beyond the drop

Exploring the Therapeutic Role

of  Carrier Oils in Aromatherapy

Click Here to Enroll

Learn how to work with carrier oils as active therapeutic ingredients in skincare and aromatherapy

For many aromatherapists, training focuses almost entirely on essential oils. Yet the carrier oils that deliver those aromatic compounds have their own complex chemistry and therapeutic action.

In this course, I'll take you Beyond The Drop to show you how carrier oil chemistry, fatty acid composition, and bioactive compounds can enhance and magnify the effects of your essential oils and aromatherapy blends. 

Whole carrier oils contain fatty acids, unsaponifiables, and oil-soluble nutrients that support the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and play an active role in skin health.

A Scientific and Botanical Approach to Carrier Oils

This course bridges two worlds, the empirical science of lipid chemistry and the living traditions of herbalism and aromatherapy.

You’ll study carrier oils at the molecular level, understanding their triglyceride structures, oxidation behavior, and unsaponifiable content while also exploring botanical families, plant energetics, and cultural uses.

It’s a holistic approach to carrier oils that combines scientific accuracy and a conversation with the plant world. 

What You'll Study

16 in-depth lessons, organized across five core sections

  •  The Living World of Carrier Oils - Discover the many sources of carrier and plant oils, the similarities and differences between carrier and essential oil chemistry, and the extraction methods that give us the most potent and effective carrier oils.
  • Inside the Molecule - Learn how the fatty acids that make up lipid carrier oils determine absorption, skin feel, and therapeutic properties.
  •  Stability & the Life Cycle of an Oil - Why oxidation affects some oils more quickly than others, methods for determining and extending shelf life and preventing rancidity, selecting and storing your oils to keep them fresh and potent. 
  • Working with Oils - Understanding scent in carrier oils and butters, choosing refined vs unrefined, and how to put it all together in your aromatherapy base blends.
  •  The Skin Connection - Explore the oils through the skin itself with lessons on the skin barrier function, and how to choose and work with carrier oils to treat specific skincare needs and skin conditions.

My Promise to You

When I began making skincare over thirty years ago, our choices for carrier oils were limited, olive, almond, maybe a few others. Since then, the world of plant oils has opened dramatically. We now have access to hundreds of carrier oils, each with its own chemistry, texture, and therapeutic properties. .

I’ve spent decades studying these oils, their chemistry and fatty acid makeup, the botanical families they belong to, patterns that emerge. And it has absolutely expanded what we can do as formulators and aromatherapists. Beyond the Drop brings together decades of research and hands-on experience, helping you bring the therapeutic properties of carrier oils into your skincare formulations and work with essential oils. 

If you don't feel more confident working with carrier oils after taking this course, email us within 7 days for a full refund.

Beyond the Drop

Carrier Oils and Plant Lipids for Skin Care and Aromatherapy

Enroll for $297

or 3 monthly payments of $99

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FAQ

When do I get access to the course?

You’ll get access right after you enroll to the complete Beyond the Drop course modules.

Will I get lifetime access?

Yes, once enrolled, you’ll have lifetime access to all current and future lessons for Beyond the Drop: Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy.

Is this course right for me if I’m already trained in aromatherapy?

Absolutely. Beyond the Drop was created specifically for aromatherapists and practitioners who already understand essential oils but want a better understanding of the carrier oils. The lessons go beyond the basics, exploring chemistry, structure, and the therapeutic properties of lipids.

Do I need any prior chemistry knowledge?

No advanced background is required. Susan explains the science of oils in clear, accessible language that connects directly to your hands-on practice. You’ll finish with a working understanding of lipid structure, stability, and how to choose the right oils for each purpose.

Can I take the course at my own pace?

Yes, it’s completely self-paced. You can study on your own schedule, revisit lessons anytime, and learn at the rhythm that works best for you.

Is there a certificate of completion?

Yes, once all lessons are released and completed, you’ll receive a downloadable certificate showing your study hours and completion of Beyond the Drop: Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy.

Your Teacher and Guide

Susan M. Parker has spent over 30 years studying and working with carrier oils, lipids, and herbal skincare. As a self-taught formulator, she launched her herbal skincare business in 1996, crafting infused oils with herbs and botanicals that became the foundation of her formulations.


Susan is the author of Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty (2014), and her passion for understanding plants, botanical families, and carrier oils remains central to her work today.


Today, Susan's work is dedicated to researching, exploring, and teaching about the science behind lipid oils and botanical infusions through Lipid Oils Academy.

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