By Laura Gordon
As promised in my last blog, we are going to take a closer look at oil.
Speaking of oils, mineral oils or any petroleum based products are not included in massage oils because they are carcinogenic so be sure to stay away from them!
Oils are the most commonly used lubricants, and there is almost no end to what is available. The following is a brief description of the 5 most common:
AVOCADO OIL
Rich in essential fatty acids proteins, minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, its high in vitamin content containing Vitamins A, B & D.
Advantages:
- Emollient, unrefined and viscous
- Stores well
- Beneficial to mature and dry skin
- Has anti-inflammation properties
Disadvantages
- Has a strong smell
- Can become sticky
GRAPESEED OIL
A smooth, free flowing, non greasy, fine textured oil high in linoleic acid (E.F.A.) and contains some vitamin E.
Advantages
- It is easily absorbed by the body
- Suitable for all skin types
- Easy coverage
- Inexpensive
Disadvantages:
- It is hot extracted therefore its beneficial properties are lost
- Many people are allergic to it
JOJOBA OIL
Really a liquid wax high in Vitamin E, minerals and protein resembling skin therefore Jojoba oil is ideal for all skin types. It’s stable and not reactive to air. It can be heated without losing nutrients.
Advantages
- Nourishing-beneficial to all skin types
- Highly penetrative with anti-inflammatory properties-excellent for acne, psoriasis, eczema and arthritis
- Helps control the release of sebum, useful for seborrhoeic skin conditions.
- Stable-does not evaporate or react with air
Disadvantages
- Very expensive-use small amounts, mixed with another carrier oil
PEACH KERNEL OIL
Cold pressed from peach kernels, this oil is similar to apricot oil and sweet almonds oil. It is finely textured and rich in vitamins a, B1, B2 & B6. It is especially ideal for facial blends.
Advantages
- Keeps well
- Protects, nourishes and moisturizes the skin
- Useful for dry skins and eczema
- Helps relieve itching, can be useful for psoriasis
- Good for sensitive skin
Disadvantages
- Expensive
SWEET ALMOND OIL
Rich in unsaturated fatty acids and contains high quantities of Vitamins A, B1, B2. B6, D and E. It is excellent for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and, interestingly, sunburn due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Advantages:
- Stores well because of the natural Vit. E
- Nourishes and protects the skin
- Due to cold pressing production of the oil it is relatively pure
Disadvantages:
- It is contraindicated for clients with diabetes and those suffering from nut allergies
- Becomes too sticky for full body massage
- It’s expensive
Remember on some of those thicker oils you can add a lighter oil base and received the benefits of both.
Take a moment and consider the features of each of these oils, and in your comment tell us what two oils and or combinations of oils you would use in your massage work and why. Bonus: Is there an oil not discussed in this article that you know and maybe use? Tell us what it is; its advantages and disadvantages, and why you like using it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Hannigan
I would use Jojoba and Peach kernel oils because they are very good for skin and not very many people are allergic to them.
This information is very valuable. Thinking back as a child my grandmother would smear petroleum jelly on all skin injuries. Not knowing the properties of the product.
I would like to use Jojoba Oil and Peach Kernel Oil in my practice. I have used Jojoba Oil before and I really like it. One of it’s best qualities is it can be heated nicely compared to other oils I have tried. Like the article mentioned, it is very nourishing and good for such things as acne and arthritis which many people suffer from. The one I would like to try, that I have not before, is the Peach Kernel Oil. Its description makes it seem like it would be a very good oil. I like that it offers relief from itching and is also good for sensitive skin, which is a common problem people deal with everyday.
This was a good article and I will definitely keep in mind the pros and cons of these oils when I began purchasing my own.
I would use the peach kernel oil solely because it is good for sensitive skin. And me myself being a very sensitive skinned person I know how tough it is to find something that won’t break your skin out.
The second oil I would choose is jojoba oil because it is excellent for acne. Which also ties in with the sensitive skin issue. I know I personally wouldn’t want to go get a massage and leave with my face and body broke out all because of the poor choice of the oil. Expensive or not the oil is used for your client not the therapist!!!
I would like to try avocado oil, because I have never tried it before, and would love to. I love grape seed oil to use for cooking but have never tried it in a massage. It just sounds really odd to walk into the kitchen and grab something and then use it for a massage. I guess if you can ingest it…it should be okay for your skin!
Grapeseed oil would be my first choice- I already use it in treatments that also incorporate some essential oils. It’s safe for all skin types which is always important, absorbs well, and inexpensive. Azulene oil is another choice that I use in Facial Massages. It’s a great moisturizer and has chamomile that soothes and repairs the skin- it prevents ingrown hairs and serves as a great postcare for waxing treatments. It’s also vitamin E enriched.
i would use all of these because i have never used them before, and because i am willing to try something new. so for certain clients, i would try different oils if they are willing to try something new it.
This was very helpful information. I would love to try them all but my first choice would probably be avocado oil. Although it may be sticky and have a stronger smell than others, I seem to always have avocados 🙂 and i love the fact that it is beneficial to dry skin and has anti-inflammation properties. And it stores well which is also very important. Thank you Laura for sharing your information!
I would like to try the liquid wax because I have never tried it before. I would also like to try the sweet almond oil because I know a few people with psoriasis and I would like to see if this would help them.
I would try to use peach oil because it would probably smell so good. And probably almond oil because it is so good for the skin.
the peach kearnl oil sounds really cool, i’m not sure how i feel about oil on my face but this sounds like something i’d like to try out.
The peqach kearnel oils sounds like something i’d liek to try, im not a huge fan of oils, but if theres one you can use on your face i’d like to try it out.
I would use jojoba oil peach kernel oil because of the benefits to the health of the skin. All the nutrients that both oils have also help keep the skin looking young and can help with aging gracefully.
Wow !!!! I got to try a few of these and I am loving them I really love the peach kernel oil it makes my skin feel so good and smells great to me, too.
I would like to try the peach oil and any of the natural oils but it’s hard to use them because of clients allergies. Oils are good to use but have to be careful cause you don’t want ur client walking away smelling or feeling like an over buttered bag of popcorn. Thanks for these wonderful types of oils to try and hopefully get to use.
I have never heard of peach kernel oil. I would like to splurge a little and try it.
PEACH KERNEL OIL
I would use this oil b/c of the many different people I know that have problems with dry skin especially in the climate we live in.
JOJOBA OIL
I would love to use this b/c so many people are adding it to things we naturally by nowadays so would already be something added in to their daily lives.
The peach kernel oil sounds very interesting and I would definitely like to try it! The peach kernel oil sounds like it would be a good oil to have around for a winter treat for clients who get really dry and sensitive skin during the winter time. The sweet almond oil also sounds interesting. I really like that it helps with inflammation and most of all, sunburns. This oil could also be a good investment for the summer time.
If I were to choose, i’d choose peach kernal. I go with expensive with not many disadvantages.