Massage Oil Ingredients: Why You Should Pay Attention to Product Ingredient

The Science of Skin Absorption: What You Need to Know

The oils, lotion, or crème you may use to perform the mechanical function of the massage—giving you the slip and glide you like with your techniques—is just one aspect of selecting your professional massage products. Understanding how massage products interact with the skin and ultimately your client’s experience and well-being is vital to a successful massage therapy practice.

The skin covers the entire external surface of the body and is the largest respiratory organ of the body. Any substances penetrating the skin will enter the bloodstream, affecting your client’s health.

“I always look for natural ingredients [and] try to avoid things such as parabens, benzoates, hydrocarbons, or petroleum-derived ingredients. The more natural the ingredients, the less likely [there will be] side effects,” says Calum Fraser, Physiotherapist and Director at Advantage Healthcare & Physiotherapy in Brisbane, Australia.

Fraser has a point because harmful compounds like parabens and sulfates, commonly found in many skincare products in the past, have been linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation.

The skin absorbs about 60 to 70% of whatever is applied. Absorption rates vary depending on the type of product used (oil, water, or gel-based). Product absorption is also the fastest in the following areas of the body: the back, abdomen, palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet.

So, it’s no wonder that, as a massage therapist, you should search for products with the purest ingredients possible. What we put on the skin is absorbed into the tissues. This is also why pure, high-quality massage oil makes an excellent carrier base for pure therapeutic essential oils.

Choosing the Right Essential Oils for Your Practice

One effective method for selecting products made with clean ingredients is to read product labels proficiently.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the common chemical ingredients found in many topical massage products. Try to avoid these as much as possible:

• Parabens: Synthetic chemicals that some researchers have claimed disrupt hormones in your body by mimicking estrogen.
• Sulfates: Can be derived from plants or petroleum. Artificial sulfates can cause skin, scalp, eye, and lung irritation and accumulate in the body over time. Sulfates can also harm aquatic animals when washed down the drain.
• Propylene Glycol: A petroleum-derived solvent often used in skincare products.
• Synthetic Fragrances and Dyes: These can cause allergic reactions and contain harmful chemicals. Many synthetic fragrances are petroleum-derived and are more likely to cause sensitivity or reactions.

A great alternative is massage products scented with botanical ingredients such as pure essential oils. Essential oils not only deliver a pleasant, natural scent, but they also deliver therapeutic benefits.

A high-quality formulator usually provides full ingredient disclosure and also lists the Latin botanical name of the essential oil next to the common name. This often indicates that the formulator is more discerning about the botanical species and its therapeutic properties.

Enhance Client Satisfaction Through Essential Oil Selection

• Always look for companies using high-quality, unadulterated essential oils in their products.
• Be aware that even natural botanical ingredients can cause irritation, so be sure you are using proper dilution or purchase from a company that provides pre-blended massage oils. Because essential oils are concentrated extracts, they must always be diluted with a carrier oil such as safflower, sunflower, jojoba, or coconut, along with other pure, plant-based oils. The carrier oil helps transport therapeutic essential oils across the skin into the dermal layers and into the capillaries to deliver therapeutic benefits based on the chemistry of that particular essential oil.
• You can enhance the benefits of your client’s massage by incorporating essential oil concentrate blends that focus on wellness benefits. These blends often have a “synergy” effect with the combination of essential oils.

Top Massage Oil Ingredients and Their Benefits

Here’s a list of commonly used massage oils and their therapeutic benefits:

• Sweet Almond Oil: A lightweight oil that moisturizes and soothes sensitive skin.
• Jojoba Oil: Closely resembles the skin’s natural body oil, making it an excellent carrier oil.
• Avocado Oil: Rich in vitamins A, D, and E, it’s ideal for dry or aging skin.
• Grape Seed Oil: A non-greasy oil that’s easily absorbed and great for all skin types.
• Fractionated Coconut Oil: A stable oil with a long shelf life, ideal for mixing with essential oils.
• Olive Oil: Provides deep moisturizing benefits, especially for dry or sensitive skin.
• Sunflower Oil: Rich in vitamin E, it helps regenerate skin cells and is non-greasy.
• Argan Oil: Packed with antioxidants, it’s known for its anti-aging properties.
• Castor Oil: Known for its deep moisturizing abilities, it is great for dry skin.
• Sesame Oil: A warming oil that helps with relaxation and stress relief.
• Apricot Oil: Lightweight and rich in vitamins, perfect for sensitive skin.
• Lavender Essential Oil: Known for its soothing and calming properties, it is often used to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
• Organic Soybean Oil: Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, it helps protect the skin from free radicals and provides deep hydration.
• Green Tea Extracts: Contain powerful antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy complexion.

How to Ensure Quality in Your Massage Products

Another effective method for selecting products made with clean ingredients is to work with companies that adhere to good manufacturing practices.

Companies that adhere to good cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards manufacture reliable and safe products.

Some companies go further by sourcing organic, fair, or ethically traded ingredients and seeking organic and cruelty-free certification to display their commitment to quality, eco-stewardship, and safety.

Remember that companies choosing to adhere to good manufacturing practices and seek certification will likely have a higher price point reflected in their products. However, as Fraser says, “Spending a little bit more for a quality product is generally the best way to go.”

Boosting Client Satisfaction Through Product Transparency

Opting for products with organic ingredients, for example, can help reduce the use of harmful fertilizers, herbicides, and synthetic pesticides, thereby contributing to a healthier planet.

“I definitely choose organic as much as I can with [when it comes to] massage oils. I just find they [organic products] are cleaner. They do give a better [massage] experience. So yeah, that’s definitely the way to go over synthetic [compounds],” says Fraser.

At Earthlite, our Chief Alchemist Tara Grodjesk has formulated professional massage products and essential oil blends with organic and natural ingredients. Her 30 years as a massage therapist, aromatherapist, and Ayurvedic practitioner has made a significant difference in the products she has created for our company that we offer to massage and spa professionals worldwide.

Earthlite also believes in being good stewards of the environment, and we have infused this belief into our company philosophy. We strive for zero-carbon offset and use responsibly sourced hardwood and water-based, non-flammable lacquers and glues in our products.

Our facility is striving to be eco-friendly, using lower-voltage lighting and minimal heating and cooling to reduce our carbon footprint.

Enhancing Service Quality with Pure Massage Ingredients

Transparency is a big factor in providing an excellent client experience. But transparency not only helps build trust and goodwill between you and your clients, but it also helps increase business. A good marketing and social media campaign can complement transparency efforts, tell your story, the why, and talk about the products you use.

Encourage clients to leave positive reviews after each session and ask for feedback so you learn what is important to your client and how you can improve.

Do they care about the products you use, and do they like them? Read more tips on investing in quality massage products with our blog.

Every positive online review can improve your company’s search engine ranking and make it more visible to potential customers, giving you an edge over your competitors.

Conclusion: Why Pure Ingredients Matter in Massage Therapy

In this article, we’ve highlighted how the choice of massage therapy products directly influences your clients’ skin health and overall well-being. Opting for pure and ethical ingredients, such as grapeseed oil or crafting your own DIY massage oil, not only benefits the planet but also strengthens your business practices.

As a massage therapist, your ability to intuitively select the right essential oil for each client is akin to a doctor diagnosing and treating symptoms. This expertise comes from understanding the unique properties of each oil, allowing you to tailor your treatments with precision. Moreover, knowing the benefits and potential risks of each oil not only showcases your professionalism but also protects you from potential issues, ensuring a safe and satisfying experience for every client.

Using essential oils can elevate the massage experience to an entirely new level, offering personalized and therapeutic benefits to your clients. With the right knowledge, you can avoid potential pitfalls like allergic reactions or other unexpected issues. Protect your massage therapy practice with comprehensive coverage. Massage Magazine Insurance Plus offers tailored insurance options, including Essential Oils Therapy Liability Insurance, to keep your practice safe as you provide exceptional care. Safeguard your peace of mind while delivering the best to your clients. Contact Massage Magazine Insurance Plus today.

Meet the Author:

EarthLite

Since 1987, Earthlite has been the pre-eminent sustainable manufacturer of massage, spa, health, and wellness equipment. Headquartered in Vista, CA, they provide their products to a large array of medical, wellness, and spa facilities and practitioners. They strive daily to serve their customers in a positive, friendly, and refreshing manner, continually searching for ways to make their products better, at the lowest possible price, while maintaining their environmental policies.

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Interview with Calum Fraser. Director at Wilston Physiotherapy & Massage, Advantage Healthcare. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia LinkedIn Profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calum-fraser-17a5ab37/]