Carrier Oil: To use or not to use?

Carrier oils are base oils that are applied to the skin before the use of essential oils. This can be anything from the olive oil you store in your cabinet to cook with, to Doterra's fractionated coconut oil, or any other preference you may have. The reason Doterra uses fractionated coconut oil is because it is very light, absorbent, does not leave the skin feeling greasy, is great for dry skin, is colorless, and does not stain.

Some people debate about the reason for a carrier oil when using essential oils, seeing it one of two ways:
1. Carrier oils are a MUST because essential oils can be harmful to the skin if they are not used together, or
2. Carrier oils dilute essential oils so I do not get the full effect of the essential oils.

What if we told you BOTH OF THESE ARE INCORRECT?!

Let’s dissect this.

Are essential oils dangerous for the skin without a carrier oil pairing?
The answer is no. Doterra's essential oils are sourced and tested through a rigorous process to make sure what we are using on our bodies is 100% pure and safe. You should never have to question the quality when using Doterra. That being said, some oils have a “spicy” or “hot” feeling on the skin, such as oregano or peppermint. These are natural responses from the properties of the essential oils, however, it may cause some people to feel uncomfortable. For that reason, carrier oils are encouraged to be used to dilute the essential oils so that the feeling is not so strong and keeps the individual comfortable throughout the application of oils.

Do carrier oils dilute to the point of essential oils being less effective?
Absolutely not. The simple answer to this question is that carrier oils, specifically fractionated coconut oil, serve as a barrier to keep the oils on the skin after they are applied. It is a natural emollient to increase essential oil distribution. It does not decrease the effectiveness of oils, it does the opposite. Nobody should be afraid of not getting the full effects of the essential oils when pairing them with a carrier oil.

Essential Oils are magnificent tools to help us increase the quality of our lives naturally. Don’t let the fear of “spicy” oils keep you from using them; add a carrier oil! On the other hand, have confidence that the carrier oil will only benefit your essential oil use, not diminish the wonderful benefits! Move forward with surety that carrier oils are simply helpful, and each individual can use their best judgment on how and when to pair them with the application of essential oils.