It's all about the base: Carrier oils 101
Updated: Nov 1, 2022
People often ask me why their skin feels so soft after a SaltZ&Co salt bath. The salt blends themselves are marvelously skin conditioning and healing, but that's not the whole story. Our natural bath and body care products also contain what's known as carrier oils - not the essential oils used to add an intoxicating scent profile, but rather the pure oils that are added for the express purpose of skin softening.
Carrier oils are not a must have, but neither is chocolate
It's not truly necessary to add carrier oils to bath salts, but it's a nice thing to have. Carrier oils, also referred to as base oils, are extensively used in aromatherapy because they 'carry' essential oils, i.e. they dilute them for therapeutic applications. This is necessary for such things as massage, where the essential oils themselves are far too concentrated to be applied directly to the skin without first being diluted.
Base oils also appear in the manufacturing of soaps and creams, lotions, and conditioning treatments. Most cleansing products, for example, would be far too harsh and drying without the addition of carrier oils and/or vegetable butters.
How much carrier oil do we use? Just enough.
While some bath salts contain so much oil that they make the tub quite slippery and leave skin feeling greasy, our bath salts and bath bombs contain just enough for softening, and no more. Salt scrubs, of course, are meant to contain more oil than bath salts to help adhere the salt into an easy-to-use scrub, and soothe the new skin that has been revealed by the exfoliation - it's all part of the incredible baby-soft experience. If your skin feels overly greasy afterwards, simply shower off, preferably with an all natural body wash.
Types of carrier oils found in SaltZ&Co products
There are many popular carrier oils, and we are excited to be adding new ones as we release new products. Here are some of the oils currently used:
Sweet almond oil: An excellent emollient known for its ability to soften and re-condition the skin. It is rich in proteins, linoleic acid, and Vitamin D, and is considered extremely nourishing to the skin. It can be used to soothe dry skin and irritated areas. Used in: Most SaltZ bath salt products
Refined olive oil: An all-purpose moisturizing oil favoured in skin and hair products for its ability to combat dryness. Used in: Martini Time Olive Oil Soap
Organic virgin coconut oil: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and makes an excellent skin moisturizer and softener. It is a preferred oil in high-quality natural cosmetic and soap-making. Used in: Lavender Fields Forever, all skin balms
Grapeseed oil: A very light, odourless and virtually colourless oil which is great for carrying fragrances. It's astringent and toning, and said to confer sun protection benefits. Used in: Many SaltZ bath salt products
Avocado oil: Hypoallergenic, this rich and nourishing oil is great at hydrating and softening the skin, and is also often recommended as an effective treatment for acne, eczema and other forms of skin inflammation. It's also incredible for hair, which is why you'll find it in every bar of Pug Life Dog Shampoo.
For a softening bath that leaves you feeling like a whole new person, remember...it's all about the base!