How to choose the right massage oil

When you go for a body massage don't just pick any old herbal oil. Choose the one that suits your needs.

Oil isn't particularly essential in a massage; powder and liniments are also used sometimes. However, for most of us massage and oil go hand in hand. Oil is an excellent aid for minimising friction between skin and hands. Various oils come with their own set of benefits, and choosing the right one for an effective massage is essential.

So, here are some top body massage oils that you should consider for that rejuvenating massage therapy.

1. Sweet almond oil

This sweet, mildly fragrant oil is extracted from sweet almonds. It is widely used for massage purposes, given its perfect attributes that body massage oil ought to possess. It blends smoothly through the skin, and without getting absorbed too quickly. It maintains the moisture for a long time, and is light and thin in texture. When used for body massage, it is often combined with vitamin E to give maximum benefits to the skin.

2. Olive oil

This is widely used for massaging infants, but can be used on adults as well. Olive oil proves to be a nice choice for a body massage as it improves the skin s elasticity, and strengthens it. People from the Mediterranean descent have been using this oil for body massage since ancient times. Regular body massage with olive oil can keep your skin looking glossier and younger.

3. Coconut Oil

This is the absolute oil for many people, and is simply brilliant for a body massage. It is light, colorless, and absorbs perfectly into the skin. Coconut oil converts long-chain glycerides into medium chain triglycerides, which is an anti-ageing agent. People from the coastal and tropical regions have been using this oil very commonly for body massages and other purposes. This is the perfect massage oil for individuals with body ache and is helpful in preventing acne breakouts without blocking skin pores. Coconut oil is available cheap and has a very long shelf life.

4. Grape seed Oil

Grapeseed oil is very thin and light, and makes for a good body massage oil. The oil feels silky and glossy on the skin, and its rich feeling is different from most other oils. This oil is very nutritious, as it contains linoleic acid in high amounts, which is proven to be anti-allergen, prevent acne and also locks in moisture in the skin. If you are trying to infuse other essential oils into your massage, then grape seed oil will serve as a perfect carrier. Nutrients and herbs get absorbed in this oil very well, and it acts as a vector to transport them into the skin with ease.

5. Sesame Oil

Ayurveda gives high priority to sesame oil for body massages. Ayurvedic texts, including the Charak Samhita, describe this oil as the best massage oil for humans. It has high nutritional value, and works great to strengthen the body s structure, including tendons, muscles and ligaments. It is known to nourish and detoxify, and relieve poor circulation, anxiety, bloating, excessive dryness and constipation. Daily massage with warm sesame oil is recommended in Ayurveda to achieve maximum benefits.

Now that you know about some of the best oils for body massage, you should make sure that your pick has the right density and viscosity for massaging. The oil should not be too drying, should get absorbed in reasonable time, should be either odourless or have a pleasant odour, and should seal moisture into the skin well. So, make a wise choice, and reap the benefits of your body massages to the fullest.

You may also like to read:

• Body massages which ones are best for the winter season?
• 15 health benefits of oil massage
• Will oil massage help reduce stretch marks?

Photo source: Shuterstock

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