Enjoying Carrier Oils for DIY Self-Care
NOW® Solutions offers a wide variety of popular carrier oils, including avocado, castor, coconut, sesame, sweet almond, apricot kernel, jojoba, and shea. Carrier oils are often used for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects such as body butters, massage oils, body scrubs, and more. The term “carrier” describes the fact that they are frequently used to dilute essential oils so they can be safely enjoyed topically. Essential oils are too concentrated to apply to the skin undiluted. The unique fatty acid profiles of different carrier oils render each one suitable for different skin types and purposes. Find out more here.
All NOW® Solutions carrier oils are vegetable-derived, cruelty-free certified, and quality assured through both extensive internal quality testing as well as adherence to a rigorous, internationally certified quality standard known as UL (Underwriters Laboratories). NOW® Solutions carrier oils come in UV-protected containers to preserve freshness.
NOW® Solutions Castor Oil. Castor oil is one of the best-known emollients, a property that leaves the skin soft and supple. Some popular uses include spot application to calluses, scars, eyelashes, and small areas of peeling or cracking skin such as nail beds. Castor oil-soaked cloths (known as castor oil packs) are often recommended by naturopaths for constipation, cysts, fibroids, and menstrual pain. The healing effects of castor oil are attributed to a unique anti-inflammatory fatty acid called ricinoleic.
NOW® Solutions Sweet Almond Oil. Sweet Almond Oil is rich in vitamin E (an antioxidant) and squalene (an oil naturally produced by our skin), making it a fabulous skin conditioner, moisturizer, and lubricant; it softens and soothes the skin while replenishing skin fats. This makes sweet almond oil ideal for dry, chapped, scaly, irritated, or mature skin.
NOW® Solutions Jojoba Oil. Technically, jojoba is a liquid wax, not an oil. It is an excellent source of ceramides, a popular “active” in natural cosmetics to help protect and repair the skin barrier. While great for any skin type, it is often recommended for acne-prone and dry, damaged, or mature skin. Jojoba has an impressive shelf-life for DIY cosmetics.
Face Oil Recipe
- 15 ml NOW® Solutions Jojoba Oil
- 15 ml NOW® Solutions Sweet Almond Oil
- 2 drops NOW® Essential Oils Turmeric
- 2 drops NOW® Essential Oils Lavender
Directions: Mix all the above ingredients into a glass dropper bottle and apply 2-3 drops to the face morning and night. Enjoy! 😊
By Thalia Charney, MA, Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Coach
Nutrition and Health Education Manager, NOW® Brand