Body Massage Oil
Here are my personal preferences on body massage oils. There are
several on the market that work well. There are also several to avoid.
Massage oils are a good alternative to massage lotions
because massage oils deeply moisturize the skin. Many therapists prefer
the consistency of massage oil and the way it feels when massaging.
I use body massage oil in my practice more
often than I use massage lotion, but I don't really have a preference.
I just chose one and went with it. But the massage cream (usually
Biotone) is available if the client requests it.
I also base my choice on my client's
lifestyle. For example, is the client going home to sleep or shower
after the massage? Or is she going to work or out to dinner with
friends? In this example, I'd use body massage oil for the former, and
massage cream for the latter.
For information on massage lotions, click here.
Do not use:
Mineral oil (also called baby oil) or anything with petroleum as an
ingredient is bad for the skin. Mineral oil and petroleum clog up the
pores and make it difficult for skin to breath. They actually dry out
the skin, rather than moisturize.
And the consistency is terrible for
massage. Hands either stick or slide way too fast over the body and the
client is left feeling really greasy and sticky.
The smell is a sickly sweet synthetic... pretty gross.
Here are some of my favorites:
Before I start mentioning specifics, the body massage oil I most
frequently use is a blend of several of the following oils. I find that
this provides a nice balance between the health benefits of the more
expensive oils for my clients and the frugality of running a business.
Look for oils that are cold pressed, NOT
heat processed. Heat and chemical processing changes the molecular
structure of the oil, and increases the amount of free radicals it
contains.
Ideally, the oil you select is organic, but this is less of an issue than the processing.
- Jojoba (pronounced "ho-HO-bah")
This is my favorite unscented oil.
It has phenomenal moisturizing
qualities for the skin but still soaks in really well, so your client
doesn't have to feel slimy afterwards.
Hands glide well along the body using this oil. It is also a fixative, which means it will stabilize blends with aromatherapy essential oils and prevent rancidity.
The one drawback - it's one of the most expensive unscented oils on the market. Still, I think it's worth the price.
- Grapeseed Oil
This is great body massage oil that is
a little less expensive than jojoba. Grapeseed oil allows the hands to
run well on the body and soaks in to the skin pretty well.
It's not a fixative, so add some jojoba
if using grapeseed oil as the primary carrier oil with essential oils
(unless you intend to finish the oil in the near future before it goes
rancid).
- Sweet Almond Oil
I like this oil and the price and consistency are nice, but it's not for everyone.
The one drawback to this oil is that
people with seed and nut sensitivities might have an allergic reaction
when applied to the skin.
If using this as a body massage oil, be sure to inquire about allergies beforehand and have an alternative on hand just incase.
- Apricot Oil
This oil is particularly healthful for
the skin. It is the main oil in an amazing product called Miracell,
which is a fantastic daily moisturizer for the face, softening and
minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, and can be used on scars with a
similar effect.
On its own, apricot oil is pretty
expensive, but if you are seeking an excellent skin conditioner, this
is a great one to choose.
- Castor Oil
I have another page about castor oil,
but I just wanted to mention here that although it is an excellent skin
and tissue conditioner, you probably wouldn't want to massage the
entire body with this stuff. It's extremely sticky and stains
everything.
Use it in specific areas where you need deep softening of the tissue (like scar tissue or the feet.)
- Coconut Oil
Excellent for the skin!
Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and very moisturizing. I love this stuff. The price is not bad either.
I do not use coconut oil on my clients
because it tend to feel a bit greasy after the massage. But it also
leaves the skin feeling SOOOOO soft!
I prefer to use this body massage oil
on myself, usually after a shower when the skin is still wet. The
wetness minimizes the sticky feeling after the application.
My favorite brand it Tropical Traditions. Tastes great, too!
Kitchen Oils
As an alternative or last resort, you can always use oils from the
kitchen, like olive oil (which is also really great for the skin) or
sesame oil.
My least favorite choice is canola oil
because of all the processing and the way it feels when massaging is
only so-so, but it will work, too.
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