Base Oils vs. Essential Oils

Base oils of vegetable origin are primarily extracted from seeds or fruits of plants, where their primary function is energy storage. They differ from essential oils in that they are non-volatile.

Cold-pressed vegetable or seed oils are extracted without the use of heat or chemicals. This process allows the oils to maintain as much of the natural ingredients as possible, such as Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant which prevents spoilage.

Avoid the use of mineral oils, which are derived from petroleum products, as the fat-soluble vitamins A,D,E,K and F are destroyed when mineral oil is absorbed through the skin and metabolized. These oils are not used in aromatherapy. Mineral oil is used in baby oils and many commercially available moisturizers because it is an inexpensive oil to manufacture. It, however, can clog pores, prevent the skin from breathing naturally, prevent essential oil absorption, and prevent toxins from leaving the body through the natural process of sweating. These same concerns apply to petroleum jelly.

Most base oils are liquid at room temperature (unsaturated). However, saturated oils remain solid: cocoa butter, palm, and coconut oil.

Oils rich in saturated fatty acids tend to be thicker and may solidify at cold temperatures. As massage oils, they are highly moisturizing, protecting the skin from loss of moisture.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is nourishing and is nearest to the oil found naturally in the skin. 

 Great for very dry or chapped skin

 It has a light aroma, which works well for blending with essential oils.

 Can be used as a base for cold, hand, and cleansing creams.

Great for dry skin, eczema, and to soften wrinkles around the eyes.

Absorbs quickly

High in fatty acids.

People with nut allergies should avoid sweet almond oil.

Coconut Oil

Very stable.

 Relatively odorless. Mixes well with essential oils

Light and Easily absorbed

Does not clog pores

High in saturated fats

Do not use if you have known nut allergies

Jojoba Oil

Technically a wax, not an oil.

Jojoba is highly viscous and is rapidly absorbed

Good spreadability without leaving a shine

Very stable, long lasting

Suitable for all types of skin, particularly aging skin.

Very similar to sebum, the natural oil produced by our skin

Creates a protective layer over skin and hair to retain moisture

Good for aromatherapy

Olive Oil

Aroma may be very dominant in blend

May feel a bit heavy or greasy

Very nutritious and soothing to the skin

Softens hard skin and soothes inflamed surfaces, especially eczema and psoriasis

Effective base for herbal massage oils, bath oils, and ointments

Good for sensitive skin and babies

Great for hair

Sesame Oil

Very stable

Top-quality lubricant for rheumatic conditions

A natural skin cleanser

Somewhat oily finish

Useful for psoriasis, dry skin, and eczema

Antibacterial, antiviral

Good for massage

Good for young skin-teens

 If used in hair, it may darken it

Used for thousands of years in Ayurveda

Essential Oils Good for Dry Skin

 Chamomile

Geranium

Lavender

Patchouli

Rose

Sandalwood

Ylang Ylang

 Frankincense 

Benzoin 

Rosemary 

Neroli 

Essential Oils Good for Oily Skin

 Bergamot

Cedarwood

Cypress 

Frankincense

Orange 

Pettigraine

Jasmine

Essential Oils for Evenly Balanced Skin

Chamomile-German

Geranium

Lavender

Rose

Neroli

Lemon

Jasmine

Frankincense

Benzoin

Oils for Use in Massage

1. Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is one of the most popular massage oils among massage therapists. Extracted from almonds, sweet almond oil is pale yellow in color.

It is slightly oily, which allows hands to glide easily over skin. Sweet almond oil is absorbed fairly quickly, but not so quickly that you need to keep reapplying it.

It usually does not irritate skin. People with nut allergies should not use almond oil.

2. Apricot Kernel Oil

Apricot kernel oil is similar in texture and color to almond oil. It is rich in vitamin E, a quality that gives it a longer shelf life than the typical oil.
Like almond oil, apricot kernel oil is absorbed into the skin, so it won't leave people feeling greasy afterwards. This property also makes it a good oil to use for aromatherapy massage.
Apricot kernel oil is a good alternative to sweet almond oil for people with nut allergies.

3. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is actually a wax extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant. Jojoba is a good option for most people prone to back acne because it is thought to have antibacterial properties and contains long chain wax esters that closely resembles skin sebum.
Jojoba has a very long shelf life, so it's a good choice if you don't use it regularly.
It is very well-absorbed, which makes it a favorite carrier oil for aromatherapy. Jojoba is usually not irritating to skin.
One drawback: jojoba oil is so silky and quickly absorbed, you may need to reapply it often or mix it with other oils listed here.

4. Fractionated Coconut Oil

Although you may think of coconut oil as being a thick, white solid oil, fractionated coconut oil is actually a light, non-greasy, liquid oil.
It is called fractionated coconut oil because it contains only a fraction of the whole oil. The long-chain triglycerides have been removed, leaving only the medium-chain triglycerides.
Like jojoba oil it has a very long shelf life. But perhaps the top feature of fractionated coconut oil is that it tends not to stain sheets, a problem with most massage oils.

5. Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a light, non-greasy oil that won't leave skin feeling oily. The oil, extracted from sunflower seeds, is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, as well as palmitic acid and stearic acid, all components of healthy skin. The amount of linoleic acid in skin declines with age and can be stripped by harsh soaps and cleansers.
Sunflower oil can go rancid quickly, so it should be purchased in small quantities and stored in a dark cool area. Squeezing one or two capsules of pure vitamin E oil into the bottle may help to extend the shelf life.
People with allergies to the sunflower plant family should avoid sunflower oil.

Other Massage Oils

• Avocado Oil
  Avocado oil is pressed from the avocado fruit. Deep green in color, avocado oil is a heavier oil and is usually mixed with lighter massage oils such as sweet almond oil.
  People who are sensitive to latex may be sensitive to avocado oil.
• Cocoa Butter
  Cocoa butter is very rich and has a distinct chocolate aroma. It is solid at room temperature and has a heavy texture, so it needs to be blended with other oils or used only for very small areas.
• Grapeseed Oil
  In many respects, grapeseed oil makes a great massage oil. It has little-to-no odor, and it has a smooth, silky texture without being greasy.
  However, most grapeseed oil is extracted from grape seeds using a solvent (rather than being pressed from the seeds), which some aromatherapists say make it an inferior oil for aromatherapy massage.
• Kukui Nut Oil
  A light, thin, non-greasy oil. Native to a Hawaii, kukui nut oil is typically used on all skin types, including oily skin and sun-damaged skin.
• Olive Oil
  Most people are familiar with olive oil as a cooking oil, but it is occasionally used for massage. It is a heavy oil with a greasy or sticky texture and recognizable aroma that many associate with cooking, so it's usually not used on its own for massage.
  
• Sesame Oil
  Sesame oil is prized in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. It is used in a daily Ayurvedic self-massage called abhyanga, as well as shirodhara.
  According to Ayurveda, sesame oil is especially useful for nourishing and detoxifying and for ailments associated with the vata type, such as anxiety, poor circulation, constipation, bloating, and excessive dryness.
  Sesame oil is a rather thick oil that may leave skin feeling oily, so it can be blended with lighter massage oils. The unrefined oil has a strong aroma.
• Shea Butter
  Extracted from the seeds of a tree native to Africa, shea butter is a solid at room temperature. Like cocoa butter, shea butter is heavy and can leave an oily feeling on skin, so it is usually not used on its own for massage. It may be blended or used for very small areas.
  Shea contains a natural latex, so people with latex allergies should do a patch test before using it.
• Wheat Germ Oil
  Wheat germ oil is too thick to use on its own as a massage oil, but it can be blended with lighter oils. Wheat germ oil is rich in vitamin E.