Ingredient quality matters. Today, 83% of consumers are consistently checking ingredient labels on food, and across personal care products, too, 63% of consumers believe clean ingredients are an important consideration factor. Natural plant oils are found in many types of products meant to go in or on the body – creams, lotions, balms, salves, desserts, snacks – and understanding not only where ingredients come from, but how they are processed, can help inform decisions about which brands and products to shop.

At The Healing Rose, we use only unrefined carrier oils in our topicals, and are selective about which oils end up on our shelves and in our products. Organic apricot kernel oil, organic baobab oil, and organic jojoba oil are some of the ingredients used to make our organic massage oils, salves, and more. In this article, we look at the differences between refined and unrefined oils, their respective uses, and their distinct benefits.

The Characteristics of Refined and Unrefined Oils

An unrefined oil is extracted through any process which maintains close fidelity to the plant’s natural state. A refined oil, on the other hand, is altered in some way to prolong shelf life or enhance certain flavors. Plant oils can be extracted using a variety of methods including cold pressing, steam distillation, solvent extraction, and supercritical and subcritical CO2 extraction. 

Both how oils are extracted and what happens during processing determines their classification.

Unrefined oils are extracted without heat or chemicals with minimal filtration. When the extraction process is kept below 100 degrees fahrenheit, the oil is considered cold-pressed. This slow, low-temperature process allows unrefined oils to maintain their natural components and nutritional value, and often results in a darker oil that is more aromatic. Unrefined oils may have a shorter shelf life due to their lack of preservatives.

Refined oils are extracted using heat, chemicals, and filtration, and may lose naturally-occurring nutritional properties. Once extracted, some oils are put through refining processes like bleaching, deodorizing, or filtering to remove impurities, and may be treated with artificial preservatives. These oils are often lighter in color, with a neutral flavor and smell. Due to the removal of natural compounds, refining can result in a longer shelf life.

Oils In Food & Cooking

At the grocery store, “extra virgin,” “virgin,” or “raw” cooking oils dot the shelves. These unrefined oils are typically extracted through one cycle of pressing, without heat or solvents added, and maintain their natural nutritional composition and flavor profiles.

Cooking oils like canola oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, and some coconut oils are refined to extend shelf life and allow higher smoke points. While these qualities may sound ideal, vital nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants can be lost in the refining process, reducing the nutritional value of these oils. While unrefined oils are typically a better choice, a refined oil may be appropriate depending on the recipe and the cooking method.

The same principles that apply to the quality of ingredients that go in the body apply to ingredients that go on the body.

Natural Oils In Skincare & Cosmetics

Natural plant oils are common in skincare products, and for good reason. The compounds found in natural oils include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-itch, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as essential fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and support its function as a barrier.

In addition to the natural benefits of oils themselves, oils often serve as a base – or carrier – for a primary ingredient. At The Healing Rose, we use 100% unrefined carrier oils to support our blends of organic cannabinoids in salves, massage oils, roll on oils, and more.

When selecting skincare products, it is important to consider the extraction and refinement processes used by manufacturers. Heavily processed and refined oils may not maintain natural levels of beneficial lipids, may contain additional ingredients and additives, and could irritate the skin as a result.

What About Essential Oils?

Not only do natural essential oils smell amazing, research shows essential oils may have health benefits including antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Essential oils can be used in both skincare and food settings, but heavily-processed essential oils often lack the naturally-potent scents and beneficial compounds the oils are widely known for. 

We believe it is imperative to use only the highest quality oils used in our products. Products like our Organic CBD Lip Balm take advantage of the natural soothing and aromatic properties of essential oils, including organic eucalyptus oil and organic sweet orange oil.

For essential oils that can be phototoxic or photosensitizing, we make sure to use steam distilled ones that do not have those same potential side effects.

Carrier Oils and Cannabinoids

Our Massage & Body Oils – including products like our popular Lavender Massage & Body Oil – often rely on a carrier oil to support the cannabinoid extract. Because unrefined oils lack added preservatives, they are healthier and cause less interference than refined oils.

Here at The Healing Rose, our massage & body oils are made with only unrefined carrier oils, providing a gentle, high-quality option for our customers. Just as we prize creating products from organic, high quality extracts from Massachusetts-grown hemp, we value supporting our cannabinoid extracts with the highest quality carrier oils.

Read our recent article about different extraction methods, and why we believe supercritical CO2 extraction is the superior method for obtaining natural cannabinoid extracts. Paired with unrefined carrier oils, products from The Healing Rose offer a natural, additive-free approach to experiencing the benefits of natural cannabinoids.

We encourage our customers to take care about which products and ingredients to put on or in the body. To support your wellness journey, explore a variety of balms, salves, oils, and more made from the highest quality natural ingredients in our online shop.