Choosing the perfect massage oil can be seemingly difficult to deal. There a lot of oil varieties available in the market today and it’s important to pick the best one that might be a good match for your preferences and needs. Different oils come with their own set of perks and advantage; thus choosing the finest one allows for various things to consider.
1. Know the Kind of Massage You Need Olive oil and other denser oils proves to be a good choice for low friction modalities like Swedish massage as it don’t absorb rapidly into the skin and can also improve the skin’s elasticity. On the contrary, if you feel to have Deep Tissue massage or those that require more friction, grape seed oil and other lighter oils are highly-recommended.
2. Consider When and Where the Massage Will Take Place Heavier oils may need to be washed off as it don’t absorb into your skin quickly. If the massage clinic doesn’t have access to a wash area or if you don’t want the oils to get into your clothing, then you might need to choose oils that absorb as easily like coconut and grape seed oil.
3. Setting Your Personal preference In choosing the perfect massage oil, your personal taste is also essential. For instance, some people prefer strong and recognizable scents to make them feel more relaxed while others are sensitive and allergic to certain fragrances. Hence, it is best to select the oil in accord the effect you would like to achieve.
4. Identify Allergic Reactions Aside from scents, some people might also be allergic to certain ingredients such as nuts or extracts. For example, almond oil can be a good lubricant but it should be avoided to clients who are allergic to nuts. Check label for hypoallergenic mark to avoid adverse effects.
5. Determine the Therapeutic Advantage If your goal is to achieve a restorative and more therapeutic result, then healing base oils would be the right choice. Several oils contain medicated components such as menthol and arnica to help soothe pain and inflammation. However, most of them can induce allergic reactions and so many would still prefer to depend on the massage technique alone.