Anyone use Essential Oils?

G

Gobias

Cathlete
Hi All,

I have just been introduced to the wonderful world of Essential Oils and am loving it! However, I am having a hard time finding carrier oils (other than FCO - fractionated coconut oil, which seems to be readily available).

Any tips on where I can find carrier oils with data on how/where it was made? I find some on Amazon, but there isn't a write-up on the purity, if it is organic, can be used with EOs, etc.

I am mainly looking for Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe Vera gel, Aloe Vera Oil, Avocado Oil, but would be interested in others also. (Mainly will be used on my face, lips and scalp).

Question - when Avocado and Olive Oil are used - is that just the kind from the store in a bottle you can also eat?

Any other tips/recommendations would be appreciated as I am brand new to this!

As an FYI to others, I am using Rocky Mountain Oils and diffuser and using the book
Essential oils natural remedies : the complete A-Z reference of essential oils for health and healing, which has a lot of "recipes" included.

TIA!
 
Hey Gobias! I have been making my own 'stuff' ;) for over 16 years now (although have not done that much in the past 1.5 yrs ...have been very busy!) & there are a vast amount of Carrier Oil providers around, although you generally do have to do your research to get your money's worth!
Yes, you can use food grade oils & many people prefer them. Just remember your shelf life extenders like fractionated coconut, for example (especially when using oils that go rancid quickly like the nut/seed oils & avocado).
I am in Canada & usually go with local providers. I would honestly look locally first & ask questions about purity and their ecological practices of their providers. I also try not to use 'exotic' oils frequently.
In the US, Naturesgift is one of the most reputable places to get these products and they take great care to not source things from unethical or ethically questionable places. I have ordered EO's from them in the past. I think their Lotus absolute is the most beautiful I have used. https://www.naturesgift.com
 
I too love Rocky Mountain (they merged with Native American this year). They sell several carrier oils also. Mountain Rose Herbs.com is good, and so is Better Shea Butter (bettersheabutter.com) . Better Shea has a rose oil that is excellent! I also get my beeswax from them. For the most part, I use fractionated coconut oil and rose oil, followed by sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. I usually make small batches and put them in 2 dram glass vials with a dropper that you can find on Amazon for facial oils or various cosmetic concerns, and then larger glass bottles and jars for body butters and hair tonics. Love making my own stuff, easier then it seems and lots of good advice on line. I have over 50 essential oils I store in the refrigerator in an airtight vault and there isn't anything I won't tackle first without consulting literature on line. This site is connected to Rocky Mountain....http://essentialhealth.com/
 
Mountain Rose is a reputable company if you are looking for smaller amounts. Glory Bee is also a good company. Plus they have great honey. For essential oils, you can also get excellent quality oils from Liberty Naturals for a fair price. They tell you where their oils come from and they provide certificate of analysis. Be suspicious of overly priced oils because cutting and repackaging of EOs is big business particularly when combined with a sleek website.

The olive and avocado oils that are sold for human consumption are usually higher quality than what you get for cosmetics. I use them straight on my face. I buy my oils in larger volumes from Soaper's choice because I make soaps. Most of these oils are food grade and packaged in a wholesale oil distributor facility. I use their oils for both food and soap. These guys know their oils. Their organic olive oil is lovely. I call their warehouse whenever I have questions about any of the oils and they give me info about their oils than I knew I needed. They do have lot numbers and they track all of their oils to source.

Last, a word of caution. People assume EOs are safe because they are natural or herbal or some other meaningless adjective. You should always assume that they are toxic except in very minute amounts. They are made by the plant to protect itself from attacks by some form of life which means they are capable of adversely affecting many forms of life. Some of them are toxic even in minute amounts. They can also be very sensitizing to other antigens. You run the risk of developing allergies if you use them wrong. 1% total by weight is as high as I've seen recommended for use on skin except for Helichrysum (Immortelle) which is safe up to 10%.
 
Soapmaker said:
Last, a word of caution. People assume EOs are safe because they are natural or herbal or some other meaningless adjective. You should always assume that they are toxic except in very minute amounts. They are made by the plant to protect itself from attacks by some form of life which means they are capable of adversely affecting many forms of life. Some of them are toxic even in minute amounts.
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Yes, such an important fact to keep in mind when dealing with EO's. I have been trying my hand at making more hydrosols lately. Much safer to play with (a lot more work to make however). Catmint hydrosol has just been incredible as a mosquito repellent! I often add 2 drops of spearmint EO to a 5 oz bottle, but it is not necessary.
 
Soapmaker said:
The olive and avocado oils that are sold for human consumption are usually higher quality than what you get for cosmetics. I use them straight on my face. I buy my oils in larger volumes from Soaper's choice because I make soaps
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@Soapmaker

Oh, thus the avatar name --- Soapmaker:). I was intrigued by your avatar name.

The cosmetics one's contain various fragrant chemicals making oils loose purity. I have used coconut oil for both cooking
and skin. It was an organic one.

I do not usually buy oils in bulk. I just pop in any afro-caribbean or asian Hair boutiques.:)
Recently I was surprised to see castor oil in the shop:).
 
I love this thread! I just starting with essential oils and have so much to learn. I use FCO with either Rosehip or Argan oil but this is it. Love the results I am seeing. I mainly use on my face and neck and chest. I tried Argan in my hair but did not like the results although I may revisit again. I have seen on Amazon the little vials you can use to make your own concoctions. Like Gobias I am so new but loving what I have experienced so far. If anyone would recommend a good book that would be great too!

Thank you!!
 
Great thread!!

I've been using essential oils for years. I make my own creams, serums and deodorants because I became allergic to the commercial stuff when I hit menopause. My skin has never looked better. I also blend and burn essential oils instead of using air fresheners and it's fun experimenting with oil blends.

Soapmaker, I enjoy making my own soaps and shower gels for personal use. :)

Gobias/Labnick - you'll find that once you get to know what carrier oils you like there'll be no end to what you can make when you add the right essential oils. :D

Ama
 
For skin care, one of the best carrier/seed oils I have come across in the past couple of years is watermelon seed oil. I first tried it in a lip scrub, although I found that it does it's best on skin that sees sun like the décolleté area.It isn't really rich or highly hydrating like rosehip, but works quite, quite well & will not sit atop of the skin. Blends easily with everything, although I have been liking it with shea nut oil.
Just thought I'd share!
 
~Elsie said:
For skin care, one of the best carrier/seed oils I have come across in the past couple of years is watermelon seed oil. I first tried it in a lip scrub, although I found that it does it's best on skin that sees sun like the décolleté area.It isn't really rich or highly hydrating like rosehip, but works quite, quite well & will not sit atop of the skin. Blends easily with everything, although I have been liking it with shea nut oil.
Just thought I'd share!
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You're so right, Elsie. Although I'd heard about watermelon seed oil for quite a while now, I've only just started using it. I made a nice serum with it as the main oil and added pomegranate, kiwi, sea buckthorn seed oils, carrot tissue oil and a few others, with Coenzyme Q10 and carrot seed, neroli and frankincense essential oils.

Ama
 
OMG Neroli!! So precious & so expensive!! ;) Nothing works better for lackluster skin though. It does not get a lot of credit these days, but I also really like palmarosa for the same purpose. It has a nice 'emotional' effect for me as well.
 
Yes, Neroli is expensive but I use only a drop or two at a time, as I have very sensitive skin I do respect the potency of essential oils, so it last a long time. Palmarosa is another favourite which I use in oil blends. :)

Ama
 
This thread interests me. I've been making soap for friends and family for about 10 years. It's been on the back burner for the last year or so, but I have a lot of oils, and quite a few essential oils. It seems that my friends like lavender and patchouli. We're all just a bunch of old hippies, what can I say? I used to spend a fortune on skin care, but I found an oil from Costco "Egyptian Magic," worked just as well as dropping $500 at Nieman Marcus. I would like to make my own skin care products. Can anyone recommend a book or website to get me started?
Oh, and I found out that "Rocky Mountain Oils" is located in the town where I grew up. About 40 miles away. Wonder if they are website only. Think I will email them.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
desertambrosia said:
This thread interests me. I've been making soap for friends and family for about 10 years. It's been on the back burner for the last year or so, but I have a lot of oils, and quite a few essential oils. It seems that my friends like lavender and patchouli. We're all just a bunch of old hippies, what can I say? I used to spend a fortune on skin care, but I found an oil from Costco "Egyptian Magic," worked just as well as dropping $500 at Nieman Marcus. I would like to make my own skin care products. Can anyone recommend a book or website to get me started?
Oh, and I found out that "Rocky Mountain Oils" is located in the town where I grew up. About 40 miles away. Wonder if they are website only. Think I will email them.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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I diffuse pathouli (often with clary sage) when I am on the floor foam/ball rolling. Patchouli is awesome!! :)
Hmm, I cannot rec a book, so I hope someone else will! I basically did some weekend courses years back (mostly for mineral make-up) from the school board here & just have my old notes(somewhere?! lol ...I am in the middle of moving). For essential oils though, I have a book called Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaultbelt. There are a few forums around that I used to frequent. http://www.latheringsforum.com/bb/
There are many, many blogs around as well when you search that offer up tips and recipes and such.
 
desertambrosia said:
This thread interests me. I've been making soap for friends and family for about 10 years. It's been on the back burner for the last year or so, but I have a lot of oils, and quite a few essential oils. It seems that my friends like lavender and patchouli. We're all just a bunch of old hippies, what can I say? I used to spend a fortune on skin care, but I found an oil from Costco "Egyptian Magic," worked just as well as dropping $500 at Nieman Marcus. I would like to make my own skin care products. Can anyone recommend a book or website to get me started?
Oh, and I found out that "Rocky Mountain Oils" is located in the town where I grew up. About 40 miles away. Wonder if they are website only. Think I will email them. .

Ama
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yup! Patchouli will conjure up images of hippies.

Google "swiftcraftymonkey" for recipes; this lady's blogspot has lots of info on making your own skincare. We also have 'Making Skincare' here in the UK and they also have a FB page. I used to go round to the girl who started it and she showed me how to make my own lotions. I learned soapmaking off YouTube. There are also lots of books and websites as Elsie mentioned, where you'll find recipes

Ama :)
 
I use a ton of oils that are form a great organic place....www.sheaterraorganics.com...they have many for the face with reviews...amazing Shea butter soaps and Shea butter smoothies for skin care plus masks... cleanser and scrubs etc....for good prices...highly concentrated.

Also. I sell on eBay...100% pure...uncut oils.... alcohol free...good and gently for the skin.....i specialist in dupes of designer blends and even have bond 9 and creed from Nordstrom!!!!!

Get a link from lora Jeanne Cooper's faceBook page in Boardman Ohio......i also post updates about oils for sale and what's great for each season as well as new stuff. Check out my store on eBay...also have some exercise DVDs.... beauty products.....nice jewelry and some clothes that have never been worn....great prices.
 
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