Oil massages are a wonderful way to relax and relieve aches and pains. Oil is an effective pain reliever and acts as a lubricant. It is also useful for dry skin, cramps, tension, insomnia, body aches, headache and muscle pain. The best oil massage during winters is done by expert hands that are trained in this field.
There are two major types of oils for massage. They are:
1. Essential oils– These are the ones that come from plants and trees. They have a pleasant smell, and they can help promote relaxation and healing.
2. Non-essential oils– These are made from plant or animal sources, like olive oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil.
The main difference between these two is that essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil before being used in massage to avoid skin irritation or contact dermatitis because some essential oils can cause severe reactions when applied directly to the skin without dilution.
Some non-essential oils are:
1. Mineral oil– This is a thick and heavy oil that has the highest viscosity of all the oils. It is not absorbed by the skin, so it is best for dry or cracked skin.
2. Vegetable oil- These are light, thin oils that penetrate the skin easily to hydrate and nourish your body’s cells. They can also be used as a lubricant for sensitive areas such as the genitals or anus.
3. Emulsified oils– These are lighter than vegetable oils but thicker than mineral oils, which makes them perfect for use on a baby’s delicate skin and other sensitive areas where you don’t want any residue left behind after application.
Mineral oils for Massage
One of the most common types of oils that are used in massage is mineral oil. It is a type of non-petroleum, plant-based oil that has many benefits and uses. Mineral oil has been used for years as an ingredient in cosmetics, hair care products and skin lotions where its effects are similar to that of oils such as olive oil.
The two main types of mineral oils are paraffin and non-paraffin.
Paraffin oil is made from a mixture of hydrocarbons, most commonly liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and naphtha. Paraffin oil can be used in all grades for heat transfer, lubrication, and other uses.
Non-paraffin oils are made from synthetic crude or refined waxes that may contain a range of ingredients including but not limited to mineral waxes, natural oils, esters, fatty acids, metal soaps and carboxylic acids. ag
The best mineral oils for massage during winters are almond, apricot kernel, avocado, coconut, olive, grape seed and sunflower.
–Almond: This oil is very light and is used in a variety of cosmetics and body care products such as lotions, creams and lip balms. It also makes an excellent carrier oil for essential oils that have been mixed with it.
–Apricot Kernel: This oil has the highest smoke point of all the mineral oils. It is used in candles to produce a strong fragrance without any additives or waxes added to it.
–Avocado: Avocado oil is one of the most versatile oils on earth due to its high levels of vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant and helps promote healthy skin. The high level of oleic acid also makes this a great option for hair care as well as being useful for skincare treatments like masks or serums because it prevents dryness while moisturizing at the same time.
–Coconut: Coconut oil is one of the best natural moisturizers on earth thanks to its high lauric acid content (the second highest after palm kernel). This allows it to penetrate deep into your skin cells where you can lock moisture in tight so your skin stays hydrated all day long without having to worry about dehydration or dryness issues ever again!
Castor oil: It is an excellent natural moisturizer that contains essential fatty acids and proteins which help repair dry, cracked skin.
Jojoba oil: This is a lightweight oil that penetrates deep into the skin without clogging pores or leaving behind any residue.
Evening primrose oil: This also penetrates deep into the skin to provide moisture and reduce inflammation of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, and more.
Mustard oil:
Mustard oils are a great option for those who have dry skin and must be used in winter
Mustard oils have many benefits like:
• It can help improve circulation.
• It helps lower cholesterol levels.
• It has antibacterial properties which prevent body odour and itchy skin.
• Mustard oils have natural plant antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the body and prevent cell damage.
Some examples of mustard oils that you may want to consider are:
• Black Peppercorn Oil – It has a powerful peppery flavour with a hint of spice from black peppercorn that gives it a pungent taste.
• Caraway Seed Oil – It has a fruity aroma with mild sweet-and-sour notes from caraway seeds that give it an aromatic taste.
Mustard oils are popular for this purpose as they have a high level of vitamin E and antioxidants that help protect the skin against free radicals and other environmental factors that can cause premature aging.
Essential oils & their benefits
Essential oils are concentrated aromatic oils that have been used for thousands of years in many cultures. Essential oils are made by distilling plant material, usually through steam distillation or cold-pressing. These processes extract the essential oil and its properties.
Some common uses of essential oils include:
• For treating infections and relieving pain.
• To improve mood and relieve depression.
• As a home remedy for allergies, sinus problems, headaches, insomnia, anxiety disorders, weight loss and more.
Some extensively used essential oils are:
Olive oil:
Olive oils are great for massages during the winter months because they can help to warm up the body and increase circulation.
Some of the benefits of olive oil massage include:
• It’s good for skin, hair, and nails.
• It helps improve circulation.
• It helps moisturize dry skin.
• It has antioxidant properties that protect against aging.
•They can help improve circulation and reduce inflammation, which will relieve discomfort from cold-related conditions like arthritis, swelling, and stiffness.
•It helps regulate blood pressure levels by reducing high blood pressure (hypertension).
• It has antibacterial properties that can help protect against infection or illness caused by bacteria.
Almond oil:
Almond oil is used for various purposes like cooking, cleaning, and moisturizing. It is also an excellent massage oil that can be used during winter to relieve muscle pain and stiffness.
There are many benefits of almond oil for massage during winter.
It has a higher content of vitamin E and also an abundance of antioxidants which help prevent aging, reduce inflammation, which can reduce pain, swelling, and redness after an injury or burn and fight against free radicals.
It is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain and swelling in muscles and joints. This oil helps in the healing of dry skin and is also a great moisturizer for dry, itchy, cracked heels.
The best way to use almond oil for massage during winters is by massaging it on the affected area or by using it as a base for your body butter or lotion recipe.
Other than these benefits, almond oil has many other uses like:
• It can be used as a makeup remover by wiping off your makeup with it before washing your face.
• It can be used as a sunburn treatment to help reduce pain and inflammation from sunburns.
• It can also be applied on babies’ bottoms to relieve diaper rash symptoms.
Almond oil as a Massage oil:
To use almond oil as a massage oil, you will need to dilute it with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil first. You should not use it straight out of the bottle because its high alcohol content may cause irritation and inflammation in the skin.
Instead, put about two tablespoons of diluted almond oil into a bowl or jar before adding your choice of carrier oils. Massage the mixture onto your skin until it becomes thick enough to leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water and soap.
Frankincense oil – is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that helps to relieve inflammation and speed up the healing process.
Lavender oil – It has a calming effect on the nervous system which can help you sleep better at night.
Bergamot oil – It has a light citrus scent which makes it suitable for diffusing in your home or car while travelling during the winter months.
Cedarwood oil –
It has a woodsy, spicy scent and is said to have antidepressant properties.
Peppermint oil:
It can reduce feelings of depression, increase alertness, and promote relaxation.
Eucalyptus oil:
It has a menthol-like scent that helps fight coughs, sneezes, sinusitis, and headaches.
Rosemary oil:
A rosemary oil massage in winter is a perfect treatment for relieving stress and warming up the body. It also helps to increase blood circulation, alleviate muscle aches, and promote healthy hair growth.
Chamomile oil:
Chamomile oil is a skin balm that can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent in case of rashes AND also to soothe babies who suffer from colic during winters. chamomile works best when massaged on the diaper area, behind the knees, and underarms.
Chamomile seeds are good for soothing infants with itchy skin due to eczema or dry skin conditions caused by winter weather like rash outbreaks and chapped lips.
Tea Tree oil:
Tea tree oil is a tea tree essential oil obtained from the leaves of tea trees. Tea tree oil is a popular essential oil that can be used in many ways. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent which makes it an effective remedy for acne, psoriasis, dandruff, and other skin conditions.
To use tea tree oil as a massage ingredient, you will need to dilute it with carrier oils such as olive or jojoba oil.
For the best results, use three drops of tea tree oil per cup of carrier oil then apply the mixture to your face or body. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Sesame Oil:
Sesame is a culinary oil that is obtained from the sesame seed. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. It can also be used as an essential oil.
You should massage sesame oil on your pregnant belly at least 1-2 times a day.
You can use sesame oil as a leave-on massage, or you can dilute the oil and apply it with cotton wool pads for 2 to 3 minutes before dressing up again.
Sesame is good for babies’ skin and is especially useful in winter when they are exposed to less sunlight, which causes drowsiness and also keeps them warm by making their bodies better able to retain heat.
Avocado Oil:
Avocado oil or basic oil is much better to use for baby body massage because it can help the skin to stay moist and supple so you should not put too much pressure during regular massages which may lead to dryness of the skin.
since avocado oil contains vitamin E, it makes a great moisturizer for your baby’s sensitive skin in winter. avocado oil works as a good lotion/massage product even if the used top
Should I use olive oil or coconut oil for my massage?
Olive oil is a good choice for massage because it is non-greasy and has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe muscles. It also has antioxidants which are beneficial for skin health.
Coconut oil, on the other hand, has healing properties that can improve the elasticity of your skin, and reduce inflammation. The saturated fats in coconut oil can be very effective in improving overall skin health as well as reducing wrinkles and stretch marks by improving collagen production.
You should use olive oil when you want to achieve lightness and flexibility while using coconut oil to achieve a more intense moisturizing effect.
Homemade baby massage oil for winters
Homemade massage oil (pregnant or not) is an effective and safe way to soothe newborns in the cold winter season. The oils can be prepared from mustard seed, almond oil, baby coconut milk, and some essential oils such as chamomile & geranium. Massage with these homemade oils will help newborn babies feel comfortable at home while they are keeping warm inside their bedding covers. These natural herbs have mild nutrients which have anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent skin allergies.