When essential oils are used for massage they need to be mixed with a carrier oil, (sometimes referred to as base oil or vegetable oil) to a proportion of 1-5% as nearly all are are too powerful to be used directly on the skin.  The carrier oil also provides lubrication needed for a smooth massage.

A carrier oil can be for simply lubrication but they can have therapeutic properties of their own, which can be chosen to complement the essential oil used with them. We are often asked to recommend a carrier oil:

• Apricot oil - For facial massages, mature, dry and sensitive skin.
• Avocado oil - For dry, mature and damaged skin.
• Calendula oil - For inflamed, , damaged, cracked skin and dry skin conditions.
• Evening primrose oil - For hormonal, dry and mature skin.
• Fractionated coconut oil - For facial massages, dry and sensitive skin.
• Grapeseed oil - Good all round oil, normal skin.
• Jojoba oil - For dry, mature, damaged skin, acne, inflamed joints.
• Neem oil - Antibacterial good for skin conditions, acne, eczema, rashes, scars and sunburn.
• Rosehip oil - Good for mature and damaged skin, stretch marks, scars, burns, acne and other skin conditions.
• Sweet almond oil - Good all round oil, eczema and dry skin.
• Wheatgerm oil - Good for ageing, cellulite, scars, stretch marks, dry and mature skin.

Carrier oils have various shelf lifes.  The shortest can be as little as 6 months up until 3 years, however you can prolong your carrier oils shelf life by storing them in dark amber bottles and out of sunlight.  Eventually all carrier oils oxidise after being exposed to air and sunlight and become unfit for use.