One of the most common mistakes people make when they first start using essential oils is applying them without a carrier oil.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts, which is why a little goes a long way. To give you an idea of how concentrated they are, it takes roughly 75 lemons to produce a single bottle of lemon essential oil.
Because of that concentration, it’s usually best—especially when you’re getting started—to use essential oils diluted with a carrier oil when applying them to the skin.
Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil simply makes them easier and more practical to use. Whether you're making a roller blend, using oils during massage, or incorporating them into everyday routines, a carrier oil helps disperse the essential oil so you can use just a drop or two while still applying it comfortably.
Most people dilute essential oils for three main reasons.
First, to reduce the chance of skin irritation.
Diluting essential oils slows how quickly they absorb into the skin, making them easier for the body to handle and generally more comfortable to use.
Diluting essential oils slows how quickly they absorb into the skin, making them easier for the body to handle and generally more comfortable to use.
Second, to make them easier to apply.
Blending essential oils with a carrier oil allows you to easily cover the area you want to apply the oil to instead of trying to work a single drop across a much larger surface.
Blending essential oils with a carrier oil allows you to easily cover the area you want to apply the oil to instead of trying to work a single drop across a much larger surface.
Third, to use essential oils more efficiently.
When essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil, you can often achieve the same result while using fewer drops of essential oil overall.
When essential oils are diluted in a carrier oil, you can often achieve the same result while using fewer drops of essential oil overall.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best carrier oils for essential oils and how to choose the right carrier oil depending on how you plan to use them.
What Is a Carrier Oil?
A carrier oil is simply an oil used to dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, they are often blended with a carrier oil to make them easier and more comfortable to use. The oil also helps disperse the essential oil so only a small amount is needed in a blend.
Essential oils also dissolve much better in oils than they do in water. That’s why oil-based carriers are commonly used when making massage oils, roller blends, and other topical preparations.
You may also see other ingredients used in natural recipes, such as witch hazel, glycerin, or alcohol. These can act as carriers in certain types of blends—especially sprays or perfumes—but they are not carrier oils.
Carrier oils specifically refer to fatty oils, usually derived from plants, that are used to dilute essential oils for topical use.
There are actually hundreds of plant oils that could be used as carrier oils, but a handful have become especially popular because they are stable, easy to find, and work well with essential oils.
Why Carrier Oils Are Important When Using Essential Oils
As mentioned earlier, essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts. Because of that concentration, using them diluted is often the easiest and most practical way to apply them.
A carrier oil allows you to spread a very small amount of essential oil over a larger area of skin. Instead of trying to work with a single drop, you can blend a few drops into a carrier oil and apply it more evenly.
Diluting essential oils also helps reduce the chance of skin irritation and slows how quickly the oil absorbs into the skin. This makes topical blends easier to control and generally more comfortable to use.
There’s also a very practical reason for using carrier oils:application. If you’ve ever tried to apply one drop of essential oil to a large area—like a sore muscle or the hindquarters of a horse—you quickly realize it doesn’t go very far. Mixing the essential oil into a carrier oil creates a massage oil that spreads easily.
For many people, carrier oils become the base for things like:
- massage oils
- roller bottle blends
- skincare oils
- natural wellness blends
Once you start working with essential oils regularly, having a good carrier oil on hand makes blending and applying them much easier.
The 8 Best Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
Here’s a quick comparison of the most commonly used carrier oils.
| Carrier Oil | Texture | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Fractionated Coconut Oil | Light | Roller blends, animal use |
| Jojoba Oil | Medium | Skincare, face oils, sensitivity |
| Sweet Almond Oil | Medium | Body blends, massage, nut oil |
| Grapeseed Oil | Light | Quick-absorbing blends |
| Olive Oil | Heavy | DIY blends, household use |
| Coconut Oil | Medium | Barn blends, hoof conditioner |
| Argan Oil | Medium | Hair, mane & tail blends |
| Avocado Oil | Heavy | Moisturizing skincare blends |
There are hundreds of plant oils that could technically be used as carrier oils, but a handful of them are especially popular because they’re easy to find, stable, and work well with essential oils. Below are some of the most commonly used carrier oils and what makes each one unique.
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Fractionated coconut oil is one of the most popular carrier oils for essential oils. It’s lightweight, odorless, and absorbs quickly without feeling greasy. Because it stays liquid at room temperature and has a long shelf life, it’s a favorite for roller bottle blends and massage oils.
As a massage therapist working with horses, this is the carrier oil I reach for most often. It spreads easily across large muscle groups and absorbs well without leaving a heavy residue.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is another popular carrier oil for essential oils, especially in skincare blends. Technically it’s a liquid wax rather than a true oil, but it works beautifully with essential oils.
I personally like using jojoba oil in many of the face creams and skincare blends I make because it absorbs nicely and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a common carrier oil used with essential oils because it provides a smooth glide without feeling overly greasy. It blends easily with essential oils and is commonly used in massage oils and body blends.
Because it comes from a tree nut, some people prefer to avoid it in their blends due to nut allergies.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a lightweight carrier oil often used with essential oils in massage and skincare blends. It absorbs quickly and spreads easily across the skin.
Personally, I don’t tend to use grapeseed oil very often. When working with horses, I usually reach for fractionated coconut oil instead since it’s typically more economical when mixing larger amounts of massage oil.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a simple carrier oil that can be used with essential oils in many DIY blends. Many people already have it in their kitchen, which makes it an easy option when first getting started.
While it’s heavier than some other carrier oils, it works well in many homemade recipes.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another carrier oil that blends well with essential oils and is commonly used in natural wellness routines.
At the barn, I often keep a small tub in the tack room because it’s easy to scoop out a little, add a couple of drops of essential oil depending on what I need that day, and use it as part of natural hoof conditioner blends.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is a rich carrier oil that works well with essential oils, particularly in hair and skincare blends.
Lately I’ve been experimenting with adding argan oil to some of my mane, tail, and coat recipes because it’s known for supporting healthy hair and can give the coat a great shine.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a nutrient-rich carrier oil sometimes used with essential oils in moisturizing blends and skincare products.
Because it’s a heavier oil, it’s usually used in smaller amounts or blended with lighter carrier oils.
How to Choose the Right Carrier Oil for Your Essential Oil Blends
With so many carrier oils available, people often ask which one is the “best.” The truth is there isn’t one perfect carrier oil for every situation. The right carrier oil usually depends on how you plan to use your essential oils and what feels easiest to work with.
Here are a few simple things to consider when choosing a carrier oil.
Quick Tip
If you're just getting started with carrier oils, fractionated coconut oil is one of the easiest and most versatile options for blending essential oils.
Absorption and Texture
Some carrier oils absorb quickly while others sit on the skin longer.
Lightweight oils like fractionated coconut oil or grapeseed oil tend to absorb quickly and don’t leave much residue. These are often a good choice for roller bottle blends or everyday topical use.
Because I do so much work with horses and dogs, fractionated coconut oil is the one I reach for most often. It spreads easily, absorbs well, and doesn’t leave a greasy feel on the coat or skin.
Heavier oils like olive oil or avocado oilabsorb more slowly and provide a little more moisture. These can work well in richer blends or skin-conditioning recipes.
If you work in massage like I do, some people also prefer oils that provide a little glide while still absorbing nicely into the skin.
Scent
Another thing to consider is the natural scent of the carrier oil.
Some oils, like fractionated coconut oil, have almost no scent and won’t compete with the aroma of your essential oils. Others, like olive oil, have a stronger natural smell that may slightly influence the final blend.
If you’re making something where the aroma matters—like perfumes, or roller blends—a more neutral carrier oil is usually the easiest choice.
What You Already Have Available
One of the easiest ways to start using carrier oils is simply to begin with something you already have at home.
At the barn, I use coconut oil and fractionated coconut oil the most. Coconut oil is great to keep in a small tub because you can scoop out a little, add a couple of drops of essential oil depending on what you need that day, and use it right away. It also works well in simple hoof conditioner recipes and for conditioning dry skin.
If I’m pre-making blends, I usually reach for fractionated coconut oil because it stays liquid and works well in roller bottles.
In many cases, the best carrier oil is simply the one you already have available. Don’t let not having a specific carrier oil stop you from using your essential oils. Many everyday oils—like coconut oil or olive oil—can work perfectly well for simple blends.
How Much Carrier Oil Should You Use?
A question I hear all the time is how much carrier oil you’re supposed to use when blending essential oils.
If you search online, you’ll find lots of dilution charts and percentages. Those can be helpful, especially when you’re first learning. But in everyday life, I try not to get too hung up on exact measurements.
Sometimes I’m making a blend ahead of time and measuring things out carefully. But a lot of times—especially at the barn—it’s much simpler than that. I’ll just put a small dollop of coconut oil or a squirt of carrier oil in my hand, add a couple drops of essential oil, rub my hands together, and use it right away.
For pre-made blends, I often use10 ml roller bottles because they’re big enough to last a while but not so big that they take forever to use up.
If you’ve never made a roller blend before, you can follow my step-by-step guide here:
How to Make an Essential Oil Roller Bottle
How to Make an Essential Oil Roller Bottle
When I make a roller blend, I usually start with about 10 drops of essential oil in a 10 ml bottle. Sometimes I’ll go up to 20 drops depending on the oils and what I’m making.
If you’re new to blending, it’s a good idea to start on the lower end and see what you like. Everyone’s scent preference is different. Some people find 10 drops plenty strong, while others barely notice it and prefer a stronger blend.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s finding what works for you.
A Note About Dilution for Animals
When working with animals, many aromatherapy resources recommend staying around 1–2% dilution or lower, especially when someone is just getting started.
These recommendations are meant to provide a very conservative starting point.
In my own work with horses and dogs, I sometimes adjust dilutions depending on the situation, the oils involved, and the overall blend. The quality of the essential oil also matters a lot here. High-quality, pure essential oils tend to behave very differently than lower-quality or adulterated products.
For anyone new to using essential oils, starting with lighter dilutions is usually the safest approach. From there, you can always adjust based on your experience, comfort level, and the observations you make after trying an oil with your animal.
Why Essential Oil Quality Matters
Not all essential oils are created equal. The market is full of products that are diluted, adulterated, or made with synthetic fragrance ingredients. These lower-quality products can behave very differently in blends and may increase the chance of skin irritation or problems.
When you're using essential oils around animals, quality becomes even more important. Using pure, well-sourced oils helps ensure you’re actually getting the plant compounds you expect in the safest way possible for your animals.
And if you're curious about the oils I personally use in my blends, you can see them HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carrier Oils
What is the best carrier oil for essential oils?
There isn’t one single “best” carrier oil. Many people prefer fractionated coconut oil because it’s lightweight, inexpensive, and works well for roller blends and massage oils. Other popular options include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil.
Can you apply essential oils without a carrier oil?
Some essential oils can be applied directly to the skin, but many people prefer to dilute them with a carrier oil. Dilution helps spread the oil across a larger area and can make blends easier and more comfortable to apply.
Is coconut oil a carrier oil?
Yes. Coconut oil is commonly used as a carrier oil and works well for many simple blends. Both regular coconut oil and fractionated coconut oil are popular choices.
What carrier oil is best for roller bottle blends?
Fractionated coconut oil is one of the most popular carrier oils for roller bottles because it stays liquid and has very little scent.
Final Thoughts on Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
Carrier oils are one of the simplest tools for making essential oils easier to use.
They help stretch a small amount of essential oil across a larger area, make blends easier and safer to apply, and give you the flexibility to create your own roller blends, massage oils, and simple DIY recipes.
The good news is you don’t need a cabinet full of different carrier oils to get started. Many people begin with something they already have at home—like coconut oil or olive oil—and that works perfectly well for a lot of everyday blends.
Over time, you’ll probably find one or two favorites depending on how you use your oils most often. For me, fractionated coconut oil is the one I reach for most frequently, especially when I’m making blends for horses or dogs.
And if you’re interested in how I personally use essential oils with horses and dogs, you may also enjoy these resources:
Once you get comfortable working with carrier oils, making your own blends becomes quick, simple, and surprisingly fun.
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