Massage Oils

Shop Massage Oils at The Body Shop

Massage oil really only has one job: give your hands enough glide to work across skin properly, without dragging or catching halfway through. A handful of ours come from the Spa of the World™ range, made with that in mind but never at the expense of how it actually feels on skin. There's vitamin E in most of them too, so you're not just getting slip, you're getting a proper skincare benefit while you're at it. Use it solo after a long day, or share it with someone else, either way it's doing more than just helping your hands move.

 

What are the benefits of using an oil for massage?

Technique is the obvious one: oil lets hands glide across skin instead of tugging at it, which makes the whole thing far more comfortable for whoever's lying there. But the oil's doing its own work too, most people notice skin feels softer once it's absorbed, not just slippery in the moment. Then there's the ritual itself, taking the time to massage properly tends to ease tension in a way that rushing through it never quite manages. And because oil sits on skin longer than a lotion would, some of that benefit is still there well after you've finished.

 

How much massage oil should I use for a full-body massage?

For a full body, most people get through one to two tablespoons, though that shifts depending on body size and how much glide you like. Start smaller than feels necessary, around a teaspoon, and warm it in your palms before it touches skin. You can always add more halfway through, but starting light means you won't end up with an oily mess if you overdo it. Smaller areas, hands or feet especially, need next to nothing by comparison.

 

Can I use massage oil as an everyday moisturiser too?

You can, though massage oils are built for glide first, so they can feel heavier than a proper body moisturiser if you're using them everywhere every day. What a lot of people do instead is keep the bottle for dry patches, elbows and shins especially, between massages rather than as a daily step. If daily hydration's really what you're after, a dedicated body oil is probably the better fit for that job. Either way, you're getting the same ethically sourced ingredients, just formulated to do a slightly different job.

 

Is massage oil suitable for an at-home couples massage?

It works just as well at home as anywhere else, you mostly just need a bit of space and some patience while you both find your rhythm. Pick a scent you're both into, and test a small amount on skin first in case either of you reacts to anything in it. Keep a towel within reach, oil has a habit of finding its way onto sheets, and take a moment to warm it in your hands rather than applying it cold. Slower beats rushed every time, so don't try to cover the whole body in five minutes.

 

Do I need to wash off massage oil afterwards?

No, and there's a decent argument for leaving it, since the oil keeps working on your skin as it absorbs over the next hour or so. If it feels like too much, blot away the excess with a towel rather than washing it off with soap straight away. Some people apply it before bed for exactly that reason, so it's had all night to sink in by the time they wake up. A body scrub every few days stops any build-up and keeps skin ready to take in whatever you apply next.

 

Explore The Body Shop's Massage Oils Today

Whether it's an actual massage or just an excuse to slow down for ten minutes, these oils are built to handle the practical side and the skin benefits at the same time. We source ingredients ethically and skip animal testing altogether, not as an add-on, just how we've always done things. Have a browse through the range and work out which one earns a place in your body care routine.