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

Updated October 2026.

A carrier oil is a plant oil used to dilute essential oils so they're safe to apply to 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. Below is my list of the 25 carrier oils I actually use, with a quick-reference chart of skin types, absorption and comedogenic ratings, plus what makes each one special. 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 and everything you need to know about carrier oils.

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 and benefits. Most adult blends use a 1 to 3% dilution. 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 loves richer oils like avocado, argan or shea.
• Absorption: Fast-absorbing oils feel light and are great 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, 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

Everyday Basics

Versatile, affordable oils that work for 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 reach for most often in rollers. Read why I use fractionated coconut oil. Read my fractionated coconut oil spotlight.

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

4. 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 is coconut oil a carrier oil? Read my coconut oil spotlight.

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

5. Grapeseed Oil (Vitis vinifera)

A thin, light oil that absorbs quickly and leaves a silky finish. It's great 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

6. 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

7. 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.

Best for: Very dry skin on the body · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 2

8. 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 that shine in facial oils, serums and skin care.

9. Argan Oil (Argania spinosa)

A silky, fast-absorbing oil that's wonderful for the face and for taming 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Kukui Nut Oil (Aleurites moluccanus)

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Wheat Germ Oil (Triticum vulgare)

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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica)

A strong-smelling oil that's traditionally used for problem skin and scalp care. Use just 5 to 10% in a blend to keep the scent manageable. Read my neem oil spotlight.

Best for: Problem skin, scalp care · Absorption: Slow · Comedogenic rating: 1

Butters

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

21. Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii)

Creamy and deeply moisturizing, shea is the most versatile butter 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 great 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 one of the gentlest oils for sensitive, irritated or dry skin, and a favorite in baby balms and salves.

Best for: Sensitive and irritated skin · Absorption: Depends on base oil · Comedogenic rating: Depends on base 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 a traditional massage oil for bumps, bruises and tired, achy muscles, and it makes a soothing base for massage blends. 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 (read more), baobab, black cumin seed, borage, camellia, coconut butter, cucumber seed, cupuacu butter, evening primrose, fenugreek, guava seed, hazelnut, kokum butter, macadamia, maracuja (passion fruit seed), marula, meadowfoam seed, pomegranate seed, prickly pear seed, red raspberry seed, safflower, sesame, St. John's Wort (infused), walnut.

Looking for carrot seed oil? Carrot seed oil is actually an essential oil, not a carrier oil, so I've moved it off this list. Learn how to use carrot seed oil for skin.

Carrier Oil Safety Tips

• Patch test any new carrier oil on your inner arm and wait 24 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.

More Carrier Oil Guides

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