Which Carrier Oils to used with Essential Oils

After taking 12 certification courses through different schools, I continued my education with my Lucky 13th course at iEO certification (ieocertified.com)  Which I found to be far more educational, more complete, as well as a fair (not gouged) price.  I found the information about carrier oils to be extremely helpful and very complete.  I'll share with you here, just a little about each carrier oil.  The course has 19 modules, and the information is evidence-based through clinical studies and research.
There is a lot more about carrier oils in the course.  It's worth taking, even if you have completed a base level or higher certification in aromatherapy & essential oils.

Your carrier oil should be selected based on the therapeutic properties and also used to reduce the risk of irritation, redness and skin sensitivity.  Carrier oils can extend the therapeutic action of essential oils.  Organic oils are preferred as well as unrefined, cold expelled pressed or cold-pressed on the label.  Even if it says "pure" it's likely a refined product, and still not the type of carrier oils desired for a therapeutic application to compliment your essential oils.  Carrier oils have properties of their own, as well as Cautions - Safety concerns for certain medications or medical conditions.  Know before you create products or remedies, if the carrier oil will interfere or benefit.  Know the person's history before creating a product for them.
 
Proper Storage of Carrier Oils
Just as essential oils should be stored in small containers, dark, and in a cool dark place.  So should

your carrier oils.  The average shelf life is 6-12 months, so ordering bulk size bottles unless you're using them in making many products, may not be your best choice.  Oxidized carrier oils breakdown and form free radicals, left unchecked, damage cells, accelerate the aging process and have a detrimental effect on the skin.  To extend the shelf life, store carrier oils in the fridge, they may also solidify or turn cloudy being cold.  Remove them to return to room temperature before use.

Proper care & storage of carrier oils

• Store carrier oils in dark bottles (glass is preferred when possible)
• Store carrier oils in small containers, you don't need the industrial size olive oil from the store or it will go rancid quickly).  Consider transferring the contents of larger partially full bottles into smaller bottles.  Partial bottles contain oxygen in the empty portion of the bottle and will oxidize the carrier oil more quickly.
• Store carrier oils away from light and heat, which may damage or speed the rancidity process of carrier oils
• Store carrier oils in a cool place (some keep well and extend the shelf-life if kept in the Fridge)
• Keep the lids of carrier oil bottles on tight when not in use.

 Some carrier oils can be used 100%, some are very thick and will need to be mixed with other carrier oils.

Aloe Vera 6-12 months, skin type all, Safety Topical aloe vera use is considered safe.  Oral administration may interfere with cardiac drugs, diabetic drugs, diuretic drugs, blood thinners and laxatives, and the absorption of some medications.

USE: Pain, muscle aches, sports injuries, burns, sunburns, fungal infections, arthritis, scars, lichen planus, varicose veins, chronic skin conditions and irritations.

Apricot Kernal 6-12 months, skin type all, Safety considered a very safe and mild carrier oil.
USE: Infant and baby skin, prematurely aging skin, tangled hair, massage oil, dehydrated skin, facial applications.

Avocado 6-12 months, skin types all, Safety topical application is considered very safe.  Oral administration may interfere with blood thinners.
USE: Dry, hehydrated skin, wrinkles, scars, blemishes, chronic skin conditions, diaper rash

Beeswax  25+ yrs, skin type all, Safety very safe, no known contrindictions except for those allergic to propolis (bee's).
USE: Hemorrhoids, chronic skin conditions, acne, as a natural bandage (protective barrier over wounds), lip balms.

Borage Seed Oil  6-12 months, Safety-Do not use orally during pregnancy or while nursing due to potentially toxic alkaloid content.  Avoid with epilepsy, Parkinson's, or Convulsions as GLA may increase the seisure inhabiting ability of medications or encourage convulsions.  Not for long term use with children or adults unless the product is devoid of alkaloids.  May inhibit platelet aggregation, do not use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, or amont those with an increased risk of bleeding.
USE: Stretch marks, chronic skin conditions, dandruff, female issues.

Calendula Oil (Marigold) 25+ years, skin type all, particularly infants and sensitive skin.  Safety-Very safe, contraindicated orally during pregnancy.
USE: Minor wounds, diaper rash, chronic skin conditions, insect bites / stings, athletes foot, bruises, sports injuries, chapped or cracked skin, burns. 

Caprylic Capric Triglycerides (plant sugars and fatty acids from coconut palm kernels) 48 months  Skin all types, Safety considered very safe with no known contraindications. 
USE: Skin creams/lotions, lip balm, facial products.

Cocoa Butter: 6-12 months, Skin all types, Safety, considered safe, no known contrindictions. 
USE: Wrinkles, dry skin, wind or sunburned skin, acne, creating suppositories, creams and lotions.

Coconut Oil (Fractionated FCO) 18-24 months.  Skin all types especially sensitive and delicate.  Safety- considered safe with no known contraindications.
USE: Dandruff, lice, peeling skin, stretch marks, oral cleanliness

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Obtained from wood pulp or spearmiint oil, barley, malt, asparagus & corn. 2 yrs. Skin that is not sensitive, strongly recommended to combine with another carrier oil to reduce the potential skin irritation DMSO should generally make up only 5-10% of the formula.  Safety- enure that a pharmaceutical grade DMSO is used, industrial grades may contain impurities that may be hazardous to health.  High vapor concentrations may cause headache, dizziness, and drowsiness.  DMSO may increase the effect of myriad drugs, so it should not be used in tandem with medications.  It has been reported that DMSO dissolves synthetic fibers so contact with clothing should be avoided.  Not recommended for long term use (use for 21 days then take 7 day break before continuing use).  DMSO may decrease platelet activation (a preecursor to aggregation) and increase the effect of blood thinners and antithrombotic medications, which suggests it should not be used by those with bleeding disorders.
USE:  Pain, inflammation, interstitial cystitis, head injuries (intracranial pressure), arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's disease (may dissolve amyloid plaques)

Evening Primrose oil 6-12 months, Skin all types especially mature or dry skin.  Safety- avoid orally during pregnancy, may cause complications such as interfering with oxytocin, delayed descent of the baby, delayed rupture of the amniotic sac, and bleeding under the skin of the newborn infant.  Avoid with epilepsy, Parkinson's or convulsions as GLA may increase the seizure inhibiting ability of medications or encourage convulsions.  May inhibit platelet aggregation, do not use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, or among those with an increased risk of bleeding.
USE: Chronic skin conditions, inflamed skin, scaly skin, tender breasts.

Grapeseed Oil 6-12 months, Skin all types, especially those that don't absorb oils well and with sensitivities.  Safety- May inhibit platelet aggregation, do not use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, or among those with an increased risk of bleeding.
USE: Arthritic, varicose veins.

Hazelnut Oil  12 months, Skin all types, particularly oily types.  Safety- considered safe with no known contraindictions except for those with a known nut allergy
USE: Acne-prone skin, varicose veins, poor circulation.

Jojoba (liquid ester, not an oil) 25 yrs, Skin all types, Safety-not intended for oral consumption
USE: Acne, inflamed skin, chronic skin conditions, dandruff

Kukui Nut 12-24 months, Skin all types, especially dry, mature and damaged skin Safety- Not for oral use, contains mildly toxic plant compounds that may cause severe gastrointestinal upset or acute toxicity based on information from the raw seeds.
USE: Sunburn, chronic skin conditions, acne

Olive Oil 3-48 months depending on the harvest date, ripeness of olives and storage conditions.  Skin all types, especially dry skin.  Safety- may inhibit platelet aggregation, do not use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, or among those with an increased risk of bleeding (orally).  May interact with diabetic medications or increase their blood glucose lowering effects (orally).  May interact with and increase the blood pressure lowering effects of antihypertensive drugs (orally)

Sesame Seed Oil 24 months, Skin all types, Safety- considered safe with no known contraindictions
USE: Sunburn, chronic skin conditions, arthritis, rheumatism, facial cleanser.

Shea Butter 18 months, Skin all types, particularly very dry skin, babies and mature skin.  Safety- considered safe with no known contraindictions. 
USE: Chronic skin conditions, skin cracking, stretch marks, foot cream

Sunflower Oil 12-24 moths, goes rancid quickly once opened.  Skin all types.  Safety- may increase fasting blood sugar levels (oraly) which could interfere with diabetic medications.
USE: Leg ulcers, poor circulation, bath oils

Sweet Almond Oil 12 months, Skin all particularly sensitive and dry skin, great for babies.  Safety- may interact with diabetes medications and increase their blood sugar lowering effect (orally)
USE: Dandruff, blemishes, chronic skin conditions

Wheat Germ Oil 18 months, Skin all types, especially prematurely aged skin. Safety- avoid with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. 
USE: Scars, burns, inflamed skin, varicose veins, bruises.

There are also comedogenic ratings of these oils which is the effect of formation of blackheads or clog pores of the skin.  Wheat Germ oil is highest risk of 5, and Aloe Vera Gel, Shea Butter & Sunflower oil is lowest risk of 0.  Calendula Oil is a 1, Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil are fairly high risk of 4.  All others are risk of 2.  Something to consider when choosing carrier oils with skincare products you're making.

If you're making products to sell, or remedies for people, always ask about their medical history, so you can avoid using any oils that could cause conflict with medications or medical conditions.
Learn more details through the ieocertified.com course.