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The Chemistry Of Fixed Oils
- The fact that there is a chemical difference between fixed oils and essential oils was mentioned in the previous section. The difference results in contrasting general characteristics.
| Characteristics | Fixed Oil | Essential Oil |
| Volatility | low | high |
| Viscosity | high | low |
| Aroma | weak | strong |
| Soluble | no | yes |
| Emollient | yes | no |
| extraction | solvent, expressed | Distilled, expressed |
| Edible | yes | in small quantity (supervised) |
- It can sometimes be difficult to discriminate between a 100% genuine essential oil and an essential oil dissolved in a carrier oil. A simple test (not definitive) is to put one drop on to the back of your hand, whereupon one of the following will happen:
- If a pure essential oil (distilled or expressed) it will disappear into the skin quite quickly.
- If it is an absolute or a resin it may feel very slightly oily or sticky (and will also be coloured). NB Genuine sandalwood essential oil, being viscous, can also feel slightly oily.
- If the essential oil is incorporated in a carrier oil it will lubricate the back of your hand.
- Reference: Carrier Oils For Aromatherapy & Massage: Len Price with Ian Smith & Shirley Price