Top 9 Carrier Oils for CBD


CBD is relatively new to the commercial market and being sold as a potential balm which can address a variety of ills. Researchers are just beginning to study for its various effects on a variety of ailments, and there is already one FDA approved drug which uses CBD has an active ingredient. More are almost certainly on the way.

However, how you take CBD, including its form, dosage and carrier oils can all have a serious impact on the effect that CBD will have on you. That's why its so important that you understand the basics of CBD before making a decision about what CBD to purchase.

First: What is a Carrier Oil?


A carrier oil is exactly what it sounds like: They are oils which are used to dilute other essential oils and bring them to your skin. Additionally, they can help preserve an active ingredient and dilute an ingredient to make it easier for the body to absorb. They are generally used to complement from a more active ingredient (like CBD).

That being said, every oil is different, and will have a different impact on your CBD experience. As such, here's a quick look at nine Carrier Oils for CBD and their effects.

Hemp Seed Oil


Hemp is a popular carrier oil for a variety of purposes, and as the name implies, it is derived from the hemp plant. However, please note that it does not contain any properties which will intoxicate you.

Hemp Seed Oil contains a variety of beneficial chemical components, including: Linoleic Acid, a-Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, and ?-Linolenic Acid. Taken collectively, these fatty acids are said to have a variety of benefits, including:
  • Softening, moisturizing and strengthening hair, and allowing hair to grow at a quicker rate.
  • Serving as an anti-inflammatory agent.
  • Moisturizing and softening skin.
  • Helping to clean your skin and hair.

Keep in mind that, though Hemp Seed Oil does have its own benefits, it is not the same thing as CBD oil. We're only talking about using Hemp Seed as a carrier oil; CBD oil contains cannabinoids, while Hemp Seed oil does not. This is an important distinction.

Avocado Oil:


Avocado oil has high concentrations of oleic acid and is very thick, thus making it a thicker and more substantial oil than most. It dries slowly and is rich in multiple vitamins, including A, D & E; these can have significant skin benefits. Indeed, you are most likely to find and use avocado oil as a skin product because of its speedy skin penetration and absorption rate.

The chemical components of Avocado Oil include: Palmitic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Alpha-linolenic Acid, Arachidic Acid, and Gadoleic Acid. The benefits of these acids include:
  • Softening, conditioning and strengthening hair, while adding to its shine and stimulating its growth.
  • Moisturizing and strengthening skin.
  • Preventing inflammation of the skin and joints while improving flexibility.

Broadly speaking, Avocado Oil's primary benefits are topical; the oil does fantastic work at ensuring that you skin and hair stay soft, smooth and flexible. Additionally, the relative strength of avocado oil makes it an ideal carrier oil for making a topical agent last longer.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO):


Yes, that kind of Olive Oil.

EVOO is a long-chain triglyceride that is rich in Vitamins A, D and E. It is a monosaturated fat; that means that it requires more processing, which could reduce the amount of CBD you ultimately are able to get.

In terms of using it in some tinctures, it does have a taste which some have described as "fruity." If the taste bothers you, it is highly recommended that you avoid ingesting. It can also be applied to the skin, but doing so may leave your skin with an unpleasant oily feeling.

Benefits of using EVOOs include oelic acid, which has the potential to reduce inflammation. Additionally, Olive Oil is rich in antioxidants, which has numerous benefits, including reducing your exposure to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Grape Seed Oil:


The oil itself is thin and it is largely comprised of polyunsatured fats. This can create problems for absorption, as saturated fats are typically the most effective at absorbing CBD. Thus, this is one of the lease effective carrier oils.

So, why use it at all? The best thing about grape seed oil is its relatively lack of an "oily" or greasy feeling. This makes it a good product to use for skin or hair care, and it also explains why the product is used in many perfumes. Furthermore, compared to other oils, it is relatively cheap.

The chemical components of Grape Seed Oil include Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Vitamin E, and beta-Carotene. The product proports to have many benefits, including:
  • Softening, conditioning and strengthening hair, while adding to its shine and stimulating its growth.
  • Slowing the effects of aging.
  • Softening, moisturizing and tightening skin. It can also be used to reduce the effects of scars, acne or other skin blemishes.

MCT Oil (sometimes referred to as Fractionated Coconut Oil):


This type of oil, without question, is one of the best and most versatile.

It's versatility comes from the ease with which it can be both ingested or used in a lotion for direct skin contact. The coconut oil itself adds very little (if any) flavor and no smell, making it perfect for making tinctures and ingesting.

When it comes to using directly on the skin, the oil is made up of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can be absorbed into the body with ease. The oil itself is 90% saturated fat, which makes it a phenomenal CBD carrier. While this may sound like a problem, the fact that the oil itself is made of MCTs ensures that the fatty acids are metabolized directly by the liver. MCTs themselves may have numerous positive benefits, including cholesterol reduction, lowering blood sugar and improving brain function in people with Alzheimer's.

Additionally, coconut oil itself has numerous benefits, including an increase in fat burning, ability to kill certain damaging microorganisms, reduction of hunger and more. These benefits are in addition to the various benefits which CBD contains.

Other chemical components of MCTs include Caproic Acid (C6), Caprylic Acid (C8), and Capric Acid (C10) fatty acids. These are the components which give MCT Oil their various positive benefits.

Black Cumin Seed Oil:


This type of oil is frequently used directly on the skin. This is because it is particularly valued for its ability to act as an anti-bacterial and address skin problems, such as infections, yeast and mold. Indeed, its usage dates back to the 1st century, when Greek physicians hailed its use for many common ailments.

Chemical components of Black Cumin Seed Oil include Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, and Linoleic Acid. Taken together, the oil has many benefits, including:
  • Softening, moisturizing and tightening skin.
  • Reducing aging.
  • Healing wounds.
  • Boosting immunity.
  • Preventing joint inflammation.

Furthermore, like Olive Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil is rich in antioxidents, allowing for the elimination of free radicals and the various diseases which free radicals are associated with.

Frankincense Oil:


Frankincense, like Black Cumin Seed, has a long history - you may have heard of it as one of the three gifts which the Wise Men offered Jesus in the New Testament. Historically speaking, Frankincense has been used to stimulate the lymphatic system. This has numerous benefits, but in this case, stimulating the lymphatic system can help the body get rid of waste and toxins in a quicker and more productive manner.

The chemical components of Frankincense Oil include Limonene, Pinene, Borneol, Farnesol, Phellandrene and Myrcene. Thanks to all of these chemicals, Frankincense oil is said to have numerous benefits, including:
  • Anxiety reduction.
  • Immune system stimulation.
  • Reducing the signs of aging.
  • Inflammation reduction and wound care.

Pomegranate Oil:


This oil comes directly from the seeds of the pomegranate fruit, and specifically from pressing pomegranate seeds. It has a long history of being used for skin care and in massages.

The skin benefits of pomegranate seeds are plentiful, and arguably the biggest benefit of using this type of carrier oil with your CBD. Many of these benefits are the same that you've seen in other oils, including reducing scarring and increasing skin elasticity. However, Pomegranate Oil comes with additional skin benefits, including boosting collagen production. Collagen is a protein which occurs naturally in your skin, but can be enhanced with the appropriate supplement. Boosting your skin's collegian production it will help keep your skin strong and supple.

Like other CBD carrier oils, Pomegranate Oil can be helpful for reducing inflammation and healing wounds. There are, again, additional benefits; Pomegranate Oil can be used to treat certain skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema. Astonishingly, there is even some studies which shows that Pomegranate Oil can be helpful at reducing menopause symptoms!

Last, Pomegranate Oil can be very useful when it comes to treating your hair. Benefits of this treatment include softening hair, strengthening it and helping your hair retain moisture.

Sunflower Oil:


Sunflower oil is wonderful, and it's no small wonder, as it is often compared to MCT Oil.

Chemical components of Sunflower Oil include Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, and Stearic Acid. These properties have numerous beneficial effects, including:
  • Moisturizing hair and enhancing its growth.
  • Assisting with anti-inflammation.
  • Emulsifying soap and oils.
  • Slowing the negative effects of aging on your skin.

Additionally, sunflower oil is easily mixed into other flavors, allowing it to serve as an extremely versatile CBD carrier oil.

Is there a best oil?


As you have likely learned by now, different oils have different properties and may affect you differently. However, in looking at the summary above, it seems clear that MCT Oil has numerous advantages over other forms of oil. This comes as a result of its numerous benefits and versatility.

CBD has not been approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat or cure any illness.  All of the articles on this site are written by 3rd party content providers, expert bloggers or Doctors not directly affiliated with Eden’s Herbals. Individuals should learn the risks and side effects prior to taking CBD. Make sure to always check with a medical professional before starting any new CBD treatment or medication.