Basic Carrier Oil Selection Guide

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Different carrier oils are better for different things. Some carrier oils are heavier, other lighter, others absorb fast while others are a lot slower at absorption. Some last longer than others, and a long list of etceteras.

Let’s have a look at some basic uses of carrier oils which will help you on your selection when creating a facial serum or simply to know what the different oils are good for.

This is not a comprehensive list and we will not go in-depth, but it’ll serve as a basic carrier oil selection guide.

Carrier Oils Good for Dry Skin

You want to look for oils high in monounsaturated fatty acids. These oils can be use in high percentages in your formulations.

  • Avocado oil
  • Olive oil
  • Almond oil
  • Apricot oil
  • Hazelnut oil
  • Camellia seed oil
  • Macadamia nut oil

Carrier Oils Good for Repairing and Healing

You’re looking for oils that are high in anti-oxidants. These oils can make wonderful facial serums. You can add smaller percentages of these oils as they can be quite potent and boost your formulations!

  • Flax seed oil
  • Sea Buckthorn oil
  • Rosehip seed oil
  • Pomegranate seed oil
  • Hemp seed oil
  • Pumpkin seed oil
  • Tamanu oil
  • Black seed oil

Carrier Oils that are Fast Absorbing

I loWe’re looking for polyunsaturated fatty acids here, careful as they can go rancid a lot faster.

  • Grapeseed oil
  • Raspberry seed oil
  • Passionfruit seed oil
  • Kukui nut oil

Butters (Saturated Fatty Acids)

I love butters and add them to most of my natural skincare formulations, particularly shea butter and cocoa butter. These will solidify at normal temperature so they work better when as part of a formula or as a cold blended cream.

  • Shea butter
  • Cocoa butter
  • Mango butter
  • Coconut oil (solid at room temperature)
  • Kpagnan butter
  • Cupuacu butter

Carrier Oils Good for Sun Protection

Don’t use carrier oils as sunscreens! But some oils can help with protection.

  • Raspberry seed oil
  • Sea Buckthorn berry oil
  • Buriti oil
  • Red Rosehip seed oil
  • Guava seed oil
  • Ojon oil

Carrier Oils that Help Extend the Shelf Life of Your Formulations

You’re looking for very long chain fatty acid oils.

  • Moringa oil
  • Abyssinian oil
  • Jojoba oil (a wax)
  • Meadowfoam seed oil (very similar in structure to jojoba oil)

There’s So Much to Learn About Oils!

Each oil is its own universe and there’s so much to learn about each! I’ll be bringing more posts related to carrier oil and their wonderful benefits. Stay tuned!

Related posts:

  1. About Our Skin
  2. The A to Z of Essential Oils for Acne Prone Skin
  3. Carrier Oils Fatty Acids in Depth: About Unsaturated, Polyunsaturated & Saturated Fatty Acids

Patri Hernandez, CHC, Certified Health Coach & Certified Organic Skincare Alchemist
One day, during my menopausal rollercoaster, I had a spiritual awakening that connected me so deeply with nature, I thought I might sprout leaves. Suddenly, natural ingredients became my obsession—like an addiction, really. My body was magnetically drawn to them, and it wasn’t long before I found myself knee-deep in essential oils, herbs, and all things organic.

From there, it was a slippery slope (a delightfully scented one) into organic skincare formulation. The intoxicating aroma of essential oils, the thrill of crafting something pure with my own hands—I was hooked. It wasn’t enough to just use these natural wonders; I had to create them, surround myself with them. Now, I live on a piece of land where I grow my own organic fruits and vegetables (when the weather isn’t playing tricks on me), and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When people ask what I do, I like to think about the view from my window—the endless sea—and say, “I live the life dreamers dream of.” It's All about the richness of living in harmony with nature. Watching others turn to natural ingredients because of something I shared with them—that’s my proudest achievement.

Oh, and just to keep things interesting, I’m also a bit of a nerd. I love computers, software, and all the techy stuff that seems like it wouldn’t fit with my earth-loving, oil-sniffing lifestyle. But hey, who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?

My ultimate goal? To help people kick the commercial product habit and embrace the natural, the organic, the truly nourishing. Life’s too short to settle for anything less.

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