In fact, depending on the type of massage performed and the reason why you decide to use it, it is possible to use different types of massage oils.
Before proceeding with the listing of some useful tips and the main aspects that should be evaluated for the choice of massage oil, it may be useful to do a little review of what a massage oil is and what it is for.
, nutrients, herbal extracts, essential oils, oleolites, etc.).The massage oil is useful to facilitate the sliding of the masseur's hands over the massaged person, while reducing the risk of skin irritation due to rubbing. If the massage oil also includes additional active ingredients in its composition, it is possible to obtain additional benefits from its use.
To learn more, read also: Massage Oil , etc.), or depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated, as appropriate.
For massages made at home, on the other hand, it is possible to choose between the different "commercial" types sold in perfumeries, wellness centers, beauty centers or specialized shops, as well as the self-production of do-it-yourself massage oils. you.
In any case, here are some aspects that are important to take into account and some useful tips on how to choose the massage oil:
- Purpose of the massage: the choice of massage oil is first and foremost bound by the reason why you decide to resort to a massage. On the market, there are ready-to-use massage oils made with variable ingredients depending on the purpose you want to achieve with this treatment. For example, there are specific oils for relaxing massages, energizing and revitalizing massage oils, etc.
- Presence of allergies: another fundamental aspect to evaluate when choosing the massage oil concerns the presence of any known allergies. In this regard, it is essential to carefully read the list of ingredients shown on the chosen product. At the same time, it is necessary to pay maximum attention in the choice of ingredients if you decide to resort to the self-production of massage oils.
- Skin type: skin type is also a factor that can affect the choice of massage oil. For example, if the skin is dry or very dry, it is good to opt for oils with a moisturizing and nourishing action; in the case of combination or oily skin, it may be useful to resort to the use of "light" oils, which are not particularly rich and easily absorbed; in the case of sensitive skin, however, it may be useful to use massage oils with soothing and calming properties.
- Personal preferences: clearly, personal preferences also affect the choice of massage oil which, therefore, must have characteristics (for example, perfume, degree of absorption, ease of use, etc.) such as to find a positive response in the tastes of the massaged.
- Quality: quality is a fundamental factor in the choice of massage oil, both if you decide to buy a ready-to-use product, and if you decide to buy ingredients and raw materials for the do-it-yourself creation of a massage oil. In this regard, it is very important to remember that - for the purchase of products of this type - it is essential to contact serious retailers who deal with quality products that comply with current regulations and of known origin.
- Price: finally, the price also undoubtedly affects the choice of massage oil. Since these are products to be applied on the skin, it is advisable to always give priority to the qualitative aspect rather than to the economic one. On the other hand, a product with a lower cost is not always qualitatively worse than a product whose price is higher; many times, in fact, the brand is paid more than the product. In any case, in principle, it is It is generally advisable to be wary of products with excessively low prices compared to the average.
In case of doubts about the choice of massage oil, it might be useful to ask for help from people who are familiar with this type of product (for example, masseurs, specialized dealers, etc.).
since it can irritate you.
Generally, for the preparation of a do-it-yourself massage oil, it is recommended to use a maximum of 50-60 drops of essence per 100 ml of vegetable oil.
Also in this case, to choose the right ingredients, it is necessary to orientate one's choice according to the benefits that one would like to obtain, of course, taking into account one's preferences, one's skin type and the possible presence of allergies.
If desired, it is also possible to use pure vegetable oils as real massage oils, exploiting their multiple properties. For example, oils are particularly used to perform massages both pure and as oily matrices:
- Sweet almond oil (elasticizing, softening and nourishing properties);
- L "coconut oil (emollient and nourishing properties);
- Argan oil (antioxidant and anti-aging, elasticizing and moisturizing properties);
- Jojoba oil (softening and emollient properties to which a certain ease of absorption is added);
- Moringa oil (elasticizing, anti-inflammatory and emollient properties; moreover, it is rapidly absorbed);
- Macadamia oil (emollient and restorative properties);
- Borage oil (anti-inflammatory properties).
Examples of DIY Massage Oils
Here are some examples of massage oils that can be made by mixing a vegetable oil with different types of essences, depending on the desired effect.
Remember again that, even if you decide to use more than one essential oil, the total quantity must not exceed 50-60 drops per 100 ml of vegetable oil.
- Relaxing massage oil: an oil particularly suitable for relaxation, useful for exercising a relaxing effect, can be achieved by mixing lavender extracts (Lavandula angustifolia Miller), bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium) or bergamot (Citrus bergamia).
- Massage oil against tension, anxiety and stress: in this case, the addition to the oily matrix of ylang-ylang essential oils (Cananga odorata, widely used in the "field of" aromatherapy to reduce tension, anxiety and palpitations), lavender (relaxing plant par excellence, sedative of the CNS), neroli (essential oil extracted from bitter orange flowers).
- Massage oil against muscle tension: massage oils that could prove useful for this problem may contain, for example, essences of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), juniper (Juniperus communis) and lemon (Citrus × limon), also suitable for stimulating circulation.
