Exotic natural Oils have have been used for thousands of years in body rubs, soaps, creams, lotions and in herbal medicines. Many people get confused as to which oil is best used for what, so we will discuss the four basic types of Oils which are Fixed, Liquid Carrier, Essential and Fragrance, I hope this helps you understand how they are most often used and why.

Fixed Oils are usually non liquid or fixed solid at room tempetures of around 80 degrees F. and below such as Coconut, Palm, Palm Kernel, Soy other fixed Vegetable Oils. These oils are usually cold or expeller pressed and are a favoriate of soapmakers as they help the sponification process and create a hard and lathery bar of soap. Coconut Oil is very importaint, it contains large amounts fatty acids but they are the type of fatty acid that is good for you and soap made from Coconut is a great skin moisturizer. Coconut Oil Soap is even know to lather well in salt water and is the most expensive of the fixed oils. Palm Kernel is very simular to Coconut though from a different tree and is fixed to over 80 degrees F. Soy Oil is also a remains fixed to well over 80 degrees and is used in soap and candle making, these oils are fairly inexpensive and come in solid blocks or flakes. Any oil that is solid at room tempeture can be considered a fixed oil, such oils include Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, These oils are a favorite of soapmakers and make beautiful bars of hard soap, they come in different grades and are usually less expensive than liquid or simi liquid carrier oils.

Carrier Oils are pressed oils that stay liquid even at lower tempetures, they usually have a nutral odor and absorb into the skin quickly making them perfect for perfunes, body or massage oils, creams and lotions. They actually get the name "Carrier" because they are known to hold and throw a good scent, some of these oils are Sweet Almond, Sun Flower, Jojoba, Hemp, Grapeseed and Apricot, other liquid oils that are carrier oils but have their own uses are Neem, Castor and Wheat Germ, these oils are usually used in small portions with other carrier oils for their specific benifits.

Esential Oils are called EO's and are very different than Carrier oils in that they are the actual natural essential elliments extracted from the plant, to include scent, color and other essential benifits that are captured using a steam extraction or distilation method. These oils are not a fragrance oil which will be decribed next but are very powerful oils and must be deluted before use. Essential Oils have hundreds of uses, they are used in Body Oils , Skin Creams and Speciality Soaps. Blends of Essential Oils are an importain part of herbal medicine in healing potions, tonics and in aromatherapy using vaproizers for symtoms of the Flu or Cold, essential oils are also used to make cough surups and cold tonics.
Essential Oils are also used for purposes other that of healing, some Essential Oils are natural Insect repellents making them great for human use or to be used to make many different Pet sprays and soaps for Flea and Tick control. Remember, before you use any essential oil it is advised that you do some research on its uses and effects, know what you are using and why because as said earlier some oils are concentrated and are very powerful when used in their pure forms.

Fragrance Oils are called FOs and can be a natural essential plant oil or an artifical scent oil, they can also be different oils blended togeather to form a certain fragrance or scent. Fragrance oils may not be pure oils and can be a blend of natural or artifical oils which can make up virtually an endless amount of different scents or fragrances.

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