6 Massage Oils That Will Help You Chill the Eff Out
- Gretchen Frieling, MD, Boston-based dermatopathologist and founder of GFaceMD
- T'ai Hanna, T'ai Hanna is the director of bodywork at Bathhouse, a spa and wellness space in Brooklyn.
Grapeseed oil is also a favorite of Gretchen Frieling, MD, a dermatopathologist and founder of Soyier Skin—she recommends looking for products that contain oils like safflower, pumpkin seed, and meadowfoam, as well. When it comes to what ingredients to avoid, Dr. Frieling recommends picking a massage oil that doesn't include alcohol and fragrance, which may cause irritation or dry out your skin. And Hanna personally steers clear of products with palm oil, parabens, and synthetic ingredients.
It's also helpful to understand the difference between massage oil and body oil, as the two aren't often interchangeable. "Massage and body oils can vary widely, with different scents, consistencies, and ingredients," says Dr. Frieling. The primary purpose of massage oil is to ease sore muscles, relax tension, and decrease friction during massage, while body oil is supposed to nourish the skin, she explains. "A massage oil is typically heavier in consistency, spreads easily, has a higher essential oil concentration, and is less absorbed by the skin," says Dr. Frieling. "A body oil is usually more of a 'dry oil' with more rapid absorption and less of a 'heavy' or 'greasy' consistency."
Shop 6 of the best massage oils, below
This oil has a medium consistency, and it is formulated with a blend of sweet almond, jojoba, macadamia nut, and sunflower seed oils. It also contains nourishing, inflammation-fighting vitamin E.
This body oil also works as a massage oil because it needs a bit of a rub in for skin to absorb it. It contains botanical oils that help promote circulation and are anti-inflammatory in addition to hydrating.
If you need a pick-me-up, look no further than this citrus-y, hypoallergenic oil. Marula oil, avocado oil, and aloe soothe and nourish skin, and turmeric helps with inflammation.
This luxe massage oil contains CBD-rich organic hemp oil to promote relaxation, plus a blend of botanical aphrodisiacs to help you get in the mood (whether solo or partnered).
This is a certified-organic massage oil made with cold-pressed oils, including jojoba and coconut. It’s also fragrance-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and made in the U.S.
Sometimes it’s good to go back to basics. This single-ingredient, organic grapeseed oil is light, odorless, and full of skin-nourishing fatty acids.
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