The Best Massage Oils and What They Do for Your Body

Hands up who wants a massage? It’s a full house here at Cosmetify HQ. Whether it's been hard day at work or you've been out for your latest 5k run, massages can help you unwind and shed the stresses of the day – not to mention nourish your skin and leave you feeling soft, supple and oh-so-relaxed.

With that being said, we can't exactly get to the spa at the moment and when we can not all of us can justify weekly trips (who’s got the time or the funds?!). But one thing you can easily do is have a pamper session from the comfort of your own home, armed with the best body oils, scented candles and face masks.

Not sure where to start? Take a look at our roundup of the 10 best massage oils and what they can do for your body.

What ingredients should I look for in a body massage oil?

With plenty of options on the market from leading brands such as Elemis, Nuxe, Aromatherapy Associates and REN, there's lots to choose from. And you might be tempted, like some of us at Cosmetify definitely are, to go for the oil with the cutest packaging or most heavenly fragrance. We won't knock those factors, for sure, but the most important thing is finding what ingredients suit your skin type and your needs.

Oils such as lavender, olive and rose are all rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help deeply nourish the skin. All have their own benefits, but lavender is perfect for stress busting and sleep inducing, while jojoba oilis great at treating sores. Other body moisturising massage oil ingredients you should look out for are argan oil and avocado oil, which both help hydrate the skin. If you do just want something that smells good and aren't concerned about treating anything, then by all means, follow your nose. There's something for everyone.

1. ELEMIS Warm-Up Massage Balm

Best Massage Oil for Back Pain & Sore Muscles:

One of the top reasons for a massage is sore muscles, usually in the back, which we put under so much stress on a daily basis (at the gym but honestly, also from just sitting weirdly at our desks). This warming balm from ELEMIS has been designed to ease tension and tightness, while also strengthening your skin, with its relaxing infusion of linseed, blackcurrant seed and black seed oil. You'll immediately feel the menthyl lactate and menthol warm up your skin as your senses enjoy the natural fragrance of juniper, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus and thyme.

2. Clarins Relax Body Treatment Oil

Best Massage Oil for Stress:

Feeling stressed after a hard day at work? Don’t worry, we've found the perfect calming solution. Unwind with the help of this relaxing body treatment oil from Clarins. With 100% pure plant extracts, including geranium, chamomile and basil, it soothes your senses and your muscles after a stressful or busy day. It also combats feelings of stress and fatigue, plus gives you supple skin with hazelnut extract.

3. ELEMIS Japanese Camellia Oil Blend

Best Massage Oil for Dry Skin:

Another great buy from ELEMIS is the gorgeous aromatherapy oil that can be used to nourish not only your body, but hair, scalp and nails too! Vitamin E and plant collagen relieve irritated skin and balance your skin's moisture levels. Plus, you'll love the delicate sheen it gives your hair and skin. Massage it in wherever you need it and get your glow on!

4. Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil

Best Massage Oil for Mums To Be:

If you’re an expecting mum, no doubt you'll only want to use gentle formulations on your skin. From plant-based brand Weleda comes this wholesome oil developed with the help of doctors and midwives, suitable before, during and after pregnancy. Sweet almond oil plumps out your skin with its fatty acids while organic arnica extract easies feelings of tightness, for an overall reduction in the look of stretch marks.

5. This Works Baby Sleep Massage Oil

Best Massage Oil for Babies:

Once your little bundle of joy has arrived, it’s important to keep their delicate skin nourished and protected too with a gentle formula made just for such sensitive skin. We love this 100% natural and dermatologically tested one from This Works, which helps you bond with your baby and encourage a better night's sleep. It contains sweet almond oil, vitamin E and a calming blend of lavender, chamomile and lemon balm.

6. Trilogy Pure Plant Body Oil

Best Massage Oil for Sensitive Skin

If you've got sensitive skin, you'll probably want to avoid anything with artificial fragrance (parfum) and choose an oil with soothing properties so you can totally relax into your massage, knowing your skin won't flare up. We recommend this blend of rosehip, sweet almond and apricot, which offers long-lasting hydration without any fragrance. It also supports your skin's natural pH, soothes inflammation and helps with stretch marks and scarring.

7. ESPA Restful Bath & Body Oil

Best Massage Oil for Bath Time:

What better way to create the ultimate pamper sesh than with this nourishing bath and body oil that can be used as a bath soak, moisturiser, massage oil and aromatherapy oil? We picked the Restful version, but ESPA carry a whole range of bath and body oils for different needs you'll definitely want to check out. This particular one is great before bed, soothing your senses with lavender, clary sage and eucalyptus at the same time as your skin's moisture barrier is strengthened by plant oils and omegas 6 and 9.

8. Dr Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Oil

Best Massage Oil for Reenergising:

In the morning it can be hard to find the motivation to jump up and go, but we may have just found the best solution (no, it isn’t more coffee). Add this revitalising body oil from Dr Hauschka to your morning routine to feel refreshed and raring to go. It uses an invigorating mixture of jojoba oil, sunflower oil, vitamin E, horsetail extract and lemongrass to calm your skin and give it a youthful glow. Lemon essential oil wakes you right up with its delicate citrus scent as you massage it into your body and firm up your skin.

9. Davines Naturaltech Well-Being Massage Oil

Best Massage Oil for Your Scalp:

Your scalp needs some lovin' too! If you've ever been shampooed out at the hair salon then you know what we mean. Relax into your scalp massage as you also improve scalp elasticity, nourishment and microcirculation with this lovely oil. Echinacea phytoceuticals, which are rich in vitamin C, lend antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to your scalp too.

10. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil

Best Massage Oil for Multi-use:

Searching for the best all-rounder? Look no further than the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil. It can be used all over the body from back massages to hair treatments to strengthening your nails, not to mention it being the perfect facial serum. With 100% natural oils (including the antioxidant and anti-ageing Tsubaki oil and sweet almond and macadamia oil for softening) this must-have product feels fantastic on the skin and is ideal for deep, relaxing massages. It even helps with stretch marks. Seriously, what's not to love?

No matter what the day brings, indulge in these nourishing body and massage oils for the perfect pamper morning or night. And to ramp up your self care routine, why not take a look at The 7 Best Smelling Body Lotions That Have Us Drooling or these top face massage tools.