When you step into the world of herbal skincare, suddenly everything is an “oil.” Infused oils, essential oils, carrier oils… and if you’re not making products yourself, it can feel like alphabet soup. But each type of oil has a totally different purpose — and knowing the difference helps you choose safer, more effective products for your skin and home.
Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
Carrier Oils: The Base, the Body, the Nourishers:
Carrier oils are the rich, fatty oils pressed from nuts, seeds, or fruits. Think sweet almond, avocado, hemp seed, jojoba, or olive oil.
These oils are
- moisturizing
- skin‑softening
- gentle
- full of vitamins and fatty acids
They’re called “carrier” oils because they carry other ingredients — like herbs or essential oils — safely onto the skin.
What they do:
Hydrate, protect, soften, and support the skin barrier.
What they don’t do:
They don’t have strong scents or concentrated medicinal power on their own.
Infused Oils: Herbs + Carrier Oils = Plant Magic:
Infused oils start with a carrier oil, but then whole herbs are steeped in it over time. The oil slowly absorbs the herb’s soothing, calming, or restorative properties.
Examples include dandelion-infused oil for soothing, lavender‑infused oil for calming, or plantain‑infused oil for skin repair.
Infused oils are:
- gentle
- nourishing
- herbal without being overpowering
- perfect for sensitive skin
What they do:
Deliver herbal benefits in a soft, skin‑friendly way.
What they don’t do:
They’re not highly concentrated like essential oils.
Essential Oils: Potent, Concentrated, Handle‑With‑Respect:
Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic plant extracts. They are powerful — a little goes a long way.
Examples include tea tree, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary.
Essential oils are:
- strong
- aromatic
- therapeutic when used correctly
- never meant to be used undiluted
What they do:
Provide scent, antimicrobial properties, mood support, and targeted benefits.
What they don’t do:
Moisturize or nourish the skin — they’re not fatty oils.
Oil Comparison (Simple Breakdown):
Carrier Oils
- Rich, nourishing oils pressed from nuts, seeds, or fruits
- Moisturize and soften the skin
- Very gentle and suitable for all skin types
Infused Oils
- Herbs steeped in carrier oils over time
- Deliver herbal benefits in a gentle, skin‑friendly way
- Ideal for soothing, calming, and supporting the skin
Essential Oils
- Highly concentrated aromatic plant extracts
- Used sparingly for scent and targeted benefits
- Must always be diluted
How I Use These Oils in B.A.D. Apothecary Products:
When I create a product, I choose each type of oil with intention — not just for scent or texture, but for what it does for your skin.
Carrier Oils
These form the nourishing base of almost all of my products. They moisturize, soften, and support the skin barrier, creating formulas that feel luxurious without being greasy. You’ll find them in everything: my soaps, salves, serums, and face/body oil. I'm pretty sure the only product I make that doesn't contain a carrier oil is the liniments.
Infused Oils
This is where the herbal magic happens. I slow‑infuse whole herbs into oils to pull out their soothing, calming, or restorative properties. If a product is meant to comfort irritated skin, support healing, or offer herbal benefits, it almost always starts with an infused oil. This is what gives products like Adalyn's Boo Boo Cream, Pain Relief Salve, and all my infused soap bars their plant‑powered effectiveness.
Essential Oils
I use essential oils sparingly and purposefully. They add scent, yes — but more importantly, they offer targeted benefits like assisting with healing, pain relief, congestion and more. I never overload a product with essential oils; instead, I use just enough to support the formula while keeping it gentle and skin‑friendly.
Final Thoughts:
Understanding the difference between infused oils, essential oils, and carrier oils helps you choose products that actually support your skin instead of overwhelming it. And when you know what each oil does, you can appreciate the craft behind small‑batch herbal products even more.
If you’re curious about a specific herb or oil I use, I’m always happy to share more plant wisdom.
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