Most people are concerned about how their skin appears. Due to this reason, most products have been discovered to take care of the skin.
Some of the products used on the skin are carrier oil and essential oil. Most people assume that the two can be used interchangeably. Both are used as holistic products and practices.
For proper usage of the oils, you need to understand the difference between the two in order to get the desired results.
So, what is the main difference between carrier oil and essential oil? Carrier oil is used directly on the skin for massage, pain relief, or beauty treatment while the essential oil is not used directly on the skin and is used in aromatherapy but must be diluted.
For more information on the difference between carrier oil and essential in tabular form continue reading the article. You will also get to learn more about the similarities.
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Comparison Table (Carrier Oil vs. Essential Oil)
| Basic Terms | Carrier oil | Essential oil |
| Definition | It is a type of oil used directly on the skin for massage, pain relief, and beauty treatment. | It is a type of oil not used directly on the skin and is used in aromatherapy in dilute form. |
| Uses | Used for massage, pain relief, and beauty treatment. | Used in aromatherapy. |
| How it is used | It is applied directly to the skin. | It is diluted using carrier oil or water before applying it to the skin. |
| Methods used to extract | It is extracted through maceration or cold pressing. | It is extracted through the steam distillation process. |
| Where derived from | It is derived from fatty nuts, seeds, fruit, or kernel. | It is derived from flowers, bark, leaves, or fruits. |
| Strength | They are less strong. | They are stronger. |
What is Carrier Oil?
Carrier oils are Types of oil used directly on the skin and are used for massage, pain relief, or beauty treatment.
They are usually vegetable oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil derived from fatty nuts, seeds, fruits, or kernels of plants.
They are mainly obtained through the process of maceration or cold-pressing. The method involves placing a dry plant in warm oil to extract the properties of the desired plant.
Cold-pressed carrier oils use expeller pressing, which involves pressing the nuts, seed, fruit, or kernel at temperatures less than 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The process reserves more of the desirable properties of the plant. The extracted oil is suitable for direct use on the skin or it can be used to dilute essential oils. (Best Deals on Amazon).
What is Essential Oil?
Essential oil is a type of oil used in aromatherapy but it is not applied directly to the skin. It is diluted with water or carrier oil before it is applied to the skin as it is strong.
The oil is extracted using a steam distillation process. The method involves suspending plants over boiling water to draw out the oils into the steam.
The steam cools as it works its way through tubing. Then the steam condenses back into the water. The oil does not mix with water and the two separate to create essential oils and hydrosols.
If essential oils are applied directly to the skin they can cause reactions such as severe irritation, flushing, or burning.
It takes several pounds of plants to produce a single bottle of essential oils. Essential oils are mostly used to ease stress, boost mood, relieve pain from headaches and migraines, get a better night’s sleep, and even repel insects.
Most essential oils have antiseptic properties. Examples of essential oils include; lavender, myrrh, rose, hyssop, vetiver, grapefruit, and cedarwood. (Best Deals on Amazon).
Main Differences between Carrier Oil and Essential Oil
- Carrier oils are used directly on the skin while the essential oil is not used directly on the skin.
- Carrier oils are made through the cold-pressing process while essential oils are made through the steam distillation process.
- Carrier oils are not mixed with water or other oils before application on the body while essential oils are mixed with either water or carrier oils before application on the skin.
- Carrier oils are extracted from fatty nuts, seeds, fruits, or kernel parts of plants while essential oils are extracted from flowers, barks, fruits, leaves, and roots of plants.
- Carrier oils are less strong while essential oils are stronger.
Similarities between Carrier Oil and Essential Oil
- Both are applied to the skin.
- Both are used to relieve pain.
- Both are used in aromatherapy.
Conclusion
Carrier oils and essential oils are both skin products used all over the world although many people think that the two can be used alternatively.
The two are used completely differently. Carrier oils are applied directly on the skin while essential oils are not applied directly on the skin.
The main difference between the two is that carrier oil is applied directly on the skin because it is not strong while essential oils are not applied directly on the skin because they are strong and can cause irritation or burning on the skin.