There is a vast array of massage oils. Looking around your local health food store you will find massage oils like sweet almond oil or avocado oil. Branch out further from there, and many specialty skin stores and spas sell and use massage oil blends with two or more oils combined.
It is important to know the various massage oils to determine the best choice for your personal use. Some oils are too sticky and leave you feeling greasy, while others may remind you of cooking oil, which is not the fragrance you want when being massaged. In addition, some oils may actually cause an allergic or skin reaction.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a good choice for a massage oil and is popular with massage therapists. It is made from almonds and is a soft yellow color. Sweet almond oil is not very oily, but enough so that it allows the hands to move gently over the skin. While it is absorbed fairly quickly, it has enough staying power to avoid reapplying it continuously. Contrasted with other massage oils, sweet almond oil is fairly priced and readily available. It does not normally irritate the skin, although people who are allergic to nuts should avoid using it.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is another good option for massage oil. It is similar in color and texture to sweet almond oil, but is a bit more expensive. Apricot kernel oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which gives it an extended shelf life compared to other oils. Apricot kernel oil does not leave a greasy feeling after a massage, because it is readily absorbed into the skin. It is an ideal massage oil to combine with aromatherapy. For those with nut allergies, apricot kernel oil is an excellent choice.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil makes another good option for massage oil. It is derived from the seeds of the jojoba plant. Jojoba oil has strong antibacterial properties, making it useful in massages for those who have back acne. Jojoba oil has an extended shelf life and is absorbed by the skin very well. This action makes it ideal for adding aromatherapy essential oils. Jojoba oil is generally not irritating to the skin. It has a silky consistency and is rapidly absorbed, so reapplication may be necessary during the massage to keep the skin moistened. Jojoba oil tends to be more expensive than either sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil may bring to mind a thick, white, solid concoction, but it actually is fractionated oil and is fairly light and not greasy. Fractionated indicates that it literally only has a fraction of the base or whole oil. Coconut oil has the benefit of being inexpensive and having a long shelf life. One of the best things about coconut oil is the fact that it is nonstaining on sheets, which is often a problem during massage therapy.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a good choice for massage, as it is sheer and not greasy. Sunflower oil is made from sunflower seeds and is full of the essential fatty acid called linoleic acid, in addition to palmitic and stearic acid. All of these acids are key to healthy skin. Linoleic acid is eroded from the skin with age, having been stripped by commercial soaps and cosmetics. Sunflower oil has a short shelf life and can go rancid. Add a few vitamin E capsules to the bottle of oil to prolong its shelf life and store it in a dark bottle.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is another massage oil that has good results. It is safe for use with all skin types, and does not need to be diluted. Like sunflower oil, grapeseed oil contains high levels of linoleic acid, and is great for maintaining the skin.
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