Homemade Massage Oil Recipe

Massage your body with homemade massage oil yourself or ask your spouse to do it

Last week I met an award-winning massage therapist and learnt from him some of the best homemade massaging oil blends that offer an expansive range of premeditated effects. It really was thrilling and satisfying experience to pick-up the art of mixing some of the best DIY massage-oil recipes. Here I share with you the secret key steps involved in making custom massage oils, some precautions you should know, a few popular carrier oils to try, and selected skin-nourishing recipe ideas. Prepare any of these wonderful massage-oils at home, massage your body yourself or ask your spouse to do it and enjoy healthy, beautiful skin!

DIY Massage Oil Basic Tips

(i) Test the oils, which you intend to use, on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no allergies or reactions before you proceed with your recipe.

(ii) In general, it is not considered safe to use essential oils internally at all during pregnancy. So consult your doctor before using any essential oil in pregnancy on children.

(iii) Every individual has unique likes and dislikes when it comes to fragrances of essential oils. For this reason, I implore you to use your nose attentively. Before mixing any two or more different oils together, test the aroma of each oil on a cotton swab so as to have an idea of what the finished massage oil is going to smell like.

(iv) While mixing essential oils, take it slow. Don’t just pour all the ingredients together and take it as done. Instead, mix them together little by little, slowly. Keep on sensing the blend as it evolves until you get the ideal combination of your choice. Just keep in mind or note how many drops of each oil you added and the sequence in which you added them so that you can redo the recipe in future whenever needed.

(v) Be gentle while mixing essential oils. Strong blending motions, like vigorous shaking or whipping can easily harm the subtle organic structure that provides the essential oils their amazing therapeutic properties.

(vi) Do not expose the blended massage oil to too much light or heat because this can many times alter the chemical composition of the oils or cause them to oxidize and get damaged soon.

(vii) Take care to leave a little space in the top of the storage bottle.

(viii) While handling the essential oils, try to use ceramic or glass tools. Shun plastic and metals are strictly a big No.

How to Make Your Own Skin-Nourishing Massage Oil at Home?

The method of making each of the homemade massage oil is same. Add in the selected essential oils to bottle first, and then top up with the carrier oil of your choice – leaving a little space. Screw on the cap tightly and shake gently until well blended.

Note on a label what the blended massage oil is for, the ingredients used, the date it was made and affix on to the bottle. Most blends made this way can be used for at least 3 – 6 months, if stored in a cool dark place.

Step # 1: Choose A Carrier Oil

To start you need a “carrier-oil”. There are several great options for a base or carrier oil having different properties. You can usually find these oils at a grocery or drug store. Here are the eight best known options with their concise descriptions along with their associated benefits:

(i) Sweet Almond Oil: A great option for many skin types. It is very moisturizing, rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins A and E. Almost odorless, light in color, disperses well on skin and is rich in b-vitamins. It adds a rich nutty aroma to any blend. Those with nut allergies may not be able to tolerate this oil.

(ii) Grapeseed Oil: A rich source of Vitamin E, has a little scent and dries quicker than many other plant oils because of its high concentration of linoleic acid. Grapeseed oil is a good alternative for those who can’t use almond oil and is easy to customize. This essential oil is especially popular with professional massage therapists.

(iii) Jojoba Oil: This oil’s chemical composition is similar to the sebum that is naturally present in human skin, is highly nourishing, absorbs quickly and leaves behind very little residue. It oxidizes slowly, so it has a much longer shelf-life than many other plant oils.  The only downside is that it is more expensive than other oils.

(iv) Cold Pressed Coconut Oil: This oil passes on a sweet tropical note to massage oils. It’s the richest natural source of lauric acid, and is well known to be one of the best natural oils for nurturing / fostering healthy hair and skin.

(v) Avocado Oil: An amazing carrier oil for those who have mature skin, or conditions that need special care. Re-hydrates and nourishes sun dried skin, and is easily absorbed.

(vi) Apricot Kernel Oil: Similar to sweet almond oil chemically, but with a pleasantly light consistency and aroma making it especially suitable for facial massage and treatments.

(vii) Wheat Germ Oil: Well known for its high content of vitamin E, an antioxidant, as well as fatty acids and is

especially helpful for dry or mature skin.

(viii) Hazelnut Oil: It penetrates deep into skin and has great moisturizing capability.

Step # 2: Choose Essential Oils

Now you need to choose essential oils to combine with your carrier oil. Essential oils are immensely concentrated, and are used up to 2-3 drops to a batch of massage oil. As they tend to lose their properties under high temperature or due to too much light exposure, so should be stored in coloured glass bottles, in a dark, cool, dry place. Here are some of the best essential oils that you can use to make massage oil of your choice:

(i) Rosewood oil

(ii) Geranium oil

(iii) Sandalwood oil

(iv) Cinnamon oil

(v) Peppermint oil

(vi) Black pepper oil

(vii) Rose oil

(viii) Jasmine oil

(ix) Ylang ylang oil

Step # 3: Blend Well

Blend your chosen carrier oil and combination of essential oils together.

Here are three preferred homemade natural massage oil recipes for you

(i) Flowery Escape:

(a) 4 ounces of your favorite carrier oil

(b) 15 drops of rosewood oil

(c) 10 drops of geranium oil

(d) 8 drops of jasmine oil

(ii) Spicy Massage Oil:

(a) 4 ounces of carrier oil of your choice

(b) 15 drops of sandalwood oil

(c) 9 drops of cinnamon oil

(d) 6 drops of peppermint oil

(e) 6 drops of peppermint oil

(f) 5 drops of black pepper oil

(iii) Stimulating Massage Oil:

(a) 4 ounces of your chosen oil

(b) 15 drops of rose oil

(c) 10 drops of jasmine oil

(d) 15 drops of ylang ylang oil

Natural Beauty Tips:

(i) You can adjust the quantities in the same proportion to prepare the desired amount of massage oil.

(ii) Keep the homemade essential oils blended massage oil in fridge during hot weather.

(iii) Use the essential oils carefully, and never apply them directly onto skin. Some concentrated oils can cause irritations, and be even toxic. Massage oils containing too much of essential oils can cause skin sensitivity and irritation when exposed to the sun if there is a high concentration of such essential oils in your massage oil, and you go outdoors immediately.