Author Archives: Michelle Allen

The term aromatherapy conjures up a fabulous string of scent associations: lemongrass, neroli, tangerine, sandalwood, peppermint, sea buckthorn! There’s no doubt, essential oils are the celebrities of the aromatherapy world. These vibrant oils would not be as applicable to our health, however, were it not for the wallflowers in the background: the carrier oils. These oils come from plants as well and are primarily used as direction mediums for essential oils. Since essential oils are made of small chemical molecules, they break down once they are exposed to the elements. This is the origin of the aromatherapy phrase ?volatile oils.? Carrier oils have long-chain structures, though, which make them much more stable and therefore ideal for use with the skin, which is constantly exposed to air. Continue reading →