What are the Best Carrier Oils for Wound Healing and Their Uses

Elizabeth Starns
Best Carrier Oils for Wound Healing

Every scratch and scar tells a life story. Some wounds heal quickly and easily, while others can longer on physical and emotional levels. Essential oils can offer wound healing support, as well as carrier oils. Rosehip, Tamanu, Avocado, Grapeseed, and Jojoba are great choices. This is a lengthy article, so buckle in as we discuss all things healing and explore the best carrier oils for wounds.

What is a Wound?

Any breakage to the skin is considered a wound.  This can include cuts, scratches, scrapes, and stitches.  There are different types of wounds, and each requires different levels of support to help heal. Wounds can occur through minor accidents or significant trauma such as an operation.  We don’t need to be overly concerned about some wounds, but others may require support to heal.

The Wound Healing Process

The healing process is essentially the same for all wounds, even those that are severe or damaged due to other health issues.  During the initial occurrence of the injury resulting in the harm, the body responds automatically to try and fix the problem. First, blood vessels in the area start to constrict to help slow blood loss. This process is called vasoconstriction. The blood then forms platelets, becoming thicker to help prevent further blood loss from the area.

Once the wound stops bleeding, the body can begin to clean it, starting the healing process. First, the body tells the blood vessels around the wound to open slightly so more blood can flow to it. The new blood flowing in the area brings oxygen and nutrients to the wound so it can heal. In addition, macrophages, and white blood cells, help clean the wound and help fight off any infection.

The body will then use the red blood cells to help create new skin tissue. Next, the body sends chemical signals into the body to tell the cells around the wound to make collagen. The collagen helps to mend the skin and regenerate tissues in and around the wound. During this stage of repair, the scar might become raised and very red. Make good choices around the best carrier oils for wound healing, and scars should slowly fade.

Why Are We Interested In The Best Carrier Oils For Wound Healing?

Best Carrier Oils for Wound Healing

For a wound to heal, it needs to be moist and have sufficient nutrition and oxygen. The wound healing process can be impaired by several factors as well, such as age, overall health, skin condition, and nutritional health.

Poljsak et al (2019) found that vegetable oils, another name for carrier oils, showed promising results in wound healing. They discovered that carrier oils "have an effective impact on the phases of the wound-healing process by promoting cell proliferation, increasing collagen synthesis, stimulating dermal reconstruction, and repairing the skin's lipid barrier function.”

Our Top 7 Best Carrier Oils for Wound Healing

1. Rosehip Oil

Rosehip Oil is at the top of our list of best carrier oils for wound healing. One of the reasons we rate this so highly is its richness in fatty acids and vitamins. These promote cell and tissue regeneration. Rosehip supports wound healing by keeping the trauma moist and nourishing the surrounding skin so it won’t tear during the healing process. In addition, it is anti-inflammatory that helps prevent infection.

Lei et al (2018) found that rosehip oil significantly promoted wound healing and effectively improved scars.

2. Tamanu Oil

Next on our list of best carrier oils for wound healing is Tamanu Oil. This oil is cultivated from the Tamanu tree, which is native to East Africa. Tamanu oil is rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, giving it its moisturizing abilities. This will help keep the wound moist in and around the area, allowing the body to heal itself. Tamanu oil is also noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation during the healing process.

Tamanu oil helps stimulate collagen production, promoting wound healing during the second phase of the healing process.

Safety: If you are allergic to nuts, avoid this oil.

3. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of the winemaking process. The oil is extracted from the leftover grape seeds. Grapeseed oil contains antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that can help heal wounds. This should potentially be the best carrier oils for wound healing chart since grapeseed is noted for decreasing the formation of raised scars, known as keloids. A lightweight oil is also said to help with collagen production. All in all, this is a great allrounder oil for wound healing and many other skincare concerns.

4. Jojoba Oil

Pronounced ho-ho-ba, Jojoba Oil is derived from the woody, evergreen desert shrub that grows in the desert. We call it oil, but it is technically a waxy liquid. Jojoba is similar to the body’s natural sebum and is lightweight and non-greasy. In addition, it contains Vitamins B and E, which provide anti-inflammatory actions and is why we rate it one of the best carrier oils for wound healing.

5. Avocado Oil

Derived from avocados, this oil is rich in Vitamins A, B,6, C, and E. Some of the reasons so many people rate avocado as one of the best carrier oils for wound healing are its antioxidant and emollient properties and anti-inflammatory properties. De Oliveira et al (2013) found that “avocado oil can promote increased collagen synthesis and decreased numbers of inflammatory cells during the wound-healing process.”

6. Coconut MCT Oil

Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called monolaurin, known for its anti-microbial qualities. This would help reduce the infection or microbes getting into the wound. It also includes an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid, which acts as an emollient and soothes the skin. Coconut oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, aiding the healing process by reducing some of the inflammation.

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is calming, soothing, and hydrating to the skin. In addition, Hekmatpou et al (2019) found that aloe vera demonstrated the ability to enhance wound healing.

Recipes to Help You Make The Most Of The Best Carrier Oils for Wound Healing

Wound Healing Salve

What you’ll need:

Method of Use: Using a scale, weigh and measure your beeswax and coconut oil.  Using a double boiler, combine coconut oil and beeswax, and heat until melted to a liquid. Pour into a heatproof container, and allow to cool slightly before adding Rosehip and essential oils. Suppose the mixture has cooled down too much; heat slightly again.  Once all ingredients have been mixed, place a lid on the container and store it in a dark, cool area. Apply a small salve around the wound area, rubbing in gently.  Repeat the application as often as necessary, and stop using it if any irritation occurs.

Safety: Do not use on open wounds

Wound Healing Ointment

What you’ll need:

Method of Use: Using a scale, weigh and measure your beeswax and Shea butter palettes. Using a double boiler, combine shea butter palettes and beeswax, and heat gently until melted to a liquid. Pour into a heatproof container, and allow to cool slightly before adding Grapeseed and essential oils. Suppose the mixture has cooled down too much; heat slightly again. Once all ingredients have been mixed, place a lid on the container and store it in a dark, cool area. Apply a small amount of ointment to the wound area gently. Repeat the application as often as necessary, and stop using it if any irritation occurs.

Safety: Do not apply to open wounds; this treatment would not be suitable for use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. 

Wound Healing Oil

What you’ll need:

Method of Use: Pour all ingredients into a small bottle, and shake well to blend. Apply a couple of drops to your fingers, then gently rub around the wound area.  Repeat the application as often as necessary, and stop using it if any irritation occurs.

Safety: Do not use on open wounds, and it is not suitable for use in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Wound Healing First Aid

Before you help with a wound, make sure you have clean hands. This will help reduce the chance of infection.  Once your hands are clean, you want to control or help stop the bleeding.  This may be done by placing a clean, sterile patch over it and applying some pressure. Small minor breaks in the skin will stop bleeding by themselves, but with more significant gaps, a covering and pressure may be required. For major wounds, your key objective is to get the wound attended to by a medical professional.

You want to keep the wound and surrounding area clean. Remove any debris and dirt from the site. This will help reduce infection and further issues. Cleaning with some water may be helpful, but if you have some saline, that would be a better option. Don’t use any soaps or cleaners, as they may irritate the wound further.

Once the wound is clean, apply a sterile or clean Band-Aid or bandage.  Then, if needed, seek medical assistance.

Remember, open wounds can be available to infection, so you want to help the body close the wound as soon as possible.

And, as always, wash your hands after helping with wound treatments.

Other Factors that can Support Wound Healing

As stated earlier in this article, wounds need sufficient oxygen and nutrients to help heal. You can help the healing process by ensuring your body is fed good nutrients. Foods rich in Vitamins A and C, potassium, and zinc will speed up the healing process.

Regular exercise can help with wound healing too. It increases blood flow, improves overall health, and can help wounds heal quicker.

Manage your chronic health conditions such as diabetes, as they can slow the wound healing process.

Healing Emotional Wounds

Wounds to our bodies and our skin are easy to spot. However, some wounds can be harder to notice. We call these emotional wounds, which can show up as anxiety, depression, and lack of enjoyment of life. Emotional wounds can be healed with aromatherapy and the use of essential oils. We have many articles written that specifically address these topics of anxiety and depression.

As emotional wounds can impact us in many ways, it is important to seek the support of professionals who can help guide you in the right direction. So reach out, and seek help to heal those emotional wounds.

Conclusion

Any break in the skin is called a wound, and carrier oils can be a great addition to help them heal. Once you have cleaned the wound, you can use our list of best carrier oils for wound healing to help speed up the healing process. Keep your wound covered, and allow the body to work its magic to heal it.

References

  1. Orchard, A and Van Vuuren, S (2019).  Carrier oils in dermatology, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31321504/
  2. Lei, Z., Cao, Z., Yang, Z.,  Ao, M.,  Jin, W., and Yu, L.  (2018), Rosehip Oil Promotes Excisional Wound Healing by Accelerating the Phenotypic Transition of Macrophages, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199901/
  3. Poljsak, N., Kreft, S., and Kocevar Glavac, N (2019). Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: Scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6524
  4. Ansel JL, Lupo E, Mijouin L, et al (2016). Biological activity of Polynesian Calophyllum inophyllum oil extract on human skin cells. https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0042-108205
  5. de Oliveira, AP 1, de Souza Franco, E, et al (2013). Effect of semisolid formulation of persea americana mill (avocado) oil on wound healing in rats, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23573130/
  6. Hekmatpou, D., Mehrabi, F.,  Rahzani, K.,  and  Aminiyan, A (2019) The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6330525/