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The Best Massage Oils to Turn Your Home Into a Spa

Buyer's Report GUIDE Team
Written By Buyer's Report GUIDE Team
Last updated: Jan 29, 2025, 05:06 PM
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best massage oils

A massage can make you feel more relaxed and more importantly, reduce inflammation and pain in tired muscles. However, undertaking a massage without massage oil can pull your skin, leaving you uncomfortable and tense. Many massage oils can also be used as a moisturizer on the skin or a conditioner on the hair. They often contain nourishing vitamins and create a barrier from the elements and skin irritants. Since there are many different types of massage oils available, choosing the best one for you comes down to your skin type and what kind of scent you prefer. Before you purchase a massage oil, you may want to do some research into the ingredients you should look for and the ingredients you should avoid. We will discuss this and answer the internet’s frequently asked questions about massage oils. Start by checking out our list of the best massage oils this year.

View all Contents
  • Buyer’s Guide: Massage Oils
    • Ingredients to Look for When Buying Massage Oils
    • Things to Consider Before Purchasing Massage Oil
    • Reasons to Purchase Massage Oil Online
  • People Also Asked
  • Elevating the Shopping Game
  • Contributors
  • Related Reviews

Our Top Picks

  • Maple Holistics Massage Oil: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Brookethorne Naturals Massage Oil: Most Refreshing (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Best Of Nature Massage And Body Oil: Most Nourishing (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Weleda Arnica Muscle Massage Oil: Best For Pain (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Olbas Massage And Aromatherapy Oil: Best For Inflammation (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Banyan Botanicals Sunflower Oil: Most Versatile (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓

Comparing Our Favorite Massage Oils for 2025

Maple Holistics Massage Oil

Best Overall
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This massage oil is specially formulated to nourish your skin and leave it feeling softer and smoother than ever. It contains sweet almond, jojoba, and lavender essential oils as well as vitamin E – the perfect combination for relieving dry skin and providing a calming scent.

If you’re looking to give the perfect gift for that special someone, then consider this massage oil. It’s the ideal sensual oil for a relaxing couples massage or an at-home spa day. It glides on smoothly and creates the perfect atmosphere for bonding with your partner or for massage therapy.

Maple Holistics takes pride in the quality of its products, which is why this massage oil is vegan and cruelty-free and contains all-natural ingredients. Because of this factor and its capability to nourish the skin and deliver calm and relaxation, this product has earned the number one spot on this list.

Product Pros
  • Relaxing lavender scent
  • Effective for muscle massages
  • Enhances massage techniques
Product Cons
  • Not suitable for all skin types

Brookethorne Naturals Massage Oil

Most Refreshing
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The Brookethorne Naturals Massage Oil is the perfect way to unwind after a long day. This massage oil contains natural ingredients like sweet almond, grapeseed, and jojoba oil, all expertly blended together to create a luxuriously smooth massage oil. This oil is ideal for body massage, sports massage, or any type of relaxing massage.

The essential oils of lavender, marjoram, and peppermint are all present in this oil, adding their subtle but therapeutic scents. These oils give this therapeutic massage oil its exceptional soothing power and help sore muscles feel relaxed and revived. With its all-natural ingredients and essential oils, this massage oil creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation while soothing away sore muscles and stiffness, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Product Pros
  • Soothes sore muscles
  • Adds a refreshing feel
  • Smells great
Product Cons
  • Scent doesn’t last long

Best Of Nature Massage And Body Oil

Most Nourishing
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This product is made from pure sesame oil. Sesame oil will glide over your skin and create a nourishing barrier between the skin and the masseuse. Sesame oil is 100% natural and provides your skin with vitamins essential for healthy glowing skin.

 

In this oil, you get vitamins A and E, as well as vitamins B1, B2, and B6. This product is made in the US and is available in three sizes. Here’s a buying hack though; purchase in larger quantities and it’ll save you money! Our favorite part about it? The sesame oil has a mild, naturally earthy, and nutty smell that will leave you feeling thoroughly relaxed and pampered!

Product Pros
  • This is all-natural sesame oil, packed full of vitamins
  • Its bottle can be used for recycling
  • It is available in three sizes; 8 ounce, half gallon, and a gallon
Product Cons
  • It doesn’t have a strong scent

Weleda Arnica Muscle Massage Oil

Best For Pain
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This massage oil has been certified in natural personal care by the Natural Products Association. It contains arnica which reduces swelling and pain. This is a perfect accompaniment to any massage and is great for working out stubborn knots.

This oil also contains sunflower and olive oils. These oils contain many health benefits for your skin; it’s loaded with vitamin E and other ingredients with anti-aging properties. Birch oil reduces pain in joints and muscles and acts as a natural germicide on the skin. In other words, this massage oil will leave your skin feeling firmer, and moisturized and aid in reducing the tension in your muscles!

Product Pros
  • Certified natural by the NPA
  • Contains nourishing vitamins
  • Has a beautiful floral scent
Product Cons
  • Pregnant women are advised not to use birch oil

Olbas Massage And Aromatherapy Oil

Best For Inflammation
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If you’d rather have your massage and aromatherapy oil in smaller doses, this product is the smaller version of the product above. It contains juniper, clove, wintergreen, eucalyptus, peppermint, and cajeput. These ingredients contain anti-inflammatory properties, and some are natural pain killers known as analgesics. These are ideal qualities in massage oil. Eucalyptus will open up your sinuses and make you feel both refreshed and relaxed.

Furthermore, this oil has a distinctive and strong fragrance – will help you feel cared for and relaxed all day. You can also use this oil in a diffuser to enjoy the scent in your home!

Product Pros
  • Opens up sinuses and helps you breathe easily
  • Contains natural pain relief and natural anti-inflammatories
Product Cons
  • The quality is not as good as the ones available in Europe Price is 20% more than it was 3 months ago

Banyan Botanicals Sunflower Oil

Most Versatile
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This oil can be used as a lightweight massage oil, but can also be used as a daily moisturizer and hair conditioner on dry hair. You can even use this oil as a moisturizing agent in soap. Sunflower oil contains vitamin E which combats the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It also contains linoleic acid which helps rebuild the outer layer of skin and creates a better environment for your skin to retain moisture. This product is made from USDA-certified organic ingredients and contains ingredients that are sustainably sourced and are manufactured in the USA.

Product Pros
  • Lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin
  • Can be used for massage and as a daily moisturizer
  • Contains vitamin E and linoleic acid
Product Cons
  • You may want a thicker oil for dry skin

Buyer’s Guide: Massage Oils

When choosing an ideal massage oil for your needs, it is a good idea to learn a little about the ingredients that are commonly used and their health benefits. There are ingredients you should seek out and other ingredients you should avoid. Continue reading to learn more.

Ingredients to Look for When Buying Massage Oils

Sesame oil

Sesame oil is full of vitamin E which protects the skin from damage from UV rays, toxins, and pollution. It also contains phenolic compounds. These compounds are antioxidants that also offer protection from environmental factors and have anti-aging properties. Sesame oil also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is another vitamin E-boosting oil with anti-aging properties. It contains linoleic acid that helps your skin retain moisture.

Arnica oil

Arnica will speed up the healing process. If you have new scarring but not open wounds it will help reduce their appearance. Arnica will also reduce pain, which is perfect for anyone who is in pain and in need of a deep tissue massage.

Birch oil

Birch oil is also a natural painkiller and has anti-inflammatory properties which will help untighten knots and sore muscles.

Olive oil

Olive oil has a lot of vitamin E and has a mild but pleasant fragrance.

Clove

When using clove in massage you will feel your skin becoming firmer. Clove reduces the appearance of dark spots and blemishes and fights other signs of aging.

Juniper berry

Juniper berry is great for irritated, dry, and damaged skin. It repairs the epidermis, promotes healing, and reduces the signs of aging.

Wintergreen

Wintergreen provides pain relief and has anti-inflammatory properties. Like birch and arnica oil, Wintergreen oil is a great accompaniment to a deep tissue massage.

Mint fragrance oils

If you love the scent of mint you may want to look for the following oils:

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also moisturizing and antibacterial. It also reduces mucus and expands bronchioles and bronchi making it easier to breathe when you feel congested.

Cajeput

Cajeput smells similar to eucalyptus and has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties (pain reliever).

Levomenthol

Levomenthol can be natural or synthetically made. It reinforces peppermint fragrances and you will often see the two in the same product.

Peppermint

Peppermint has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It also cleanses the skin.

Ingredients to avoid

The following ingredients can be found in some poor quality massage oils and should be avoided:

  • Parabens (some parabens are believed to stimulate the growth of cancer cells)
  • Phthalates
  • Benzophenone
  • Triclosan

All of the above ingredients disrupt endocrine activity in adolescent girls.

Some ingredients are usually safe to use but should be avoided if you are pregnant as they may harm the baby (god forbid). Some of these include:

  • Aniseed
  • Birch
  • Basil
  • Evening primrose

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Massage Oil

Before purchasing massage oil there are several things you should consider to ensure you purchase the best product for your needs.

Quantity

Oil does have a use-by date. Consider how much you will be able to use before the product expires. You may be better off getting the same quantity in smaller bottles. On the other hand, if you can use a large bottle of oil, you will find buying in bulk saves you money in the long run.

Organic

You may want to purchase an organic product. According to the United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA), organic rated products ensure a high quality of massage oil! This accreditation signals that the product has been processed and grown following federal guidelines and contains at least 70% organic ingredients

Not tested on animals

Most massage oils are not tested on animals. However, you may want to purchase a product that advertises as ‘not tested on animals – just so you’re certain.

What do the experts use

Next time you get a professional massage, ask the masseuse what massage oil they use. Many make their own form of essential oils and carrier oils. If you like what they are using, you could look for these ingredients in store-bought massage oil.

Customer reviews

When you have found a massage oil you like the look of, read the product’s customer reviews. Customer reviews will let you know what the fragrance is like, how long it lasts, and if the product feels good on the skin. Opt for a massage oil that’s showered with good reviews!

Money-back guarantee

Some companies offer a money-back guarantee if you are not happy with the product. We recommend purchasing a product with this guarantee if possible – it helps one stay secure and get a good bang for their buck!

Memory association

Believe it or not, you need to consider what memories may be triggered by the scent of your massage oils. Linda Clark, an aromatherapist, says, “certain scents can actually trigger memories or emotions. For instance, if you smell patchouli, you might remember that your mother used to wear it. And if you smell cinnamon, you might think of Christmas. So before you head out to buy a bottle of massage oil, take a minute to consider which scent will be most conducive to your mood on the day in question.” 

Reasons to Purchase Massage Oil Online

There are many benefits to purchasing massage oil online. Some of these include:

Access to more products

Searching for massage oil online means you can view hundreds of products in the same amount of time it takes you to view a handful of products in a physical store. You will see products from all around the country and the world in a matter of minutes.

Less hassle

Buying products online means you do not need to leave your home. You do not need to drive to a store, look for parking, queue up, or even converse with another person. You can simply order the product and wait for it to be delivered to your home. Many companies even offer free delivery.

People Also Asked

Does the type of massage I get make a difference to the massage oil used?

Yes, different oils are used depending on the type of massage you are getting. A Swedish massage is a gentle massage that requires light oils to create a smooth glide. Deep tissue massages require more friction so you would use a thicker oil that provides more grip.

Should I shower after a massage?

We do not recommend showering straight after a massage. Only some of the goodness from essential oils is absorbed by the skin during a massage. They often need up to an hour afterward to absorb all of the nourishment the oil provides. Plus, your muscles are all warmed up and hot after a massage, you need to let them adjust to the temperature around first.

What is the difference between body oil and massage oil?

Body oil absorbs much more quickly into the skin and massage oil remains on the surface for longer. This is important because it is needed to reduce the friction produced during a massage.

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Contributors

Buyer's Report GUIDE Team
Buyer's Report GUIDE Team
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