How to Choose Base Oil?

Base oils serve to dilute the essential oils, which are too strong to be applied directly to the skin. They also serve as lubricants for massage oils. If you do not care for the feel of oils on your skin, an alternative is to use an odorless white lotion base.
Each kind of oil has its own characteristics: some vegetable oils are very nourishing for dry and aging skin, and some series contain useful amounts of minerals and vitamins. Light oils are the best all-purpose carriers. While other vegetable oils rich in vitamin E are rather thick and sticky; they often need to be blended with less viscous oils.

The following vegetable oils are among those used by professional aromatherapists:

Sweet Almond Oil
-- A light but nourishing oil suited to most skin types & soothing to irritations. It also contains vitamin E, so it keeps well.

Apricot Kernel Oil
-- A light texture, good source of vitamins & minerals, however it is expensive and not too easy to obtain.

Avocado Oil
-- Heavy, rich in vitamins and easily absorbed. It is especially good for dry or mature skin. It is best when blended with lighter oil.

Coconut Oil
-- Light oil, which is extracted after leaving heavy fatty acids & wax behind. It is becoming very popular, being non-greasy and easily absorbed, suitable for all skin types.

Corn Oil
-- Light texture, nourishing, inexpensive and suitable for all skin types.

Grape seed Oil
-- Light texture, odorless, easily absorbed by all skin types, especially oily skins.

Jojoba Oil
Really fine textured is much better after blended with lighter oils. It is good for both facial blends and troubled skin. Rich in vitamin E. Stays fresh longer than most other oils and adding it to massage oils extends their life.

Peanut Oil
Also known as arachis oil, is rich in minerals & vitamins, is suitable for use on its own, and it eases rheumatism in the joints.

Safflower Oil
-- Light texture, good penetratiing power, a good source of vitamins and minerals, inexpensive, readily available for all skins.

Vitamin E Oil
-- Improves dry and mature skins. Helps heal scars, blends with other oils.

Wheat germ Oil
-- With a strong pronounced odor, it is heavy and sticky , therefore not a good lubricant. It is also expensive. Some people are allergic to wheat germ. On the positive side, it is rich in Vitamin E, is good for healing burns & helps prevent scars.

Special Note: Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant. A few drops added to your massage oils will prolong their shelf life.