Massage Lubrication: Oil, Lotion or Cream?

There is always a big discussion amongst massage therapists about whether it is better to use massage oil, lotion, cream, talcum or no lubrication at all, (ouch!). However, I've tried pretty much everything on the market and my conclusion is very simple: Try it out and see what works best for you. It all depends on the skin on your own hands, the recipient's skin and the techniques you are using.

Note: Some people have allergies to certain fragrances and other chemical components of lotions and oils. Inquire as to whether a person has sensitivities or allergies to any chemicals or fragrances. Try any new products on a small area first to see if there is any kind of reaction within a 24-hour period. Some essential oils can actually cause burns on the skin if not used properly. These oils must be used in combination with a 'carrier', (an unscented oil or lotion).

No matter what kind of lubrication you use, buy only a small container at first just in case it doesn't work for you. Some people like the feeling of oil because it feels very smooth. Others like lotion better because it isn't as heavy and difficult to get off afterwards and it doesn't seem to clog the pores.

How much Massage Oil to use

Length: 2:39 minutes

Massage Oil - How Much To Use - Www.Free-Massage-Videos.com - For more funny movies, click here

I learned massage with powder and it was good training for me but unfortunately I had some clients who got irritated skin from the friction. So, I switched to oil. Usually beginners use way too much oil, but because I learned with talcum, which is much less of a lubricant than oil, my experience with massage oil was always good. In the last few years I have rarely used oil though, because my clients mainly want to use lotion or I use other techniques that don't require any lubrication.

When you try out different kinds of oil you will find that different oils have a different kind of grip, which will determine how much you will need to use. For a full body massage I would usually estimate about 1-2 ounces of oil as being sufficient.

If you use lotion, make sure that it is a light one with little or no scent, otherwise it will feel very heavy and sticky. Then there will be too much friction and the recipient will probably feel uncomfortable. If you only have a heavy lotion on hand, mix it with a little bit of warm water to dilute it.

Choose the oil to match your body type… My wife used to do a little Ayurvedic massage. This is an ancient system of massage from India that is very luxurious. One of the distinguishing aspects of this kind of massage is that you use a LOT of oil. Warm oil is placed in a glass measuring cup and actually poured along the area of the body that you are going to be working on. It makes a big mess of the linens but it is a very sensual and nurturing massage. Ayurveda teaches that all foods, beverages, spices, etc. have different qualities and affects on a person - much the same as different fragrances and colors do. This also applies to the oil used for massage. For a person who tends to be hot and energetic we would use sunflower oil because it has a cooling effect on the body. For someone who tends to be cold and hold more body fat we used corn oil because of it's heating properties. And for a thin person without a lot of fat who tends to be cold we used sesame oil. Sesame oil can be used for all body types though. It has a wonderfully soothing smell and it feels simply delicious on the skin.

Sometimes it is not possible to use any lubrication because you are traveling, are in the office or waiting for the bus, etc. So, you need some techniques for these kinds of situations. No matter whether you massage through clothes, with a towel or on bare skin, make sure that you don't rub the skin too much. Rubbing can lead to skin irritation and inflammation of hair roots, (folliculitis), and sometimes even to abrasions. It is best to stick to techniques that are more stationary or are so light that there is no chance of strong friction.

back to top of Massage Lubrication

Footnote: Massage Oils that dissolve in water are a great invention. They come either scented or unscented. There is Vanilla-Coconut, Lavender, Peppermint. I prefer unscented, so I bought that. It feels a little bit different than traditional massage oil, but not much. If you get it on your sheets, pillows and clothes, just put them in the wash. Anyway it works great. Click here to see the product. (Opens in a new window).