Making Bath and/or Massage Oils
Bath and massage oils are made by adding
essential oils to vegetable carrier oil bases. The ratio is one teaspoon of
essential oil to 4 ounces of carrier oil. Use amber or cobalt blue glass for
your oils and keep out of direct light. Do not store in plastic bottles. It is
best not to store in the bathroom because of the heat during showers.
Bath Oils
Using essential oils in the bath is one of the nicest ways to enjoy their
therapeutic benefits. Adding them to a carrier oil help to disperse the
essential oils throughout the water and onto to your body. Lighter oils
disperse more readily in the water. To use
bath oils, draw your bath first, close the door and then add about two teaspoons
of bath oil to your water.
Heavier oils lie on the top of the bath
water and will cling to your skin when leaving the bath.
Light oils suitable for bath oils that readily disperse include sunflower oil
and Grapeseed oil.
Sunflower oil contains vitamins A, B, D and E, (the principal one) and is high
in unsaturated fatty acids. Grapeseed Oil contains a high percentage of linoleic
acid and some vitamin E.
Massage Oil
Massage oils can be made from many different vegetable carrier oils. Choose the
oil based on what you want the oil to do. Use a lighter oil if you want the oil
to be absorbed readily into the skin. Use a heavier oil if you want the oil to
stay on the top of the skin. You can also choose the oil by what part of the
body you are working on, for example Kukui nut oil would be a perfect choice for
the face and neck. A heavier oil such as sweet almond might be the choice for a
foot massage for very dry feet.
Some of the Vegetable Carrier Oils that we
sell are:
Sweet Almond Oil
The large molecules in this oil make it a heavier oil best suited for heavy
massage or for a very moisturizing cream or salve. Sweet almond oil
contains vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6 and a small amount of E. Protects and
nourishes the skin.
Apricot Kernel Oil
Medium-light weight oil suitable for massage. Use in cream and lotion
recipes. Good for all skins, especially prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed
and dry. Contains minerals and vitamins.
Avocado Oil
Medium-heavy weight oil suitable for massage. Use up to one-fourth to a
cream or salve base. Contains vitamins A, B, and D and is rich in lecithin.
Penetrates the upper layers of the skin. Has beneficial effect on dry skin and
wrinkles.
Grapeseed Oil
Light weight oil suitable for light massage and is water-dispersible in the
bath. Contains vitamins, minerals and protein. Good all around oil. Grapeseed
oil is not suitable for creams or lotions.
Hazelnut Oil
Medium weight oil suitable for light massage. Perfect for base oil for
creams. Hazelnut oil is said to penetrate the top layer of the skin slightly,
being beneficial for oily or combinations skins and effective on acne. It is
stimulating to the circulation and also has astringent properties. Contains
oleic acid and a small proportion of linoleic acid.
Jojoba, Refined Colorless
Jojoba is not an oil, but a liquid wax; excellent choice for many
aromatherapy uses. Most often used as the carrier oil of choice to use with
essential oils. A must in all your cream and lotion recipes. It is very
stable, having extremely good keeping qualities. Useful oil in cases of acne.
Jojoba, Golden Organic
Choose this Jojoba for heavier creams, soap making and when you want extra
moisturizing. Less refined, it retains more vitamins and minerals than the
refined. Not quite as stable. Jojoba contains myristic acid, which has
anti-inflammatory properties.
Kukui Nut Oil
Light to medium weight oil. New on the scene, this oil is wonderful for
mature, aging skin. Has a slight odor, which can be overcome by adding
essential oils. Not offensive. Kukui nut oil is readily absorbed into the skin
and leaves the skin soft and very moisturized. An excellent oil to add to your
cream and lotion formulas.
Macadamia Nut Oil
Medium weight oil suitable for massage. It is highly emollient and a good
addition to your cream formulas. Very nice "feel" to the oil when applied to
the skin.
Olive Oil
Heavy weight oil suitable for massage. Wonderful for salves, olive oil is
emollient, soothing to inflamed skin. Use regular, not extra virgin, unless the
odor is not objectionable.
Sunflower Nut Oil
Very light weight oil - perfect choice for bath oils. Also excellent in
lotions, as this oil is most readily absorbed into the skin. Not suitable for
massage due to absorption rate.
Essential Oil Blends for the Bath and
Massage
Lavender
Lavender is calming as well as uplifting and can be safely used with
children. It's sweet floral-herbaceous scent and balsamic-woody undertone may
help to unwind at the end of a stressful day.
Lavender/Rose Geranium
Two parts lavender to one part rose geranium. This recipe is meant to help
calm your mind and lift your spirits. Rose geranium has a rosy sweet scent and
may be anti depressant and uplifting. We carry this blend on our
Essential Oil Link
Eucalyptus Blend
Four parts eucalyptus 70/75 and one part tangerine essential oils. Will help
relieve cold symptoms, especially in the bath. Add to a carrier oil/oils for
muscular aches and pains. Warming to the skin. Fragrance is fresh and pungent.
Morning Energizer
Two parts lemon, one part rosemary, two parts tangerine. Energize with this
refreshing blend. A wonderful morning wake-up and summertime refresher.
Try some of Herbal Accents' own blends on
our Essential Oils page.
