(Photo by Elina Fairytale)
Key takeaways
Consider these factors when shopping for massage oils:
- Make sure the oil is all-natural and hypoallergenic to ensure that it won’t cause any skin irritation.
- Look for an oil with a light scent that won’t be overbearing in the room.
- Choose an oil that is water dispersible so it won’t leave behind any greasy residue after use.
Different types of massage modalities sometimes require different oils and lotions. One popular medium is massage oil, which can be used for back massage, scalp massage, lomi lomi, reflexology, or lymphatic drainage massage.
While there are many different brands and formulations of massage oils, lotions, gels, and creams, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. To help you make a decision, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best massage oils.
1. Biotone Nutri Naturals Light Massage Oil
Biotone is a company that started in the late 1970s with a focus on natural skincare products. The founder, Jean Shea, created the first product, Chamomile Moisture Lotion, in her home and sold it through health food stores. As the business grew, she moved to a small office near a massage school. When the school director asked if she could make products for the school, Biotone was born.
Biotone Nutri Naturals Light Massage Oil is made with a blend of natural ingredients, including jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E. This light massage oil is perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxing massage without feeling greasy afterward. The oil is quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.
Main ingredients: A combination of avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil. Fortified with vitamins A, E, and C.
Pros: Odorless, low viscosity, slow absorption into the skin. No greasy feeling. You don’t need to apply a lot to cover a broad skin surface area.
Cons: May stain sheets and linens that are difficult to remove, but easier to remove than Biotone Revitalizing Unscented Massage Oil, which is cheaper. Extra care and handling required to avoid or minimize making stains.
2. Biotone Revitalizing Unscented Massage Oil
This unscented massage oil from Biotone is ideal for those who want to enjoy a massage without added fragrances. The ingredients work together to nourish and condition the skin, while the lack of scent means you won’t have to worry about allergies and sensitivities.
However, some reviewers on Amazon have noted that the oil can get water-like viscosity if it’s heated and that it may stain sheets and linens. Extra care and handling may be required to avoid or minimize staining.
Main Ingredient: Sunflower seed oil.
Pros: No grease and unscented with an 18-month shelf life in room temperature with the cap closed while in storage.
Cons: Can get water-like viscosity if heated.
3. Kirkland Signature Organic Coconut Oil Cold Pressed Unrefined
Kirkland Signature is a well-known brand that is often distributed by Costco.
This oil is cold-pressed and unrefined, meaning that it retains all of the nutrients and benefits of coconut oil. It has a strong coconut smell, so it’s great for those who love the scent of coconuts. The oil melts in your hands before you apply it, making it easy to use in a massage.
However, some have noted that the strong coconut smell can be overwhelming. Also, the oil can go rancid quickly if not stored properly.
Main Ingredient: Coconut oil.
Pros: Strong coconut smell if you like it. Melts in your hands before you apply it in a massage.
Cons: Strong coconut smell if you don’t like it. A little hassle scooping the oil with your fingers with the convenience of a pump. Can get rancid quickly if not stored properly.
4. Majestic Pure Grapeseed Oil
Majestic Pure products are crafted from simple botanical ingredients. Their commitment to safety standards means that you don’t have to worry about compromising your health or the environment. Their products are also certified vegan and free of any synthetic fragrances, colors, or preservatives.
If you’re looking for a massage oil that’s both effective and healthy, Majestic Pure is a great option. Their products are made from natural and simple botanical ingredients, and their grapeseed oil is nearly 100% pure.
Users have raved on Amazon about how this oil leaves their skin feeling soft and pampered without disturbing the natural oil balance of their skin. Many also appreciate that it’s a good base, or carrier oil, for essential oils. However, some reviewers have noted that the oil can go rancid quickly due to its nature.
Main Ingredient: Grapeseed oil.
Pros: Nearly 100% grapeseed oil as main ingredient. No additional chemicals. Not tested on animals.
Cons: May get rancid quicker than other types of oils due to its nature.
5. Bon Vital Naturale Massage Oil with Jojoba
“Bon Vital” means “Good Life” in French, and they strive to provide unique products of superior quality for healthcare professionals.
Bon Vital Naturale Massage Oil with Jojoba is a great option since it is nearly 100% pure and made from botanical ingredients. Also, the oil is GMO-free and cruelty-free. This is another oil that can go bad quickly due to its nature.
Main Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, octyl palmitate, grapeseed oil, peach kernel oil, aloe vera extract, jojoba seed oil.
Pros: No greasy feeling, low viscosity, very light scent. Excellent moisturizer. Somewhat easier to remove stains from sheets.
Cons: May contain soybean oil as part of the ingredient list since it may not be listed. May have lower shelf life under room temperature conditions than most name brands.
6. Soothing Touch Nut Free Lite Massage Oil
Soothing Touch began back in 1977 in Los Angeles, California by the late Yogi Bhajan. He was a Kundalini Yoga teacher from India who had moved to L.A. in 1969 where he established the 3HO Foundation. To help his students live a healthy Ayurvedic lifestyle, he provided them with a collection of oil blends that had been used for centuries back in India.
Soothing Touch Nut Free Lite Massage Oil is ideal for those with nut allergies or sensitivities. It’s water dispersible, helps retain moisture, and won’t stain sheets. This oil is nearly 100% pure, is made from natural botanical ingredients and is GMO-free and cruelty-free.
Reviews of this oil have been generally positive. Many users noted that the gliding properties were smooth and it provided just enough friction to help muscles relax without feeling greasy. Also, the lack of nut oils in the product ensures there is no risk of any allergic reactions. However, some reviewers mentioned that the oil can go bad quickly due to its natural composition.
Active ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, canola seed oil, rice bran oil jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, natural vitamin E.
Pros: No nut allergies or sensitivities. Water dispersible, helps retain moisture, and won’t stain sheets. This oil is nearly 100% pure, is made from natural botanical ingredients and is GMO-free and cruelty-free.
Cons: Some reviewers have noted that the oil can go bad quickly.
7. BOTANIC HEARTH Sore Muscle Massage Oil
Botanic Hearth is a company that offers natural and safe massage oils for those who are looking for an alternative to traditional products. The company’s products cruelty-free.
Botanic Hearth Sore Muscle Massage Oil is uniquely helpful for some thanks to its blend of arnica, camomile, and mentha arvensis oil which can relax muscles and alleviate pain.
Positive reviewers noted that the oil was effective in reducing pain and tension. They also said that it has a pleasant scent and works well as a professional massage oil. However, some negative reviewers said that the oil went bad quickly and did not last long.
Active ingredients: Arnica montana extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower oil, and mentha arvensis oil.
Pros: reduces pain, pleasant scent, works well as a professional massage oil.
Cons: Gets rancid quickly.
8. La Almona – Ultimate Glide Massage Oil
La Almona is a company that specializes in soap. Its products are made with all natural ingredients and are free from synthetic fragrances. La Almona’s products are also water dispersible, meaning that they will not leave behind any greasy residue.
This oil is a wonderful blend of organic sunflower, grapeseed, rice bran, and avocado oils. This oil is ultra-smooth and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue and is perfect for use as a professional massage oil or for personal use. It is also water dispersible.
The reviews for this product are mostly positive with users citing its smooth texture and quick absorption. Some negative reviewers noted that the oil did not have a strong enough scent, and that it was not as effective as other products on the market.
Active ingredients: Organic sunflower, grapeseed, rice bran, and avocado oils.
Pros: Ultra-smooth, quick absorption, water dispersible
Cons: Not as strong of a scent as other products, not as effective as other products
9. Master Massage SpaMaster Essentials Unscented Massage Oil
This Master Massage massage oil is ideal for those who have sensitive skin as it is unscented and hypoallergenic. It’s also light enough that it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily. The oil is also non-staining and will not clog pores.
Generally, reviewers wrote how they like its lightness and non-greasy feel. There are also many positive comments about how the oil doesn’t clog pores or leave a residue, but some didn’t care for the light odor. Most found that this oil washes out of fabrics easily, but a few did have issues.
Active ingredients: Purified water, canola oil, grapeseed oil, sesame oil, vitamin E, organic arnica montana extract, organic white willow bark. extract, bergamot fruit oil.
Pros: Non-greasy, water dispersible, doesn’t clog pores.
Cons: Mild odor.
10. M3 Naturals Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil
M3 Naturals is a company that specializes in all natural and organic skin care products. Its products are also water dispersible.
The reviews for this product are mostly positive with users citing its all natural and organic ingredients and quick absorption. Some negative reviewers noted that the oil did not have a strong enough scent, and that it was not as effective as other products on the market. Overall, however, reviewers seemed to be happy with the product.
Active ingredients: Grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E.
Pros: All natural and organic ingredients, water dispersible.
Cons: Not as strong of a scent as other products, not as effective as other products
What to look for in massage lotions
We have chosen these massage oils based on the following criteria.
Absorption rate
Unlike most lotions, massage oils should last as long as the massage session and should not absorb quickly into your skin. You can test it by dabbing a nickel-size sample on your forearm and spreading it across its skin, simulating a massage on the forearm extensors. After 10 minutes, if the skin is still massageable with hardly any friction, then it should be a good choice.
Generally, the absorption rate will be slower with oils and gels and faster with lotions, creams, and butters. And so, massage oils are ideal for full body massages where it helps massage therapists to perform their strokes smoothly without unwanted friction.
Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of the oil’s resistance to flow. The higher the viscosity, the thicker the oil and the slower it will flow.
Ingredients
Look for the key ingredients that research has shown to be good quality moisturizers: aloe vera, grapeseed oil, shea butter, jojoba, olive oil, rose water, honey.
The quality of any oil is only as good as its ingredients. For massage oils, you would want ingredients that retain hydration while nourishing the skin. A 2010 study examined some combinations of such ingredients that can retain longer hydration and viscoelasticity of the skin than others, such as the ingredients mentioned above.
Allergies
Some commonly used ingredients in massage oils may cause allergic reactions in sensitive folks. Geraniol, which has a sweet odor, is used in many essential oils and is found in rose and palmarosa oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, jasmine oil and citronella oil. If using essential oils with clients, assess their potential sensitivity to geraniol.
Another ingredient, capsaicin, is found in products that are designed to be analgesic or anti-inflammatory. If using products containing capsaicin, do not use heating pads or heat treatments as this may cause burns.
Menthol may splash and cause burns if microwaved. When selecting a lotion or oil for massage, consider the person’s skin condition and sensitivities.
Greasiness
A good massage oil shouldn’t feel thin or watery. This is usually a sign that the skin will absorb the water swiftly. However, if an oil is too thick it may not contain the natural additives required to help absorb the oil into the skin.
Most oils that have a thicker texture when cold and thin as they warm, making a little go a long way tend to be the best, especially for modalities like Swedish and lomi lomi.
Odor
This is a difficult question to answer since different massage oils have vastly different blends. A massage oil may state that it’s unscented because nothing was added for scent, but the natural ingredients that are used may carry a mild odor.
Most high quality massage oils will have little to no scent, but if any oil isn’t stored properly, it can begin to smell like the plastic from the bottle it’s held in.
Truth in advertising
A 2014 study reviewed 1,179 online retail sites that sell herbal and similar products and found that less than 8% of them reported adverse effects, less than 3% cited scientific literature to support their claims, and 10.5% recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional before using them. Keep that in mind when you scroll through products and websites.
Find out more about each of the common herbs that are found in massage oils, lotions, and similar products at NCCIH.
Environmental friendly
When looking for massage oils that are environmentally friendly, therapists should look for products that are made with natural ingredients and free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals. Furthermore, the product packaging should be recyclable or compostable.
Finally, check that the company produces its products in an environmentally sustainable way, such as using renewable energy or investing in carbon offset programs.
What to avoid when buying massage oils
Avoid products that make false claims, don’t list all of the ingredients on the label, or don’t provide adequate information about potential side effects and drug interactions.
Avoid products that are not made with natural ingredients or that contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals. Also, avoid products from companies that produce their products in an unsustainable way.
Lindsay Jones, LMT
Lindsay is a licensed massage therapist and a mother of three, who specializes in rehabilitation with emphasis on prenatal and postnatal care.
After graduating from the National Holistic Institute in San Jose, Calif., she went on to study how pain affects the body and how it can be alleviated during the constant changes of pregnancy and early motherhood.
In her free time, Lindsay has a deep love of all forms of art from storytelling and music to sewing and painting.
