Plant oils are used extensively in skin care preparations to improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair. To use plant oils properly and to best advantage, it is necessary to study and understand their varied constituents, their composition will influence the choice of oil to achieve a particular end.

There are distinct differences between fixed oils and essential oils. The plant oils used as carriers in aromatherapy and massage are referred to as “fixed” oils because they do not evaporate. Plant essential oils do evaporate because they are volatile. All essential oils dissolve easily and completely in fixed oils in all proportions. A fixed oil may also be called a “carrier” oil because its function is to “carry” or act as a vehicle for administering the essential oils to the body. They also act as a lubricant, making it possible to carry out massage movements. All carrier oils are emollient, to a greater or lesser degree. TO READ MORE.....SCROLL TO THE FOOTER OF THIS PAGE!

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Cold pressed vegetable oils are the best and are generally superior to those found in supermarkets. In the “cold” pressing process, excessive heat is avoided in order to minimize changes to the natural characteristics of the oil.

Traditionally, there are two methods of cold pressing. In one, the raw material (seeds, nuts or kernels) is simply pressed with a hydraulic press and the oil is squeezed out. This process is only used for soft oily seeds and plant material such as olive, sesame and sunflower.

Harder seeds such as safflower require more force and a large, powerful screw device known as an expeller is used to crush the plant material which may be passed through the expeller more than once. The process generates a certain amount of heat.

The crushed shells, etc. are removed from the oil by a succession of filters, the last of which is made of paper. The oil obtained is usually clear and its taste and nutritional properties intact.

The proper storage of carrier oils is very important. Keep your carrier oils cool and in the dark, the head space above the oil in a bottle should be minimized. Once an oil starts to smell rancid it should be discarded and not used. (Above information obtained from the book Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage by Len Price.)

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