A Sensory Journey to the Heart of Carrier Oils

Exploring Carrier Oils Through the Senses

When we think of topical aromatherapy, our minds often go straight to the essential oils with their captivating aromas and powerful effects on mind and body. But the foundation of many beautiful blends lies in the carrier oils. These are the nourishing plant oils that support, protect, and enhance the essential oils they “carry” into the skin.

Recently, in Aromahead’s Natural Living Club, we’ve been studying Andrea Butje’s The Heart of Aromatherapy, and our group discussion on carrier oils sparked something special.

I provided the group with the journal prompts I personally use for exploring carrier oils. Several members shared how much they enjoyed them, that using the prompts gave them a way to connect with these oils more mindfully through the senses.

If you want a printable version of the journaling prompts I provided the community, click the button below to access the Carrier Oil Discovery Guide.

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In this Post:

• What Are Carrier Oils?
• Why Journal About Carrier Oils?
• Begin in Your Kitchen
• Discovering Carrier Oils
• The Shared Heart
• Carrier Oil Suppliers & Resources

What Are Carrier Oils?

Carrier oils are the gentle giants of the plant world. Extracted from the fatty portions of nuts, seeds, and fruits, these oils are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing fatty acids. They play several important roles in aromatherapy and natural skincare:

• Dilution: Because essential oils are highly concentrated applying them directly to the skin can cause a reaction. By diluting essential oils in a suitable carrier, we reduce the risk of reaction without impacting their therapeutic effects.
• Absorption: Carrier oils absorb into the deeper layers of the skin. When we add essential oils to a carrier and apply the blend topically, the carrier oil reduces the rate of evaporation of the essential oils and “carries” them into the skin and then throughout the body via the capillaries.
• Nourishment: Carrier oils offer their own therapeutic benefits to the skin, providing moisture, and supporting hydration, balance, and skin barrier repair.
• Synergy: Their differences in fatty acids profiles, textures, and aromas create a beautiful sensory experience, even without essential oils!

On their own, carrier oils can be beautiful self-care allies. A few drops massaged into the skin can soothe dryness, soften texture, and leave behind a gentle glow—a simple ritual that reminds us of Nature’s generosity.

Why Journal About Carrier Oils?

Every carrier oil tells a story—one written in the seed, nut, or fruit from which it’s pressed. When you take the time to notice a carrier oil’s color, texture, and aroma, you start to experience it beyond its label. You begin to understand its personality.

(Getting to know our plant allies by giving them a personality, is one of the highly effective methods Andrea used for exploring essential oils in The Heart of Aromatherapy. Celebrating the Life of Andrea Butje.)

Here are a few ways to explore your carrier oils:

• Color: What does the hue reveal about its nutrients?
• Viscosity: Is it light and quick or thick and syrupy? How might that affect your blending?
• Absorption: How quickly does it penetrate the skin? Does it absorb very quickly? Does it have a waxy finish?
• Skin Feel: Does it leave a silky finish or a rich, protective layer?
• Aroma: Is there a faint nutty scent, a hint of grass, a subtle fruitiness, or something you can’t quite name? This, by the way, is aromatherapy, too. Notice how the aroma makes you feel.

When you bring awareness to these details, your connection to the oils, and to the plants themselves, deepens beautifully.

Begin in Your Kitchen

You don’t need a shelf full of exotic oils to begin this exploration. In fact, your kitchen pantry is the perfect place to start. Many of the oils we cook with (Avocado, Grapeseed, and Sesame seed oils, for example) also offer wonderful benefits for the skin.

This simple act of attention is the essence of aromatherapy journaling—connecting with natural ingredients through sensory experience and mindful presence.

It’s a beautiful, cost-effective, way to learn for someone beginning their natural wellness journey or those wanting to explore new paths. It allows us to develop our intuition and a deeper appreciation for plant-based care.

Discovering Carrier Oils

To assist you on this path of discovery, I’ve created a FREE printable journaling guide to download and use as a companion on your journey. The guide invites you to explore each oil through your senses—sight, touch, smell, and emotion—and to record your experiences.

Use the Carrier Oil Discovery Guide as part of your skin care or aromatherapy studies, your self-care rituals, or even in your kitchen experiments!

The Shared Heart

This guided exploration of carrier oils is a gentle act of mindfulness. When we pause to notice their textures, colors, and natural aromas, we’re reminded that wellness isn’t just about results, it’s about relationships.

So, the next time you reach for your favorite oil, whether at your blending table or in your kitchen, take a moment to simply be with it. Watch how it moves. Feel how it nourishes. Let it teach you something new!

When you explore carrier oils, you’ll discover that they share the heart of aromatherapy.

Carrier Oil Suppliers & Resources

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.