Massage Oil
by nicesmile79 on December 30th, 2009
filed under Massage Oils
It’s confusing, right? There are literally hundreds of essential and basic oils (and their possible combinations!) to choose from that it is sometimes overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right massage oil for you. Even before you lie down on the massage table, you should first be able to choose the oil that is right for you so that you can fully enjoy the massage and that it will provide you with what you, as an individual, need.
Yes, a massage oil is important since it not only sets the mood of the massage, some oils also contain healing and therapeutic properties that may benefit you. It is also useful to know which massage oil has the tendency to give you a greasy feeling, as well as the oils that quickly turn rancid and oils that can irritate the skin and cause rashes.
Usually, when people create a massage oil, what they do is choose a base or carrier oil and an essential oil. A few drops of the more expensive essential oil is added to the carrier oil. This way, the oil used in the body is not too concentrated and will only deliver the right amount of substances that our bodies needs. Essential oils, by themselves, may prove to be too overpowering and concentrated.
With that, here are some base oils that you can look into when choosing a massage oil.
Apricot Kernel Oil. This is generously infused with vitamin E, giving it skin moisturizing and anti-oxidant fighting abilities. The vitamin E also helps to make sure that the oil does not quickly go rancid. This is also slightly more expensive than the other base oils. Another good thing about this massage oil is that it feels good on the skin and is not greasy. People who suffer from allergies to nuts can have this.
Sweet Almond Oil. This is a sweet-smelling oil that acts as an excellent carrier oil. The skin absorbs the oil quickly and will not give you a greasy feeling afterward. It is also very gently to the skin. However, this may not be suitable for those who are allergic to nuts.
Fractionated Coconut Oil. This kind of oil is light and feels fresh. It also has a long shelf0life and is actually quite affordable. It also has the added benefit of softening the skin and removing dry scales that the skin may have.
Jojoba Oil. This kind of oil is a favorite not just for massage oils but also for other skin and hair care products. It is actually not an oil but a wax. The skin absorbs this oil fairly quickly so that you may need to reapply more of the oil during the massage. But it is silky and smooth and can soften the skin effectively.
Avocado Oil. Because this is more expensive and heavier in texture, you can mix avocado oil with a lighter massage oil. Avocado oil is rich in vitamin E and has excellent anti-oxidant properties. However, those who are sensitive to latex may be uncomfortable using this oil.
Sunflower Oil. Light and fragrant, this oil is great for aged skin since it helps to moisturize and stimulate the production of essential fatty acids in the skin. It is also rich in vitamin E. The drawback with sunflower oil is that it has the tendency to go rancid faster than the other oils, so if you want this oil, buy a little at a time.
Olive Oil. Another great massage oil would be olive oil. Yes, this is not used just for salads and pasta, you can use this on your skin as well. Olive oil, however, is heavy, so it needs to be mixed with a lighter oil.
Grapeseed Oil. Odorless and light, this glides smoothly on the skin and leaves it with a satiny feel. This is infused with the essential fatty acid called linoleic acid. It helps in the restructuring and regeneration of the skin. It also helps to keep the skin moisturized.
Cocoa Butter. This is a rich and luxurious alternative. It does have a heavy texture and may need the addition of other lighter oils.
Shea Butter. Similar to cocoa butter, this is also rich and luxurious and may also need the addition of lighter oils. On its own, it does work well with the skin, but it is on the heavy side and may feel oily.
Sesame Oil. This oil should be blended with lighter oil to have a better consistency that is suitable for massage. However, ayurvedic massage makes use of this since it not only relaxes during massage, it can also help with problems such as dry skin, bloating, anxiety, constipation and poor blood circulation.
Whew! This is quite a list. But actually there is more! There are plenty of massage oils to choose from. All you have to do is maybe try a few and see which massage oil works best for you.
Massage Oil Popular Choices
by nicesmile79 on September 19th, 2009
filed under Massage Oils
There is nothing better than the feeling of having a thoroughly relaxing massage. It invigorates the mind and gives a sense of serenity and well-being. Much of this is thanks to the massage oil that you use. It’s key that you choose the massage oil that works best for you. You can try single oils and blended ones. There is virtually a whole collection of oils and below are some of the oils that we recommend you check out.
Sweet Almond Oil This sweet smelling massage oil glides smoothly and is easily absorbed by the skin. Extracted from the almond tree’s dried kernels, it is quite useful in soothing and softening tired skin. Its ability to help the skin absorb moisture makes it a useful moisturizer and carrier oil for other kinds of massage oils. The sweet almond oil also provides relief from muscle pain, as well as skin inflammation and irritation. It may not be for those who are allergic to nuts, though.
Apricot Kernel Oil It is smooth and fine textured and makes for a good carrier oil. It is rich in Vitamin E, as well as poly-unsaturated fatty acids. This kind of oil works great for sensitive skin, as well as mature and dry skin, especially the face. It leaves no greasy feelings since it easily gets absorbed by the skin. Although this is a bit more expensive than sweet almond oil, it certainly is worth it, since it lasts longer than other oils that tend to become rancid quickly. And since it is not nut-based, it is a great alternative to almond oil for those who are allergic to nuts.
Jojoba Oil Pronounced as ho-ho-ba, it is actually a wax and not an oil. It is extracted from the jojoba seeds and is proven as an effective moisturizer. It works the same way as your skin’s sebum or oil. It works to declog your skin’s pores and cleanse your face and skin from dirt and grime that is wedged into the skin. Jojoba oil is a popular ingredient for shampoo, hair care products and skin products. However, it is more expensive but the good thing about it is that a little of this goes a long way.
Grape Seed Oil Light and quickly absorbed by the skin, it works as an excellent skin toner and is used for skin problems such as acne. It is infused with essential fatty acids that our cell membranes and skin need. Grape seed massage oil also makes a great moisturizer.
These are just four of the more popular massage oils. Do give these a try – we are sure you will appreciate what these can do for you.