Encyclopedia
Carrier Oils
38 carrier oil ingredients explained in plain English.
Abyssinian Oil Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil Light, silky, fast-absorbing oil rich in erucic acid. Premium dry-touch finish for hair and face. Acai Oil Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil Deep green Amazonian oil pressed from acai palm fruit pulp. Oleic-dominant with unusually high phytosterols and phenolics — a stable, antioxidant-rich option for anti-aging formulas. Amaranth Seed Oil Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Oil Cold-pressed seed oil notable for its naturally high squalene content (~6-8%). Light feel, barrier-supporting, oxidatively stable for a polyunsaturated oil. Amla Oil Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Oil An infused or expressed oil from the Indian gooseberry, traditionally used to darken, condition, and strengthen hair. Rich in vitamin C and tannins. Baobab Oil Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil Premium African seed oil with omega-3, 6, and 9. Hydrating, anti-aging, strong sustainability story. Blackcurrant Seed Oil Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil Rare seed oil with a unique combination of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and stearidonic acid. Used for inflammation, eczema, and barrier repair. Buriti Oil Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil Deep orange-red Amazonian fruit oil. One of the highest natural beta-carotene loads of any plant oil — used for sun-damage repair and mature-skin formulas. Camelina Oil Camelina Sativa Seed Oil A golden, omega-3-rich seed oil from the false flax plant. Light, fast-absorbing, and unusually shelf-stable for a polyunsaturated oil. Carrot Seed Oil Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil Cold-pressed seed oil with carotenoid and tocopherol content. Used in low percentages in mature-skin and sun-comfort formulas. Distinct from carrot tissue infusion. Cedar Nut Oil Pinus Sibirica Seed Oil Highly unsaturated Siberian pine nut oil containing rare fatty acids like pinoleic and sciadonic acid. Exceptionally high phytosterols — a specialist oil for inflamed, psoriatic, and eczema-prone skin. Cranberry Seed Oil Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil A pale gold seed oil with an unusually balanced 1:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Rich in tocopherols and tocotrienols. Dicaprylyl Carbonate Dicaprylyl Carbonate Light, fast-spreading emollient ester derived from coconut or palm. A widely used silicone alternative with a dry, silky skin feel and excellent pigment-dispersing ability. Elderberry Seed Oil Sambucus Nigra Seed Oil Vivid green oil high in both linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid with a light, non-greasy skin feel. Anti-inflammatory and regenerative — excellent for oily, acne-prone, and mature skin alike. Hazelnut Oil Corylus Avellana Seed Oil Light, astringent, fast-absorbing nut oil. A face-oil favourite for oily and combination skin. Kahai Oil Caryodendron Orinocense Seed Oil Cold-pressed Colombian Amazonian nut oil. One of the highest natural sources of retinol-like vitamin A esters and omega-3 linolenic acid among plant oils — used for anti-aging and regenerative skin care. Karanja Oil Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil Indian seed oil with natural UV-absorbing flavonoids. Antibacterial and a folk-medicine pedigree. Kukui Nut Oil Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil Polyunsaturated nut oil from the Hawaiian state tree. Very light feel, fast absorption, traditional use on sunburn and dry skin. Laurel Berry Oil Laurus Nobilis Fruit Oil Dark green, aromatic Mediterranean oil pressed from bay laurel berries. The defining ingredient of traditional Aleppo soap. Maracujá Oil Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil Light, fast-absorbing seed oil with very high linoleic content (~70%). Calming for acne-prone, oily, and barrier-compromised skin. Monoi Oil Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (and) Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract A traditional Polynesian preparation of fresh tiare flowers steeped in refined coconut oil. Solid below 24 C, intensely tropical scent. Moringa Oil Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil Light, exceptionally stable oleic-rich oil from moringa tree seeds. High behenic acid content, premium feel, near-zero scent. Neem Oil Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil Cold-pressed seed oil from the neem tree. Strong sulfurous scent, traditional use on scalp, acne, fungal skin, and as a natural insect-deterrent ingredient. Oat Oil Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Cold-pressed lipid fraction of oat kernels. Unusually rich in ceramides and phospholipids alongside a linoleic-dominant fatty acid profile — one of the most skin-barrier-compatible plant oils available. Ojon Oil Elaeis Oleifera Fruit Oil Deep orange-red Amazonian palm oil loaded with carotenoids. Roughly half saturated, half unsaturated — specifically effective for chemically damaged and colour-treated hair. Paprika Seed Oil Capsicum Annuum Seed Oil Cold-pressed oil from paprika seeds with a striking orange-red colour, high linoleic acid content, and exceptional tocopherol levels. Even 1% visibly tints a formula. Peach Kernel Oil Prunus Persica Kernel Oil Light, elegant carrier oil from peach pits with a finer skin feel than almond or apricot kernel. Excellent emollient for dry, aging, and sensitive skin. Pequi Fruit Oil Caryocar Brasiliense Fruit Oil Amazonian fruit oil rich in palmitic and oleic acids with a notable carotenoid content. Semi-solid at cool temperatures, liquid in warmth. Excellent for dry skin and curly hair styling. Perilla Seed Oil Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil Asian seed oil rich in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (~55-65%). Used for sensitive, atopic, and anti-inflammatory skincare. Poppy Seed Oil Papaver Somniferum Seed Oil Light, fast-absorbing seed oil with high linoleic content. Barrier support and a delicate culinary lineage. Pracaxi Oil Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil Amazonian seed oil with the highest natural behenic acid content of any cosmetic oil (~20%). Used in stretch-mark, scar, and hyperpigmentation formulas. Sacha Inchi Oil Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil Peruvian seed oil with one of the highest natural omega-3 (ALA) concentrations of any plant — typically 45-50%. Lightweight, fast-absorbing, repair-focused. Safflower Oil Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil Affordable light oil with two grades — high-oleic (stable) and high-linoleic (barrier-supporting). Strawberry Seed Oil Fragaria Ananassa Seed Oil Cold-pressed seed oil with a balanced linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid profile, moderate tocopherols, and a light non-greasy feel. Excellent for damaged, sensitive, and mature skin. Tigernut Oil Cyperus Esculentus Root Oil Aromatic, nutty-scented oil from Burkina Faso with a high oleic acid content, surprisingly low iodine value for a liquid oil, and excellent phytosterol levels. Versatile, heat-stable, and well-tolerated. Vanilla Infused Oil Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract (in Carrier Oil) A carrier oil infused with vanilla bean pods. Warm, gourmand scent with mild antioxidant character. Used for fragrance more than active skincare. Walnut Oil Juglans Regia Seed Oil Cold-pressed nut oil rich in linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Drying, fast-absorbing, used in hair masks and dry-touch face oils. Wheat Germ Oil Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Heavy, vitamin-E-rich oil. Anti-aging support and natural antioxidant booster for other oils. Yangu Oil Calodendrum Capense Seed Oil Light, fast-absorbing African seed oil with a high linoleic acid content. A standout carrier for facial oils and lightweight moisturisers, especially for oily and combination skin.