Emma Taylor
14 July 2022
For most Australians, choosing and using massage oils can be quite a personal choice. In this article, we will look at some of the most popular oils beneficial to massage and relaxation, we discuss the main types of massage oil, and we share their details.
The main purpose of massage oil is to lubricate the skin this helps give a smooth glide and easy workability to the skin surface some of the secondary benefits include nourishing the skin and acting as a base or carrier oil for aromatherapy essential oils.
The best oils for this process also tend to maintain the highest level of purity.
Other base oils have certain properties that can help specific conditions and these can be added in varying proportions to the primary oil. Some examples of this include olive oil, wheat germ and jojoba.
Carrier oils
These oils are the base of most massage oils. Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and “carry” them to your skin. That’s because essential oils are potent and can cause irritation when applied directly to your skin. They act as the lubricant that keeps the other oils in the massage oil environment, where they work to relieve your muscles and improve blood circulation.
Carrier oils are often presented in drops, and they act as the most abundant of the massage oils. So, which carrier oil should you choose for massage oil? There are a lot of good quality carriers in the market today, and the key is to choose the one that makes you feel a little pampered and satisfied.
Probably the most widely used massage oil is sweet almond oil. It spreads easily and is very nourishing to the skin it also serves as an excellent carrier oil because the smell is not too overpowering.
Sunflower oil is a low-cost alternative and can usually be found at your local grocery store it spreads easily and is a good carry oil however can feel a little greasy afterwards.
If you want to treat yourself to something nice, take a chance on coconut oil. It is also a great carrier oil for soap and cosmetic purposes.
Essential oils
Aromatherapy essential oils are highly concentrated essences derived from various fruit and plant sources normally you will add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil to every hundred milliliters of carrier oil.
Lavender is probably the most well known and widely used of the essential oils not only does it have a calming effect on the mind it is also one of the two essential oils that you can apply directly to the skin in cases of cuts burns or stings to help ease the pain.
Ylang ylang oil might possibly be the most useful essential oil for doing massage its properties include a sedating effect on the nervous system which helps with relaxation.
It is also perfect for all skin types. Tea tree oil is the only other essential oil you can apply undiluted to areas of the skin when used in massage. It helps promote healthy functioning of the respiratory system.
Another of the commonly used essential oils for massage is eucalyptus because of its anti-inflammatory properties that help treat muscle cramps, spasms and sprains added to its ability to help open blocked nasal passages.
Another popular oil is grape seed. It is easily absorbed by the skin however does not leave a greasy feeling after application.
Other ingredients for types of massage oil include;
- Eucalyptus oil for relaxation
- Tea tree oil for anti-fungal
- Frangpiani for relaxation (especially Balinese Massage)
- Rose oil for hydrating
- Ylang ylang oil for relieving muscle tension and pain.
- Lavender oil for soothing and stress relief
If you’ve been in search of the best anti-fungal, anti-itch, and anti-itch relaxer, then tea tree essential oil is the only one you need to look for. It’s safe to use, great for sensitive skin, and gets rid of pain from any type of condition. The antibacterial property helps in healing the skin at its root.
Lavender oil is amazing for itching and the bad itch from eczema. It’s great for healing and relieving the condition. You can even use it to ease the symptoms of psoriasis.
Shea butter is great for its moisturising properties, and helps to retain moisture in the skin.
Another great essential oil for massage is Saro. You really should try to smell it, it has a beautiful fragrance. It’s a lot like eucalyptus, however, it’s softer. It’s from Madagascar and it’s just a less known oil and so phenomenally effective. So definitely check out this oil if you have a chance.
Saro creates a lot of circulation and movement to reduce swelling, to reduce stagnation and to help the muscles relax. It is perfect if it’s a warm or hot inflamed area, or if the muscles have just been chronically tight for a long time.
Let’s look at a few ingredients for massage oil that are all edible and all spicy. I am talking about Ginger, Black pepper and Cardamom. These three massage oil ingredients really create a lot of warmth and are great at reducing tight muscles. They will bring warmth to the area, and they will help really reduce the tightness and the pain.
If you have never smelled black pepper in an essential oil, let me say that it is amazing. It smells just like the spice.
How to use massage oil
The perfect massage oil is designed to address your specific needs. There is absolutely no need to follow the massaging oils saleswoman or chef’s instructions, as different individuals’ needs are unique. After all, it’s their job! If you take a look at the list below, you will realise that the most common massage oils are the ones that are considered quite popular.
Let’s have a look at these types. Sports massagers; these types of massage oils are used mainly by people who work out and do physical training, either on a regular basis, or only once in a while. There are several different ways that you can incorporate massage oils into your workout routine.
It’s a good idea to use your bodyweight. You can do different exercise by yourself, or together with a group.
Conclusion: types of massage oil
This article is about different types of massage oil and the many options of massage oil we have today. We look at their benefits and points of risks. Finally, we share the advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of massage oils.
