Using your essential oils with a carrier dilutes the oil so it can be “carried” to your skin.Southern Comfort Wellness 100% pure essential oils are highly concentrated extracts that maintain the natural fragrances (the “essence”) of the plants from which they were extracted. So keep in mind, our essential oil has a much stronger smell than a single plant and contains higher levels of active ingredients because of the amount of plant matter required to distill it.

So as you get started, please understand:

• Research the proper uses and benefits of the oil you intend to apply. There are many oils with many different benefits.
• If not used properly, the potency of essential oil can be dangerous.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with a healthcare professional first.
• This is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. Southern Comfort Wellness does take responsibility for any possible consequences from action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained here. This information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider.

While Southern Comfort Wellness 100% pure essential oils are not intended to cure or prevent disease, they can make a positive impact on your well-being. They can ease stress, boost mood, relieve pain from headaches and migraines, get a better night’s sleep, quell nausea, aid in skin conditions, among many other benefits.

The key is to use them safely. Use a carrier to help dilute the essential oil.

Essential Oils With a Carrier

Mixing your essential oil with a carrier is the best and easiest way to dilute the oil to be used topically. Diluting your essential oil is paramount. Alone, the oil is extremely potent and can be dangerous.

There are several choices of carriers: plant oils, alcohol, water, and sometimes vinegar. The carrier you choose will depend on how you plan to apply your treatment.

Also consider the following:

• Smell. Some carrier oils have strong odors and could possibly weaken the fragrance of the essential oil when mixed.
• Skin absorption and irritation. All of our skin types are different, and we all absorb carrier oils differently, some better than others. Our skin types also may be irritated by different carrier oils. Do some research and testing to find the best fit for you.

Here is a good list of carrier oils that can get you started.

1. Olive Oil. Olive oil is a healthy, edible oil with a slight pungent, fruity odor. Use “extra-virgin” olive oil for aromatherapy as a carrier oil. It’s is a quality carrier for cleansing and moisturizing dry skin. Use olive oil with your essential oil is you plan for a massage or facial cleansers.

2. Avocado Oil. This is a thicker oil straight from the avocado fruit and will have a nutty aroma. The fatty acids in avocado oil helps dry skin remedies and can also be used in making body creams.

Note, if you have acne problems, or are prone to acne break outs, avocado oil as a carrier may not be the best fit, as the thick oil may cause issues. Consult with a dermatologist before using.

3. Sunflower Oil. This has a very subtle smell. Using essential oils with sunflower oil as a carrier can help soften skin and sooth any skin irritations.

4. Coconut Oil (unrefined). Coconut oil is a great carrier, as it contains skin-nourishing fatty acids. CAUTION, the refined coconut oil sold in most grocery stores is processed with chemicals and deodorized, which means it is not all-natural. Refined coconut oil is not recommended for use a carrier oil. Look for unrefined coconut oil. Being unrefined, the oil retinas it’s smell and flavor.

5. Sweet Almond Oil. Sweet almond oil has a very strong and sweet aroma. It is a lightweight oil that absorbs into the skin well. So, it’s a great moisturizer, as well as great for massage oil and soaps. Keep in mind, it’s strong scent may mask the essential oil you’re using it with.

6. Jojoba Oil. Pronounced ho-ho-ba, this oil is actually a liquid wax from the jojoba plant. It has powerful skin moisturizing properties. And its odor is very faint. This oil is close to the oil your body produces naturally. If you have oily skin, jojoba oil may be a good fit.

When diluting essential oil with a carrier oil, it is extremely important to use a safe dilution. Too much essential oil may cause skin irritation.

If you are new to essential oils, start with a 2.5 percent dilution: 15 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil. This is safe for aromatherapy massage and body oils.

• 2.5% Dilution: 15 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil.
• 5% Dilution: 30 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil.
• 10% Dilution: 60 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil.

For facial use, do not go over 2.5% dilution. And if you have sensitive skin, first try just 4 to 6 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons of carrier oil.

Alcohol as a carrier. Because it quickly evaporates, leaving no residue, alcohol may be a good choice for a lotion or balm. Alcohol is also used in water-based sprays such aslavender aromatherapy room spray.

Water as a carrier. Water in itself is not a great carrier because oil does not dilute in water (after all, oil and water don’t mix). In fact, take caution with water. If you add essential oil to a full bathtub, the oil is not going to dilute and it may burn your skin. Most of any aromatherapy recipes you find with water, there will be another ingredient, like alcohol or plant oil, to disperse the oil. In fact, try adding essential oil to a plant oil before adding it to the bathtub.

Vinegar as a carrier. Well, it smells. The smell only lingers for a little while, however. But for similar reasons as water, Vinegar is not the greatest carrier. Vinegar is mostly water. You are going to run into the same dilution issues with vinegar as water.

Carriers make it possible to use essential oils safely. Plant oil is also beneficial for your skin. Do some research. Not all oils are created equal. And not all oils may be good for you.

And always, do not use the essential oi/carrier oil on sensitive areas: lips, eyes, etc.