Carrier Oils and Essential Oils, Different or Same?

[AsTheCurlzTurns]

What is and are considered carrier oils? I've seen alot of posts mentioning essential oils and the kinds. But what is the difference between the 2 or are they the same thing but just used differently or in terms of context or what? TIA!

 

[Radianthealth]

They are different

Carrier oils are things like jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/whatcarr.asp

Essential oils are heavily concentrated and can be harmful if you do not use them with precaution. Some essential oils include Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea tree, grapefruit, etc.
http://www.deancoleman.com/whatareoils.htm

 

[It~Can~Grow]

..and from what I understand, carrier oils can be defined by it's name, they are oils that are used to 'carry' other oils and products. This also dilutes those essential oils so they are less intense.


Carrier oil, also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin. They are so named because they carry the essential oil onto the skin. Carrier oils do not contain a concentrated aroma, unlike essential oils, nor do they evaporate like them*.

I use Jojoba and Coconut oils in larger quantifies to dilute my essential oils : thyme, rosemary, peppermint, etc., They do not dilute the eo's ability to be effective, this just dilutes the concentration levels.

An essential oil is any concentrated, hydrophobicliquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants, which are called aromatic herbs or aromatic plants. They are also known as volatile or ethereal oils, or simply as the "oil of" the plant material from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. The term essential indicates that the oil carries distinctive scent (essence) of the plant, not that it is an especially important or fundamental substance. Essential oils do not as a group need to have any specific chemical properties in common, beyond conveying characteristic fragrances.*

*Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_oilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_oilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_oil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil

 

[AsTheCurlzTurns]

Wow now that makes more sense to me now. I was just wondering why some say carrier oils and then I see majority just mention essential oils or just EO to put it short. Thanks sooo much for the skinny on this ladies!