CO2 Confusions

Jennifer asked: I know that I've already asked one technical question BUT can you help me understand CO2's? What is the difference in usage? I know the extraction is different but why would you use a CO2 over an EO? And why is it considered a carrier oil? When I think of carrier oils I think of volume. I hope you understand my question on that. When we use a carrier it is so that a large amount of EO is not put directly on the skin and covers more surface area but a CO2 would not give you that ability because it's in drops as well. I know that could have been worded better but I can't find those words right now. 

Marge: I'm going to divide this question in half, because it truly is two different questions.

There are CO2 Selects that are similar to the EO's, but there are also CO2 extracts that are the equivalent of a cold pressed oil. So, there are a lot of factors. I need to say "which CO2"

  First, the Select CO2 that can take the place of the equivalent essential oil.

In every case but one that I have experienced, the CO2 extract.. let us say Lavender, Frankincenses,

Sweet Marjoram Herb

Sweet Marjoram, German Chamomile, Clove, Cinnamon Bark, there's more, but that's a start. They all smell closer to the raw botanical (the fresh herb, the resin,the blossom) than do steam distilled equivalents. Our Sweet Marjoram is a perfect example.  Christi has never liked the Essential Oil. We use it in SleepEase and I think that's why she developed Relax!  We recently reformulated SleepEase, using the CO2 instead of the distilled oil. the new formula just sparkles.. light and.. pretty!  and more effective.  with half as much of the CO2 in the formula. This made the cost not much higher. A costlier ingredient but we used less and improved the product.

Some of the CO2 extracts, I'm thinking Frankincense;  have components that you will not find in the distillate. Incensole acetate, in this case, which is the component that makes the RESIN a relaxant, is not found in the distilled oil. This component IS in the CO2 extract. These are just some examples of why you might choose the CO2 extract instead of the distillate.

In my PERSONAL experience, German Chamomile CO2 healed a skin ulcer that the distilled oil (recommended by Martin Watt) couldn't help.  I had been treating it for months. After trying and failing with the distilled Chamomile, I tried the German Chamomile CO2 and healed it in a week. Impressed me immensely! (No, I do not remember the dilution used, this was close to 20 years ago.)

Q: "And why is it considered a carrier oil? When I think of carrier oils I think of volume. I hope you understand my question on that. When we use a carrier it is so that a large amount of EO is not put directly on the skin and covers more surface area but a CO2 would not give you that ability because it's in drops as well. I know that could have been worded better but I can't find those words right now. "

Okay. Let's substitute a word, for starters. Instead of carrier oil, think fixed oil,  Olive oil, Macadamia nut oil, Grapeseed oil, Borage seed oil, Evening Pprimrose, Kalahari Melon,  Shea oil (or butter,) Argan, Rosehip.  Now, look at all of these from a SKINCARE perspective.  NOT just "as a way to dilute your essential oils safely," but as active components in your blends,whether massage blends, skincare formulations or pain relief, all the things you use the EO's for. 

The fixed oils, i.e. carrier oils...  also contribute and they work well in blends.  Our best-selling single

Pomegranate CO2

skincare product is Cleopatra's Secret SERUM. It is a blend of TEN "fixed oils" and five EO's.  Among the fixed oils are seven CO2 extracted fixed oils with three cold pressed fixed oils. Why the CO2's?  because 1. they tend to have a longer shelf life than some of the equivalent cold pressed oils.. (I have had to toss unsold Borage Seed oil, six months old, stored in the fridge... got 'stale smelling".. not rancid yet, but no longer in it's prime. SIX MONTH shelf life!)  The CO2 extracted Borage has a 2-year shelf life, AND I think a higher proportion of the "active" ingredients.   We just prefer to work with them.

Another example, if I just want to slather on something to treat a burn, sure I might dilute in Jojoba or Frac.  But why not dilute in a healer like Calendula infused, or Calophyllum?  

We sell our 10% dilutions in Fractionated Coconut or Jojoba because we need something "inert" since we don't know what the customer's ultimate goal will be. And we want extended shelf life. But the fixed oil are as important a part of your healing arsenal as are the essential oils.  We need to start a blog series about them all. Although I have tried to share about them in the product descriptions.

Does this help? Or did I make things more confusing?