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How to make your own massage oil

Skin Care
 Photo:Courtesy

Who doesn’t like a massage? Massage can reduce stress, relieve pain, heal injuries, prevent and cure illnesses. For beauty; massage decreases lymphatic build-up which helps prevent cellulite. Massage also increases blood flow which leads to improved skin tone and texture.

There are many different types of massage oil in the market. They are available at beauty supply shops, pharmacies, and health shops. I prefer natural oils free from additives and synthetic ingredients. Making your own oil is so easy and you can customise it to your needs:

1. Sensual massage oil

Start with a base or carrier oil such as almond, sweet almond oil, jojoba, olive, or grapeseed oil. Add 2 - 4 different essential oils with aphrodisiac or invigorating qualities. Black pepper oil is a warming oil that “heats up” the skin and arouses the senses.

Cardamom eases tension while invigorating the mind and body. Cinnamon acts as a stimulant. Jasmine warms the body, stimulates the senses, and promotes deep-lasting affections. Sandalwood adapts to an individual’s aroma bringing out the best in you.

Ylang Ylang is calming, cooling and euphoric. It helps in soothing anxiety and promotes relaxation. You may also use ginger, orange, or patchouli oils. Mix one cup of base oil with 10 drops each of four essential oils. For the warming oils such as black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon, use only a few drops. Mix well and apply on clean dry skin.

2. Calming bedtime blend

The best essential oils to enhance sleep are lavender, valerian, mandarin, and rose, which are all soothing. Mix with a light carrier oil such as grapeseed or olive oil and use it to massage the back, neck and head. You could use just one essential oil or all four of them.

3. Pain relief blend

Chamomile relieves pain and inflammation and aids in healing wounds. Lemon promotes skin regeneration, while neroli has anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender helps to reduce muscle tension, while juniper helps with muscle spasms, joint and muscle pains and strengthens the nerves.

Eucalyptus oil helps with sprains and muscular aches and pains. Rosemary and peppermint oil are useful for headaches and migraines.

Wintergreen essential oil is a naturally cooling pain reliever, while Camphor oil increases blood flow to the area that it’s applied. Mix a quarter cup of base oil with 20 drops of at least any four pain relieving essential oils. Use only 10 drops for oils such as camphor and lemon, and only five drops for eucalyptus. Massage into the needed areas.

Store your oils in an airtight dark bottle and leave a little space at the top to allow the oils to breathe. When mixing the oils, take it slow and use your nose diligently. Start with a little at a time as some of these ingredients can be expensive, however, a little goes a long way.

Always perform a skin test on a small area to check for allergies. Wait at least 20 minutes as some allergic reactions can be delayed. Some essential oils are not suitable for pregnant women and young children. Some essential oils also increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV damage, therefore try to avoid the sun after a massage.

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