Natural massage oil, a true product of care and relaxation
To make natural massage oil, cosmetic brands use a blend of natural plant oils and esters that leave a drier feel. The most commonly used natural plant oils in body and face massage oils are: sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, borage oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and castor oil. Perilla oil is also used for its richness in omega-3 fatty acids and its regenerative properties. Natural massage oil: a true product of care and relaxation.
Massage oils often contain other ingredients such as vitamin E as a natural antioxidant, and fragrances and natural essential oils for a pleasant scent. Massage oils are more slippery on the hands than massage gels. However, the texture of massage oils can vary considerably depending on the type of vegetable oils used and their proportions.
Read also: Beauty and wellness rituals
The butters of a natural massage oil
There are several types of plant-based butters used in cosmetic products, but the most common is shea butter. This vegetable butter is a cosmetic ingredient that offers a much thicker and more opaque texture than oils. Once warmed in the hands, it becomes slightly more liquid and provides a comforting and moisturizing sensation on the skin. Butters are excellent natural products for techniques that require good adhesion to the skin of the person receiving the massage and greater precision without causing irritation, such as fascia work.
The benefits of vegetable oils and butters in a natural massage oil for a soothing and relaxing effect
Throughout history, natural vegetable oils have been used for face and body care. Indeed, oil symbolizes fertility, purity, and light. Used daily in Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia as beauty products, they were also valued for their therapeutic properties. It is therefore quite natural that they are found in massage oils for the body and face.
The vegetable oils found in natural massage oils are rich in active ingredients, such as triglycerides (saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids). It is the double bond between carbon atoms that distinguishes fatty acids. Depending on their type, fatty acids play different roles.
Omega-3 fatty acids, or alpha-linolenic acid, are abundant in natural hemp oil, natural chia oil, natural rosehip oil, and natural perilla oil. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent emollients.
Omega 6 or linoleic acid, have interesting anti-aging properties, they are found in natural safflower oil, but, oilseeds.
Omega-9 fatty acids, or oleic acid, are moisturizing and give skin suppleness and elasticity. They are found in natural sweet almond oil, natural argan oil, and natural avocado oil, and these oils are very common in natural massage oils.
Ideally, several vegetable oils should be combined in a single massage oil to enhance its effectiveness and obtain a natural massage oil with a healing and relaxing action.
It is very important to use cold-pressed, certified organic vegetable oils to ensure they are pesticide-free. Indeed, obtaining oils from the first cold pressing of the seeds preserves the stability of heat-sensitive constituents (vitamin E – tocopherol – and essential fatty acids – omega 3, 6, and 8).
- Natural sweet almond oil: it is very gentle, emollient, nourishing, and protective, as well as being quite easily absorbed. It is ideal for all fragile and dry skin types, but caution is advised for those with nut allergies.
- Natural grapeseed oil: This oil is quite thick yet penetrating, making it an excellent choice for massage therapy. It is also healing, sebum-regulating, and antioxidant.
- Natural jojoba oil: this product has a chemical composition similar to the skin's sebum. Therefore, it is absorbed very well. It is ideal for facial massage or for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Natural castor oil: This is a thick, clear, and sticky oil. It should be used on small areas or as a poultice. It stimulates blood circulation and helps to decongest and drain inflamed areas.
- Natural safflower oil: it is fluid and easily absorbed. It is rich in omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids: a great ally for mature and dehydrated skin!
- Natural borage oil: Rich in omega 6, it has regenerative and nourishing properties. It is also anti-inflammatory.
- Natural sunflower oil: it's quite fluid and dry. Gentle and nourishing, it's also an antioxidant. It's a fairly common ingredient because it allows for good application and is relatively inexpensive.
- Natural coconut butter: It is solid at room temperature and liquefies at 26 degrees Celsius. It is antifungal and antibacterial, and excellent for dehydrated and irritated skin. It is less suitable for use alone in massage, as it absorbs quickly into the skin.
- Natural shea butter: This product is very thick, silky, and rich. Highly moisturizing but less easily absorbed into the skin than coconut butter, it is excellent for nourishing, soothing, and protecting the skin.
Read also: Positive Intention Ritual: The Complete Guide to Setting and Embodying Your Intentions
Natural fragrance, the ideal product for a sensory massage: a scent of pleasure and the presence of natural essential oils
As always, scent is very important in cosmetics like natural massage oil, both for the pleasurable sensory aspect and for the action of natural essential oils on our chakras through massage.
We will of course favour a cosmetic for massages whose oils are 100% of natural origin.
Depending on the essential oils, natural massage oils will have more specific actions.
For example :
- The Silky Loving natural massage oil will be ideal for the face and heart chakra due to its rose-based composition.
- The Silky Radiant natural massage oil will be more suitable for the face and for massage on the solar plexus (rich in bergamot, petitgrain).
- Kobido massage oil will be perfect for practicing Kobido massage at home on a daily basis and thus enhance the lifting effects of this highly prized Japanese massage.
- Silky Expressive natural massage oil, to be used in massage on the face and neck to facilitate self-expression.
- Silky Desirable natural massage oil, for a sensual massage for two with its notes of patchouli and ginger…