Ever wondered why your skincare routine feels incomplete? Or why essential oils, as amazing as they smell, aren’t quite giving you that glow-up you expected? The answer lies in Base oils (or carrier oils). They’re the foundation of many beauty products, helping to nourish, hydrate, and protect while carrying essential oils safely onto your skin.
Think of essential oils as the divas of the beauty world—powerful, fragrant, and attention-seeking. But just like any diva, they need a reliable manager—that’s where carrier oils come in! They dilute, nourish, and ensure those potent essential oils work without irritating your skin.
But here’s the real kicker—base oils aren’t just sidekicks. They bring their own set of magic to the table, from deep hydration to anti-aging wonders. Ready to meet your skin’s new best friends? Let’s dive in!
What Are Base Oils & Why Do You Need Them?
Imagine you're making the perfect salad dressing—olive oil isn’t just a filler; it adds texture, nutrients, and flavour. Similarly, base oils don’t just dilute essential oils—they bring in vitamins, fatty acids, and moisture to make your skin and hair feel amazing.
Here’s why they’re a must-have in your routine:
- Skin Superfood: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and omegas to nourish and repair.
- Hydration Powerhouse: Locks in moisture without clogging pores.
- Versatile AF: Use them for massages, hair masks, makeup removal, and even shaving.
- Gentle on Skin: Unlike essential oils, these are non-irritating and perfect for all skin types.
Now, let’s meet the rockstars of the carrier oil world!
Meet the Best Carrier Oils for Skin & Hair
1. Sweet Almond Oil – The All-Rounder
- Botanical Name: Prunus amygdalus dulcis
- Extracted From: Kernels
- Aroma: Slightly nutty to nearly odourless
This one’s a classic! Rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants, Sweet Almond Oil is fantastic for softening skin, soothing irritation, and strengthening hair. It’s lightweight and absorbs well, making it perfect for daily use.
Best For: Dry skin, sensitive skin, hair hydration
Fun Fact: It’s a great makeup remover—gentle yet effective!
2. Apricot Oil – The Gentle Skin Booster
- Botanical Name: Prunus armeniaca
- Extracted From: Kernels
- Aroma: Faint, mild
Lightweight and easily absorbed, Apricot Oil is perfect for those who don’t like heavy oils. It’s full of vitamins A & E, making it a great choice for revitalising dull skin and adding softness.
Best For: Sensitive skin, baby skin, lightweight hydration
Bonus Tip: Mix it with a drop of lavender essential oil for a soothing bedtime massage.
3. Argan Oil – The Liquid Gold for Hair & Skin
- Botanical Name: Argania spinosa
- Extracted From: Kernels
- Aroma: Mild, nutty, and fresh
If your hair needs some TLC, Argan Oil is a game-changer. It’s packed with vitamin E and omega fatty acids, making it perfect for repairing damaged hair, taming frizz, and adding shine.
Best For: Dry hair, frizzy hair, anti-aging skincare
Did You Know? Moroccan women have used Argan Oil for centuries as a beauty elixir!
4. Avocado Oil – The Deep Nourisher
- Botanical Name: Persea americana
- Extracted From: Fruit Pulp
- Aroma: Slightly vegetable
Rich and deeply moisturising, Avocado Oil is perfect for extra-dry skin and hair. It contains oleic acid, vitamin E, and sterolins, which help boost collagen production.
Best For: Mature skin, dry hair, scalp treatments
Try This: Massage into the scalp for deep nourishment and hair growth support.
5. Castor Oil – The Hair Growth Secret
- Botanical Name: Ricinus communis
- Extracted From: Fruit Pulp
- Aroma: Slightly vegetable
A powerhouse for hair growth, Castor Oil is thick, sticky, and packed with ricinoleic acid, which stimulates the scalp and promotes stronger, thicker hair. It’s also great for eyelashes and eyebrows!
Best For: Hair growth, thickening eyebrows & lashes
DIY Tip: Mix it with coconut oil for an overnight hair mask!
6. Evening Primrose Oil – The Hormonal Balancer
- Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis L.
- Extracted From: Meat
- Aroma: Odorless
This oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), making it fantastic for hormonal skin issues like acne, eczema, and even PMS symptoms.
Best For: Hormonal acne, skin inflammation, eczema
Fun Fact: Many people take it as a supplement for hormone balance!
7. Tamanu Oil – The Skin Repairing Wonder
- Botanical Name: Calophyllum inophyllum
- Extracted From: Nut, kernel, seed
- Aroma: Characteristic aromatic, nutty
Tamanu Oil is famous for healing scars, stretch marks, and even wounds. It’s rich in calophyllolide, which has anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for skin repair.
Best For: Scars, wound healing, acne marks
Try This: Dab it onto scars or stretch marks daily for visible results!
8. Sesame Seed Oil – The Ayurvedic Favorite
- Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum
- Extracted From: Seeds
- Aroma: Sweet, nutty sesame
Used in Ayurveda for centuries, Sesame Oil is great for warming massages, detoxifying skin, and even joint pain relief.
Best For: Body massage, detoxification, dry skin
DIY Idea: Use it for oil pulling (swishing oil in your mouth) for oral health!
9. Grape Seed Oil – The Lightweight Hydrator
- Botanical Name: Vitis vinifera
- Extracted From: Seeds
- Aroma: Characteristic oily, fatty, light
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, Grape Seed Oil is your best friend. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and rich in antioxidants, helping to balance oil production, tighten pores, and fight acne.
Best For: Oily skin, acne-prone skin, lightweight hydration
Why You’ll Love It: It won’t clog your pores, making it great for everyday use!
10. Jojoba Oil – The Skin & Scalp Balancer
- Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis
- Extracted From: Seeds
- Aroma: Characteristic neutral
Unlike most oils, Jojoba Oil is actually a wax ester, meaning it mimics your skin’s natural sebum. This makes it perfect for balancing oil levels, reducing breakouts, and keeping skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
Best For: All skin types, scalp health, oil control
Fun Fact: It’s also great for beard care—keeps it soft and hydrated!
11. Liquid Coconut Oil (Fractionated) – The Fast Absorber
- Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera
- Extracted From: Meat
- Aroma: Slight vegetable to light nutty
Unlike regular coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil stays liquid at all temperatures and has a lighter texture. It absorbs quickly, making it a great choice for massage oils, skincare, and hair hydration.
Best For: Lightweight moisturisation, massage oil, hair conditioning
Bonus Tip: Mix it with essential oils for a customised, non-greasy massage oil.
12. Rose Hip Seed Oil – The Anti-Aging Superstar
- Botanical Name: Rosa canina / rubiginosa / moschata
- Extracted From: Seeds
- Aroma: Mild and slightly earthy
If you’re looking for a natural anti-aging oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil is packed with vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C, and fatty acids. It helps reduce fine lines, brighten skin, and fade scars.
Best For: Anti-aging, scars, dark spots, uneven skin tone
Pro Tip: Apply a few drops before bed for a glowing complexion in the morning!
13. Organic Sesame Seed Oil – The Ayurvedic Healer
- Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum
- Extracted From: Seeds
- Aroma: Sweet, nutty sesame
Sesame Seed Oil has been a staple in Ayurvedic healing for centuries. It’s known for its detoxifying properties, making it perfect for oil massages, joint pain relief, and even oil pulling for oral health.
Best For: Body massage, detox, nourishing dry skin
Try This: Warm it slightly and use it for a soothing body massage—it improves circulation!
14. Shea Nut Oil – The Deep Moisturiser
- Botanical Name: Butyrospermum parkii
- Extracted From: Fruit
- Aroma: Mild, nutty
If you love Shea Butter, you’ll adore Shea Nut Oil. It’s a liquid version of Shea Butter, making it easier to apply while still offering deep hydration, nourishment, and healing properties.
Best For: Dry skin, eczema, cracked heels, intense hydration
Did You Know? It’s great for softening cuticles and rough hands!
15. Vegetable Glycerin – The Ultimate Skin Softener
- Botanical Name: Varies (derived from palm, coconut, or grape seed oil)
- Extracted From: Palm, coconut, or grape seed oil
- Aroma: Odorless
Vegetable Glycerin is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin, leaving it plump, soft, and hydrated. It’s often used in DIY beauty recipes and can be added to lotions, soaps, and toners.
Best For: Dry, dehydrated skin, DIY skincare, boosting hydration
Try This: Mix it with rose water for a refreshing hydrating mist!
How to Choose the Right Carrier Oil for You
- For Oily Skin? Grape seed or jojoba oil—lightweight and non-clogging.
- For Dry Skin? Avocado, argan, or sweet almond oil—deeply hydrating.
- For Anti-Aging? Rose hip or apricot kernel oil—rich in antioxidants.
- For Hair Growth? Castor or argan oil—boosts hair strength and shine.
Final Thoughts: The Natural Glow You Deserve
Carrier oils are the real MVPs of skincare and wellness. Whether you're looking for deep hydration, anti-aging benefits, or a lightweight oil that won’t clog your pores, nature has an oil for you. These 15 essential oils each bring something unique to the table, making them must-haves for your skincare, haircare, and wellness routine.
Want the purest, freshest oils straight from nature? Amrita Court Global offers authentic, high-quality essential and carrier oils—because your skin deserves the best. Try them out and experience the glow-up yourself!