Purodem® CPD Series
Vegetable Oils: Carriers in Professional Aromatherapy Practice
A professional CPD course developing informed, purposeful use of vegetable oils within professional aromatherapy practice.
CPD Course Overview
- CPD Hours: 3–6
- Level: Professional CPD
- Delivery: Distance learning
- Assessment: Competency-based
- Prerequisites: See below
- Informed carrier oil selection
- Skin and tissue compatibility
- Fatty acid profile awareness
- Stability and shelf-life insight
- Direct application to practice
About The CPD Course
Vegetable oils play a central role in aromatherapy practice, acting as carriers, treatment bases, and functional ingredients in topical formulations. Despite their importance, they are often selected without sufficient consideration of their composition, skin compatibility, stability, or therapeutic contribution.
This CPD course is designed to develop an informed, structured approach to working with vegetable oils in professional aromatherapy practice. You will learn how fatty acid profiles, extraction methods, and stability influence oil selection, and how different oils support skin function and treatment goals. Through guided learning and reflective practice, you will build confidence in choosing and using vegetable oils safely, purposefully, and effectively.
Who This Course Is For
This CPD is suitable for aromatherapists, holistic practitioners, formulation students, and professionals using vegetable oils in therapeutic or topical contexts. It is appropriate for those seeking to improve confidence in carrier oil selection, skin compatibility, and safe use. Prior aromatherapy experience is helpful but not required.
CPD Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction to Vegetable Oils
- Definition and origin of vegetable oils
- Distinguishing fixed (lipid) oils from essential oils and hydrolats
- Methods of extraction, including cold-pressed, expeller-pressed, and macerated or infused oils
- Why vegetable oils are essential components in PEOT (Professional Essential Oil Therapy) practice
Unit 2: Composition of Vegetable Oils
- Overview of key fatty acids, including oleic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, and stearic acids
- Differences between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated oils and their effects on the skin
- How fatty acid composition may influence absorption, skin feel, and therapeutic properties
- Understanding minor components that contribute to potential oil function, including:
- Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
- Vitamins such as A, D, and K (depending on source)
- Phytosterols
- Polyphenols
- Squalane
Unit 3: Therapeutic & Cosmetic Actions
- Overview of the potential therapeutic and cosmetic actions of vegetable oils, with practical examples, including:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Emollient and barrier-repair
- Regenerative and wound-supportive
- Antioxidant
- Soothing and calming
- Astringent
- Nutritive and protective
- Understanding occlusive versus breathable oils
- Applying vegetable oils to specific skin indications, including:
- Dry or dehydrated skin
- Sensitive or reactive skin
- Inflamed or barrier-impaired skin
- Oily or congested skin
- Mature skin
- Post-treatment care
Unit 4: Factors Affecting Quality
- Freshness of raw material and harvest considerations
- Processing methods, including cold pressing versus solvent extraction
- Differences between refined and unrefined vegetable oils
- Understanding peroxide values, acidity, and oxidation processes
- Recognising signs of rancidity through changes in aroma, colour, or texture
- The role of batch testing and Certificates of Analysis, where applicable
Unit 5: Common Vegetable Oils in Professional Use
- Overview of commonly used vegetable oils in professional aromatherapy and skincare practice. Examples may include:
- Sweet Almond
- Jojoba
- Grapeseed
- Apricot Kernel
- Avocado
- Rosehip
- Evening Primrose
- Argan
- Sunflower
- Fractionated Coconut
- Hemp Seed
- Calendula (macerated)
- Tamanu
- For each oil, consideration of:
- Key fatty acids
- Skin benefits and therapeutic contribution
- Absorption rate and skin feel
- Typical shelf life and stability
- Relevant safety cautions
Unit 6: Stability, Storage & Shelf-Life
- Understanding oxidation pathways and the factors that influence oil stability
- The role of antioxidants, such as mixed tocopherols, in supporting shelf life
- Typical shelf-life expectations for different categories of vegetable oils
- Recognising when an oil should be discarded
- Storage guidelines, including use of dark bottles, cool environments, and management of oxygen exposure
Unit 7: Applications in Professional Practice
- Aromatherapy and massage applications, including selecting oils based on skin type, client needs, and seasonal considerations
- Creating balanced base blends for massage and facial treatments
- Skincare applications, including:
- Facial oils and oil-based serums
- Body oils
- Barrier-support blends
- Selecting carrier oils for sensitive or reactive clients
- Practical therapeutic uses, such as:
- Compresses
- Pre- and post-treatment application
- Scar care and barrier-repair routines
Unit 8: Practical Formulation Exercises
- Guided creation of two to four simple vegetable oil blends, such as:
- A customised facial oil for a specific skin type
- A massage base blend
- A body oil for hydration or soothing
- A barrier-supportive blend for potentially sensitive or atopic skin
- Emphasis on formulation ratios, therapeutic rationale, sensory evaluation, and accurate batch recording
Unit 9: Documentation & Reflective Practice
- Recording blend choices, percentages, and batch numbers accurately
- Integrating vegetable oil use into treatment notes where appropriate
- Maintaining a professional oil profile log for reference and ongoing learning
- Using reflective evaluation to review client outcomes and formulation effectiveness
Teaching, Learning & Assessment
The course is delivered through a combination of tutor-led teaching, guided practical evaluation, and structured self-study.
Assessment is competency-based, focusing on understanding, method, and reflective practice rather than “right or wrong” formulations.
Assessment methods may include:
- Vegetable oil application worksheets
- Analysis of fatty acid profiles and oil selection rationale
- Practical creation of simple oil-based blends
- Short-answer knowledge checks on stability, safety, and storage
- Reflective journaling and formulation records
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this CPD, participants will be able to:
Understand
- What vegetable oils are and how they differ from essential oils and hydrolats
- The key components of vegetable oils, including fatty acids, vitamins, phytosterols, and antioxidants
- Factors affecting oil quality, oxidation, comedogenicity, and shelf life
- The therapeutic and cosmetic actions of commonly used vegetable oils
Apply
- Select appropriate vegetable oils based on skin type, therapeutic goals, and application method
- Assess oil quality using organoleptic cues and storage principles
- Create simple, customised carrier oil blends for therapeutic or skincare use
- Apply vegetable oils safely within topical treatments, massage therapy, and product formulation
Integrate into Practice
- Implement appropriate storage, handling, hygiene, and expiry management procedures
- Record oil choices, batch numbers, and formulation rationale within treatment notes or formulation logs
- Demonstrate awareness of contraindications, rancidity risks, and sensitivity considerations
Your CPD Tutor
Deana Kassim
Deana Kassim is Principal Tutor and Director at Purodem. She is a qualified educator, experienced clinical aromatherapist, and member of the International Federation of Aromatherapists (MIFA), with over 20 years’ experience across the beauty, wellness, and education sectors.
At Purodem, Deana leads professional training in clinical aromatherapy and therapeutic product formulation, alongside ongoing work in bespoke aromatherapeutic remedy development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior knowledge of vegetable oils to take this CPD?
No specialist knowledge is required. This course introduces vegetable oils in a structured, professional way and is suitable for both developing practitioners and those wishing to strengthen their existing understanding.
Is this course relevant for massage therapists as well as aromatherapists?
Yes. The content is directly applicable to massage therapy, facial treatments, skincare formulation, and broader aromatherapy practice where carrier oils are used.
Will the course cover comedogenicity and skin compatibility?
Yes. The CPD explores fatty acid composition, absorption rate, skin feel, and how these factors may influence suitability for different skin types and conditions.
Does this CPD address oil stability and rancidity?
Yes. Oxidation pathways, shelf life, storage, peroxide values, and signs of rancidity are all covered to support safe professional use.
Will I learn how to assess oil quality?
Yes. The course includes organoleptic assessment, understanding Certificates of Analysis where applicable, and recognising indicators of freshness and degradation.
Does this CPD include practical blending exercises?
Yes. Learners are guided to create simple, customised vegetable oil blends with emphasis on ratios, rationale, sensory evaluation, and documentation.
Is this course suitable for skincare formulation practice?
Yes. The principles taught are directly relevant to facial oils, body oils, barrier-support blends, and early-stage product formulation.
Will this CPD teach me how to treat specific skin conditions?
The course focuses on informed oil selection and professional application within scope of practice. It does not provide medical diagnosis or replace clinical training.
How is this CPD assessed?
Assessment is competency-based and may include worksheets, formulation records, knowledge checks, and reflective journaling.
Will I receive a certificate on completion?
Yes. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate confirming your CPD hours and participation in the course.
Access
This CPD is being prepared for release as part of the Purodem® Professional CPD Series. You are invited to register your interest to be notified when enrolment opens and full course details, including pricing, are released. Registration does not involve payment or commitment.
Continue Your Professional Development
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