This candle is so good you need to buy more
We believe that great skincare starts with knowing exactly what goes into your products. That’s why we’re sharing the natural carrier oils we use in our formulations – because transparency matters. For thousands of years, humans have turned to plants for nourishment, healing, and care, and these remarkable oils sit at the heart of our plant-based philosophy.
Extracted from seeds, kernels, fruits, and nuts of diverse species – many sourced from sustainable growers right here in New Zealand and around the world – each carrier oil brings a unique blend of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. These ingredients work in harmony with your skin and hair to deliver gentle, effective care you can trust. From the nourishing oils in our Im Vanilla Baby Body Oil to the restorative blends in our The Reset Night Oil, here’s everything you need to know about the carrier oils we use.
WHAT ARE CARRIER OILS – AND WHY WE CHOOSE THEM
The carrier oils (or base oils) we select are lipid-rich liquids pressed from carefully chosen plant sources. Unlike highly concentrated essential oils, carrier oils are gentle enough to be applied directly to the skin and form the foundation of many of our products. They not only dilute and "carry" essential oils safely but also deliver their own powerful benefits.
We select each oil based on its unique properties: Cocos nucifera (coconut) provides lightweight hydration; runus dulcis var. dulcis (sweet almond) offers gentle nourishment for sensitive skin; nd Rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) supports skin repair and radiance. Whether light and fast-absorbing or rich and deeply penetrating, every carrier oil we use is selected for its ability to support and protect your skin in natural, effective ways.
OUR CARRIER OILS – FULL DETAILS
Below you’ll find profiles of every carrier oil used in Bumble & Birdie products, including:
- The oil’s common name and scientific name (for complete clarity)
- Where we source it and how it’s processed
- Key nutrients that make it beneficial for your skin and hair
- Special characteristics that set it apart
- Which of our products feature it
We’re committed to using high-quality, sustainable ingredients that deliver real results – and we want you to feel confident knowing exactly what you’re putting on your body.
[Continue to individual oil profiles below]
ARGAN OIL
Pressed from kernels of fruit grown on Moroccan argan trees (Argania spinosa) – often made by hand to preserve its natural goodness. It’s packed with oleic and linoleic fatty acids, vitamin E, powerful polyphenol antioxidants, and minerals like zinc and magnesium. A special characteristic is its ability to penetrate skin deeply without feeling greasy, while also strengthening the skin’s protective barrier against sun damage and pollution. These properties make it excellent for fine lines and wrinkles in mature skin, oily scalps with seborrheic dermatitis, dry curly hair damaged by chemicals or heat, rough calloused patches on elbows and heels, and fading stretch marks on the abdomen and hips.
CASTOR OIL
Pressed from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) – colourless to pale yellow with a distinct mild odour and thick, viscous texture. It’s composed of approximately 90% ricinoleic acid (a unique omega-9 fatty acid), plus smaller amounts of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and vitamin E. A special characteristic is its high viscosity and ability to penetrate deep into skin and hair follicles, while ricinoleic acid provides powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Importantly, commercially prepared castor oil is safe – raw seeds contain toxic ricin which is removed during processing. These properties make it excellent for occasional constipation (as an FDA-approved laxative), moisturising extremely dry skin and cracked heels, promoting hair growth and thickness when massaged into the scalp, softening tough cuticles and strengthening brittle nails, and reducing inflammation in conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
JOJOBA OIL
Extracted from seeds of desert jojoba shrubs (Simmondsia chinensis) – uniquely, it’s a liquid wax ester that matches human sebum almost exactly. It contains vitamin E, anti-inflammatory phytosterols, and minerals like copper and chromium. Its special characteristic is that it balances oil production instead of clogging pores, and it dissolves even waterproof makeup gently without irritating. This makes it perfect for acne and cystic breakouts on oily skin, atopic dermatitis and eczema flare-ups, dandruff on dry scalps, chapped lips in harsh weather, and safely removing makeup around sensitive eye areas.
SWEET ALMOND OIL
Pressed from sweet almond kernels (Prunus dulcis var. dulcis) – available unrefined with a mild nutty scent or refined and odourless. It’s rich in oleic/linoleic fatty acids, vitamin A (a retinol precursor), vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins. A special characteristic is its gentle nature that boosts microcirculation in delicate areas while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier. This makes it ideal for calming eczema and psoriasis patches, soothing baby diaper rash, reducing under-eye puffiness and dark circles, detangling fine hair without breakage, and soothing skin after laser treatments or chemical peels.
COCONUT OIL
Made from the white flesh of mature coconuts (Cocos nucifera) – virgin oil is cold-pressed with a natural scent, while refined oil is neutral and smooth. It’s loaded with medium-chain triglycerides (especially lauric acid) that have natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, plus skin-brightening antioxidants. Its special characteristic is creating a strong protective barrier on the skin that locks in moisture without evaporating quickly. This makes it great for severe dry skin and xerosis in cold climates, fungal acne and yeast overgrowth, repairing thick curly hair damage, preventing diaper rash and skin fold irritation, and softening chapped hands and cuticles.
OLIVE OIL
Pressed from ripe olive fruit (Olea europaea) – extra virgin is the highest quality, cold-pressed to retain all nutrients. It contains oleic acid, powerful antioxidants like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, vitamin E, and vitamin K. A special characteristic is its ability to penetrate deep into skin to nourish from within, while protecting against oxidative damage. This makes it excellent for mature dehydrated skin with fine lines, soothing eczema and contact dermatitis, restoring shine to heat-damaged hair, strengthening brittle nails and cuticles, and fading sun spots on sun-damaged skin.
GRAPESEED OIL
Extracted from grape seeds (Vitis vinifera) – a winemaking byproduct that’s light and completely odourless. It’s packed with linoleic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants like resveratrol and proanthocyanidins. Its special characteristic is tightening pores and regulating oil production without stripping skin of its natural moisture. This makes it perfect for oily and acne-prone skin, smoothing uneven skin texture, taming frizzy hair without heaviness, fading hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks, and gentle daily use on sensitive skin.
AVOCADO OIL
Pressed from ripe avocado flesh (Persea americana) – unrefined oil is dark green with a buttery scent, refined is pale and milder. It’s loaded with oleic acid, vitamins A, D, E, and K, potassium, and chlorophyll. A special characteristic is its deep penetration that boosts collagen production and repairs damaged skin structure. This makes it great for mature sun-damaged skin with wrinkles, soothing severe psoriasis and eczema patches, fading stretch marks and scars, hydrating dry scalps with dandruff, and strengthening brittle thinning hair.
HEMP SEED OIL
Pressed from industrial hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa) – contains no psychoactive compounds, with THC levels below 0.3%. It has the ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, plus vitamin E, magnesium, and calming plant compounds. Its special characteristic is balancing skin moisture levels while reducing inflammation without clogging pores. This makes it excellent for acne and rosacea on sensitive skin, soothing eczema and atopic dermatitis, hydrating dry flaky scalps, relieving beard itch and dryness, and calming sensitive skin prone to redness.
ROSEHIP SEED OIL
Pressed from wild rose hip seeds (Rosa canina, Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa moschata) – pale orange to red with a mild earthy scent. It contains natural trans-retinoic acid (vitamin A), linoleic/linolenic fatty acids, and vitamin C. Its special characteristic is stimulating collagen production while fading discolouration without harsh chemicals. This makes it perfect for fine lines and wrinkles from aging, hyperpigmentation and sun spots, reducing visibility of acne scars and stretch marks, brightening dull, tired skin, and repairing dry, damaged hair ends.
SUNFLOWER OIL (Organic)
Pressed from sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) – high-oleic varieties are best for skincare, gentle and odourless. It’s loaded with vitamin E, linoleic acid, and antioxidants like chlorogenic acid. Its special characteristic is being incredibly mild while forming a protective layer that locks in moisture. This makes it great for baby skin with eczema or diaper rash, sensitive and reactive skin prone to irritation, dry skin and xerosis all over the body, gently removing makeup and sunscreen, and soothing after-shave irritation and razor burn.
SESAME OIL
Pressed from sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) – light cold-pressed oil has a mild scent, dark toasted oil is rich and nutty. It contains oleic/linoleic fatty acids, vitamin E, and compounds like sesamol with antibacterial and UV-protective properties. Its special characteristic is creating a warming effect that boosts circulation when massaged into the skin. This makes it excellent for dry skin in cold weather, relieving muscle soreness and stiffness, reducing dandruff and dry scalp irritation, fighting minor skin infections, and softening chapped hands and feet.
APRICOT KERNEL OIL
Pressed from apricot kernels (Prunus armeniaca) – light pale yellow with a mild nutty scent. It contains oleic/linoleic fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, and minerals like iron and potassium. Its special characteristic is being gentle enough for delicate skin while hydrating without feeling heavy. This makes it perfect for the delicate eye area to reduce puffiness and fine lines, sensitive facial skin prone to irritation, fine thinning hair that needs shine without weight, dry brittle cuticles and nails, and mild eczema on the face and neck.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL
Pressed from evening primrose plant seeds (Oenothera biennis) – pale yellow with a mild floral scent. It contains high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), linoleic acid, and vitamin E. Its special characteristic is balancing hormone levels that affect skin health, while reducing inflammation deep within skin layers. This makes it excellent for hormonal acne linked to menstrual cycles or changes, hormonal dry skin and texture issues, soothing eczema and psoriasis flare-ups, preventing premenstrual skin redness and breakouts, and improving skin elasticity during hormonal shifts.
WHEAT GERM OIL
Pressed from the germ of wheat kernels (Triticum vulgare, also known as Triticum aestivum) – dark brown to honey-colored with a mild to strong odor, often cold-pressed to retain nutrients. It’s rich in vitamin E (one of the highest plant sources), omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, lecithin, and squalene. A special characteristic is its potent antioxidant activity that protects cells from free radical damage, while also stimulating collagen production and boosting circulation. This makes it great for prematurely aged skin with wrinkles, dry cracked skin, eczema and psoriasis, fading stretch marks and scars, soothing sunburn, and relieving tired overexerted muscles.
FLAXSEED OIL
Pressed from flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum) – pale yellow to golden with a mild nutty scent, cold-pressed varieties are most beneficial. It’s one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), plus contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and lignans with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its special characteristic is its ability to reduce inflammation deep within skin and support cellular repair, while also balancing moisture levels. This makes it excellent for sensitive skin prone to redness, eczema and psoriasis flare-ups, dry dull skin, brittle hair and nails, and supporting overall skin and scalp health.
CALENDULA INFUSED OIL
Created by infusing calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) into a base oil like sunflower or sweet almond oil – golden yellow to orange with a mild floral scent. It retains the base oil’s nourishing fatty acids and vitamins, plus calendula’s flavonoids and triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and skin-healing properties. A special characteristic is its ability to promote skin regeneration and soothe damaged or irritated areas without causing sensitivity. This makes it great for minor cuts, scrapes and burns, eczema and psoriasis patches, rash and baby skin irritation, chapped lips and dry skin, and reducing the appearance of scars.