To oil or not to oil?

Oils have been around for so long that no one really knows when man thought of the idea to incorporate it into his life. It is used to heal wounds, relieve pain, nourish the skin and as an astringent. But one of the more vital roles of oil is its use in the realm of massage. As early as 1000 B.C., scholars and doctors alike have used "oil and rubbing" to ease various pains.

These massage oils come from diverse sources. They can be from plants: seeds, leaves, flowers, bark or even roots. Essential or ethereal oils, the components of plants that give them their distinctive smell, are extracted and bottled to give off different effects.

Some oils are purely for ambience and setting, some have antibacterial or antifungal properties. Several oils have the property to reduce inflammation, like sweet almond oil. Safflower oil is considered a blood cleanser but quickly turns rancid. Olive oil is bit on the heavy side but is reported to relieve muscle stiffness.

A number of oils contain vitamins that nourish the skin. Avocado oil contains vitamin A and E and is good for most skin types. Castor oil is said to draw out toxins and even break up scar tissue! Imagine rubbing your skin back to its flawless perfection!

And then there are oils that prevent pimple formation, such as jojoba oil, by aiding in breaking down sebum in the pores of the skin. Try to find out which type of oil goes along with your skin type and your personal preference. Massage oils can be used alone or in combinations for a more sensual experience.

In a massage, the massage oil helps a great deal in facilitating the glide of the masseuse's hand over the skin. This promotes continuous strokes while using less force. The massage oil should help hydrate the skin and be quickly absorbed. Light oils are usually much preferred than heavy types since they impart a less greasy feel on the skin.

A good blend of massage oils helps to make a nice ambiance and sensual haze during the massage. These conditions, along with some nice lighting and maybe music, make a more relaxing and soothing session.

Furthermore, there are some additives you might want to look for in your oil products. Aloe vera in the mixture will help soothe skin irritations and burns. Cayenne will stimulate better blood circulation and grape seed extracts eliminates bacteria and viruses, avoiding infections.

Just to be on the safe side, check the components of the massage oil for anything that might trigger an allergic reaction from yourself or your client. Peanut oil may cause quite an effect if you are allergic to it. Also, refrain from using oils on broken or ruptured skin, especially if the oil has astringent properties.

When buying your massage oil, look out for cold-pressed or expellier-pressed types. Massage oils that have went through too much heating and processing during the extraction may go rancid very quickly.

They key is to keep the oil refrigerated or in a cool place to delay decomposition. Also, adding Vitamin E to the massage oil every month will prevent spoilage due to oxidation. Warm it before using it, or it will feel really weird once you apply it. Before using your oils, check if it's rancid or not. Rancid massage oils contain a lot of free radicals that will definitely damage your skin.