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Essential oil of peppermint in bottle with fresh green peppermint

Carrier oils – what are they, and why are they important?

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that contain volatile chemicals extracted from plants. They are called this way because they have the essence of the plant’s fragrance, aroma, or flavour. Because of their high volatility, essential oils evaporate fast, even at normal temperatures, which makes it very difficult to use these products by themselves. This is why, to help with the volatility and dilute essential oils, which are highly concentrated, experts use carrier oils in their products. This is applied in any industry that uses essential oils, whether aromatherapy, beauty or wellness.

To preserve the fragrance or flavour of the essential oils they are combined with, carrier oils don’t have any aroma, but some, such as olive oil, can give a slight smell. Unlike essential oils, they are obtained through cold pressing and maceration, which can often be obtained through steaming.

If you have been using CBD oil by now, you’ve probably noticed the label mentions a list of ingredients besides CBD. The list also contains a carrier oil that manufacturers need to use as a base for their CBD oil products.

While it may not seem this way, carrier oils don’t have any active effects, and they can significantly influence your experience with CBD products. Some carrier oils are plant-based, while others are nut-based, leading to allergies. At the same time, some people claim they can taste the carrier oil and that it greatly influences the flavour of the CBD. Without carrier oils, however, we would not be able to enjoy CBD products or any other essential oil products for that matter.

To make an informed choice and select a product that suits your needs, you must understand the role of carrier oils and how they influence CBD oil production. Continue reading to fund out everything!

Benefits of carrier oils in CBD products

Carrier oils are not used to dilute the essential oil and counteract its volatility. It serves a range of crucial functions that help the main product reach its full potential. Some of the benefits carrier oils bring are:

Improved product absorption

One important reason to use a carrier oil is that it improves bioavailability, helping your body absorb CBD oil faster. Because CBD is fat-soluble, it dissolves in oil instead of water. Even in modest doses, fat-soluble compounds are better absorbed when digested with fat.

When you digest water-soluble compounds, such as sugar or many vitamins and minerals, your digestive tract transports them straight to your circulation. This method cannot be used to absorb fat-soluble compounds. Instead, your digestive tract transports them to fatty tissues, where they are
disseminated throughout your body by the lymphatic system, a component of your immune system. Any surplus is stored for later use in your liver and fatty tissues.

Because all carrier oils are fat-soluble, CBD dissolves in them, and the oil then transports the CBD into the appropriate tissues, making it more accessible for your system.

Easier dosage control

CBD is a potent molecule, so you don’t need much of it to have a medical impact. However, when it comes to dosage, this presents a dilemma. It’s easier to measure out a dropperful of CBD-infused oil than a small quantity of crystalline isolate to administer suitable and consistent amounts, which is CBD’s pure form.

Additional health benefits

Carrier oils may offer health advantages on their own, which you may get from using products that contain them. Olive oil, for example, has received a lot of attention for its heart-healthy properties. Incorporating it into your CBD regimen is one way to do so if there’s an oil you’d like to consume more of. Check the product labels and look for the type of carrier oil that accompanies your CBD, choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Types of carrier oils that can be used in CBD products

At times, one or more carrier oils may be present in certain CBD products. Several carrier oils are in use, although some are more popular than others and have better-known safety profiles.

Some of the carrier oils most used for CBD products include:

MTC (Medium-Chain Triglyceride) Oil

The most frequent carrier oil for CBD products is MCT oil. Although coconut is the most popular, it may be made from coconut or palm kernel oil. It’s sometimes referred to as fractionated coconut oil on labels.

Medium-chain triglycerides are a form of fatty acid that your body can absorb fast since it does not need to break them down through digestion before delivering them to the lymph system. It is also easily absorbed by the skin. Long-chain triglycerides take longer to digest, and gut bacteria frequently devour short-chain triglycerides before they can be absorbed; therefore, MCTs are the most beneficial.

Hemp Seed Oil

Although they are derived from the same plant, hemp seed oil and CBD oil are different. CBD is derived from the flower, whereas hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds.

Using hemp seed oil as a carrier oil for CBD may contribute to the “entourage effect,” which states that mixing elements of the plant may make each component more effective than it would be alone. Hemp seed oil is a popular choice for full-spectrum CBD products.

Olive Oil

You’re probably most acquainted with olive oil, and it’s undoubtedly the most investigated. Because of its numerous well-established health advantages have become one of the most regularly used cooking oils.

Research shows olive oil can boost immunity, minimize inflammation, and reduce blood clotting. What’s more, it is also rich in antioxidants and can be absorbed very fast by the skin, making it great for topical CBD products.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has grown in popularity for various applications, including cooking, as studies have uncovered its health advantages. It’s the most commonly used CBD carrier oil in topical applications, but it’s also found in ingestible goods. It is quickly absorbed by the skin, as well as by the digestive tract, and is high in vitamins.

Wes C

Wesley Cude is the founder of The CBD Supplier – a UK-based CBD brand that supplies CBD products to businesses and consumers all over Europe. Wesley first became interested in cannabis when he started growing it as a hobby in Spain and was excited by the potential of the CBD industry and the changing legislation around cannabis. Over the last four years, Wesley has been helping to launch various CBD brands and has grown The CBD Supplier into one of Europe’s leading suppliers of CBD products.