Which one do you like – firm kneading motions, fingers that gently get rid of the cricks in your neck, or the hard pressure of a shiatsu massage? There are actually a lot of ways one can enjoy a massage. And all of these are invariably soothing and relaxing. Also, there are a lot of massage oils to choose from.

You can’t have a great massage without the oil. No, sir. The massage oil helps to smooth the movements of kneading, pushing and so forth that are usually used during a massage. Without it, the massage will feel rough and stressful. Massage oils also serve other purposes, depending on the kind of massage oil you choose. There are some that work as moisturizers and some that relieve you of pain.

Now let’s take a brief look at some of the massage oils you can use:

Apricot kernel oil is one of the popular choices for a carrier oil, that means that you can mix a few drops of essential oil to apricot kernel oil and it can effectively take on the properties of the essential oil. Apricot kernel oil is smooth and fine-textured. It also contains vitamin E that helps fight free radicals. Another oil you can look into is jojoba oil. This is a good skin and facial cleanser since it unclogs the pores and removes excess oil and grime.

For relaxation, you can try chamomile or lavender oil. These oils work well to calm the nerves and promote a good night’s sleep. You can put a few drops of the oils and you can rest easy – sleep will come.

You can also use sandalwood oil. It is great for those who have bronchitis, asthma and urinary tract infections. It can also relive you of sore throat and coughs. Cedar-wood oil is also similar to sandalwood in smell. This one helps get rid of ailments in the kidney and the bladder, as well as the phlegm in your throat.

Massage oils provide you with a pleasant and relaxing experience at the massage table. There are a lot of massage oils to choose from, you can even pick and choose the oils you like and combine these. Now, that’s what we call personalizing relaxation!

Read more on essential massage oil and explore aromatherapy techniques