Massage oils

Massage oils are used during table massages to ease the passage of the hands over the skin. It is necessary to lower friction as well as to work the muscles properly. The massage oils also nourish the skin and softens it so feels nice afterwards. Essential oils added to the massage oil can give the massage an extra sensory dimension as the scents affects the mind and body in different ways.

I always use natural oils since it's the most healthy for the skin and I am no supporter of using products from the oil-industry (such as baby-oil). My prefered base oil is safflower oil, which is light and easily absorbed by the skin. A thicker oil is almond which is prefered by many. Coconut oil is also very good to use, but to be fluid at room temperature it has to be refined. Pure coconut oil is solid at room temperature, though melts as soon as it's rubbed on the hands or skin. For extra dry skin I add avocado oil, which is highly nourishing or an oil containing a lot of e-vitamin.

For a massage oil I also add essential oils. Various oils have different properties which can aid the massage and the person receiving it. Lavender oil is highly relaxing physically and mentally, citrus oils energizing and positive, sharp oils like rosemary and eucalyptus are invigorating, sensual oils like ylang ylang, rose, sandalwood and jasmine helps the person relax, let go and trust. Especially on the mental level the essential oils can make the difference between a good massage and an outstanding massage. Scents affects our mood and psyche, which in return affects how we relax and feel.

Various scents appeals to women and men. For women I generally choose the softer and more sensual oils while for men I pick the sharper and woodier notes. Sometimes mixing a good massage oil can become like creating perfumes, finding the right balance of scents while keeping their properties in mind.

The blend of essential oils are rarely 1:1:1, but a mix depending on the strength of the scents and of what my aim with the massage oil is. For a deep relaxation massage oil I would use most of lavender, a smaller amount for the topnote, and even less again of the basenote.

A typical general relaxation oil could be lavender, geranium and lemon. Lavender for the general relaxation, which will be the major part of the blend, geranium for it's rosy scent and balancing properties and lemon for it's refreshing and positive effect. It is a mix that is suitable for both women and men.

For a massage for sore muscles due to sports, I would pick a mix of rosemary, cedar and lavender. Sharper oils that helps increase the blood flow, invigorating the the tissue, while relaxing the tense muscles. It is an energizing mix effectively supporting the massage and the goal of it.

For a woman before her wedding, I would choose a blend of rose, jasmine, patchouli or sandelwood, ylang ylang and possibly geranium or bergamot. Rose and jasmine are some of the most romantic and sensual oils there are. A message of love. Patchouli and sandelwood create a good base scent and are sensual as well, the choice would depend on the tastes of the receiver. The choice between geranium and bergamot would depend on the mental state of the woman. Geranium is balancing and slightly roselike in scent, and the bergamot is uplifting and vibrant. Should the oil be really luxurous, neroli (orange flower) would be chosen as the top-note.

Mixing a good massage oil with essential oil takes skill and knowledge and talent. If you want to be safe when you mix your own massage oils, start with just one or two scents, and see how they work together. The essential oils might have one scent when alone and you think they go well together. But once you mix them you might notice that they change character completely and the result isn't as you expected it to be.

I normally use three essential oils together, trying to find a basenote, a heartnote and a topnote in my blends. Like good perfumes are made. I only rarely add a fourth or fifth oil to the blend since it then becomes almost impossible to take all their effects and uses into account. They might even counter eachother, reducing the effectiveness of the oils.

When using essential oils, always be certain that the client don't suffer from any allergies. Even if essential oils are natural products, you can get allergic reactions from contact with them. If you're in doubt, apply a bit of the mix to the wrist or inside of the elbow and ask the client to report the reaction to you after 48 hours. This is the only way you can be certain there is no allergic reaction. Do also keep in mind that some people are allergic to nuts and using a nut-based massage oil might trigger a reaction.

This is an interesting aspect of massage to get involved with, though it can be rather time consuming to learn about all the different essential oils and experiment with blends until you find those appealing to you and your clients. There are many providers of pre-mixed massage oils and it can be a jungle to see through. Read the labels and product descriptions carefully, be certain that the base oil is a natural oil and that the scents used are real essential oils and not synthetic replacements. It will take time and effort to find a provider you can trust, but it is worth the work. The same is true for a provider of essential oils and base oils.

Related articles:

Aromatherapy and Aromatherapy in Massage.