BODY OILS

Most people are familiar with only two types of body oil - 'baby oil' and 'massage oil'. 'Baby oil' is mineral oil from petrochemical sources with a synthetic fragrance added. Mineral oil has been linked with acne and is also believed to leach vitamins from the body.

'Massage oil' vary enormously in ingredient quality and overal effectiveness. Many massage oils are made with heat-treated or solvent-extracted oils that may also not be entirely fresh. Fatty acid peroxides, also known as 'free radicals' wreak major damage on oils that have been weakened by heat or chemical treatment, resulting in a shortened shelf life. You can easily recognize a peroxidized massage oil by its characteristic rancid smell, and in extreme cases, by the sticky, crystallized deposits between the neck of the bottle and the lid.

Too many commercial massage oils are fragranced with synthetic aroma chemical fruit and flower scents, which are foreign to the body and are not recommended for application to permeable body skin. No heat or chemical treated oil, stale oil, or oil with synthetic fragrance additives should ever be used in the practice of professional full body massage.

So, how do you go about finding a first class body oil for massage and skincare?? The answer is simple. Nourishing body oils are incredibly easy to make yourself. Obtain the freshest cold pressed vegetable, seed or nut oils you can find, add oil-soluble and special ingredients like phospholipids, herbal infused oils and pure essential oils and you will have created the ultimate body oil - in less than five minutes.

Your body formula can be customized with the aromatherapeutic essences of your choice, and can be used for massage and general skincare, for scalp and hair treatments, hand and footcare, and as a bath oil.

BODY OIL*
A multi-purpose oil for massage, skincare, or for use after a bath or shower, this basic bodycare recipe combines cold-pressed vegetable and nuts oils with skin nurtured speciality oils and vitamins.

• 4 oz (120ml) hazelnut oil
• 4 oz (120ml) pecan or safflower oil
• 1/2 oz (15ml) wheatgerm oil
• 1 tsp (5ml) Vitamin E

Combine the natural oils and Vitamin E in a bowl, and stir until blended. Pour the oil through a funnel into a bottle and cap tightly. You can add up to 200 drops of the essential oils or oil blend of your choice to 8 oz / 240ml of carrier oil.

DELUXE AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE OIL
A multi-purpose oil designed to soothe and care for the skin in need of nourishing treatment. Vitamin E and evening primrose oil add richness and texture. For all skin types.

• 6 oz (180ml) unfragranced body oil (see the body oil recipe*)
• 1 oz (30ml) evening primrose oil
• 1/2 tsp Vitamin E
• 100 drops of the essential oils or blend of your choice

Mix all oils together in a beaker, stir and pour into a bottle. Apply liberally as needed.

SERENITY AORMATHERAPY SKINCARE OIL
This smooth, fine-textured oil has a fragrance reminiscent of orange orchards in full bloom!

• 8 oz (240ml) unfragranced body oil (see the body oil recipe*)
• 30 drops sweet orange Pure Essential Oil
• 20 drops East Indian sandalwood Pure Essential Oil
• 20 drops ylang-ylang Pure Essential Oil
• 10 drops neroli Pure Essential Oil
• 10 drops bitter orange Pure Essential Oil
• 10 drops vanilla oleo-resin

Mix all the oils together, stir and decant into a glass bottle. This oil is an excellent oil to use after a bath or shower. A massage with 'Serenity' oil is blissful, heavenly experienced.