A good massage is totally relaxing and unwinding, a good reason why us humans have been using it to soothe and heal for thousands of years.
I love to give and receive massages as I find both practices relaxing and unwinding, so creating an all natural, chemical free oil to accompany my massage was up there on my to-do list.
A good massage really only requires two things, a massage oil and a good set of hands.
My DIY massage oil is super simple and easy to make, will save you money over buying branded massage oils and you have the ability to create a variety of customised oils to suit different moods.
There are a heap of benefits of massage including improved blood flow, lymphatic drainage, relaxation, stress relief and so much more. A massage oil will help the hands to slide easily over the body, making the massage easier on the person giving it.
Your massage oil will also help to moisturise, soothe and hydrate the skin. Depending on which essential oils you choose from, they can add a heap of additional benefits, but generally they will calm the mind and body. My DIY massage oil can be customised to your skin needs as you can choose your favourite ingredients.
I will be going through everything you will want to know before making your own homemade body massage oil. Whether you are making a homemade massage oil for weight loss, a homemade massage oil for sore muscles or you are simply searching for homemade massage oil recipes, this guide is here to help.
This homemade body massage oil recipe is a sweet smelling blend that will help you relax and unwind at the end of the day, just like a good massage should.
Below, I give you this exact essential oil massage oil recipe, why each of the ingredients are beneficial (and alternatives you can use instead), why making massage oil is a great idea and exactly how to use your new DIY massage oil.
What Is A DIY Massage Oil With Essential Oils?
This DIY massage oil with essential oils is simply a mix of carrier oils , essential oils and an antioxidant like vitamin E oil. They can be used in place of branded massage oils and are simple and easy to make, taking only a few minutes.
A massage oil is an oil that you can use to massage anywhere on the body. They are designed to soak into the skin and don’t leave a greasy feel to the skin.
Massage oils are a great way to make giving a massage easier as they help the hands to glide effortlessly over the body. The oils themselves also have plenty of benefits for the skin, mind and body, from reducing inflammation to relaxing and aiding insomnia.
To make your own massage oil keep reading!
This recipe works as a foot massage oil recipe, a homemade face massage oil and more so give it a go!
PinWhy Make A Homemade Massage Oil Recipe?
There are plenty of benefits to making your own homemade massage oil and here are some of mine.
Cheaper Than Branded
When you purchase branded massage oils, they can vary from inexpensive to super luxurious mineral oil or plant oils.
Making your own massage oil is a great way to ensure you get the most luxury oils for your skin at the lowest price you can.
Super Nourishing
The mixture of the oils in my DIY massage oil make a super nourishing treat for the skin.
Moisturising, soothing, healing, rejuvenating and so much more.
Customisable
One of the best things about making your own DIY massage oil is that you can customise it to your own needs.
You can also make a variety of massage oils to suit different moods and body needs.
Natural And Chemical Free
Another great benefit of making your own massage oil is that you know exactly what is going inside of it.
Natural and chemical free ingredients that will not irritate the skin.
All Skin Types
This DIY massage oil is suitable for all skin types, except those with any known allergies to the ingredients. These oils are non irritating and are soothing and healing for the skin.
Reduce Scarring
This massage oil has a heap of great ingredients that can help to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks when used regularly
Ingredients For The Best DIY Massage Oil
One of the best things about this easy massage oil homemade recipe is that you actually only need one oil that you love on your skin to make it work. You don’t have to use the oils I mention below and can really use any that suit your skin and give you results.
Ideally, though, you do want a base oil for your massage oil that spreads well and doesn’t absorb quickly. You want your homemade oil for massage to stay on the skin while the massage is taking place.
Below, I have sweet almond oil as my base oil when making your own massage oil. I loooove almond oil and it works well in massage oil. I give some alternatives below.
You can also mix in some other oils if you want (in small amounts) to give it a boost. I picked avocado oil here as it’s so moisturising. My skin is so great after using this homemade oil for body massage. It’s up to you.
While this is a homemade massage oil with essential oils, you don’t have to include essential oils. I love the extra benefits and smells of using them but it’s up to you.
If you are looking for a DIY baby massage oil, I would not use them and just stick to almond oil (easy!). Likewise, leave them out for a DIY edible massage oil.
eBay and Amazon Australia are quick and easy places to buy ingredients and all the gear you need. Below, I direct you to the best place to buy each ingredient or you can click here to buy now on Amazon or here for eBay. This is how I buy all of these ingredients.
Sweet Almond Oil
PinSweet almond oil is a great oil for use in your massage oil and an absolute favourite of mine. It is absorbed by your skin slowly and spreads easily over the skin without having to use much. It is an emollient which means it helps the skin retain and attract moisture. It smooths out your skin and fills in the gaps and also works like a barrier cream.
Sweet almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties, a very small amount of SPF 5 and can help repair damaged skin and aging skin. If you are looking to make a homemade massage oil for joint pain, there is evidence almond oil can help.
I love almond oil which is why I use it in my massage oil recipe. However if you have oily skin, you may want to try an alternative.
You could switch sweet almond oil for grapeseed oil, apricot kernal oil or peach kernal oil if you would prefer. These all make great base oils for your massage oil.
Click here to buy almond oil now.
Avocado Oil
PinLike almond oil, avocado oil is a great choice for a homemade body massage oil for glowing skin. It comes in two varieties known as refined and unrefined.
The unrefined version of avocado oil is thick, strong in aroma, has a dark green colour and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Just like unrefined avocado oil, refined absorbs into the skin quickly however it is less aromatic, thinner and lighter in colour.
I recommend you buy the refined version of this oil.
Beta carotene, vitamins A, D and E, protein, palmitic and oleic acids are some of the nutrients found in avocado oil and all provide great nourishment for your skin. Moisturising, skin regeneration, softening, anti aging are just some of the benefits of these nutrients for your skin.
Avocado oil can be used by all skin types, it is particularly good for dry skin, mature skin and eczema.
An alternative oil for avocado oil is olive oil.
As noted above, it’s not essential to include this oil – it’s up to you. If you are specifically looking for a homemade massage oil recipe with olive oil or homemade massage oil with coconut oil, you could use those ingredients instead. I think you’ll love it with the avocado oil more though 🙂
Click here to buy avocado oil now.
Frankincense Essential Oil
The first of the essential oils I like to use in this recipe is frankincense. It is a great choice for a homemade massage oil for relaxation and has a heap of benefits. It is a natural anti-septic, astringent and more, it can help in healing skin conditions such as acne, spots and wounds.
Frankincense is a good option for oily skin, aging skin, mature skin and it can help with healing cuts and wounds and the appearance of scars and stretch marks. It has been known as a healing oil that can rejuvenate the skin.
The aroma is amazing. If you have been looking how to make homemade body massage oil that is unwinding and relaxing, this may be the essential oil for you. It is great for deep breathing, reducing stress, anxiety and aiding in relaxation and meditation. This is the best homemade oil for body massage if you are looking for a comforting scent that can help you unwind.
Note, this recipe uses nearly 2% essential oils which is the maximum recommended amount. If you are sensitive to essential oils or this is for kids or pregnant women, consider lowering the amount.
Click here to buy frankincense essential oil on eBay now.
PinYlang Ylang Essential Oil
Another great essential oil for use in massage oil is ylang ylang, it can be used on all skin types, particularly dry, oily, sensitive and mature skin. It has a heap of benefits for the skin too.
Moisturising, softening, hydrating and antiseptic properties which can help regulate your sebum production, keeping it nourished and balanced.
Additional benefits of this oil include lowering blood pressure and improving circulation. The aroma of ylang ylang is sensual, uplifting, relaxing qualities that can reduce stress, depression and insomnia.
I love using this essential oil in my DIY massage oil as it helps make me relaxed and sleepy, perfect for evening use.
Click here to buy ylang ylang essential oil on eBay now.
Lavender Essential Oil
PinLavender essential oil is great for a relaxing DIY lavender massage oil, one of my favourite scents with many benefits for the skin too.
This oil can be used for bites, rashes, cuts, scars and burns. It can soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, fungicidal, antiseptic and more. It can be used on all skin types. However, it can cause dermatitis if overused.
Other great benefits include easing joint aches, muscular pains, reducing inflammation, stress, anxiety and depression.
Thanks to all its awesome benefits, it is good choice of oil for a homemade massage oil for pain.
Individuals with acne prone skin can benefit from lavender oil, having the ability to unclog pores and kill bacteria. It can also be used to reduce stretch mark appearance and smooth wrinkle lines.
Of course, you can switch any of these essential oils for any that you prefer or you could make this DIY essential oil massage oil without essential oils. Up to you.
Click here to buy lavender essential oil on eBay now.
Vitamin E Oil
PinVitamin E oil is an antioxidant and it is great for your skin, with the ability to smooth, soften and repair the skin.
In this recipe, it is primarily being used to extend your massage oil’s shelf life.
When the oils in the massage oil are exposed to air, they start oxidising which is what causes them to go rancid. Using the massage oil within 6 months is important if you don’t want this to occur.
This is where vitamin E oil comes in handy, delaying this process and extending the life of your homemade massage oil.
You do not have to use vitamin E oil in this recipe, especially if you are planning to use your massage oil straight away, and it is only you using it.
Click here to buy vitamin E oil now.
How To Make Your Own Massage Oil
PinHomemade slimming massage oil, homemade foot massage oil, whatever you are looking to create – making your own DIY massage oil is super easy and simple. You simply mix your ingredients together.
In this recipe, I list everything in grams as this helps to ensure the correct amount of ingredients are being used, like the essential oils which could cause problems if too much is used.
Digital scales make life a lot easier in this recipe rather than measuring spoons and cups. I use these digital scales I bought on Amazon.
If you do not want to weight out the ingredients, you can look up the amounts using an alternative measuring system.
Don’t worry too much about weighing the ingredients to exactly .01 gram as this is very hard. I find it difficult to weigh exactly 0.05 grams of vitamin E oil, for example. Just ensure that your massage oil contains no more than 2% essential oils.
In my video, you will see that I don’t get it all 100% but the resulting massage oil is amazing.
PinI like to mix my essential oils together first, ensuring i like the blend before i mix them with the other oils.
I package my homemade massage oil in an amber bottle (as it keeps the light out) with a pipette. You can buy them on eBay here.
Sweet Dreams Massage Oil Recipe
This DIY massage oil recipe is perfect for the end of the day with a relaxing essential oil blend and the extra moisturing boost of avocado oil. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 39g Almond Oil
- 10g Avocado Oil
- .45g Frankincense Essential Oil
- .25g Lavender Essential Oil
- .25g Ylang Ylang Essential OIl
- .05g Vitamin E Oil
Instructions
- Weigh and add the essential oils and vitamin E oil in a small bowl
- Mix
- In a new container, add almond oil and avocado oil. Mix
- Add the essential oils and vitamin E mixture to the almond and avocado oils
- Mix
- Pour into a bottle ready to use with a funnel. I recommend an amber bottle with a pipette
Notes
This mix is perfect in evening but can be used at any of time of day you want to relax - after all, that's what massages are for!
It can be difficult to measure ingredients to 0.01 grams. As long as you don't use over 1.00 grams of essential oils all up in this recipe, it'll be fine if the ingredients are small amounts off.
It doesn't matter which order you add the ingredients. You may want to mix the essential oils first if this is a new blend for you to make sure you like them before adding the other oils. This is what I do in this recipe and video.
How To Use DIY Body Massage Oil
Using your homemade massage oil is super simple and easy.
- Take a few drops of your massage oil
- Apply to the palms of clean hands
- Massage into clean skin
There are a variety of massage techniques you can choose from.
Your massage oil will leave the skin soft, supple, refreshed, soothed and hydrated.
PinFinal Words
I hope you have enjoyed this guide to making your own DIY massage oil and have found it useful and interesting.
Making your own massage oil is super simple and easy with a range of benefits. I hope you give it a try for yourself.
Why not make some other great natural skincare goodies while you make your massage oil? Find my special body oil recipe here and my cleansing oil recipe here. Looking for something more for sore muscles? Find my warming sore muscle balm here. You can also find all my DIY skincare recipes here or try this massage bar recipe here.
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