Fatty Acids Typically Found in Carrier Oils

This is not necessarily a complete list...

Short Chain Fatty Acids

C3:0 Propionic Acid
C4:0 Butyric Acid
C5:0 Valeric Acid

Medium Chain Fatty Acids

C6:0 Caproic Acid
C7:0 Enanthic Acid
C8:0 Caprylic Acid
C9:0 Pelargonic Acid
C10:0 Capric Acid
C11:0 Undecylic Acid
C12:0 Lauric Acid

Long Chain Fatty Acids

C13:0 Tridecylic Acid
C14:0 Myristic Acid
C15:0 Pentadecylic Acid
C16:0 Palmitic Acid
C16:1 Omega-7 Palmitoleic Acid
C17:0 Margaric Acid
C18:0 Stearic Acid
C18:1 Omega-9 Oleic Acid
C18:1 Omega-7 Vaccenic Acid (Trans)
C18:1 Omega-9 Elaidic Acid (Trans)
C18:2 Omega-6 Linoleic Acid
C18:2 Ximenynic Acid (Trans)
C18:3 Omega-3 a-Linolenic Acid
C18:3 Omega-6 gamma-Linolenic Acid
C18:4 Omega-3 Stearidonic Acid
C19:0 Nonadecylic Acid
C20:0 Arachidic Acid
C20:1 Omega-7 Paullinic Acid
C20:1 Omega-9 Gondoic Acid
C20:3 Omega-6 Dihomo-Omega-linolenic Acid
C20:3 Omega-9 Mead Acid
C20:4 Omega-6 Arachidonic Acid
C20:5 Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid
C21:0 Heneicosylic Acid

Very Long Chain Fatty Acids

C22:0 Behenic Acid
C22:1 Omega-9 Erucic Acid
C22:4 Omega-6 Docosatetraenoic Acid
C22:6 Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid
C23:0 Tricosylic Acid
C24:0 Lignoceric Acid
C24:1 Omega-9 Nervonic Acid

Sources:

Len Price with Shirley Price, Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage 4th Edition (United Kingdom: Riverhead, 2008).
Wikipedia List of Saturated Fatty Acids
Wikipedia List of Unsaturated Fatty Acids

For introductory information regarding essential fatty acids and their role within the diet and skin/hair care, see AromaWeb's article entitled What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

Important Information

The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

General Safety Information

Use caution when trying any new ingredient, including carrier oils on the skin or in the hair. Those with nut allergies should consult their medical practitioner before coming into contact with nut oils, butters or other nut products. Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Safety information can be found by visiting the Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand.

Carrier Oil Book Suggestions

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