Carrier oils are the quiet backbone of natural skincare. They make essential oils safe to use on the skin, act as everyday moisturizers, and support a healthy skin barrier. In many natural formulas—including simple tallow creams, body scrubs, and mineral-rich bath salts—carrier oils do most of the work when it comes to hydration, softness, and skin comfort.
This guide breaks down three of the most useful carrier oils for skin: jojoba, olive, and sunflower. Understanding how each one works can help you pick the best natural oils for your skin type and build a routine that feels simple, soothing, and effective.
What are carrier oils?
Carrier oils are plant-based oils used to dilute essential oils and “carry” them safely onto the skin. While essential oils are highly concentrated and can be irritating on their own, carrier oils are gentle, moisturizing, and rich in skin-supportive nutrients.
Most high-quality carrier oils contain:
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Essential fatty acids that support the skin barrier
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Vitamins like A, D, E, and K
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Antioxidants that help protect against environmental stress
You can use carrier oils on their own as a face or body oil, mix them with butters and tallow in creams, or blend them with essential oils for more targeted, therapeutic skincare.
Why choose natural carrier oils?
If you’re trying to create a cleaner, more natural skincare routine, what you use as your base matters. Natural carrier oils:
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Support the skin’s moisture barrier
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Help reduce dryness and sensitivity
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Lock in hydration without heavy silicones or fillers
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Work well in minimal-ingredient formulas, which is helpful for sensitive or reactive skin
You’ll see these oils in many simple, multi-use products, including daily moisturizers, tallow-based creams, and even protective formulas like Golden Bloom All Natural Sunscreen.
Jojoba oil: balancing and lightweight
Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) is technically a liquid wax, and its structure is similar to our natural skin oils. That makes it one of the best carrier oils for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.
Key benefits of jojoba oil for skin:
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Helps balance oil production instead of stripping it
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Feels lightweight and non-greasy on the skin
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Provides hydration without clogging pores (low comedogenic rating)
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Soothes dry patches and mild irritation
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Offers antioxidant support for everyday environmental stress
Because it behaves so much like the skin’s own sebum, jojoba oil is an excellent option for facial oils, oil cleansing, and lightweight tallow blends that need a bit more slip and spreadability.
Olive oil: rich moisture for dry and mature skin
Olive oil (Olea europaea) is a classic in natural skincare and has been used for centuries in traditional beauty rituals. It’s especially helpful for dry, mature, or stressed skin that needs deeper nourishment.
Why olive oil works so well:
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High in oleic acid, which helps soften and condition dry skin
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Contains antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols that help defend against oxidative stress
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Naturally includes squalene to support the skin barrier
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Works beautifully in rich creams, body oils, and gentle cleansing oils
Olive oil is often used in formulas meant for night-time repair or cool, dry weather—anytime your skin feels tight, flaky, or uncomfortable.
Sunflower oil: gentle, non-comedogenic hydration
Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus) is a light, fast-absorbing carrier oil that’s ideal for sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone skin. It’s naturally rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that plays an important role in a strong, healthy skin barrier.
Benefits of sunflower oil for face and body:
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Non-comedogenic, so it’s unlikely to clog pores
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Supports the skin barrier and helps reduce moisture loss
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Helps calm dryness, rough spots, and mild redness
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Absorbs quickly with a soft, comfortable finish
Because it’s so gentle, sunflower oil is often used in family-friendly and sensitive-skin products, including simple body oils, baby-safe formulas, and hydrating scrubs and soaks.
How to choose the right carrier oil for your skin
Different skin types respond better to different oils, so it helps to match your carrier oil to your main skin concern.
For oily or acne-prone skin:
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Look for lighter, non-comedogenic oils such as jojoba and sunflower.
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Avoid very heavy, occlusive oils if you tend to break out easily.
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A simple, barrier-supporting cream like Unscented Tallow Cream – Pure & Gentle Hydration can be a good option when you want moisture without added fragrance or complicated ingredient lists.
For dry or mature skin:
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Richer oils like olive, used alongside tallow or butters, can help lock in moisture more effectively.
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Look for creamy formulas that stay on the skin a bit longer and create a soft, protective layer.
For sensitive or easily irritated skin:
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Focus on minimal-ingredient products made with gentle oils such as sunflower and simple, fragrance-light tallow blends.
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Fragrance-free or lightly scented options are a good place to start if your skin reacts easily.
You can also combine different textures in your routine—for example, a lightweight oil for the face, a richer body cream for dry areas, and a gentle bath soak to support the barrier from head to toe.
How to use carrier oils in a natural skincare routine
Cleanse
Use an oil-based cleanser or simple oil blend to melt away makeup and sunscreen. Jojoba and olive oil both work well for oil cleansing and can help remove buildup without stripping your skin.
Moisturize and treat
Apply your cream or oil while your skin is slightly damp to lock in hydration. Carrier oils like jojoba, olive, and sunflower help tallow creams and balms spread smoothly and absorb more comfortably.
Seal and protect
During the day, choose products that combine barrier support with daily protection, such as Golden Bloom All Natural Sunscreen, which uses skin-loving fats and oils in a more protective format.
Body and bath rituals
For the rest of your body, carrier oils show up in gentle exfoliants and bath products that keep skin soft instead of stripped. A scrub like Patchouli & Vanilla Body Scrub pairs exfoliation with nourishing oils so skin feels smooth and conditioned after rinsing. For soaking, mineral-rich blends like Lavender Bath Salts combine salts and oils for a relaxing, skin-comforting bath.
Why these three carrier oils deserve a place in your routine
Whether your goal is fewer ingredients, calmer skin, or a more holistic, nature-based approach to beauty, starting with the right carrier oils makes a big difference. Jojoba, olive, and sunflower oils are versatile, accessible, and friendly to a wide range of skin types.
Used alone or in simple formulas with tallow, butters, and botanicals, they can help you:
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Support and repair your skin barrier
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Keep dryness, tightness, and rough patches in check
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Build a natural skincare routine that feels gentle, steady, and sustainable
If you’re trying to simplify your routine and lean into natural skincare, focusing on carrier oils first is an easy and effective way to move toward calmer, more radiant, naturally nourished skin.