Carrier Oils: Your Skin's Best Ally

The word aromatherapy instantly draws up a long list of delicious and delightful scents: rose, lime, lavender, tea tree, frankincense, mandarin! Volatile oils are the alluring, and certainly the most memorable, aspect of aroma medicine. Following on the coattails of this exotic repertoire of essential oils, however, is a group of oils frequently referred to as "carrier oils." This category includes any plant-derived oil that primarily functions as a base oil for containing, delivering and enhancing an essential oil. While essential oils are short-chain molecules that quickly dissolve when exposed to air (thus the term "volatile oils," meaning quick to change), carrier oils are longer-chain molecules that do not break down as rapidly and hold their shape and qualities longer.
It's helpful to think of the relationship between carrier and essential oils as a dynamic that brings out the best in both oils. While most people consider carrier oils mediums for massage and reflexology applications only, carrier oils have healing qualities that essential oils do not possess. Rather than consider carrier oils a lowly delivery system for those stimulating volatile oils we all adore, let's take a moment to consider the merits of carrier oils alone. You may never look at evening primrose oil the same way again. You may also find that your aromatherapy experience is blessed by new ways of combining oils you already trust with carriers that magnify their healing potential.
Fats, or lipids, are a critical aspect of human health. They are important for staying warm, protecting organs and assisting cellular activity. While nutritionists are focused on finding how fats are used internally, aromatherapy examines how plant oils improve health from the outside. What we've found is that fats, or oils, applied externally also deliver essential nutrients to the skin.
Fat molecules are composed of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms. It's easy to become immediately confused when chemistry comes into the mix, but because so many of these fat buzz words are found in natural health and nutrition, it's useful to understand where the aromatherapy carrier oils fall in the spectrum of lipids. A basic explanation of fat composition is that while all fats contain carbon atoms, some fats have carbon atoms that are double bonded to one another, meaning they share electrons. These fats are called unsaturated fats, they are liquid at room temperature, and they are derived from vegetables. Most carrier oils are unsaturated fats. Saturated fats have carbon bonds that do not bind to other carbon atoms. These oils are solid at room temperature and include animal-derived fats and some plant-derived fats as well. Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is often used as a carrier oil. Fractionated coconut, another common carrier oil, occurs when a coconut molecule has been altered to keep it in a liquid, rather than solid, state. The healing qualities of the oil are not compromised, and we can use the oil the same way we'd use a seed or nut oil.
Many carrier oils have the essential fatty acids omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 (linolenic). Essential fatty acids must be acquired through outside sources, primarily through diet, and are critical to maintaining health. According to aromatherapist Salvatore Battaglia, omega-6, which is important for skin, hair, liver function, joints, healing wounds and circulation, is especially powerful in evening primrose oil, a popular and versatile carrier oil. Omega-3 is also in many carrier oils. Taken internally, it helps with vision, muscles and growth. It is found in fish and some vegetable oils, like linseed and canola. It is know to help circulation, assist in heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and prevent inflammation. The most important thing to remember about lipid structure in carrier oils is that choosing high-quality, nutritious oils will greatly assist the skin in its vital functions. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body and often needs assistance in maintaining its elasticity, vitality and moisture, carrier oils are truly the skin's best friend.
Carrier oils are primarily derived from nuts and seeds. They are extracted via cold-pressed technology, meaning high heat is not used. Once oils reach temperatures exceeding 160 degrees Celsius, their structure is altered, making them trans-fats, a kind of mutated fat that the body cannot assimilate properly. Expeller-pressing is another common extraction method. By placing seeds or nuts in an expeller, the precious oil is pressed out and then bottled. Superior carrier oils are mechanically pressed oils and have not been subjected to chemical changes.
Many carrier oils can be used in multiple applications, and consumers often choose oils based on the thickness or scent they prefer. Individual carrier oils do have some specific qualities though that can be used to your benefit. The main carrier oils can be divided into three general groups, reflecting their common aromatherapy applications. Sweet almond, sunflower, hempseed and fractionated coconut are excellent choices for massage and reflexology. A mixture of 10-15% essential oil and 85-90% carrier oil will ensure a powerful oil that is smooth and great-smelling. Facial skin care is another aspect of aromatherapy where carrier oils shine, bringing health to sun or acne damaged skin. Apricot kernel, rosehip, and hazelnut oils are deeply nourishing in these applications, and rosehip can even be used to treat scars. Dry skin and other bodily skin disorders, such as eczema, can be helped with tamanu, avocado, evening primrose, jojoba, sesame, grapeseed and shea. When choosing your own carriers, experiment with a few and see how your skin responds. Once you find one you love (and there's definitely a carrier oil for everyone) you can begin mixing the carrier with your favorite essential oils.
Mixing carrier oils with volatile oils allows the essential oil to be used more efficiently. Volatile oils have a short lifespan once they hit the air. In about an hour, these oils are no longer active. A carrier oil, with its viscous body, keeps the essential oil vibrant, allowing the essential oils to exhibit their healing qualities longer. A way to remember this is to consider what happens when you put a drop of ylang ylang on your skin. Within an hour the scent is decreased. If you mix the ylang ylang with a carrier, however, the scent, and the oil's medicinal qualities will last much longer. Aromatherapists have found that essential oils are most effective when they are applied on a regular basis, and carrier oils allow us to do so. Because some essential oils may burn the skin, carriers also protect the skin from this potential pitfall.
While carrier oils may not be as awe-inspiring as essential oils, these simple oils do bring healing into the body. The beauty of discovering which carrier oils work best for you is that your essential oils will be extended, your skin will rejoice, and you won't have to say, "Now what do I do with this neroli?"

Article Source: http://www.new.citynewslive.com

The author has made available reports on specific oils such as chamomile and other quality essential oils.

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