Massage & essential oils

Massage and essential oils for relaxing moments

A quality massage oil is the foundation of every restorative massage. It helps hands to glide along the skin, while providing it with beneficial nutrients and vitamins. Depending on the base oil, the product hydrates the skin's surface, strengthens its natural barriers and boosts skin’s elasticity. The essential oils contained in massage oil have a revitalising or relaxing effect. You can buy these individually from parfumdreams and use them to make your own massage oil or as a fragrant addition to any bath.

What is massage oil?

Massage oil makes it easier for hands to move along the skin. Stretching, loosening, stroking and kneading is effortless as a result. They are made from a base oil with added essential oils for deep cleansing with a beautiful aroma. Several products contain paraffin which creates a lightweight film on the skin that is not absorbed rapidly. The longer it stays on the skin, the better it is for massage.

Beneficial plant oils provide an alternative to mineral oils. Your skin absorbs them during the massage and the oils slowly take effect, nourishing your skin with vitamins and nutrients. These oils are good for your skin:

• Argan oil: regenerates skin and can prevent signs of ageing
• Hemp oil: improves skin’s elasticity
• Jojoba oil: nourishes, protects and evens out skin tone
• Almond oil: strengthens skin, protects it from environmental damage, and encourages cell regeneration
• Olive oil: generously moisturises and stops skin from drying out
• Sunflower oil: hydrates for softer skin
• Grapeseed oil: soothes and evens out skin tone
• Wheat germ oil: strengthens connective tissue and boosts circulation

massage oils do not stay slippery for long, meaning they must be applied more often during a massage. Find different high quality massage and essential oils at parfumdreams and indulge body and mind.

What are essential oils and how do they work?

Essential oils are volatile substances. They are stored in plant tissue, seeds, roots, petals and leaves. The oil carries the plant's scent and attracts insects while simultaneously repelling parasites. There are a range of products with diverse effects available:

• Arnica improves circulation and prevents tension
• Eucalyptus stops infection and refreshens
• St. John's Wort relaxes the muscles
• Chamomile relieves cramps and stops infection
• Pine is balancing and anti-bacterial
• Lavender relaxes body and mind
• Mint gives the body an energy boost
• Neroli lifts your mood and reduces anxiety
• Orange calms the mind
• Marigold promotes circulation and soothes the skin
• Rose is stimulating and captivating
• Rosemary promotes circulation, alleviates pain and revitalises
• Sage is anti-bacterial and stops infection
• Sandalwood has a stimulating effect
• Tea tree relieves itchiness, insect bites and impurities
• Lemon firms the skin

To be able to use the beneficial ingredients contained in plants, manufacturers extract the oil through a steam-distillation or cold-pressing process. Chemical solutions are used for highly delicate parts of plants. Essential oils extracted in this way are recognisable by the designation 'absolute’.

How do you use essential oils?

Essential oils reveal their beneficial properties even in small quantities. They should be diluted before use to avoid irritated skin and membranes. The specific dosage varies depending on the type of oil and the purpose for use. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure.

Use essential oils for aromatherapy in a lamp diffuser. The scents lend your home a pleasant and calming atmosphere. If you mix them with a base oil such as almond, sesame, or jojoba oil, you can create your own high quality massage oil. Essential oils are also the perfect addition to any bath. Because they don't mix with water, use an emulsifier like cream, honey, salt or a neutral shower gel, so that the oil components disperse better in your bathwater.