The Best Massage Oil
To help you find the perfect massage oil, we continuously put forth the effort to update and expand our list of recommendable massage oils. Our team collects, edits and publishes new information, in order to present it to you in an accurate, significant and neatly arranged way.
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Professional Massage Therapy
Licensed massage therapists specialize in a number of therapeutic techniques that are backed by industry standards. These methods are applied during Swedish, sport, deep tissue, aromatherapy and even pregnancy massages. Swedish massage therapy sessions are the most requested, and they are especially popular with those who are new to massage therapy. The long, smooth strokes that certified therapists use during Swedish massages require low density, non-sticky oils that allow the therapists' hands to move easily over their clients’ skin. This type of massage is known for its relaxing effect, which may be enhanced by naturally fragrant essential oils. Sport and deep tissue massages are performed to provide pain relief and relaxation to aching, over-used muscles. According to studies that were published by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, sport and deep tissue massages are best done with key essential oils such as those that have cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. While essential oils are nice-to-haves for many types of massage therapy, they are key ingredients for aromatherapy massages. People who suffer from insomnia, anxiety and stress-induced headaches get aromatherapy massages that calm the body and uplift the senses. Professional pregnancy massages are designed to reduce physical tension and ease emotional strain. Pregnancy massage therapists use soothing techniques and inspiring fragrant oils that are made from organic ingredients.
Here are some top carrier and essential oils that are commonly used for the above-listed massage therapy categories.
Lux Skin Oils Best Organic Sweet Almond Oil is a versatile carrier oil that is light and has a very mild, pleasant scent. It is the go-to carrier oil for most types of massage therapies. The oil can be used during massage sessions alone, or it can be infused by a favorite essential oil. Lux's sweet almond oil is high in antioxidant vitamins E and A, which give it anti-aging and sunscreen properties. This version of sweet almond oil is cold-pressed, which is a processing technique that preserves the nutrients that are contained in the oil.
WellnesScent Organic Peppermint Oil is an invigorating essential oil that is popularly used in sport and deep tissue massage therapy sessions. It is a cooling oil that has anti-inflammatory properties. WellnesScent Organic Peppermint Oil soothes damaged, over-worked muscles that suffer from inflammation.
Poppy Austin Organic Neroli Essential Oil is a sweet-smelling oil that is extracted from orange blossoms. The oil is great for pregnancy massages. High-quality neroli oil such as Poppy Austin's version helps to relieve anxiety and treats stretch marks.
Eve Hanson’s Organic Eucalyptus Oil is an essential oil that is used in aromatherapy massages to invigorate, refresh and relieve massage patrons of decongestion.
Recommendations
Texture and Viscosity: Lux Skin Oils Best Organic Sweet Almond Oil 16 oz. / $29.99
Therapeutic Value: WellnesScent Organic Peppermint Oil .33 oz. / $9.78 and Eve Hansen Organic Eucalyptus Oil 4 oz. / $23.95
Aromatherapy: Poppy Austin Organic Neroli Essential Oil 1 oz. / $24.99
Moisturizing Effect: Lux Skin Oils Best Organic Sweet Almond Oil 16 oz. / $29.99
Product Purity: All four oils are organic.
Best All-Around Value: Lux Skin Oils Best Organic Sweet Almond Oil 16 oz. / $29.99
At-Home Massage Therapy
Many people enjoy the way that their skin feels, looks and smells after massage therapy, and they want to continue the pampering in the privacy of their own homes. They often look for carrier and essential oils that multitask for full body, face and scalp massages. When formulating massage oils for at-home use, a mixture of 1 oz. of carrier oil with 12 drops of essential oil is safe and effective. However, some people opt for quality, pre-blended massage oils.
Dr. Adorable Jojoba Oil Golden Organic is a lightweight oil that is quickly absorbed into the skin. The oil has chemical properties that are similar to natural human sebum, which makes it great for people who have sensitive skin.
Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil can be used as a carrier oil for full-body massages or as a special cleansing massage oil for delicate facial skin. This brand of castor oil is expeller pressed and retains most of its natural, nutritive properties. High-quality castor oil warms and soothes aching joints and muscles, treats skin fungal infections and reportedly promotes hair growth.
Relaxing Massage Oil - Intense Aromatherapy Oil is a professional-grade massage oil formulation that consists of sweet almond, jojoba, lavender and bergamot oils. This massage oil is pre-blended to soothe tired muscles, calm the senses and promote healthy and vibrant skin.
Recommendations
Texture and Viscosity: Dr. Adorable Jojoba Oil Golden Organic 16 oz. / 21.99
Therapeutic Value: Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil 16 oz. / $14.20
Aromatherapy: Relaxing Massage Oil - Intense Aromatherapy Oil 8 oz. / $12.95
Moisturizing Effect: Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil 16 oz. / $14.20 and Dr. Adorable Jojoba Oil Golden Organic 16 oz. / 21.99
Product Purity: All products are made from organic ingredients except for Relaxing Massage Oil - Intense Aromatherapy Oil
Best All-Around Value: Sky Organics Organic Castor Oil 16 oz. / $14.20
Artisan Personal Care Products
Many carrier and essential oils double as massage oils and luxurious ingredients for do-it-yourself personal care creations. Here are some popular ingredients in hand-crafted soaps, body creams and fragrant body oils.
Fractionated coconut oil is extremely hydrating and can be used to make numerous personal care products. Earth's Essentials Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil is a pure carrier oil for fragrant essential oils and can be used to make body oil perfume, body scrubs and hot oil treatments for hair.
Lavender essential oil is well-known for its relaxing and calming properties. Alteya ORGANIC Bulgarian Lavender offers safe fragrance for homemade soaps and lotions.
Bergamot is a fresh, exotic scent that also has some heavy-hitting, therapeutic properties. For instance, Aura Acacia Organic Bergamot can be used in natural deodorant formulations due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Olive oil has been used as a moisturizing carrier oil for thousands of years. Modern consumers use Essential Depot’s Pomace-Grade Olive Oil as a key moisturizing ingredient for homemade soaps.
Recommendations
Texture and Viscosity: Earth's Essentials Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil 16 oz. / $14.99
Therapeutic Value: Aura Acacia Organic Bergamot .25 oz. / $8.29
Aromatherapy: Alteya ORGANIC Bulgarian Lavender 1 oz. / $11.95 and Aura Acacia Organic Bergamot .25 oz. / $8.29
Moisturizing Effect: Essential Depot’s Pomace-Grade Olive Oil 32 oz. / $14.95 and Earth's Essentials Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil 16 oz. / $14.99
Product Purity: All organic except for Essential Depot’s Pomace-Grade Olive Oil
Best All-Around Value: Earth's Essentials Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil 16 oz. / $14.99
Massage Oil Reviews
Further Reading on Massage Oils
Research
Peanut oil, as with other vegetable oils, can be used to make soap by the process of saponification. The oil is safe for use as a massage oil. Peanut
India, the oil is used for pickling, after aging to reduce the acridity, as a salad or cooking oil. The oil is also used as a massage oil and to soothe
have used the oil as a moisturising body lotion for women and also as a massage oil for babies. In the past, Namibian women used marula oil rather than
cooking oil Sesame oil, used as a cooking oil, and as a massage oil, particularly in India Açaí palm oil, used in culinary and cosmetics Jambú oil, is extracted
sanitizer, mircobicide / microbistat, virucide, insecticide, and a massage oil.[citation needed] It is also used as an effective herbicide where its
and burns. It is used as massage oil to relieve the pain of rheumatism. Schleichera oleosa Trees of India "Lac tree, Macassar Oil tree, Ceylon Oak. Kusum
oil contains 9.5% saturated fat, which is less than in olive oil (13.5%), peanut oil (16.90%) or corn oil (12.70%). It is also used as a massage oil and
gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea, and indigestion. Alternatively, a massage oil can be created for muscular pains associated with rheumatism or overexertion
In the present study, the percutaneous absorption of the essential oil of lavender from a massage oil was investigated. It was shown that lavender oil penetrates the skin of a male subject. Within five minutes of finishing, the massage traces of linalool (1) and linalyl acetate …
… Likewise, the psychological and/or physiological effects, in relation to the benefits seen with lavender, and other essential oils, following use as an aromatherapy massage oil, remain to be determined. More accurate reporting and data analysis are, again, required …
… In aromatherapy, oils derived from plants (“essential oils”) are added to a base massage oil, which acts as a lubricant during treatment … The pictures of full massage and of massage oil are reproduced with permission of Damien Lovegrove/Science Photo Library …
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