List of Carrier Oils: 25 Best Carrier Oils and Their Benefits

Updated November 2026
A carrier oil is a plant oil used to dilute essential oils so they're safe on your skin. If you're just getting started, jojoba, sweet almond, and fractionated coconut oil are the easiest choices: they're gentle, affordable, and work in almost any recipe. This list of carrier oils covers the 25 I actually use, with a quick chart of skin types, absorption, and comedogenic ratings, plus what makes each one different. Jump to the chart.

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are pressed from the fatty parts of plants, like seeds, nuts, and kernels. Unlike essential oils, they don't evaporate and have little or no scent. They "carry" essential oils onto your skin, helping them spread evenly and lowering the risk of irritation. Learn more in carrier oil vs essential oil.

Why Dilute Essential Oils with a Carrier Oil?

Essential oils are very concentrated. Putting them on your skin undiluted can cause redness, irritation, or an allergic reaction that may last for good. A carrier oil lets you use far less essential oil while still enjoying the aroma. Everyday adult blends use 2 to 3%, and full-body massage oils 1 to 2%. See my guide to diluting essential oils.

How to Choose a Carrier Oil

• Skin type: Oily or blemish-prone skin does best with light oils that are low on the comedogenic scale, like hemp seed, grapeseed, or jojoba. Dry or mature skin does well with richer oils like avocado, argan, or shea.
• Absorption: Fast-absorbing oils feel light and work well for the face and rollers. Slow-absorbing oils give more glide for massage and more protection for very dry skin.
• Scent: Some carriers, like neem, tamanu, and olive, have a strong natural scent. Fractionated coconut, jojoba, and sweet almond are nearly odorless.
• Shelf life: Delicate oils like rosehip, hemp, and grapeseed go rancid faster. See carrier oil shelf life and storage.
• Allergies: Skip nut oils (sweet almond, apricot, kukui, macadamia, and tamanu) if you have a nut allergy.

What Is a Comedogenic Rating?

The comedogenic scale rates how likely an oil is to clog pores, from 0 (won't clog) to 5 (very likely to clog). If you have acne-prone skin, choose oils rated 0 to 2 for your face. Ratings vary a little between sources, so treat them as a general guide. Learn more in best non-comedogenic carrier oils.

Carrier Oils Chart: Quick Reference

Click an oil name to read my full spotlight on that oil.

List of Carrier Oils and Their Benefits

All-Purpose Basics

Affordable oils that work in most recipes.

1. Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis)

A light, nourishing, budget-friendly oil that's a favorite for massage and body oils. It has very little scent and blends with everything. Skip it if you have a tree nut allergy. Read my sweet almond oil spotlight.

Best for: Most skin types, dry, sensitive · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 2

2. Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis)

Technically a liquid wax, jojoba is very similar to the skin's own oils, so it feels balanced, not greasy. It has a long shelf life and is my top pick for face blends and roller bottles. Read my jojoba oil spotlight.

Best for: All skin types, including oily · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 2

3. Fractionated Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera)

Fractionated coconut oil stays liquid, has no scent, and absorbs quickly without a greasy feel. It's the carrier I use most often in rollers. Read my fractionated coconut oil spotlight.

Best for: All skin types · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 2

4. Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera)

A thin, light oil that absorbs quickly and leaves a silky finish. It's a good choice for massage and oily skin, but it has a shorter shelf life, so buy small bottles. Read my grapeseed oil spotlight.

Best for: Oily and combination skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 1

5. Apricot Kernel Oil (Prunus armeniaca)

Very similar to sweet almond oil but a little lighter. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and lovely in facial oils. Read my apricot kernel oil spotlight.

Best for: Sensitive, dry, and mature skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 2

6. Olive Oil (Olea europaea)

A rich, heavier oil you probably already have in your kitchen. It's best for dry body skin, salves, and infused oils. Its strong scent can compete with your essential oils. Not recommended for daily use because it is very high in oleic acid, which can disrupt the skin barrier. Read my olive oil spotlight.

Best for: Salves, infused oils, and normal skin (occasional use) · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 2

7. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus)

A gentle, inexpensive, light oil that's a nice alternative if you have a nut allergy. Look for high-oleic sunflower oil, which lasts longer.

Best for: All skin types, sensitive · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 0

Skin Care Favorites

Nourishing oils for facial oils, serums, and skin care.

8. Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)

A silky oil that's lovely on the face and helps tame frizzy hair. A little goes a long way. Read my argan oil spotlight.

Best for: Dry, mature, and normal skin, hair · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 0

9. Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa canina)

A light, dry-feeling oil prized in facial serums for helping skin look smoother and more even. It goes rancid quickly, so keep it in the fridge. Read is rosehip seed oil comedogenic? Read my rosehip seed oil spotlight.

Best for: Mature and dry skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 1

10. Avocado Oil (Persea americana)

A rich, thick, deeply moisturizing oil. I like to blend it with a lighter oil, about 10 to 20%, so it doesn't feel heavy. Read my avocado oil spotlight.

Best for: Very dry and mature skin · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 3

11. Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis sativa)

A light, green, nutty oil that won't clog pores. It contains no THC. It spoils quickly, so store it in the fridge. Read my hemp seed oil spotlight.

Best for: Oily and blemish-prone skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 0

12. Kukui Nut Oil (Aleurites moluccanus)

A light Hawaiian oil that absorbs quickly and feels soft and comfortable on dry skin. Read my kukui nut oil spotlight.

Best for: Dry and sensitive skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 2

13. Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo)

A rich, dark green oil. Use a small amount blended with a lighter carrier for facial oils. Read my pumpkin seed oil spotlight.

Best for: Normal and mature skin · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 2

14. Moringa Oil (Moringa oleifera)

A stable, long-lasting oil with a light feel. It's lovely in facial oils and hair care. Read my moringa oil spotlight.

Best for: Mature and dry skin · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 3

15. Wheat Germ Oil (Triticum aestivum)

A thick, rich oil high in vitamin E. Add just 5 to 10% to a blend to help it last longer. Skip it on acne-prone skin and if you have a wheat allergy. Read my wheat germ oil spotlight.

Best for: Very dry skin on the body · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 5

16. Tamanu Oil (Calophyllum inophyllum)

A thick, green oil with a strong nutty scent, used in small amounts for blemish-prone skin and rough patches. It comes from a tree nut, so skip it if you have a nut allergy.

Best for: Blemish-prone and rough skin · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 2

17. Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae rhamnoides)

A deep orange oil that's rich in natural carotenoids. Use only a few drops in a blend, since it can temporarily tint skin and fabric orange.

Best for: Mature and dull-looking skin · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 1

Specialty Oils

Oils with a specific job.

18. Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)

A very thick, sticky oil. Blend it with a lighter carrier for oil cleansing, or use it on brows and lashes. Read my castor oil spotlight.

Best for: Hair, brows, lashes, and oil cleansing · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 1

19. Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica)

A strong-smelling oil many people use in scalp and skin care blends. Use just 5 to 10% in a blend to keep the scent manageable. Read my neem oil spotlight.

Best for: Scalp and skin care blends · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 1

Butters & Solid Carrier Oils

Solid at room temperature, and the base for balms, lotion bars, and body butters.

20. Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera)

Virgin coconut oil is solid at room temperature and melts on contact with skin. It's lovely in body butters and balms, but it can clog pores, so skip it on acne-prone faces. See fractionated coconut oil vs virgin coconut oil. Read my coconut oil spotlight.

Best for: Dry skin on the body · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 4

21. Shea Butter (Vitellaria paradoxa)

Creamy and deeply moisturizing, shea (formerly Butyrospermum parkii) is the easiest butter to work with for DIY. Learn how to whip shea butter. Read my shea butter spotlight.

Best for: Dry skin, balms, and body butters · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 0

22. Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao)

A firm butter with a chocolatey scent that helps balms and lotion bars hold their shape. Skip it on acne-prone skin. Read my cocoa butter spotlight.

Best for: Very dry skin on the body · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 4

23. Mango Butter (Mangifera indica)

A softer, nearly scentless butter that feels lighter than shea. See can you mix shea and mango butter? Read my mango butter spotlight.

Best for: Dry skin, lotions · Absorption: Medium · Comedogenic rating: 2

24. Babassu Oil (Attalea speciosa)

Solid like coconut oil, but it melts into a light, non-greasy feel. A good coconut alternative if coconut breaks you out. Read my babassu oil spotlight.

Best for: Oily and normal skin · Absorption: Fast · Comedogenic rating: 1

Infused Oils

Herbal oils made by soaking a plant in a carrier oil.

25. Calendula Oil (Calendula officinalis)

Made by soaking calendula flowers in a carrier oil, usually olive or sunflower. It's a gentle choice for sensitive or dry skin, and a favorite in balms and salves.

Best for: Sensitive and dry skin · Absorption: Depends on base oil · Comedogenic rating: Depends on base oil

My Readers' Favorite Carrier Oils

When I asked my readers which carrier oil they like best with essential oils, fractionated coconut oil came out on top. Here are the top five favorite carrier oils, with the reasons they gave.

In their own words:

• Fractionated coconut oil: "It absorbs quickly in the skin, leaving no lingering residue. It is also unscented, so it does not compete with the oils' scent." (Dawn, MI)
• Jojoba oil: "I love jojoba oil due to its long shelf life, lightweight skin feel, and lack of smell." (Sherrie K, MN)
• Sweet almond oil: "I use the non scented sweet almond oil so the true oil aroma comes through." (Cheryl G, OH)
• Virgin coconut oil: "Coconut oil for the clean, fresh smell and its variety of uses." (Rebekah R, OH)
• Grapeseed oil: "I like it in my massage oil blends." (Jenna L, CA)

Other reader favorites included apricot kernel, rosehip, avocado, argan, and olive oil.

What About Trauma Oil?

Trauma oil isn't a single carrier oil. It's a blend of three infused herbal oils, arnica, calendula, and St. John's Wort, usually in a base of olive or sunflower oil. It's often used as a massage base after a long day, for tired, achy muscles. Read more in my trauma oil guide.

• Unbroken skin only: Arnica should never go on cuts, scrapes, or broken skin.
• Sun sensitivity: St. John's Wort can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so avoid sun exposure on areas where you've applied it.
• External use only: Don't take trauma oil internally, and check with your doctor if you are pregnant or take medications.

Other Carrier Oils You May Come Across

There are many more carrier oils out there. These are a few others you may see in recipes and shops: arnica oil, baobab, black cumin seed, borage, camellia, cucumber seed, cupuacu butter, evening primrose, fenugreek, guava seed, hazelnut, kokum butter, kpangnan butter, macadamia nut, maracuja (passion fruit seed), marula, meadowfoam seed, pomegranate seed, prickly pear seed, red raspberry seed, safflower, sesame, St. John's Wort (infused), and walnut.

Looking for carrot seed oil? Carrot seed oil comes in two forms, a cold-pressed carrier oil and a steam-distilled essential oil. To keep this main list simple, I left it off. Learn how to use carrot seed oil for skin.

How to Buy Carrier Oils

Look for cold-pressed, unrefined oils, and organic when you can find it. Unrefined oils keep more of their natural color and scent. Refined oils are lighter in smell and often last longer, which helps when you don't want the carrier competing with your essential oils. Either one works. Buy small bottles of a new or fragile oil (like rosehip or hemp) until you know you like it.

Carrier Oil Safety Tips

• Patch test any new carrier oil on your inner forearm and wait 24 to 48 hours. See my skin patch test guide.
• Nut allergies: Avoid nut-based oils like sweet almond, apricot kernel, kukui, macadamia, hazelnut, walnut, and tamanu.
• Freshness: Carrier oils can go rancid. If an oil smells sharp, sour, or like crayons, throw it out.
• Storage: Keep oils in dark glass, tightly capped, away from heat and light. Refrigerate delicate oils like rosehip and hemp.
• Dilution: Carrier oils are safe to use on their own, but essential oils always need diluting. Read my essential oil safety tips.

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More Carrier Oil Guides

• Carrier Oil vs Essential Oil
• Best Carrier Oils for Massage
• Fractionated Coconut Oil vs Jojoba for Rollers
• Best Non-Comedogenic Carrier Oils
• Carrier Oil Shelf Life and Storage

Ready to make your own blends? Browse my roller bottle kits and my free essential oil guides.