Spas always use wonderful smelling aromatic massage oils for relaxing body treatments. A rich assortment of cosmetics for relaxation makes massage at home affordable. Cosmetic massage products can be bought at pharmacies or prepared by yourself.
How to properly perform a relaxing massage?
Massage is one of the methods of restoring psychological balance and physical activity used in natural medicine. The massage technique is not difficult to master. Legs and hands can be massaged on their own, and a loved one can treat the back. The procedure soothes, promotes muscle relaxation and restores vitality. To ensure a good glide of the hands, the skin should be lubricated with massage oil or other cosmetic product intended for this purpose.
Using essential oils will help your hands move faster over the skin. They also smell good, which makes them much more relaxing. Massage cosmetics also produce a caring effect. procedure with hershould be performed, gently stroking, all movements are always carried out in the direction of the heart.
Benefits of massage cosmetics
Benefits of body massage cosmetics:
- Massage relaxes and restores peace of mind. Body massage essential oil is the perfect product for moments of heightened stress - its gentle aroma will soothe nerves and help you fall asleep.
- Essential oils give the skin smoothness, improve its elasticity. Pleasant to use, as they have a wonderful aroma. After using them, the skin becomes shiny and almost velvety to the touch. They protect the skin from harmful external factors and restore the balance of the lipid layer.
- Massage relieves muscle pain and oxygenates the body. Improves the immune system, increases vitality.
Perfect for massage
To understand which massage oil is best, you need to choose it according to your own preferences, referring to the condition of your skin. The product should contain as many natural extracts and components as possible. Thanks to this, you get confidence that substances that adversely affect the state of the body and do not lead to skin irritation will not penetrate into the epidermis. Body massage oil is prepared on the basis of pure products, such as argan, almond, coconut oils. They are used alone, or they can be a base that combines with essential oils.
Popular argan oil is called the gold of Morocco. There it is extracted from the fruits of argan. It is valued due to the content of a complex of nutrients that have a great effect on the skin and the entire human body. In combination with natural plant extracts, it creates a unique body cream that is easily absorbed into the skin, promotes its regeneration and protects against premature aging. Restores its he althy and well-groomed look. This is a great solution if you need a massage while pampering your body.
Base cosmetic oils
Base oils are odorless mixtures of fatty acid esters of vegetable origin and obtained by pressing, primarily from oilseeds. They are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, phospholipids, phytosterols.
To answer the question: "Which oil is suitable for massage?" - consider the more popular ones:
- Almond oil is easily absorbed, but remains on the skin for a long time, so it is good to massage with it. Generally non-irritating to the skin, provided the person is not allergic to nuts.
- Apricot kernel oil is more expensive than almond oil. It has similar properties: it is quite easily absorbed and does not leave a greasy film on the skin. Rich in vitamin E, has a rejuvenating effect. Can be used for people with nut allergies.
- Jojoba oil - used in cosmetics, has antibacterial properties, so it is recommended for people prone to back acne. Very fastabsorbs, so some experts recommend combining it with other base oils. This product has a long shelf life, so it is a good choice for people who use it infrequently.
- Avocado oil is a powerful moisturizer, suitable for very dry and aging skin.
- Grape seed oil - easily absorbed, good for oily skin.
- Olive - Rarely used in aromatherapy due to its characteristic aroma.
- Peach kernel oil - easily absorbed, contains vitamins A and E. Good for facial massage.
- Soya - easily absorbed into the skin, rich in vitamin E.
- Sunflower is a light oil that does not leave a greasy film on the skin. It is worth buying in small quantities, as it spoils rather quickly. You can slightly extend its shelf life by adding the contents of two vitamin E capsules to it.
- Wheatgerm Oil - Contains vitamins A, B, C and E. Its too intense smell is not suitable for aromatherapy, but it is effective for regular massage.
Natural refined oils are the main ingredient in high quality skincare products. They have soothing properties, increase elasticity, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin. They are an excellent base for essential essences.
Essential oils
In order to prepare a professional massage product, you need to add essential oil for massage frompharmacies in the base. Aromatic oils are divided into three notes: top, middle and bottom. Each one has different properties.
Top note - these are fragrances with a strong stimulating effect, their smell lasts for 3-24 hours. Examples of top notes are essential oils:
- bergamot;
- basilica;
- sage;
- eucalyptus;
- coriander;
- lemongrass;
- peppermint;
- orange.
Central note - less intense fragrances, with a calming effect. Remain 2-3 days. This, for example, essential oil of chamomile, lavender, rosemary, fennel.
The bottom note are the heaviest oils (last up to a week). These include ginger, rose, cedarwood, sandalwood.
How to choose massage cosmetics?
Which massage oil is best? When choosing massage cosmetics, take into account what kind of skin you have and what goal you want to achieve, for example, eliminate cellulite or improve skin tone.
- Fat/Problem. Experts recommend jojoba oil or tamanu. These are excellent oils for massaging the back, prone to acne. They have antibacterial, antifungal, antirheumatic effects.
- Sunburn, peeling. The famous argan oil will do. Eliminates the problem of dry, rough skin. Lubricate them also with elbows and knees so that they become soft and velvety. The substances contained in the product repair the skin, strengthen cells and protect the skin before and after sunburn.
- Scars, stretch marks, imperfections. Shouldapply wheat germ oil. It contains vitamins A, B, C and E, tones the skin and improves the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
- Mature/dry skin. Avocado oil or peach kernel oil is suitable here. They contain vitamin A and youth vitamin E. Good for massaging the skin of the body and face, they lubricate and moisturize dry skin.
- Headaches. Try a massage with lavender, peppermint or geranium essential oils.
- Stress. For mobile and stressed, it is recommended to use rose oil or lemon balm.
- Cold. With a runny nose and cough, a light massage using eucalyptus, tea and lemon oils will help.
Keep in mind that it's best to buy your massage oil from a pharmacy or an online organic food store. So you can be sure that you are buying a quality original product.
Home massage cosmetics
If commercially available cosmetics don't meet your expectations, make your own at home. To do this, just take a bottle, for example, with a volume of 50 ml, pour one of the previously listed base oils into it so that it fills the container halfway, and then add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil. You can create your own scent composition with several oils. Close the bottle and shake so that all the substances in it are thoroughly combined. Such a product should not be stored for a long time, so it is better to prepare a serving for only one massage.
How to massage babies?
For babies, natural cold-pressed oils and unrefined vegetable oils are used. Only such products are rich in fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic), vitamins, phytosterols and phospholipids. These substances nourish the skin, provide it with proper hydration, have an anti-inflammatory effect, have protective and regenerative functions, and have a beneficial effect on its natural microflora.
You can add calendula, aloe or lavender extract to them. These herbs have a soothing, regenerating, bactericidal and protective effect. Extracts of these plants are often found in well-known cosmetic products for children and babies, such as Johnson Baby massage oil.
Best products for massaging babies and young children:
- sweet almond oil;
- apricot kernels;
- sesame;
- olive;
- rice;
- coconut.
They all nourish and moisturize the skin, soothe irritation. Can be used from the first days of a child's life.
Massage oil: reviews of cosmetologists
Beauticians recommend using natural vegetable oils for skin care. They believe that such products are an excellent replacement for the usual nourishing face and body cream.