Carrying out massages at home with luxury massage oils in tow is a guaranteed way to elevate your next night in. Forget what you thought you knew: massages don't just have to be carried out in-salon – and they aren't just an indulgent pastime saved for those once-in-a-blue-moon occasions that you have a little extra money to spend on self-care and a few-too-many knots in your shoulders.
Great for relieving tension and helping your body recover if you're active, massages should be carried out regularly if you're active. What's more, massage also boasts countless mental health benefits. According to Nadege Louvet, Urban's Global Head of Community and a Quality and Massage Therapist with more than fifteen years' of experience, it "reduces the symptoms of anxiety, stress and insomnia by reducing the levels of our stress hormone cortisol, and increases the production of endorphins which gives your mood a boost.
“It can also stimulate the autonomic system,” she continued, “which regulates our involuntary body functions by lowering down the heart rate, digestion, breathing. A massage can also boost blood flow and supports your lymphatic system that fight infection and illness.”
That's before we even consider the fact that carrying out massage at home will help you feel closer to your partner, both physically and mentally. The moral of the story? If you can't afford to spend on massage at your local spa on the reg, massage at home is something we should all be getting on board with. And the best massage oils will help to take things to the next level.
“A massage oil helps the hands to glide without friction on the muscles,” Nadege told us, helping you achieve smooth movements over the body. “Organic oils are always a good option, things like Grapeseed oil are natural, safe for people with nut allergies, and not too expensive.”
“Urban pros will often use oils with different essential oils depending on the treatment," Nadege said. "For something like our Relaxing massage, they might use an oil with lavender, sweet orange, ylang ylang, chamomile, rose, jasmine or frankincense for the ultimate calming treatment. And for our Energising massage, they might opt for something citrusy to help boost your energy.”
“Sweet almond is really great for nourishing and protecting the skin. If you have sensitive skin, massage oils containing Jojoba are a good choice. Bear in mind that lots of massage oils contain nuts, so always check the ingredients before buying, and if you do have a nut allergy, opt for Grapeseed oil.”
“To create a relaxing atmosphere, lavender, sweet orange, ylang ylang, chamomile, rose, jasmine, frankincense are always a really great option. If you’re shopping for your own oils, we always recommend buying pre-blended massage oils that have the exact right amount of essential oil in them.”
Why we love it: Made from 98% natural ingredients and scented with bergamot essential oils, this My Viv massage oil is all you need for a luxurious, non-greasy massage. Simply pour a small amount into the palm of your hands and you're ready to use alone or with a partner. It also contains Jojoba, Bitter Orange and Ylang Ylang.
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2. Best massage oil for couples Aromatherapy Sensual Massage Oil for CouplesWhy we love it: An Amazon bestselling massage oil with over 70% of its reviews being uploaded as five-star, this product can be used for back, leg, neck or full-body massages. It contains a blend of jojoba, lavender and almond oil – plus vitamin E – to stimulate the whole body. It tingles slightly on application (which is actually very pleasant) and smells divine.
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3. Best massage oil Amazon Gya Labs Relaxing Massage OilWhy we love it: Another Amazon bestseller with over 2,500 ratings (!), this relaxing massage oil comes in under £20 and is totally natural and organic. Formulated to help you soothe stress and relax the body after a long, active day, it contains ylang ylang plus rose geranium and lavender to moisturise the skin. Warm a few pumps between your hands and get to work.
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4. Best-smelling massage oil Botanics Massage Oil Ylang Ylang & Mandarin 100mlWhy we love it: From the Boots nature-inspired Botanics range, this vegan and cruelty-free massage oil balances a blend of ylang ylang, mandarin and vetiver essential oils to soften the skin, restore the mind and soothe tension in an instant. Plus, it's guilt-free, because everything in the Botanics range has been formulated taking steps to reduce environmental impact.
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5. Best baby massage oil Little Aurelia Sleep Time Bath and Massage OilWhy we love it: If it's a massage oil for babies you're after (which you can steal, too), make a beeline for Aurelia Probiotic Skincare (and their Little Aurelia range). Proving that wonderful, effective products can be formulated with the need for a single chemical, this massage oil is entirely synthetic, paraben and additive free. It blends natural oils with delicate flower essences to calm and settle your little one – and your mind – before bed. Coconut hydrates, sweet almond nourishes, starflower smells divine and chamomile calms.
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6. Best massage oil for stretch marks WELEDA Stretch Mark Massage OilWhy we love it: One of the best massage oils to use during pregnancy, Weleda's all-natural formula nourishes skin and helps to prevent the development of stretch marks when you're carrying.
7. Best luxury massage oil for a sensual night in COCO DE MER Enraptured Figment Massage OilWhy we love it: Coco de Mer, a brand that has been shining a light on the importance of female pleasure for the past 20 years, know a thing or two about sexual wellness products that help you take your satisfaction into your own hands. Case in point: the Enraptured Figment Massage Oil which – housed in a beautiful, illustrated bottle – can be drizzled over your body to moisturise the skin and help you reconnect with your partner.
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8. Best lavender massage oil DONA Relax Lavender and Tahitian Vanilla Massage OilWhy we love it: The secret to long-lasting massage, the vitamin-rich Dona Relax has been formulated to add glide during sensual massages. Perfect for soothing sore and tired muscles, it has a lovely lavender and Tahitian vanilla scent which promotes ultimate relaxation.
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9. Best massage oil under £10 Lovehoney Oh! Cherry Kissable Massage Oil 30mlWhy we love it: The perfect romantic gift, Lovehoney's affordable cherry massage oil can be used to elevate foreplay. Infused with essential oils, it'll nourish the skin while ensuring your limbs remain supple and moisturised. The best part? It comes in a 30ml bottle, so you can easily pack it in your suitcase and take it away on holiday.
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10. Best body oil for massage Marigold Body OilWhy we love it: A moisturising body oil which can absolutely be used for massage, Susanne Kaufmann's Marigold Body Oil is suitable for cellulite, irritated skin and sensitive skin types. With the goal of hydrating, protecting and strengthening the skin barrier, it's enriched with jojoba, rose-hip seed oil and marigold extract to leave you feeling hydrated and supple. You can layer it underneath body cream for a natural glow on holiday, or wash it off post-massage.
11. Aesop massage oil AESOP Breathless Body Oil, 100mlWhy we love it: Another body oil which can be repurposed for massage, Aesop's vegan Breathless oil is weightless, hydrating and calming. It's enriched with Blood Orange, Laurel Leaf, Jojoba Seed and Vitamin E – which all aid in moisturising dry patches of skin.
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12. Best massage oil for muscle tension Muscle Ease Body + Massage OilWhy we love it: Running, gym classes and playing sports is tough on your muscles, but this oil works to soothe tightness and tension in an instant. With a lovely, aromatic fragrance, it contains apricot oil to help regenerate skin cells, lavender to soothe the body and mind and rosemary to cool your skin.
13. Best spa-grade massage oil Professional Range Geranium and Orange Massage OilWhy we love it: From the brand's Professional Range, this Neal's Yard massage oil balances a blend of organic sunflower with almond and wheatgerm to uplift your senses and keep your skin soft and supple. It helps to boost circulation and is suitable for all skin types – particularly dry skin.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
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