Best Carrier Oils for Essential Oils: Top 5 Compared (2025)
Carrier oils are what make essential oil use safe for skin — they dilute concentrated plant extracts to a safe percentage and help the skin absorb them. But not all carrier oils are equal. Here is how the top five compare, all available from Handcraft Blends on Amazon.
Top 5 carrier oils compared
| Oil | Skin type | Absorption | Scent | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fractionated Coconut | All types | Fast | None | Everyday carrier, massage | ~$15/16oz |
| Sweet Almond | Normal to dry | Medium | Very mild | Facial massage, body oil | ~$14/16oz |
| Castor Oil | All types | Slow | Mild | Hair, thick blends | ~$16/16oz |
| Jojoba | All types incl. oily | Medium | None | Facial serums | ~$20/4oz |
| Argan | Normal to oily | Fast | Nutty, mild | Anti-aging facial oil | ~$18/4oz |
How to choose the right carrier oil
For massage: Fractionated coconut oil is the gold standard. It stays liquid, absorbs without grease, and has no scent to compete with your essential oils.
For facial use: Sweet almond oil or jojoba are ideal. Both are close to the skin's natural sebum and absorb without clogging pores. Avoid castor oil on the face except for spot treatments.
For hair and scalp: Castor oil is unbeatable for conditioning and potential growth support. For lighter hair use, sweet almond oil gives shine without heaviness.
For roller bottles: Always use fractionated coconut oil or jojoba. Regular coconut oil will solidify in cold temperatures and clog the roller ball.
Our top picks
Fractionated Coconut Oil for general use, Sweet Almond Oil for facial applications. Both are available from Handcraft Blends at the best price-per-ounce on Amazon.
Fractionated Coconut Oil on Amazon →Sweet Almond Oil on Amazon →