A Guide to Selecting Body Massage Oils

There are over 80 different types of massage used regularly around the world. Each has its own benefits and you can use them to treat various conditions. The wrong massage type can cause injury or make conditions worse.

While most people pick the massage type to suit their needs, they usually forget about the massage oil. But choosing the right type of oil is as essential as getting the right kind of massage.

Knowing which oil is good for body massage is different for everyone. The right oil can enhance the experience and increase relaxation or aid rejuvenation. You can use oils individually for specific treatments. Or you can create blends for the ultimate formula.

Read on to find out how to choose the right massage oil and some of the benefits of the most popular oils.

Choosing A Good Massage Oil

Choosing the best massage oil for you is a very personal experience. Different oils may appeal to you and not your partner, friends, or family.

Different types of massage oils have different textures. Some are very lightweight and move easily across the skin. Thicker oils offer more grip, which may compliment deep tissue massages.

As well as the oil texture, think about how fast you want an oil to sink in. Some people enjoy having oil on their skin and letting it sink in slowly for deeper nourishment. If you dislike the feeling of oil, a lighter oil might sink in faster and won’t feel heavy.

You will also find vegan massage oil and organic massage oil widely available. If you have sensitive skin, these options with fewer chemicals may irritate your skin less.

Essential Oils, Carrier Oils, and Blends

When choosing your body massage oil, there are three main types: essential oils, carrier oils and blends. Each has a purpose, and you need to understand the difference when buying or making your own massage oil.

Carrier Oil: The main oil base makes up 90% of the massage oil.

Essential Oil: Concentrated, scented natural oils with health and wellbeing benefits. Used in small amounts and mixed with carrier oil in small doses to treat conditions.

Oil Blends: A mix of carrier oil and one or more essential oil to create a blend of oils to target a specific condition.

Essential oils are too potent to be used in direct contact with the skin. You should dilute essential oils at a maximum of 2% of the total blend. For babies, children and people with sensitive skin, essential oils should not make up more than 1% of the oil blend.

Popular Carrier Oils for Body Massage

Carrier oils are the oils that make up the largest part of any massage oil. Around 99% of an oil or oil blend is made up of one of these types of massage oil.

These are the most popular massage carrier oils.

Olive Oil

Cold pressed olive oil is full of monounsaturated fats, which makes it excellent for massage. It’s commonly used for babies because it is very gentle and can help improve the skin’s elasticity as a baby grows.

Olive oil is quick to absorb and very lightweight. It is one of the most nourishing lightweight oils. You should use it for a face massage or body massage to help the skin glow and improves skin vibrancy.

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil contains vitamins A and C and essential fatty acids making it great for nourishing skin and protecting against signs of aging. It’s lightweight and rejuvenating and absorbs fast into the skin. It’s perfect for use as a body massage oil and face massage oil.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is nourishing but is mainly used for relieving pain and inflammation. It is usually the carrier oil for most sports massage blends. Avocado oil contains trace nutrients which make it great for minimizing pain and swelling.

It is slightly thicker than other oils and can sit on the skin for longer, nourishing deep into the skin for greater penetration.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is lightweight, and while it does feel greasy before it absorbs, it absorbs fast, leaving a fresh feeling. It’s incredibly nourishing and moisturizing without clogging up your skin. You can use coconut oil on all skin types, including sensitive skin, without problems. It has a lovely scent making it a popular carrier oil.

There is also some evidence that coconut oil can help lighten and fade dark patches on the skin. This makes it great for scarring but you should use it cautiously on people with darker skin tones.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet Almond oil contains vitamins A and E making it excellent for stretch marks, scars and dull skin. It’s a lightweight oil that absorbs fast. It’s mildly antifungal and antibacterial, so it is one of the best massage oils for people with body acne and fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

It’s nourishing like olive oil but has a slightly lighter, sweeter smell.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is super lightweight and has the same consistency as your skin’s natural oils. This means it absorbs fast. Because it acts like natural body oils, it can help detoxify congested skin. It is often used on people who suffer from body acne. Additionally, it’s a popular facial oil as it won’t clog pores. You can use it in blends with more than one carrier oil as it mixes well.

Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is growing in popularity. You can use it to treat various skin conditions, including dry skin, eczema and surface wounds. Often used for people with skin conditions or swelling around the joints, hemp oil absorbs slowly, and a little goes a long way. It’s packed with Omega 3 and 6, making it a great anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Hemp oil is a great for anti aging and anti skin irritation purposes.

Popular Essential Oils for Body Massage

Once you have chosen a carrier oil base, you can add essential oils to treat certain conditions. You can use essential oils for their aroma to either create a fresh, rejuvenating scent or a calming, relaxing one.

Massage oil blends may include five or six different essential oils to reach the perfect combination.

These are some of the most popular essential oils for body massage.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the best massage oils because of its relaxing aroma. It has some anti-inflammatory properties, so you can use it to help with pain and swelling. The fragrance can create a relaxing atmosphere for a calming massage and holistic treatment.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree oil is often used for people with congested and blemish-prone skin as it is strongly antibacterial. It is used to help clear skin and treat troubled skin. It has a fresh, invigorating scent and feeling on the skin. It is perfect for more invigorating massages thus making tea tree oil shampoo all the rage at the moment.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is often combined with Tea Tree to make a fresh, rejuvenating massage blend. It works well in lighter oils and can leave the skin feeling clean and well-nourished. It can also help with cramps and PM, so it is more commonly used on women. Peppermint should not be used on relaxing massages. It can help treat headaches.

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil is perfect for detoxifying and drainage massages. It has detoxifying and clarifying properties. It is balancing and can help regulate blood pressure and reduce stress. This is an uplifting, energizing oil which is perfect for sports massages. Grapefruit or citrus oil can potentially cause photosensitivity. It's best to add less than 0.4% of this essential oil to the final massage oil volume to avoid skin irritation.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil is very revitalizing and is often used after sports because it has a cooling effect. The bright scent gives energy and awakens the senses and tired muscles. It has some pain-relieving properties and is excellent for deep tissue massages.

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium oil has a light, floral scent making it an excellent all-round massage oil. It is thought to help stimulate the body to improve the nervous system, boost circulation and tighten muscles for overall health. It can be used in almost any massage oil for any reason as it is both relaxing and rejuvenating.

German Chamomile Essential Oil

German chamomile is used therapeutically to help with muscle and joint pain. Thanks to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, it is commonly used to help those with arthritis. Chamomile is excellent for anyone with sensitive skin or a sensitive nervous system.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood is often used for its seductive aroma and skin benefits. It’s intensely nourishing and leaves skin soft, supple and glowing. The deep, woody fragrance is intoxicating and highly relaxing, making it perfect for use in calming massages. It can also help with muscle soreness and may reduce blood pressure.

Find Which Oil Is Good For Body Massage For You

The best oil blend for you will change depending on your needs. If you want to treat pain and swelling, you will need a different oil blend when you want to relax and unwind. So, which oil is good for body massage will vary.

However, good organic and vegan oils should consist of up to 98% carrier oils and just 2% essential oils. Some oils will contain multiple carrier oils to create a bespoke blend.

To experience a carefully created blend of oils, try our Restorative Omega Body Oils. Experience the joys of body massage oils for yourself.