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CO₂-Extracted Carrier Oils: A Formulator's Guide
Written By: Robin Lander
Did you know that carrier oils can be produced with carbon dioxide extraction? While CO₂ extraction is well known for producing high-quality essential oils, it’s excellent for creating pure and potent carrier oils as well. Cold pressed and expeller-pressed nut and seed oils remain trusted staples in formulation, but CO₂-extracted carrier oils offer a unique alternative with remarkable performance.
This gentle, clean extraction method captures a broad range of beneficial compounds from lipid-rich nuts and seeds, resulting in carrier oils that are vibrant, silky-textured, and packed with skin-loving nutrients. Whether you’re crafting facial serums, body lotions or hair care, these next-level carriers bring a botanical brilliance well worth exploring.
What are CO₂-Extracted Carrier Oils?
CO₂ extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide in a supercritical state (between a gas and a liquid) to act as a solvent, pulling beneficial lipophilic compounds from plant material. Once the pressure is released, the CO₂ returns to a gas, leaving behind a pure, highly concentrated carrier oil brimming with nourishing constituents.
Why CO₂ Extracts are Special
Low processing temperatures maintain the integrity of delicate fatty acids, vitamins, and phytosterols.Shorter extraction times reduce oxidation of constituents.CO₂ evaporates completely, leaving no trace.Added stability and longer shelf life, thanks to a high antioxidant content and lower oxidation risk.These characteristics make CO₂-extracted carrier oils ideal for high-performance cosmetics and oil-based aromatic creations. Read on to discover why these powerful carrier oils are making waves in skincare formulation.
Six Standout CO₂-Extracted Carrier Oils to Elevate your Formulations:
Pomegranate Seed CO₂ - Organic
Key Actives: Punicic acid (omega-5), CLnA (conjugated alpha-linolenic acid) isomers, phytosterols, vitamin E. Aroma: Rich, mildly nutty, and slightly fruity. Formulation Tip: Try at 2-10% of your blend, especially with Tamanu (Foraha) Oil - Organic, Rosehip Seed CO2 – Organic, and Sea Buckthorn CO2 - Organic.Suggested Use: Known to improve the appearance of skin tone, it’s ideal in facial serums for after-sun care, creams for mature and sensitive skin, body butters and lotions, soaps and cleansers, as well as shampoos and conditioners for smooth and shiny hair.Rosehip Seed CO₂ - Organic
Key Actives: Linoleic, alpha-linolenic and oleic acids, carotenoids, and trans-retinoic acid, a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A.Aroma: Light vegetal, dry woody aroma. Formulation Tip: Beneficial at 1-3% of your blend. Combine with Jojoba Oil, Golden - Organic and Argan Oil - Organic to enhance stability.Suggested Use: Popular in brightening serums for uneven and overactive skin, eye and hand creams, lip care, and moisturizers of all types, particularly for very dry, delicate skin and hair.Black Cumin Seed CO₂ - Organic
Key Actives: Thymoquinone, linoleic and oleic acids.Aroma: Warm, spicy, peppercorn-like aroma.Formulation Tip: Can be used up to 10% in topical products, but use caution with sensitive skin as this potent, somewhat viscous oil can have ‘warming’ effects.Suggested Use: The oil from this ‘seed of blessing’ is revered in formulations for dry, mature and overactive skin, after-sun care, foot care, joint and muscle rubs, and scalp and hair conditioners.Raspberry Seed CO₂ - Organic
Key Actives: Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, phospholipids, Vitamin E, carotenoids.Aroma: Dry, slightly fruity-tart and astringent.Formulation Tips: Best at 1–5% with other carriers such as Marula Oil - Organic and Carrot Seed Oil to enhance its emollient properties.Suggested Use: Perfect for day creams, lip care, and cosmetic applications for supporting the skin’s moisture barrier and elasticity, especially after environmental exposure.Sandalwood Nut CO₂
Key Actives: Oleic and palmitic acids, and ximenynic acid—a rare polyunsaturated fatty acid that offers unique skin, scalp, and hair care properties.Aroma: Mild, woody, slightly sweet, warm fatty/nutty aroma (although it does not smell like Sandalwood essential oil).Formulation Tips: Try at 20% or less in massage oils with Fractionated Coconut Oil – Organic. For a facial serum, we suggest up to 50% for dry and mature skin, and 2-10% for oily/normal skin, diluted into a lighter carrier oil such as Camellia Seed Oil – Organic.Suggested Use: Sustainably wild-harvested and cultivated in Australia, this incredible nut oil is beneficial in leg lotions and massage oils, joint rubs, scalp preparations, hair oils, skin serums for dry, mature, oily and overactive skin, diaper creams, lip care, soaps and moisturizing cleansers.Sea Buckthorn CO₂ - Organic
Key Actives: Palmitoleic acid (omega-7), carotenoids, vitamins A and E.Aroma: subtle, mildly sweet, tart and earthy.Formulation Tips: This bright orange/red viscous oil made from the fruit pulp of a hardy seaside shrub may stain skin and clothing, so use only a few drops per ounce of your formula, such as 2-10% diluted in other carriers. May need gentle warming to liquify.Suggested Use: This super emollient helps support the skin’s natural barrier in moisturizing preparations for mature, sun-exposed and sensitive skin, scalp lotions, diaper creams, body lotions, and anywhere you’d like a pop of vibrant orange color.Ready to Elevate your Formulations?
Start exploring CO₂-extracted carrier oils and discover how their vital actives, luxurious feel, and added stability can upgrade your creations. We offer convenient sample sizes of them all!
Want to know more about how to use CO₂-extracted carrier oils as a base for your essential oil blends? Read Dilution Solutions to learn about essential oil to carrier oil ratios and how to combine essential oils with carrier oils.
Sources:
The Carrier Oil Palette: Fixed Oils, Butters, Herbal Oils, and CO2 Extracts of the Carrier Oil Palette, Jade Shutes and Sherilyn Siegmund-Roach, 2022.
CO2 extracts in aromatherapy: 50+ extracts for clinical applications, Madeleine Kerkhof, 2018.
