Massage Oils

[Maddie]

What is your favorite type of oil to use and why? Not brands but what kind. (Example: sweet almond oil, castor oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, etc)I am on a grapeseed oil kick. It has a nice consistency, not to heavy and absorbs nicely into the skin. Also it's a great carrier oil. I like to add essential oils and make different aromatherapy blends. I switched over from an almond/peanut oil because two of my clients have a nut allergy and now I'm hooked! Cassandra/Lotusgirl

 

[Pompal 09.]

Massage Oils

I don't use an oil at all. I use Biotone Dual Purpose at the moment, but maybe when I add hot stone to my menu I'll switch to oil or AT gel. In the meantime, I'm trying to use up the rest of my Dual Purpose and switch to a lotion that will actually pump. I have to use a squeeze tube to get my creme out now; it's really annoying and I'm getting tired of it.

 

[Sam Y]

To work on the body I love jojoba oil. آ I find the grapeseed a bit lighter than I prefer.To work on the feet I use a product called "Peppermint Pedicure".  It has a very emollient feel yet quickly absords into the skin, plus it smells fantastic!To work on the face, I use a soy based lotion or a lotion infused with natural extracts.Why do I use oils?  I used lotions and cremes for about nine years, but then I started to become disenfranchised with the creme I used.  It had started to go downhill.  I started sampling other cremes and lotions searching for an alternative.  While I was searching I accidentally stumbled across the most wonderfully scented massage oil that I have ever found -- "Restoration".  It has a truly haunting aroma of Eucalyptus Oil, Guava and Tea Tree Oil mixed into jojoba oil.  I had never used much oil before that and was a bit uncertain if I or my clients would like it.  I decided to try it out and I'm glad I did.I started talking about this wonderful new oil I had found and started using it with my regular clients.  First, I asked them to smell it and then asked if they would mind my trying it out on them.  Everyone of them (men and women) liked the smell of the oil -- it was neither feminine or masculine -- nor was it medicinal -- and each of them commented at some point that they liked the softness of their skin after the massage.I have since discovered the company that makes Restoration makes many other scented massage oils, as well as, other products.  I have discovered I have several favorites now, Nag Champa (Sandlewood & Indian Masala), Black Tea & Honey and Ritual (Sage & Smoke) just to name a few.  I have several clients who now ask me to use their "personal favorite" when they are in for a session.If I come across someone who has a preference between oil -vs- lotion/creme -- I have a soy based lotion I can use instead.  Or, If I come across someone who is sensitive skinned I offer unscented oil.  This has worked well for me for the past four years or so...

 

[stevepitt2]

Massage Oils

Will you please post the info on the company? I am looking for oils right now as I have not found a favorite. I would like to try their products.

 

[BlowBubblesNotBombs]

I use Biotone lotion filled to almost the top of my bottle and then put a little oil in the top.  I works out real well and doesn't leave the client's feeling all oily.  For hot rocks massage I use jojoba oil.  I heard Hobacare jojoba oil was good and I'm not disappointed.  

 

[matt limuel o]

I use Soma Silk for different creams or lotions from Natural Formulations.  I don't use oil much, but I do enjoy it.  I save it for when I do outcalls since the person doesn't have to worry about leaving the session slick.The only client I use oil now, I stumbled upon her oil.  I was on my way to her house and realized I had no cream with me.  What I did what go to the drugstore and get Palmers Cocoa Butter oil.  The client loves the chocolate smell and so do I.  It's not over powering and its not really greasy.My school used a lot of canola oil and I just thought that was weird.  That just my opinon, though!

 

[SLEEP IS FOR SISSIES]

I'm another jojoba user  it's wonderful with hot rocks and probably the best carrier for aromatherapy oils as it is so easily absorbed, washes out very well in warm water with normal detergent, absorbs so well the client isn't left with that greasy feeling. It's not a nut oil, it's actually a plant wax and I've not had anyone get a reaction from it. Wonderful for stretch marks too, preventing and dimishing them.Ayurvedic recommendations are different oils for different doshas, meaning coconut oil for one type sesame for another, can't remember the other base oil used a lot...

 

[Sam I am]

Massage Oils

Biotone Dual Purpose - enough glide for Swedish, enough grip for deep tissueHomemade blend of beeswax and coconut oil - lots of grip for fascial workInterested in experimenting with cocoa-butter...

 

[Alan Alda]

I use Vegan Organic, Natural Oils, Raw whenever possible. آ I especially enjoy Jojoba, Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, آ Avocado Oil, Castor Oil,  Kukui Nut Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coco Butter and such. I also make my own creams and lotions and use Aloe Vera when indicated.I make my own blends of everything, adding Essential Oils as needed to customize the treatment for each client.

 

[Dr. Strongrod]

Massage Oils

I took a class on CORE Myofascial work and the instructor suggested Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula.  I now use it pretty regularly for all my massages.   Has anyone had a similiar experience or know why I shouldn't use the cocoa butter (besides allergies)?

Well, some people may not like all of the additives in the product.

Personally, for example, I would not accept a massage with the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula below,  because it is not a Vegan product and has many hazardous and unecessary chemicals in it. I like coco butter and shea butter though!

Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Cocoa Extract (Theobroma Cacao), Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Isopropyl Lanolate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Lanolin Alcohol (Lanolin), Stearic Acid, Bentonite, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao), Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Caramel, Fragrance (Parfum)

 

[juikeTede]

Massage Oils

Mineral oil and petrolatum are both known carcinogens. My daughter is multiracial and I always look for products without those two items. My Spa instructor told us to stay away from anything with either of those things in it.

 

[? Surfer ? Sarah]

Massage Oils

Mineral oil and petrolatum are both known carcinogens. My daughter is multiracial and I always look for products without those two items. My Spa instructor told us to stay away from anything with either of those things in it.

I won't use anything with those two ingredients on anyone's daughter, regardless of ethnic herieforum.xxxe  

(My daughter is also Multi-Cultural as am I   )

But I think I know where you are going with that statement- lots of "Ethnic" haircare and body products have petroleum and mineral oil and other nasty waxes and chemicals.

 

[Andrew]

Mineral oil, Microcrystalline Massage Oils

Hmm.  This is the vitamin E formula I'm reading the ingredients on it and it doesn't seem to be the same.  You are right however it is not organic.  Here are the ingredients on this one:

Theobroma Cacao Extract, Mineral oil, Microcrystalline wax, Theobroma Cacao seed butter, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Vitamin E, Carotene

What is non-vegan about that?

If you read the ingredients for the Palmer product I found, you will find that it is not Vegan.

The formula you listed is, and I still would not use it or allow it to be used on my body either, due to the Mineral oil, Microcrystalline wax, and Dimethecone. I like pure and natural products  

 

[Doctor Deth]

Having been one of those "creme users only" for quite some time I find this discussion rather fun.  For those of you who have never used oils in your work I would encourage you to try them out.  I think you will be surprised at how well they work in your sessions.  I have found I use less oil on my clients than I did creme/lotion.  Might I also add it is always good to try new things in your work to keep it fresh and interesting -- especially for your regulars.As with many things massage there are many myths about using oil: they go rancid quickly, they leave clients feeling "oily", you can't do deep work with oil, the oil doesn't wash out of linens, etc...I have discovered jojoba oil works quite well with all types of work, from the lightest touch of CranioSacral to the deepest NMT/trigger point work, it washes out of linens quite easily, it doesn't leave clients feeling "oily" and it doesn't go rancid as quickly as many of the cremes I have used in the past (purchased directly from one of the largest well known producers of massage cremes and lotions).  Most herb/vitamin stores carry small bottles of unscented jojoba, grapeseed, almond oil or avocado oil and they can be found in Bath & Body Work stores on a national level.  SuperSpaGirl, if you will email me directly I will give you information about the company.

 

[wigi-lou]

I'm not an oil user.......mainly because I'm just too sloppy with it......not sure what my problem is here.  Anyway, I end up with it all over my clothes.  I also don't like that it gets on the sheets, etc.  True.....jojoba might not do that, but $$$$$.I use a cream......from Best of Nature....and it's pump-able!!!  I get many comments from my clients about how nice it feels on their skin and that they like that they don't leave there feeling like a greased pig.I also have a gel that I use for those who are allergic to nuts.  I'm actually going to begin using the gel on my clients and see how I feel about using it on a regular basis.  I will probably always stick with the cream in my office, but another place where I do massage is thinking of changing from lotion to gel and have asked for my input......what a great feeling to actually have my opinion listened to!!  Anyway........I expressed my feelings about oil and I don't think he'll make me start using that.  But, I promised I'd experiment with the gel again and see if I'd be okay with that......maybe they can save a few $$$.

 

[themostbeautifulqirlever]

I too am a Jojoba oil user, but I use unrefined jojoba (HobaCare  www.bostonjojoba.com ).  I use it exclusively because it's shelf life is so long and a gallon lasts a long time. I keep it simple - I use it as a carrier for my AuraCacia cert. organic essential oils and I only use two of them.  I use my Lavender blend if someone will be going home after the session or Sweet Orange blend if they are going right back to work, as a general rule, but clients will sometimes ask to switch that. I also keep some unscented, and I keep them in color coded bottles I mix them in for quick use.  I use the jojoba with my hot stone treatments too.  I've just learned over time how much for what therapy.  A little to begin a deep tissue session goes a long way.In school I remember we used what the school sold, which was  lotions and gels.  Too often I remember those products going rancid and they were cheaper that oil BUT I found I used more of the product to achieve the same effect as oil. So, that's why I use oil and only jojoba.  My 2 cents.

 

[rhonda]

Massage Oils

Yay! I'm glad that so many of you responded to this post. It's interesting to hear what kinds of oils (or creams/gels) other MT's are using on their clients plus what works for them and what doesn't. In light and love,Cassandra/Lotusgirl

 

[lakersfan]

In the past, I used  almond, soy, or sunflower.  Now, I have developed a massage body butter:Shea butter, jojoba, virgin coconut oil (smells so yummy), fract coconut (to help the oils wash out of sheets), vit e and e/o's or f/o's.  Its very creamy, absorbs well, excellent grip for either deep or lite work.  Very good for dry and/or irritated skin.You can always blend a little bit of shea with your massage oil too.

 

[Pompal 09.]

i like to make my own massage body butter also.  I have sensitive skin, and often after using commercial products, my eczema will act up.  I can't figure out what it is in the products that gets me itching.  Sometimes I have this feeling that I'm allergic to some clients.. which just may be the case (those that wear perfume/cologne.. or yada yada).  THe body butter makes your (and the client's) skin super soft.  The moisturizing shea and cocoa butter teamed up with jojoba seems to last quite a long time which keeps me from scratching.  Gosh, I feel like I'm just rambling.  I suppose it's harder to understand if you don't get these itchies.

 

[aredsailjunk]

Massage Oils

DoLLz,I know...I have extremely dry sensitive skin on my legs. So there aren't any commercial products I can use because I get a bad case of the itchies and very irritated skin. (It is really annoying)The massage body butter sounds nice. I think I might have to try it out. I've never used shea butter before. Do you use any special kind of shea (like organic???) or can you just get it at the store?