Which vegetable oil should you use for which need? Virtues, precautions for use and recipes

Vegetable oils are essential complements to essential oils. They optimise and reinforce their actions and benefits.

To make an essential oil penetrate the body through the skin, it is most often mixed with a "carrier oil". The best "dilutants" for essential oils are vegetable oils, as they are lipophilic, just like essential oils. Their affinity with the epidermis gives them this excellent power of skin penetration.

Vegetable oils play a triple role:
1. They can facilitate the penetration of essential oils, like Omega 3s do (e.g. camelina)
2. They reduce the force or effects of the irritating side of essential oils, such as lemon eucalyptus
3. They are excellent skin care products thanks to their richness in essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6, 9), which promote the regeneration and moisturisation of the skin. Vegetable oils protect the skin by creating a lipidic film to envelop it. They are also rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and trace elements.

ORGANIC SWEET ALMOND OIL

Prunus amygdalus

ITS VERTUES
Softening, soothing, calming, emollient, repairing, and fortifying. It moisturises and nourishes dry or damaged, irritated, fragile or sensitive skin, and is perfect for irritations, scabs, chapping, cracks, eczema and stretch marks. Orally, it is also a non-irritating laxative, an antiseptic for the intestines, an antitussive (otherwise known as a cough suppressant), and is soothing and balancing for the nervous system.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It can be allergenic to people allergic to nuts.

2 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Skin cracks & scabs: Pour 20 drops of Asian rosewood essential oil into a 30ml bottle of sweet almond vegetable oil. Apply a few drops to the damaged areas (avoid the eye area) until healing is complete. For use by children aged 7 years and over only.
→ Anti-stress calming massage: Pour 45 drops of true lavender essential oil into a 30ml bottle of sweet almond vegetable oil. Use as a daily relaxing massage for 1 to 2 weeks. For use by children aged 7 years and over only.

ORGANIC ARGAN VEGETABLE OIL

Argania spinosa

ITS VERTUES
Protective, revitalising, nourishing, moisturising, restructuring, firming, softening, anti-ageing, anti-free radical, and fortifying. It is the ally of mature or malnourished skin. It can be used on the skin, but also on the nails and hair, for added strength and shine (both topically applied and orally).

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It may be (mildly) allergenic to people allergic to nuts.

2 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Dull hair: Pour 20 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil into a 30ml bottle of argan vegetable oil. Apply a little of the mixture 3 times a week as a hair mask. Leave on for 1 hour before washing hair. For use by children aged 12 years and over only.
→ Wrinkled, mature skin for face and body: add 5 drops of helichrysum essential oil to a 30ml bottle of argan vegetable oil. Apply generously, all over the body and face (avoiding the eye area), morning and evening. Recommended for use by adults only.

ORGANIC ARNICA VEGETABLE OIL

Arnica montana

ITS VERTUES
Essential for sportsmen, for use to treat bruises and rheumatism. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-contusion, and a circulatory tonic. There are many "ointments" and "tinctures" containing arnica, and it is also used in the form of "homeopathic granules" for the prevention and treatment of haematomas. The oily macerate provides a concentrate of the active ingredients contained in the arnica flowers.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, for pregnant or breast-feeding women, in case of allergy to asteraceae or in case of anticoagulant treatment. It should not be applied to damaged skin. It is for external use only and can last up to 7 days. In the case of sensitive skin, it should be diluted with an equivalent quantity of vegetable oils such as sweet almond, macadamia or jojoba.

3 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Athletes: Mix 1 drop of wintergreen essential oil with 2 drops of lavandin super essential oil in a teaspoon of arnica vegetable oil. Apply the mixture as a tonic friction before exercise. Recommended for use by children aged 12 and over.
→ Soreness, lumbago, torticollis: Mix 2 drops of rosemary camphor essential oil and 1 drop of Ceylon cinnamon essential oil in a teaspoon of arnica vegetable oil. Apply the mixture with a gentle massage, 3 times a day, for 4 to 8 days. Recommended for use by children aged 12 and over.
→ Osteoarthritis: Dilute 3 drops of noble laurel essential oil in 5 to 8 drops of arnica vegetable oil. Apply the mixture to the painful area 3 times a day for 7 days. Recommended for use by adults only.

ORGANIC APRICOT KERNEL VEGETABLE OIL

Prunus armeniaca

ITS VERTUES
Radiance-enhancing, illuminating, revitalising, toning, softening, emollient, moisturising, anti-free radical and protective.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Its allergenic potential is minor. It is reserved for normal and dry skin (comedogenic index of 2 out of 5).

2 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Dull skin: Pour 5 drops of geranium essential oil into a 30ml bottle of apricot kernel vegetable oil. Apply a few drops by massaging the skin of the face, morning and evening, as a 3-week treatment (avoiding the eye area). Recommended for use by children aged 15 and over only.
→ After-sun (and sunburn): Pour 10 drops of lavender aspic essential oil into a 30ml bottle of apricot kernel vegetable oil. Apply by massaging the face (avoiding the eye area) and/or the body. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over.

ORGANIC CALOPHYLLA VEGETABLE OIL

Calophyllum Inophyllum

ITS VERTUES
Anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, anti-ecchymosis, anticoagulant, anti-infectious, antiseptic, immunostimulant, healing, regenerating, softening and protective. It’s also a venous tonic.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It is not recommended for people with allergies, or for those undergoing anticoagulant treatment. For sensitive skin, it is recommended to dilute it by half with organic macadamia vegetable oil or another organic vegetable oil.

3 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Osteoarthritis/Arthritis: Pour 10 drops of wintergreen essential oil and 40 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil into a 30ml bottle of calophylla vegetable oil. Massage a few drops of this mixture into the painful areas, morning and evening for 2 to 3 weeks. Repeat if necessary. Recommended for use by adults only.
→ Haemorrhoids: Pour 30 drops of cypress essential oil into a 30ml bottle of calophylla vegetable oil. Apply a few drops directly, without massaging, to the haemorrhoid, morning and evening for 3 weeks. Recommended for use by adults only.
→ Tooth abscess: mix 2 drops of mountain savory essential oil and 3 drops of thyme to thymol essential oil with 20 drops of calophylla vegetable oil. Apply a little of the mixture directly to the abscess 4 times a day for 5 to 8 days. Recommend for use by adults only.

ORGANIC HEMP VEGETABLE OIL

Anti-redness, anti-irritation, ultra-soothing, and regenerating... it is an excellent repairing and protective treatment. It is the anti-redness beauty secret for reactive and blotchy skin. Its virtues are exceptional for rosacea and ultra-reactive, ultra-sensitised skin with a tendency to redden. Be careful not to confuse it with other hemp extracts: vegetable oil does not act on the psyche, unlike the plant, because it does not contain THC (9-TetraHydroCannabinol), one of its many cannabinoids. Finally, unlike CBD oil (CannaBiDiol), another of its cannabinoids, hemp vegetable oil contains only minute traces of CBD. It is therefore not sedative.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Well tolerated and very penetrating, it is suitable for all skin types (reactive, dry, mature or tired skin). It is non-comedogenic.

3 EVERYDAY RECIPES (Recommend for those aged 15 years and over only)
→ Ultra-reactive skin: Mix 15ml of hemp vegetable oil and 15ml of rose hip vegetable oil in a 30ml glass bottle. Pour 3 to 4 drops of the mixture into the palm of your hand and then apply to the face after cleansing, morning and evening
→ Acne rosacea: Dilute 10 drops of tea tree essential oil in 30ml (1 bottle) of hemp vegetable oil. Pour 3 to 4 drops of the mixture into the palm of the hand and then apply to the face after cleansing, every evening.
→ Rosacea: Dilute 5 drops of patchouli essential oil in 30ml (1 bottle) of hemp vegetable oil. Pour 3 to 4 drops of the mixture into the palm of the hand and then apply to the face after cleansing, every evening.

ORGANIC COCONUT VEGETABLE OIL

It offers ultra-protective care for the skin and the phaneras.
With an natural affinity for the keratin in the skin, hair and nails, coconut vegetable oil forms a naturally scented and divine film that is highly protective, moisturizing and anti-free radical, which supports the skin, hair and nails against external aggressions.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Well tolerated and very penetrating, its texture allows a gliding massage on the skin. It is ideal for normal to dry skin. Comedogenic (comedogenic index of 4 out of 5).

3  EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Protection of the skin and skin appendages that have been attacked (wind, cold, household products, chlorine from the swimming pool, etc.): Mix 1 drop of Asian rosewood essential oil with a large hazelnut-sized amount of coconut vegetable oil. Apply this treatment every morning. Recommended for use by children aged 15 and over.
→ Refreshing care for dry feet, anti-blister and anti-chafing: In a hazelnut-sized amount of coconut vegetable oil, add just 1 drop of peppermint essential oil. Apply a little of this protective care to the areas of friction between the foot and the shoe (heel, arch of the foot, top or side of the toes...). Recommended for use by children aged 15 years and over only.
→ Psoriasis, superficial burns, skin blisters: Mix 1 drop of lavandin super essential oil and 1 drop of rosemary camphor essential oil with a small hazelnut-sized amount of shea butter. Add half that amount of coconut vegetable oil. Apply in a thin layer, morning and evening for 1 to 2 weeks. Recommend for use by children aged 7 years and over.

ORGANIC PRICKLY PEAR VEGETABLE OIL

An essential for dull skin. A real antioxidant concentrate, it regenerates and protects the skin, restoring softness, suppleness and tone. Prickly pear vegetable oil is very precious and rare.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Dilute with an equivalent amount of mild vegetable oil such as sweet almond, macadamia or jojoba. Do not exceed 3 to 4 drops of pure prickly pear vegetable oil, once a day.
For an optimum skin toning effect, apply in the evening before bedtime as the skin regeneration process is most active at night.

3  EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Psoriasis: Dilute 1 drop of essential oil of cistus ladanifera in 2 drops of both prickly pear and hemp vegetable oils. Apply the mixture to the lesions daily, morning and evening. Recommended for use by children aged 7 and over only.
→ Eczema: Dilute 1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil in 2 drops of both prickly pear and hemp oils. Apply the mixture to the skin, morning and evening, until you see an improvement. Recommended for use by children aged 15 years and over only.
→ Ageing skin: Mix 5 drops of neroli essential oil and 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil with 15ml of prickly pear vegetable oil and 10ml of jojoba vegetable oil in an opaque glass bottle. Apply 3 to 4 drops of the mixture to the skin of the face, neck and décolleté daily, in the morning and evening. Recommended for use by adults only.

ORGANIC JOJOBA VEGETABLE OIL

Simmondsia chinensis

ITS VERTUES
Highly protective, hydrating, nourishing, balancing, soothing, healing, softening, regenerating, smoothing, firming, anti-ageing, and regulates sebum secretion.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Jojoba vegetable oil is a liquid wax, which has no allergenic properties.

3  EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Revitalizing care for oily hair: Mix 10ml of jojoba vegetable oil with 20ml of argan vegetable oil and 20 drops of rosemary camphor essential oil in a bottle. Apply a little of this mixture 3 times a week as a hair mask, apply to the scalp, lengths and ends of the hair, and leave on for 1 hour before washing out. Recommended for use by children aged 12 years and over.
→ Dehydrated oily skin: Mix 10ml of jojoba vegetable oil, 20ml of macadamia vegetable oil and 5 drops of niaouli essential oil in a bottle. Apply a little of this mixture to the face every other evening after cleansing. Recommended for use by children aged 12 and over.
→ Irritated skin: Mix 2 drops of patchouli essential oil with 20ml of jojoba vegetable oil and 10ml of sweet almond vegetable oil in a bottle. Apply 4 drops to the face after cleansing every morning and evening. Recommend for use by adults only.

ORGANIC KARITE VEGETABLE OIL (SHEA BUTTER)

Butyrospermum parkii

ITS VERTUES
Extremely rich and nourishing, softening, restructuring and repairing, it helps the skin to regain elasticity. It is also soothing, protective and anti-free radical.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It is very well tolerated, even by weakened, damaged and irritated skin. It is reserved for dry and very dry skin. 100% pure, unrefined and well-preserved shea butter is not comedogenic: index of 0 out of 5..

3  EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Balm for lips and damaged, chapped or dry skin: Mix a teaspoon of shea butter with just 1 drop of white sandalwood essential oil. The shea butter can be warmed in a bain-marie beforehand to make it easier to work with. If a less compact texture is desired, add 10 drops of sweet almond oil. Store the white sandalwood balm in a small, tightly closed glass jar and apply as desired. Recommended for use by children aged 15 years and over.
→ Anti-callus care for hands, feet, knees and elbows, anti-hard skin: Take a hazelnut-sized amount of shea butter. Heat it up in the palm of your hand and add 2 drops of rosemary camphor essential oil. Apply the aromatic balm every evening before bedtime. Recommended for use by children aged 15 years and over only.
→ Nourishing and taming hair and beard balm, for split ends, curly or frizzy hair: Take a tiny dab of shea butter, and warm it by rubbing your hands together. For an exquisite scent, add a drop of ylang-ylang or Atlas cedar essential oil. Apply to dry hair or beard by kneading the ends and lengths. Recommend for use by children 15 years and older.

ORGANIC MACADAMIA VEGETABLE OIL

Macadamia Integrifolia

ITS VERTUES
Protective, soothing, nourishing, moisturising, softening, anti-free radical, anti-ageing, protective and stimulating of the microcirculation, it is also a lymphatic tonic.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It can be (mildly) allergenic for people allergic to nuts. It is perfect for normal to dry skin because it is not very comedogenic (comedogenic index of 2 out of 5).

3 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Stretch marks: Mix 1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil and 1 drop of green mandarin essence in a knob of shea butter, then add 3 drops of macadamia vegetable oil. Apply a little of the mixture to the stretch marks, morning and evening for 8 weeks. Recommended for use by children aged 12 years and over.
→ Cold extremities (hands, feet): Pour 2 drops of Ceylon cinnamon essential oil into a 30ml bottle of macadamia vegetable oil. Apply the mixture by massaging the affected areas, morning and evening for 2 weeks. Recommended for use by adults only.
→ Circulatory cellulite: Pour 22 drops of cypress essential oil and 22 drops of mastic tree essential oil into a 30ml bottle of macadamia vegetable oil. Apply to the critical areas with a circular massage (clockwise), always from the bottom up (in the direction of venous return), morning and evening, 5 days out of 7 for 6 weeks. Recommend for use by adults only.

ORGANIC ST. JOHN'S WORT VEGETABLE OIL

Hypericum perforatum

ITS VERTUES
Calming, soothing, antibacterial, antiviral, antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, repairing, regenerating and healing.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
This oily macerate is not recommended for people with an allergic background. It is also photosensitising. For cutaneous and oral use, do not expose yourself to the sun during use, nor for 7 days after stopping use.

2 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Hives: Pour 27 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil into a 30ml bottle of St. John's wort vegetable oil. Apply a little of the mixture to all affected areas (body and face, avoiding the eye area) 4 times a day, until the itching stops. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over.
→ Cold sores: Dilute 1 drop of Ceylon cinnamon essential oil and 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil in a teaspoon of St. John's wort vegetable oil. Apply, without massaging, a little of the mixture to the fever blister, 6 times a day for 3 days, then 3 times a day until it heals. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over only.

ORGANIC NIGELLA SATIVA VEGETABLE OIL

Nigella sativa

ITS VERTUES
Antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, softening and regenerating, this vegetable oil is exceptionally powerful and very versatile, because it contains more than a hundred components. It is also an oral immune stimulant and anti-allergenic.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It is suitable for all skin types, particularly acne-prone or problem skin, as it is not comedogenic (comedogenic index of 0 out of 5). Because of its therapeutic power, it is important to follow the instructions for use. Locally: dilute with an equivalent amount of mild vegetable oil such as sweet almond, macadamia or jojoba oil. Orally: occasional use - take a maximum of 2ml per day.

2 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Acne-prone skin: Mix 1 drop of tea tree essential oil, 1 drop of noble laurel essential oil, 2 drops of black cumin vegetable oil and 2 drops of jojoba vegetable oil together. Apply a little of the mixture to each pimple every evening after washing. For use by children aged 12 years and over only.
→ Skin allergy, inflamed skin: Mix 1 drop of patchouli essential oil and 3 drops each of black cumin and hemp vegetable oils. Apply the mixture to the irritated area for 5 to 6 days. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over.

ORGANIC CASTOR OIL

Ricinus communis

ITS VERTUES
This very dense vegetable oil has amazing virtues as a beauty treatment. In fact, it’s been used for thousands of years: Cleopatra used it as a make-up remover! It strengthens and hardens the nails, softens the nail cuticles, and accelerates the growth of eyelashes, eyebrows, hair and nails. It also softens and repairs the skin, and fades brown spots.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Organic castor oil is suitable for normal to very dry skin, as it is slightly comedogenic (comedogenicity index of 1 out of 5). Local use: dilute with an equivalent quantity of a lighter vegetable oil, such as argan, macadamia or jojoba. Do not ingest.

3  EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Yellowed nails: Mix 1 drop of lemon essential oil, 1 drop of castor vegetable oil and 1 drop of argan vegetable oil. Apply the mixture to yellowed nails every evening before bedtime for 3 weeks. Recommended for us by children aged 15 years and over.
→ Brittle, split, soft nails: Dilute 2 drops of Atlas cedar essential oil and 1 drop of Myrtle essential oil in 2 drops of castor and argan vegetable oils. Apply by massaging the cuticles and nails with a small brush, every evening for 6 weeks for optimum effect. Suitable from 7 years+.
→ Hair loss: Mix 5 drops of fresh ginger essential oil and 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil with 1 tablespoon of both castor and argan vegetable oils. Gently massage the mixture into the scalp 3 times a week for 3 months. Leave on for 5 minutes before washing out. Recommended for use by adults only.

ORGANIC ROSE HIP VEGETABLE OIL

Rosa rubiginosa /canina

ITS VERTUES
Regenerating, softening, toning, healing, anti-brown spots, anti-wrinkle, anti-ageing, toning, and moisturising, rose hip oil also boosts microcirculation.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
It is not recommended for very allergic skin, nor for combination to oily skin or skin with a tendency to acne (comedogenic index of 3 out of 5).

3 EVERYDAY RECIPES
→ Scars: Pour 22 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil and 22 drops of helichrysum essential oil into a 30ml bottle of rose hip vegetable oil. Massage a little of this mixture slowly into the scar, 3 times a day, until the scar has completely disappeared. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over.
→ Skin blisters: Pour 20 drops of peppermint essential oil into a 30ml bottle of rose hip vegetable oil. Apply to the blister, 3 times a day, until healing is complete. Recommended for use by children aged 15 years and over.
→ Light burns: For the face, pour 5 drops of lavandin super essential oil into a 30ml bottle of rose hip vegetable oil. For the body, use 10 drops. Apply a little of the mixture to the affected area 3 times a day, until it heals. On the face, always avoid the eye area. Recommended for use by children aged 7 years and over only.

See also:

The 13 golden ryles of massage with essential oils

Benefits & use for tea tree essential oil

Safety precautions for essential oils: seven golden rules

 Discover our vegetable oils

Organic vegetable oils for your purest everyday beauty care