Massage oil can be made simply and cheaply. Learn how to use special blends for different skin types and condition.

How to Make Your Own Therapeutic Massage Oils

There are many good Base Oils and Blended Massage Oils on the market these days. However they may not be ideal for individual skin types and conditions, which require special blends of Oils. Tailor made Massage Oils are more like prescriptions than just simple lubricants.

Massage products are derived from either mineral oils (like Vaseline or paraffin) or Vegetable Oils.

For a long time people have used natural Oils and Fats for skin, health care and massage. These cannot be replaced by the synthetic 'Oils' extracted from petroleum (Vaseline and Paraffin). The following comparison illustrates why:

Mineral Oils (Vaseline & Paraffin)

Cannot be absorbed by healthy skin. Create a thin film on the surface of the skin, blocking the pores and preventing the skin from functioning normally. Do not contain any Vitamins and disturb or even stop the skin from being able to absorb fat-soluble Vitamins. Are detrimental to the skin with long-term use. Mineral Oils appear to moisturise the skin but in reality they suppress its normal, healthy functioning. The skin then becomes 'dependent' on constant applications of Mineral Oil which, in turn, result in a deterioration of the skin's character and ability to keep itself healthy. Do not contain any Fatty Acids. Do not go rancid.

Vegetable Fats & Oils

Are readily absorbed by the skin. Are used to nourish (give energy to) the skin and body. Needed to create new cells and for other important processes in the body. Most Vegetable Oils contain Vitamins, which are necessary and good for the skin (such as provitamin A, D, and E). They can stimulate the skin to function better and create better circulation. They soften the skin and make it pliable, helping it to retain its own moisture more effectively. Contain the Essential Fatty Acids. Go rancid after a time. So it is clear from this that Natural Vegetable Oils can actually help the skin to function better. Often they will even help to resolve some of the simpler skin problems, e.g. irritation of the skin caused by Soaps, Cosmetics, clothes or deficiencies in Fats or Vitamins in the skin. Vegetable Oils and Fats consist of Glycerine, Fatty Acids, fat-soluble Vitamins (where applicable) and other fat-soluble ingredients.

The Fatty Acids can also be subdivided into 3 categories:

1)         Saturated Fatty Acids

These are solid at room temperature (e.g. Stearic acid) and become a thick liquid inside our bodies. These fatty acids are the ones which are supposed to be responsible for vascular and heart disease when consumed in large quantities. They are absorbed slowly by the skin and are added to give Massage and Skin Oils more lubrication. In Face Oils they make the skin's own oils even oilier. With oily skin the presence of these Fatty Acids will mean that the pores become more easily blocked which will cause them to enlarge. These Fatty Acids keep well and do not go rancid so quickly. Saturated Fatty Acids are found primarily in Animal Fats such as Lard and Tallow but they are also found in Coconut Butter, Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter.

2)         Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (Omega 9)

These are liquid at room temperature. The most common Monounsaturated Fatty Acids are those Oleic Acids found in most Oils. Oleic Acids keep well.

3)         Duo (Omega 6) and Polyunsaturated (Omega 3)
            Fatty Acids

Amongst these we find Linoleic (Duo-) and Linolenic Acid (Poly); Linolenic Acid is the one most disposed to becoming rancid. They are thin liquids which are quickly absorbed by the skin. They are 'drier' than the other Fatty Acids. Because they have a tendency to go rancid easily they often need added Vitamin E (as an anti-oxidant). Duo- and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids combine with the fats and oils in the skin to make them thinner and help in reducing the size of pores. Therefore they are very important to use for oily skin and skin with large pores. They act like Vitamins for the skin. The most important Fatty Acids are the Essential ones, which in some countries are known as Vitamin F.

Tips for mixing Skin and Massage Oils

1. Mixing the different Vegetable Oils can create a Blend of Oils which is better suited to the particular purpose for which it is intended than the simple use of one or other Oil. Get to know the different Oils and their characteristics. Test them on your own skin to learn how they feel and how quickly they are absorbed by the skin.
2. Then try making your own Blends, test them in the crook of your arm first to test for any possible allergic reaction and then use on those body parts you have made them for.
3. Store your Vegetable Oils in the fridge but never in the door as they get shaken and that creates oxidation of the product.
4. Make up small quantities of Blends so they don't have to stand for too long  before being used.
5. Store these at room temperature.

Always add a little Vitamin E (0.5%) to blends of Oils which contain a lot of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (Omega 3).

Recipes for Massage Oils

Dry Skin Massage Oil

(Makes 100ml)

• 10g Coconut Butter
• 30ml Olive Oil
• 20ml Sweet Almond Oil
• 15ml Jojoba Oil
• 17ml Apricot Kernel Oil
• 5ml Thistle Oil
• 2ml Vitamin E Oil (100%)
• 1ml Essential Oils as required

Sensitive Skin Oil

(Makes 100ml

• 15g Shea Butter (Organic)
• 40ml Apricot Kernel Oil (Organic)
• 25ml Jojoba Oil (Organic)
• 13ml Thistle Oil (Organic)
• 5ml Vitamin E Oil
• 1ml/g Vitamin A Palmitate
• 1ml Essential Oils

Method:

1. Melt the Coconut Butter or Shea Butter in a bain-marie and then add the Vegetable Oils.
2. Finally add the Vitamin E Oil and the Essential Oils.

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