The
general purpose of massage oil is to reduce friction and
produce longer, more even motions. Combining certain oils
with certain extracts, however, can expand this experience
beyond just muscle relaxation.
When
buying oils for massage, there is no single "best" choice.
Although every bottle may try to persuade you that its
ingredients are exactly what you need, specific kinds of
massage oils and extracts are good for specific kinds of
results. Lighter ingredients tend to absorb into skin more
quickly, while heavier oils may have a greater risk of
staining your fabrics. Depending upon the aim of your
massage, you will want to pick different ingredients for
rubbing into a pair of weathered feet versus a thoughtful
partner massage.
Base Oils
If
you`re looking for more of an "all-purpose" oil, some safe
bets for a base are almond, grapeseed, and apricot kernel
oil. All of these are nourishing and neutral enough for
any occasion.
·
Almond: skin softener.
·
Grapeseed: helps to regenerate skin.
·
Apricot Kernel Oil: skin toner.
Heavier Oils
Some
heavier oils, like peanut, olive or avocado are a bit
thicker and harder for the skin to absorb. They can be
mixed into a base oil for the whole body or used on their
own for a massage that won`t require frequent re-application.
·
Peanut oil: remedy for arthritis; check for allergies
first. Peanut smell.
·
Avocado oil: high content of vitamins A and E.
·
Olive-oil: All-around nourishing.
Other Remedy Oils
Oils
with some more specified uses can be combined or used
directly on problem areas. Or, if an oil has a shorter
shelf life, mixing it with something longer lasting may
help it keep longer.
·
Jojoba (liquid wax): deep conditioner for skin, hair and
nails; quickly absorbed.
·
Sesame: antiseptic, antioxidant.
·
Emu oil: anti-inflammatory; anti-bacterial.
·
Sunflower: light, non-greasy; shorter shelf life.
·
Safflower: moisturizing; shorter shelf life.
Essential Oils
Something to keep in mind is that although a carrier oil
is the backbone of a good massage concoction, even a
neutral base can be made very versatile by adding
essential oils. The difference between an essential oil
and a pure oil is that essential oils are made by
diffusing concentrated amounts of a plant`s aromatic
compounds into a liquid form. The resulting oils are very
strong - often too strong to be applied directly to the
skin.
Adding
essential oils can add an element of aroma therapy to your
massage, setting the mood for the atmosphere you would
like to create.
·
Rejuvenating: myrrh, cedar-wood, fennel, cypress, tea
tree.
·
Relaxing: orange, patchouli, chamomile, sandalwood, rose.
·
Rousing: eucalyptus, lemon, pine, peppermint, ylang ylang.
It only
takes a few drops of essential oil to scent your massage.
Try having several scents available and adding them to
each individual session, depending on how you`d like it to
feel.
