Essential oils in aromatherapy are highly concentrated and potent. Essential oils have adverse effect on skin if used undiluted. Though there are some essential oil exceptions that can be used directly on the skin. It is ideal to dilute essential oils with carrier oils.
Carrier oils are of a vegetable origin possessing highly therapeutic properties. Extracted from nuts and seeds by cold pressing as this process does not destroy the essential fatty acids & vitamins content.
Carrier oils provide much needed lubrication allowing hands to move freely over the skin, helping with the absorption of essential oils into the body. Carrier oils are light, non sticky and effectively penetrate the skin. They should be 100% pure, unrefined and cold pressed.
1 drop of essential oil = 1 tsp of carrier oil for 1% dilution. 2 drops essential oil to 1 tsp of carrier oil = 2% dilution and so on.
Commonly used carrier oils
– Apricot Kernel Oil – light, easily absorbed and moisturizes both the body and face well. Contains vitamin E. Extracted from the kernel of apricot fruit, it is pale yellow in colour. Vitamins A & B help in healing and...