Lotion or Oil?

[chellithangam]

I'm looking to experiment with different oils and lotions. What lotion or oil do you use? What is the reason for oil over lotion? What is the best in your opinion? Do you recommend I use oil or lotion with chiropractic clinic clients?

 

[ne14funstuff]

Hi Jeff,

I use plain pure jojoba oil. I love the glide and the way it makes the client's skin feel afterward. It is also extremely hypoallergenic.

I've asked this question of a lot of massage therapists, and it all comes down to personal preference from what I understand. You just have to experiment until you find what you like. It's always good to have at least a couple of different lubricants available, however, for problem clients like me who have super-sensitive skin.

Emily

 

[Lyeash.]

For those clients whose skin seems to react to everything I've found Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil to be great. It is solid, unless you warm it up, but it works great
and doesn't seem to cause a problem even with exzema.

Plain (unscented) Aveeno lotion works as well, though it doesn't have any real lasting glide as it gets absorbed so quickly.

Also, be sure to watch out for nut based oils with those clients who have allergies to them.

 

[Slobo]

Riversinger,
Is coconut oil considered a nut oil for those with nut oil allergies?

 

[affeseePrusty]

From my research, inspite of the name, Coconut is considered a vegetable oil.

Further Info:

Cosmetics and skin treatments
Coconut oil is excellent as a skin moisturiser. A study shows that extra virgin coconut oil is as effective and safe as mineral oil when used as a moisturiser, with absence of adverse reactions [5].

Coconut oil can also help in healing Keratosis pilaris by moisturising the affected area. The coconut oil should be applied in the shower, and may cause the KP bumps to disappear.

In India and Sri Lanka, coconut oil is commonly used for styling hair, and cooling or soothing the head (stress relief). People of coastal districts of Karnataka and Kerala bathe in warm water after applying coconut oil all over the body and leaving it as is for an hour. It is suggested by elders that this ritual must be done at least once in a week, to keep body, skin, and hair healthy.

There are also many health benefits to using it in your diet as well.

 

[Asclepius]

It's true that coconut isn't a nut, but it is the base in almost every lotion sold (both massage & over-the-counter moisturizing lotions). Probably due to this heavy use as an ingredient, it has now become a common allergy. I've actually never had a client who was allergic to nuts (although I'm sure they're out there). But I've had many who were allergic to coconut. For that reason, I keep Jojoba oil available for those with allergies. For the rest of my clients who don't have allergies/sensitivities, I use massage cream, due to it's great combination of glide & absorbability.

 

[leila]

I was just wondering - I had a bad reaction to fractionated coconut oil last summer from which the scars are still visible. Since then I steer clear of anything containing cocunut oil. But how is regular coconut oil different from fractionated? Do you think it might make a difference in my skin's reaction? The factionated felt wonderful on my skin, but by the time I got home, my legs where the MT had done her deepest work had broken out in painful red welts. I'd like to try it again, but would hate to cause more scarring.

 

[TessaStarraphobia]

Kemilyna, you're probably allergic to coconut.

To answer your question: fractionated coconut oil has had unsaturated fatty acids removed & what remains is an oil that doesn't go rancid & is liquid at room temperature.

 

[I am team Edward]

For that reason, I keep Jojoba oil available for those with allergies. For the rest of my clients who don't have allergies/sensitivities, I use massage cream, due to it's great combination of glide & absorbability.

i do the same thing. i use massage cream but have jojoba oil on hand for any clients with allergies. i can't stand using oil. i'm just way too messy with it!

 

[Fearless]

One interesting note on lotion/creme vs. oil:

We're a Biotone distributor and one time our contact at Biotone pointed out something that they had discovered. She told me that Northerners use mostly oil and Southerners use mostly lotions.

Her theory behind this was that it was weather related. Lotions evaporate quicker and cool the client off. Oil feels better in cold weather. Conversely you wouldn't want to go out in the heat and sweat if you're covered with oil. The oil acts as an insulator and keeps you warmer.

I know that in our case, we sell 50-60 gallons of lotion/creme for every 6 gallons of oil.

Also almost all of the massage schools here in Florida teach using lotion. Back in the stone-age when Florida required a practical exam along with the written one, they required that you use oil for your test. Our school had to add in teaching us how to use oil and not get it all over the place when we did our "refresher" course before taking the state board exam.

Angie

 

[derfini]

hmmmm.......

I will use cream most of the time for general use, but will have deep tissue lotion on hand for deep work/trigger point work. I have no real problems using oils, as I am used to using them and feel comfortable with them and don't make a mess with them. Overall it depends on the client preference- they get what they want,as long as they pay !!

Love and Light-
Johnny

 

[Sgt. Snarky]

I am very messy with oil, so I don't use it for that reason, as well as that I find cream to leave less residue on the client and they are less likely to have staining on their clothing when they get dressed. Many of my clients have commented that they love the feel of the cream.

I have a non-nut based oil on hand for clients with allergies to tree nuts. My daughter is allergic and will break out instantly in a rash. It is important to be very careful when you have a client with nut allergies. You want to be sure that your hands are completely scrubbed after even touching your other massage oil/lotion bottle or any equipment that may have been in contact with the lotions/oils with a nut based oil. Even though my daugher does not have a problem with coconut, she thought it was a nut when she was little so she stays away from it even now as an adult.

 

[the showstopper]

I just wanted to add that I just got free samples from the Sombra line which are very nice, and include a couple of
pain relieving gels, lotions & a gel/oil combo plus an
Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer. They all have a paraben free
ingredient list. If interested you can contact them for the
samples at http://www.sombrausa.com 1-800-225-3963

Have any of you or your sensitive clients ever had a problem with Apricot oil ?

 

[teresa j]

Having used cremes, lotions, and oils..I have to say I love the cream..less messy, and my clients have loved it..and I found a very inexpensive cream that i love, it's soma silk..the big gallon bottles are only 30 something dollars, (cant remember the exact total) :roll: I order it from Scrip massage supplies...

 

[x_ill]

Hi...does the soma silk have a fragrance to it at all? Also, the consistancy...is it a thinner cream or a cream you can let ride on your hand? Does it leave a greasy feel/look? Sorry for the detailed questions. I just keep buying things that I am not sure of and sometimes order the wrong thing, and often don't like that well. I have heard someone else rave about this once, but I mistakenly ordered the soma mulit-purpose cream instead :roll: , and did'nt care for it much. (no fragrance, greasy feel to me)Thanks in advance. Sue