The Benefit of Massage Lotion for the Skin
In addition to creating glide on the skin, a high-quality massage oil can help nourish and moisturize your skin.
Massage oil is commonly used in massage, but did you know that it also can provide nourishment for your skin? Read on to discover the benefits of massage oil for the skin.
Did you know that skin is absorptive?
The skin is our largest organ. What’s even more impressive, it’s permeable to certain substances. Did you know that our skin can absorb the chemicals and substances we put on it? For instance, if you’re dehydrated during a massage treatment, your skin will absorb some of the water in the lotion (1). That is one of the reasons it’s beneficial to drink plenty of water before your massage.
The Benefits of Quality Massage Oil
To create a comfortable massage stroke, many massage therapists will apply a lubricating product to the client’s skin. Like most skin care lotions, these products are typically made of a combination of the following ingredients:
- Oil
- Fruit, Seed or Nut Butter
- Water
- Emulsifier
- Preservative
Not all these ingredients are required to make a massage lubricant. Oils and butters may be used alone on the skin, without water, and do not require an emulsifier or preservative. As soon as water is mixed with an oil or butter, an emulsifier and preservative are added to maintain the texture and shelf-life of the lotion.
Natural fruit and vegetable oils or butters can be high in beneficial vitamins, such as vitamin E and vitamin A (2). These vitamins are important for the protection and repair of the skin and may support the overall health and beauty of the body (3, 4).
In addition to being rich in nutrients, many high-quality oils and butters are:
As we learned earlier, the skin is absorptive and will absorb vitamins, nutrients and minerals from massage oils and butters (9). That is why using a high-quality oil on the skin is of extra benefit during a massage treatment.
Ingredients to be Mindful Of
People with allergies should be mindful of ingredients that could potentially be in massage lubricants. If you have any sensitivities, be sure to let your therapist know. Here are a few common ingredients to look out for:
- Shea Butter: If you have a latex allergy, you may want to avoid Shea butter
- Nuts: Oils made from nuts, especially almonds, can be a common ingredient
- Preservatives: Certain creams or lotions may contain preservatives such as parabens
- Essential Oils: Essential oils may be in certain lotions (i.e., cinnamon or mint)
- Animal Products: Vegans will want to make sure their lotion does not contain beeswax
- Artificial Fragrance: It’s uncommon, but if you are sensitive, double-check with your therapist
Like all body-care products, the quality and texture of a lotion will vary between products. Massage therapists use different types of products to achieve different results.
Babassu Oil & Mango Butter
Babassu Oil contains a high content of lauric and myristic acids which have melting points relatively close to the body temperature. Babassu Carrier Oil is a great emollient beneficial for both dry and oily skin. It gently moisturises the skin without contributing to an oily sheen. This oil is refined without chemicals making it a wonderful addition to cosmetic products.
Mango Butter has been used by the indigenous people of the forest regions of southeast Asia for centuries. It is known to be rich in antioxidants and emollients as well as Vitamins A and E, and it can be used to soften and moisturize rough and dry skin. Mango Butter is ideal in formulations for lotions, body butters, balms, soaps, shaving creams, hair care products and lip balms.
What Products Do We Use?
Due to the absorptive qualities of the skin, I believe that using mild, all-natural products on the skin is important. That is why I use a combination of organic babassu oil and mango butter as a lubricant in my massage treatments. These two ingredients are known to be nutrient-rich, hypoallergenic, and thick enough to provide a layer of warmth to the body during treatment.
Both these ingredients are also low-comedogenic (that is, they won’t clog the skin’s pores). They are high-quality products known to have a beneficial effect on the skin.
For those clients who prefer a lighter lotion, I also offer a vegan, water-based massage lotion by request.
Book Your Next Appointment with Us
We hope you found this article helpful. Massage oil is a wonderful tool to provide the glide needed for certain massage techniques. Due to the permeable qualities of the skin, a lotion with high-quality ingredients can also have the bonus of enriching and nourishing the skin.
If you want to experience the benefits of high-quality massage oil at your next massage treatment, click the button below.
Contact Us
Le Soleil Health & Wholeness, Ltd.
Roots on Whyte Community Building
#201, 8135 – 102 St NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 4A4
Call (780) 414-1466