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The quality of the
carrier oils, the lotions and other products you
use is slightly below the quality of the
essential oils in aromatherapy. The same with
with essential oils, always buy your carrier
oils from a reputable supplier and you are
advised to read the labels carefully before
purchasing. It is recommended to keep all your
aromatherapy oils in the refrigerator and allow
them to come to room temperature before use.
Try to make sure to
pick carrier oils that contain no additives and it
is better to choose unscented, cold-pressed,
organic vegetable oils. It is important to note
that unrefined oils are always preferred over
refined oils. Try to avoid both mineral oil,
which is a petroleum product, and coconut oil
which has molecules too large to be absorbed
into the skin. Keep a look out for the shelf
life of the oils you purchase. Always buy only
small quantities of oils that go rancid quickly
and for those with a longer life, purchasing
larger quantities would be fine. Different types
of carrier oils are used for different purposes.
Almond oil is
usually used in aromatherapy massage and it
also relieves itching and inflammation but
it spoils too quickly. Apricot kernel oil is
a rich oil full of vitamin A which is often
recommended for dry, mature, sensitive and
dehydrated skin. Avocado oil contains lots
of vitamins A and E, so it is very useful
for skin problems. Its richness makes it
especially important for mixing with other oils
although it goes rancid quickly. Canola oil is a
light, penetrating oil that keeps well and works
well in blends for massage and the skin. Evening
primrose oil is often used in beauty products
because it is good for skin repair and health and
assists in preventing premature aging but the
bad part is that it does spoils easily. Flaxseed
oil is full of vitamin E thus making it valuable
for skin healing and regeneration. It too spoils
quickly.
Grapeseed oil is a
good choice for oily or acne-prone skin because
it is light and slight astringent while Hazelnut
oil helps skin preserve firmness and elasticity
and it is not cheap. Jojoba oil, which is
essentially a wax ester, softens and
moisturizers skin while helping to control acne
and oily skin at the same time. Its antioxidant
benefits extend to other oils with which it is
mixed and it can also extend the shelf life of
your blends.
Olive oil is
commonly used to beautify the skin and hair and
it mixes well with other carrier oils too while
sunflower oil is high in vitamin E and is
recommended for sensitive skin. Vitamin E oil is
known for its skin-healing properties whereby it
is best blended with other carrier oils. One
thing to take note here is that always make sure
to buy natural vitamin E, and not synthetic
version.
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