An essential oil is different from a carrier oil. An essential oil is the pure essence of the leaf or bark or root of a plant, and it is very highly concentrated. That is why the essence or smell is so strong. In fact, essential oils are so concentrated and so strong that they must be stored in glass or metal containers only. They can not be stored in plastic because they will break down the plastic and leak out over time. They also differ from carrier oils in that they will evaporate rapidly, so it is important to keep them tightly capped. Carrier oils do not evaporate.
The best combination is 2% essential oil to 98% carrier oil. A quick and easy formula is to add 12 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil.
Cautions
One has to be careful in handling essential oils. They must be kept from children and away from eyes and mucous membranes. And one should never use an essential oil or a carrier oil, if allergic to the substance from which it is produced.
When used responsibly, essential oils are special and are known to have beneficial results. Carrier oils are made by crushing and spinning the seeds, nuts or kernels of plants in order to release the oils within. Cold-pressed oils are best because they contain more nutrients than heat pressed oils or oils obtained by chemical extraction. We recommend using “cold-pressed” oils only.