We all know Lauryn is obsessed with the results you can get from massage. And we all are.
Whether you’re relaxing with our face massager, stimulating hair growth with a rosemary oil scalp massage, or you’re contouring + detoxing with Le Spoon, you’re going to see benefits.
Did you know there’s evidence of massage therapy dating back to 3,000 BCE? So massage is the holy grail of health and beauty AND it’s been around for a literal millennia.
There’s a reason massage therapy has stood the test of time. There are a ton of benefits to regular massage.
Here at The Skinny Confidential, if we’re going to do something, we’re going to maximize the benefits we get from it to the absolute fullest. We boost our facial massage with depuffing oil and we boost our body massage with oil, too.
Using oils with massage can enhance your experience and provide even more benefits than your basic massage. That’s why today, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the benefits of oily massages.
7 Benefits Of Body Massage With Oil
Boosted Circulation
When you apply pressure to the skin in the stroking and circular motions used in massage, you can actually help move blood flow through congested areas, allowing new blood with fresh oxygen to flow in.
Need proof? This 2020 study found that a five minute manual leg massage improved blood circulation both in the leg itself as well as in the surrounding areas.
Better circulation improves overall tissue health, giving you:
+ faster recovery time from injuries
+ less soreness after your favorite workout
+ better organ function
+ a pretty natural flush to your skin!
HOT TIP: Want to boost your circulation even more? The BUTTER BRUSH is the perfect tool for you. Plus, it also exfoliates your skin and helps with lymphatic drainage.
Better Skin Health
The oils used in massage are typically super nourishing for the skin. Massage oils are typically a blend of carrier oils and essential oils. These carrier oils (often coconut, jojoba, or olive oil) are rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that hydrate, protect, and rejuvenate the skin.
Regular massage with oils can reduce the appearance of scars, improve skin health and elasticity, and provide a natural glow. This is due to the massage strokes and oil working as a team to gently exfoliate dead skin cells.
When mixing carrier oils with other oils, you can tailor your massage oil to your needs. Looking for anti-inflammatory properties? Eucalyptus oil is so good at reducing inflammation. Need some pain relief? Arnica oil is known for reducing pain and swelling in joints.
Pain Relief
As mentioned, the oil you use can save the day when it comes to pain relief. But, it’s not just the pain relieving properties of arnica, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil that makes massage so great.
When you massage your muscles, you’ll find your muscles more able to relax, decreasing your pain. Beyond that, your massage is also increasing blood flow to the area, which helps you heal faster.
Whether your muscles are aching from an insane session at the gym, you’ve been feeling under the weather, or your clumsiness got the best of you (whoops!)—oil massage can help you feel better.
Concentrated Relaxation
It can be hard sometimes to get real relaxation in. Like, REALLY hard. It’s easy to overwork yourself so much that when you finally have free time, all you want to do is reach for the phone and scroll away.
But, is that really going to make you feel better?
You need to spend your free time doing something that will actually recharge you, and a massage is a great place to start.
When you get a massage (or give yourself one), you have to put the phone down and concentrate on how you feel. This gives you time to reconnect with your body after the go-go-go of the day.
Plus, it feels damn good.
Improved Flexibility
If you struggle with flexibility and mobility OR you want to be as bendy as possible, massage can help you out.
Furthermore, massage with oils eases muscle tension and loosens tight tendons and ligaments, giving you the extra flexibility to fold yourself into any position you want. Check out this blog post on stretching your fascia if you’re into this.
Beyond that, the increased range of motion also helps protect you from injury, enhances your physical performance, and decreases any pain you may be feeling in your joints.
Detoxification
Along with better blood flow, oil massage can stimulate your lymphatic system. If you’ve been around on the blog for a while, you know Lauryn is obsessed with lymphatic drainage massage. And for good reason.
The lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste and toxins from your bodily tissues. The stimulation helps lymph nodes drain, which boosts your body’s natural detoxification process.
Mental Health Support
Oil massage is obviously beneficial for you physically, but what about mentally?
Oil massage uses a nurturing touch, which can provide a sense of safety that allows you to release pent up emotions and tension. This can be especially therapeutic for people who struggle with depression or anxiety.
Plus, human touch causes the release of the hormone oxytocin, or the happy hormone, reducing stress and anxiety. Plus, human contact may also lower your heart rate and blood pressure, decreasing the physical symptoms of anxiety that may make it harder to overcome.
Types of Body Massage Oils
Skin And Senses Shine Body Oil
This non-greasy body oil will lock in moisture without clogging your pores. This helps you retain essential moisture, without contributing to skin flare-ups or blemishes.
This blend is made from powerful organic oils and Vitamin E can strengthen the skin cells at the same time as moisturizing the skin and boosting its elasticity. The powerful antioxidants packed inside Vitamin E can help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring.
It’s made with the finest natural ingredients, and it’s phthalate- and cruelty-free.
ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Body Oil
This ultra-hydrating body oil is sourced from the coral shores of the Polynesian Islands. It contains a blend of Frangipani, Monoi, and coconut oils that nourish your skin, leaving you looking and feeling baby-smooth.
Frangipani is known for its rejuvenating properties as well as its fragrance. Monoi also has a gorgeous flowery smell, as well as moisturizing properties. Coconut oil acts as an emollient, leaving a smooth, non-greasy finish.
Unrefined Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
If you haven’t heard, coconut oil is a must-have beauty product for the skin. It has a TON of uses for the skin. It has natural moisturizing and deep conditioning properties, making it the ideal carrier oil for your massage.
The benefits of body massage with oil are so worth your time.
If you haven’t tried a body massage with oil, what are you waiting for? It can do so many good things for you. Plus, you deserve the self-care, always.
Need more self care options? Wanna DIY a detoxifying and moisturizing beauty treatment? Try a detox body wrap. They’re super easy to do at home.
Or, if the spa is more your style, consider the benefits of going to get a professional massage. You can get one for relaxation, deep tissue, lymphatic drainage and tons of other kinds.
And if you’re looking for tools that help you detox, sculpt, and glow, look no further. TSC has you covered. Check them out:
Face Massager: Sculpt, Tone and Chisel
Ice Roller: Contour, Tighten, Depuff
Mint Roller: Contour, Tighten, Depuff – on the go.
The Body Kit: Exfoliate and Stimulate with the Butter Brush, then post-shower detox and sculpt with Le Spoon.
Depuffing Oil: The perfect complement to all the above.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Tips for the best Brazilian lymphatic drainage massage here.
++ How to use a scalp massager for the best hair of your life.
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