Aromatics Academy
Carrier Oil Chemistry for Formulators
TS Aromatics Formulation Team May 2026 · 7 min readbeginner
Fatty Acid Chemistry
Carrier oils are composed primarily of triglycerides. Saturated fatty acids (lauric, palmitic) provide stability and shelf life. Unsaturated acids (oleic, linoleic, linolenic) offer skin-nourishing properties but oxidize faster.
Selecting the Right Carrier
Jojoba (wax ester, closest to human sebum), fractionated coconut (light, long shelf life), sweet almond (classic massage base), and grapeseed (non-greasy, fast-absorbing) are the most versatile bases for formulation work.
Oxidative Stability
Oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (grapeseed, rosehip) require antioxidant protection (tocopherols) and refrigeration. Monounsaturated-rich oils (olive, avocado, almond) have moderate stability. Saturated oils (coconut, babassu) are highly stable.