These botanical oils are perfect to use as carrier oils for aromatherapy body massage. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier/base oil before applying to the skin. Our botanical carrier oils are particularly good to use when the skin is feeling dry and in need of moisturising. Application of a botanical carrier oil, will tend to improve skin texture more effectively than a lotion (which is mainly water), and the oil should sink in quickly to provide lasting hydration. We have chosen some of the more common oils, some are certified organic oils and others are more affordable standard cosmetic grade oils but all are Leaping Bunny approved. These are supplied in 100ml blue PET plastic bottles (fully recyclable and reusable) with a handy flip top lid which has a narrow pourer to prevent spills. If you would rather receive these in a glass bottle please mention in the notes box at the checkout. (Glass bottles have a screw cap, without pourer). Choose from:
Organic Jojoba oil - simmondsia chinensis
Jojoba oil is an oil with a long history of use as a topical skin remedy. It is native to North America, often growing in desert regions, and organic cold pressed jojoba has a slightly nutty aroma. Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, so don't be surprised if it solidifies during cold weather. It's chemical make-up is very similar to the skin's natural sebum, making it suitable for use on all skin types as a natural skin moisturiser helping to prevent dry skin or flakiness. It's often used by people with oily skin types, since it appears to help regularise the production of sebum and can be helpful with acne. It is also beneficial for use on the hair, and scalp massage. This is a heavier oil, so can be used on it's own or blended with other lighter carrier oils.
Organic Calendula oil - calendula officinalis
Calendula is said to be a macerated oil, which means that a botanical oil to infused with calendula flowers before being filtered. This means that the oil takes on the properties of the calendula, making it soothing and suitable for use on sensitive skin. Ours is an organic calendula oil, with the base oil being organic sunflower oil. Organic calendula is a lovely choice to use on baby skin, eczema and for anyone with skin sensitivities. Organic calendula oil is a lovely yellow colour, but it won't stain the skin. It's a fantastic moisturising oil for soothing irritation and restoring a smooth skin texture. It's one of our favourite carrier oils for aromatherapy body massage.
Organic Avocado Oil -
Organic avocado oil is a nice choice of carrier oil for all skin types. It has a deeply penetrating quality that means that it sinks into the skin and is a useful oil to use when the skin is feeling dry. We tend to use this as an enrichment oil (since it does feel heavier than some oils) during aromatherapy body massage, with a small amount mixed with a lighter oil such as organic calendula oil. This is a certified organic oil, that has been cold pressed and refined (we found that several customers did not like our previous oil which was green) to retain it's natural vitamins.
Sweet Almond Oil - prunus amygalus dulcis
Sweet Almond oil is a wonderful oil for body massage, since it's slightly heavier texture allows for lots of glide across the skin but it absorbs easily to increase skin hydration and softness. It's no surprise that it's often the first carrier oil that massage therapists choose, since it's such a good all rounder being suitable for use on eczema, psoriasis, and sensitive skin. It has a long history of use in beauty products where it was highly valued for it's skin softening properties (Marie Antoinette famously mixed sweet almond oil with rosewater and wax to soften her hands). It is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins and resists oxidation - which means it lasts for longer than many other carrier oils. Since sweet almond oil is produced from nuts, it is not recommended for use by nut allergy sufferers.
Apricot Kernel - prunus armeniaca
Apricot kernel is a lovely oil that is a little lighter than sweet almond oil, but shares many of it's moisturising properties. It's finer texture makes it well suited to gentle facial massage blends, but it also works well as a body massage oil. It is suitable for normal, dry, sensitive and eczema skin types, promoting supple, moisturised skin without excess oiliness. We tend to recommend apricot kernel oil as a cost effective alternative to sweet almond oil where the user has a nut allergy.
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