Reclaiming Self-Care

Oil or lotion for massage?

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked which is better. Given that I was a massage therapist for 14 years, it’s truly countless.

But the thing is, there’s not a universal answer to that. My preferences when giving a massage, as a professional, are also likely WAY different than most people’s preferences when offering their partner (or themselves) a 10-minute rub-down.

What I can offer, though, are some key factors to consider to determine your preferences:

— Texture: Do you like the way the product feels in your own hands? If so, continue on. If not, ditch that product and try something else.

— Slip: When you’re rubbing the product into skin (yours or someone else’s), does it glide well? Or do you skid across the skin, unable to move fluidly? (This doesn’t necessarily mean you need more product. It means you need a different product.) Does it allow you to grip well? Or do you slide off the muscle you’re trying to grab hold of? (This doesn’t necessarily mean you need less product. It means you need a different product.)

— Dry time: If you’re using a water-based lotion, it may dry out more quickly than you want it to. Which will mean re-applying multiple times, leading to product buildup, and weird gumming or balling-up of the product when it mixes with sweat and sebum naturally occurring on the skin.

— Absorption: If you’re using an oil, it may linger on the skin longer than you want it to. Which will mean oil stains on sheets, towels, or clothing. (And yes, you can use Dawn dish soap. It doesn’t always get out THAT MUCH oil, though. Trust me on this. I’ve got a dozen sets of oil-stained twin-sized sheets to prove it.)

There’s not really a “better” here. But use these indicators, and you’ll be able to determine your own preferences.

Do you already have a favorite massage product?

And would you like the recipe I used to create my own?