Which carrier oils mix well with neem oil?

Neem oil is thick, dark and strongly scented, so in a DIY blend it is nearly always the minor ingredient. The carrier does the bulk of the work: it thins the neem, carries the scent and decides how the finished blend feels and pours. These are the carriers our customers reach for, and why.

Sweet almond. Light, pale and nearly odourless, so it thins neem without adding a scent of its own. Pours easily at room temperature.

Jojoba. Technically a liquid wax. It keeps for a long time and does not go rancid quickly, which makes it a good choice when a blend has to sit on a shelf.

Fractionated coconut. Stays liquid in a cool room, unlike ordinary coconut oil, so a neem blend made with it will not set in the bottle.

Olive. Heavier and greener than the others. It suits balms and wood finishes more than thin blends.

Grapeseed. Thin, light and cheap. Good for large batches where the carrier is doing little more than diluting.

Ratios

Warm the neem oil first so it pours, then stir it into the carrier. One part neem to nine parts carrier is a sensible starting point for a thin blend; one to four gives a heavier, more strongly scented oil. For a balm, melt beeswax into the carrier at about one part wax to four parts oil, take it off the heat, then stir in the neem.

Keeping a blend

Label the bottle with the date and the ingredients. A mixed oil keeps for less time than a pure one, because the carrier sets the shelf life. Store it cool and dark with the cap tight, and make small batches.