once you have identified your skin type, it may take some experimenting to find the best carrier oils for you. While trying different carriers, you may find that you have a different skin type on your face vs your legs, hands, etc. Therefore, you may have to use several different carrier oils on different parts of your body. Once you have found a carrier oil that compliments your skin type, you can mix in essential oils.
For example, my face is a "Normal" skin type, but coconut oil makes me break out. When using mixes of essential oils and carrier oils, I prefer Sweet Almond carrier oil for my face.
Climate Matters When Choosing the Best Carrier Oils for Different Skin Types
You may also find that the time of year and place you live affect your skin. Depending on where you live, during summer months with high levels of humidity, you may not need the level of moisture in your carrier oil as opposed to winter months with no humidity. I like to have several carrier oils available, since we live in Wisconsin- where my skin needs change throughout the year with the 4 seasons.
Have Patience!
Be patient with the process, and know that with a little trial and error, you can find the best carrier oils for your skin!
xoxo
j