Base oils.

Preparations: 
Oils

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: oils
From: rhiannon.indy.net (rhiannon)
Date: 12 Sep 1995 23:51:39 GMT

>Can anyone suggest a light oil base to use in making perfumes & oilbaths out of aromatic herbs?

There are many stores where you can get cosmetic quality sesame oil for this purpose. Sesame oil is what is used in Neutrogena <tm> btw, there special scent in thier oil is Neroli :)

Sesame oil absorbs well and does not leave a greasy feeling. Next on the list would be Almond oil, but it is a little thicker and does not absorb as well.

From: Star Dancer <StrDancr.gate.net>

>Can anyone suggest a light oil base to use in making perfumes & oilbaths

I've used Jojoba oil with great results for bath oils. Very light and good for ya also.

From: Justine Wetherington <afn01307.freenet.ufl.edu>

I use sweet almond oil. Not bitter "smells great" almond. Sweet almond oil is comfortable and odorless and takes up the scents you want to put in it.

From: joanne.eskimo.com (JoAnne Bassett)

I would suggest using Almond oil or grapeseed for the bath base and Jojoba is used as a base for perfume. It is not light but rather waxy and thicker. It works.

From: Graham Sorenson <Graham.fragrant.demon.co.uk>

> Can anyone suggest a light oil base to use in making perfumes & oilbaths

A light oil is grapeseed, good for those with small pores in their skin.

You can also add essential oils to evening primrose oil.

I would stay away from the commercial cooking oils and only use cold pressed first pressed oils if you can find them.

From: mmhanna.ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (Michelle M. Hanna)

>Can anyone suggest a light oil base to use in making perfumes & oilbaths

The best oil base for perfume creation IMHO is Jojoba. Actually a liquid wax which doesn't go rancid like other oils & it's the closest thing to our natural sebum. Another nice base, especially for bath oil, is Sweet Almond with a few drops of Wheat Germ mixed in for stability.

To naturally infuse the oil with the scent of herbs (rather than using Essential or Fragrance oils), pour enough oil over the herbs to cover them & then either: 1) tightly cover the oil & place in the sun for a few days to let the rays release the essences; strain & repeat until it achieves the scent you want, OR 2) SLOWLY heat the oil in a pan on your stove to speed up the process! (I've found that a waterbath is best. Wouldn't do 2), myself. -Henriette)