If, like many of us, you suffer from stress and hold that tension in your body, a massage is a great way to loosen clenched muscles, aid relaxation and soothe your mind. For couples or anyone keen to try massage, oils not only make them more comfortable and pleasurable, but they also smell great which turns the experience into a treat for the senses. Some oils come with added benefits for your skin, too, which can be beneficial for sensitive skin, stretch marks, and cellulite.
From Elemis and Weleda to Clarins and Burt's Bees, there are some gorgeous massage oils available. Whether you want to unwind, ease knee, back or arthritis pain, or you're pregnant or have a new baby, there's an oil for your needs. Check out our informative buying guide then feast your eyes on our selection, ranked according to quality, value and function. Take a deep breath, let it go... And read on!
To choose a massage oil that really enhances your relaxation experience, keep this simple pointers in mind while you shop online. We've thought about all the factors that influence how each smells and feels, plus any additional benefits. We're pretty sure our tips will make your decision far easier!
Think about what you want to give or get from your massage: are you hoping to completely unwind, wake up the muscles, or potentially reduce stretch marks? Each oil tends to be designed with a particular treatment in mind, which will be denoted by the consistency, the fragrances and the ingredients.
If you're going to be massaging a new mum (or you are one, and you've found a willing masseur or masseuse!), try an oil especially created with motherhood in mind. This could be one aimed at hydrating and softening stretch marks, such as those with added almond oil or vitamin E, which are known skin healers that are perfect for growing bumps.
Hoping cellulite will vanish? We think it looks fine! But if you're worried, massage oils containing jojoba, grapeseed and eucalyptus can help soothe this common condition.
If you have a physical need you'd like to work on in your massage, such as an injured muscle area or painful joints from arthritis, there are various plant-based ingredients that can help. Strained your hamstring? Try a massage oil with arnica which is believed to soothe sprains and muscle aches or one containing stimulating mint, or eucalyptus, fennel or cyprus leaf oils.
You also may want to look for oils with a lighter consistency, which will allow you to focus more easily on specific knots or areas without slipping.
If you're simply looking to massage as a way to pamper and unwind, or, on the opposite end of the scale, to invigorate, there are several additions that can do wonders for both the body and the mind.
For instance, zingy, bright and fresh fragrances such as lemon, lemongrass, mandarin and geranium will lift the spirits, pairing brilliantly with a vigorous, awakening massage.
In contrast, for an exquisitely slow, calming experience, scents such as neroli, lavender and chamomile are among the most renowned fragrances that will ease tension, reduce stress, and help you drift off to sleep – ideal for high-pressured moments in life from parenthood to stress at work.
One of the key considerations when picking a massage oil is of course its scent, and the essential oils used as a base will strongly influence the massage experience itself. However, some oils designed to be as pampering as possible may include a long list of ingredients, including chemical additions, perfumes or fragrances.
If you or your massage recipient does have sensitive skin or allergies, or you're not too fond of heavily-perfumed products, it may be worth looking for a purely natural formulation. Some massage oils can be made up of anywhere from one to a dozen plant-based oils, without any potential irritants.
Alright, so now you've got a good idea of the different types of massage oil available. But what about our choice of the top ten? Well, the anticipation is over! We now proudly present our countdown of the best around, based on quality, consistency, scent and effects.
£32.00
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Relaxation and harmony |
Beneficial Ingredients | Rosewood, rosemary, lavender, chamomile |
Natural Ingredients Only | No |
£7.49
Volume | 115 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Dry skin, new mothers |
Beneficial Ingredients | Sweet almond and lemon oil, vitamin E |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£36.43
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Revival, muscles, invigoration |
Beneficial Ingredients | Coconut, jojoba, eucalyptus, citrus, mint |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£18.69
Volume | 236 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Cellulite, toning, firming |
Beneficial Ingredients | Grapefruit, grapeseed, eucalyptus, lemon |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£19.00
Volume | 170 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Stimulation, invigoration, muscles |
Beneficial Ingredients | Lemongrass, almond oil, eucalyptus |
Natural Ingredients Only | No |
£34.00
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Relieving pain, muscles, blemishes |
Beneficial Ingredients | Sweet fennel, cyprus, mint |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£5.49
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Hydration, base oil |
Beneficial Ingredients | Almond oil |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£32.00
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Relaxation |
Beneficial Ingredients | Petit grain, orange, geranium, hazelnut, chamomile |
Natural Ingredients Only | No |
£14.95
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Muscles, inflammation, joints |
Beneficial Ingredients | Arnica |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
£19.50
Volume | 100 ml |
---|---|
Best For | Relaxation, pregnancy |
Beneficial Ingredients | Neroli, mandarin, vitamin E, sweet almond |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes |
Image | 1 ![]() Neal's Yard | 2 ![]() Weleda | 3 ![]() Clarins | 4 ![]() Naissance | 5 ![]() Anatomē | 6 ![]() The Body Shop | 7 ![]() Cosmeceutical | 8 ![]() Aromatherapy Associates | 9 ![]() Burt's Bees | 10 ![]() Elemis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Organic Mothers Massage Oil | Muscle Massage Oil | Relax Body Treatment Oil | Sweet Almond Oil | Muscle Ease Body Oil | Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil | Majestic Pure Natural Cellulite Massage Oil | Revive Massage & Body Oil | Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil | De-Stress Massage Oil |
Features | A Delectably Scented Oil with Heavenly Skin Benefits | Soothe Aching Muscles with Arnica | Relax and Indulge While Softening Skin | An All-Over Treatment for Thirsty Skin | Ease Tight, Stiff Muscles and Soothe Tired Skin | Awaken Your Senses with a Citrus-Scented Massage | Massage Into Skin to Ease the Appearance of Cellulite | Look Alive With This Reviving Blend of Oils | A Light Oil which Nourishes and Hydrates | A Harmonising Massage Oil to Relax the Mind |
Price | £19.50 | £14.95 | £32.00 | £5.49 | £34.00 | £19.00 | £18.69 | £36.43 | £7.49 | £32.00 |
Volume | 100 ml | 100 ml | 100 ml | 100 ml | 100 ml | 170 ml | 236 ml | 100 ml | 115 ml | 100 ml |
Best For | Relaxation, pregnancy | Muscles, inflammation, joints | Relaxation | Hydration, base oil | Relieving pain, muscles, blemishes | Stimulation, invigoration, muscles | Cellulite, toning, firming | Revival, muscles, invigoration | Dry skin, new mothers | Relaxation and harmony |
Beneficial Ingredients | Neroli, mandarin, vitamin E, sweet almond | Arnica | Petit grain, orange, geranium, hazelnut, chamomile | Almond oil | Sweet fennel, cyprus, mint | Lemongrass, almond oil, eucalyptus | Grapefruit, grapeseed, eucalyptus, lemon | Coconut, jojoba, eucalyptus, citrus, mint | Sweet almond and lemon oil, vitamin E | Rosewood, rosemary, lavender, chamomile |
Natural Ingredients Only | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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If you're planning ways to show yourself some more TLC, we have a few suggestions for other products you can order online which will help you loosen up, lie back and find your zen. Check out these links to self-care superstars which will turn a quiet evening in from boring to blissful.
And... relax! That brings us to the end of our guide to the best massage oils you'll find online this year. We're hoping you've now got a better idea of the kind of products available on eCommerce sites this year, and a clearer picture of the massage oil that will meet your needs. Treat yourself!
Author: Annie Hopkins
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