There are many different types of oils that can be used for your massage and there is no one that is outstandingly better than the others. The most commonly used ones are Sweet Almond oil, Apricot Kernal oil,Jojoba oil, Fractionated Coconut oil,Sunflower oil, Grapeseed oil,Avocado oil,Olive oil, Sesame Oil,Cocoa butter, Wheat germ oil, Rice Bran oil and shea butter.
Some people like to use Ayvedic oils or pre-blended massage balms.
It is always important to use high quality,cold pressed oils.Organic is good if you can get them.
John initially started off using Grapeseed oil in the clinic in Hervey Bay. He liked the viscosity and it had little-to-no odor with a smooth, silky texture without being greasy. It is also a low allergen oil. However with the constant use in the clinic we found that eventually the towels became saturated with it and they develped a rancid smell which we couldn’t totally get out.
After trying some other oils we eventually settled on one that is a water dispersable massage oil that we get from Firm-n-Fold. It is a blend of Apricot and Sunflower oils with a natural dispersant. We have found that very few people have problems with it and with a good quality plant based detergent and hot water we can keep the towels clean and pleasant smelling.
Apricot kernel oil is rich in vitamin E, a quality that gives it a longer shelf life than the typical oil.Apricot kernel oil is absorbed into the skin, so it won’t leave people feeling greasy afterwards.
Sunflower oil is a light, non-greasy oil that won’t leave skin feeling oily. The oil, extracted from sunflower seeds, is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, as well as palmitic acid and stearic acid, all components of healthy skin. The amount of linoleic acid in skin declines with age and can be stripped by harsh soaps and cleansers.
It is important to check that the person you are massaging is not allergic to nuts if you use nut based oils or if using a blended oil make sure it doesn’t contain a nut oil. The occasional person is allergic to sunflowers so you also need to check for that if you are using an oil or oil blend containing sunflower oil.
If you are going to add any essential oils to your massage oil once again you need to ensure that the person you are massaging doesn’t have an allergy to the essential oil you are using. Some essential oils are not good for using on sensitive skin so once again you need to check before using. If you are making a blend using essential oils then you need to use a glass, ceramic or stainless steel container for the oil as essential oils break down plastic-not good for people or bottles!
