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Oils, Creams & Lotions
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MASSAGE LUBRICANT
A massage therapy without any lubricant is quite dry and can be downright uncomfortable. Massage creams, oils, and lotions offer a quality, relaxing experience while leaving your skin moist and fragrant. But it's important to know that these lubricants have different qualities that make them well-suited for specific massage sessions. For instance, massage creams have varying grades of friction — lower friction grades are often used by therapists for effleurage sessions while higher friction grade creams are used for deep tissue massages.
Massage lubricants, in general, create a more pleasurable experience for clients while also making it easier for therapists to glide over the skin. Dry skin contact can be difficult for both parties involved and can even cause chafing.
Aside from acting as a lubricant, massage creams, oils, and lotions also have aromatherapeutic benefits. Aromatherapy involves exposing the nose to different fragrances to stimulate specific responses in the brain. Of the three types of lubricants, oils are the most popular choice for aromatherapeutic massage sessions. Oils can be easily altered in terms of scent without requiring vigorous or complex mixing.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OILS, LOTIONS, AND CREAMS
Massage Cream
Massage creams are often thicker than most products that massage therapists use on their clients. It offers less slippage and is perfect for targeted massage sessions where the therapist is working on a specific body part. It's quick to absorb into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy feeling after application the way that many lotions and oils do. And unlike gels, creams are also less likely to leave stains or discoloration on articles of clothing and sheets.
Our most popular massage cream products include BIOTONE® Dual Purpose™ Massage Creme and TheraBlend® Magnesium Calming Cream by the makers of CryoDerm®.
Massage Oil
Massage oils are the most commonly used type of lubricant for massage therapy sessions. Oil creates a great slide and leaves a warm and comfortable feeling on the therapist's hands and client's skin. Oils are also generally more cost-effective since it doesn't require constant reapplication like lotions and gels.
Some of our most popular massage oils include CBD CLINIC™ Deep Rub Pain Relief Massage Oils, Soothing Touch® Herbal Therapy Massage Oils, and BIOTONE® Clear Results® Massage Oil with Jojoba Oil & Aloe Vera.
Massage Lotion
Perhaps the cheapest option among lubricants on the shelf is massage lotion. That being said, lotions require constant reapplication as they are quickly absorbed by the skin.
The upside to lotions is that they are a good basic lubricant that many clients may already be using on a daily basis. That means it is less likely to cause any irritations or allergic reactions like gels or creams. There is also little to no greasy residue left behind.
Popular massage lotions to try include BIOTONE® Advanced Therapy® Massage Lotion and BIOTONE® Deep-Tissue™ Massage Lotion.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
An important thing to consider when choosing which type of lubricant to use is if it contains any allergens that could potentially irritate your client's skin. Being a massage therapist or chiropractor, it is your responsibility to ask if your client has had an allergic reaction in the past to certain products. If so, it is best to use massage lubricants that are labeled "hypoallergenic" like BIOTONE's Advanced Therapy Massage Gel.
Your professional experience as a massage therapist or chiropractor is only the first ingredient to a relaxing or healing massage; what lubricant you use can make or break that experience as it completely changes the amount of glide or friction that you have to work with.