FAQs

FAQ: What Is an Infused Oil, and How Is It Made?

If you've ever read through a handmade salve or body product ingredient list and wondered what "infused oil" actually means, you're not alone. It's a great question and one I'm always happy to talk about.

An infused oil is exactly what it sounds like: a carrier oil that has been steeped with dried plant material — herbs, flowers, bark, stems, or other botanicals — over time, much like making a tea, until the oil absorbs the plant's properties. The result is a richly botanical oil that carries the character of the plant into whatever product it's used in.

There are two main methods for making an infused oil.

Cold infusion is the slow, traditional method. Dried plant material is submerged in a carrier oil and left to steep for four to six weeks in a cool, dark place. Time does the work. This method is gentle and well-suited for delicate botanicals like lavender, chamomile, and rose.

Warm infusion speeds the process up by applying gentle, low heat over several hours. The warmth helps the oil extract the plant properties more quickly without damaging them. This is the method I reach for when I need an oil ready sooner or when working with tougher plant material.

I use both methods depending on what I'm working with and what I'm making. For my Dreamweaver Salve, I infuse oil with chamomile, calendula, and lavender. For my Nettle and Lavender Salve, I infuse oil with purple dead nettle, calendula, plantain, and lavender. The same care and intention goes into every product I make.

As for the carrier oil itself, there are many to choose from. Sweet almond, olive, sunflower, jojoba, and grapeseed are all good options, each with its own texture and character. My personal favorites are sweet almond oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil for their skin feel and versatility.

Infused oils are an important part of many of the products I make and one of the things that set a handmade product apart from something pulled off a shelf.