Vegetable Oils are also referred to as Fixed Oils. Commonly, the names Fats, Oils, Lipids, Glycerides are also synonyms - at least in general parlance. We all tend to use the terms "fat" for a solid, e.g. coconut, and "oil" for a runny substance, e.g. almond. The solidity is solely dependent upon temperature. 

USES
Vegetable oils are exciting and valuable.  We believe they do as much as essential oils and should never be reduced to the term 'carrier oil'!  Knowledgeable therapists value them as the most exciting component in skin care, especially those trained in Aroma Cosmetology™    These oils all have softening, moisturisng and emollient properties but some, such as Rose Hip Seed, have special anti-scarring properties.  Others have anti-ageing or free radical scavenging properties.   They can be blended together, used singly or added to base creams and lotions to be become "actives" in their own right.

ORIGINS
Vegetable oils are the stored energy of the plants. They contain different proportions of fatty acids which are they key components.   These oils are extracted from seeds and nuts.  Extraction methods vary as does the original material.  Some oils are derived from food unfit for consumption.  Others are obtained from the finest materials.  Processing has a lot to do with the value of the end product and its intended purpose.

PROCESSING
The fatty part of the seed or nut yields an oil by pressing it.  Some seeds and nuts yield oil easily and are said to be oil bearing.  Others, sometimes the more exotic, require even more pressure and/or sometimes extra heat to get them to yield.  Cold pressed oils are said to be the best especially for nutrition.  The chemical make-up of oil changes with heat and pressure so, knowing the best oil for the appropriate purpose is the business of Fragrant Earth.   We love cold pressed oils but not if they cause a complication in a formula!  It's a question of expert knowledge, balancing an understanding of nature with the correct application of technology.

VARIETY
Fragrant Earth offers a great selection of vegetable oils from seeds and nuts.  We offer virgin, organic, cold pressed, crude, refined and food grades.  We want therapists, cosmeticians, aestheticians and others to value vegetable oils and to use this natural treasure to best advantage.