Lomi-lomi massage is an ancestral Hawaiian practice designed to restore balance and harmony to body and mind. To fully enjoy the benefits of this type of massage, it’s essential to choose the right massage oil. In this article, we’ll guide you in choosing the ideal oil for your Hawaiian massage sessions.
Characteristics of a good Lomi-lomi massage oil
To correctly perform this island massage, certain characteristics are essential. Here are the main criteria to consider:
- Texture: A good massage oil should have a light, non-greasy texture to facilitate penetration into the skin and enable the masseur to work easily on different areas of the body.
- Moisturization: The skin must be properly hydrated during a massage. The oil chosen must therefore have nourishing and moisturizing properties to maintain good skin health during and after the massage.
- Glide: For an effective Lomi-lomi massage, the oil must make it easy for the hands to glide over the skin, avoiding any risk of irritation due to repeated rubbing.
- Composition: It’s best to choose a natural massage oil, free of chemicals and parabens, to respect the skin’s sensitivity and balance.
Recommended vegetable oils
There is a wide range of vegetable oils that can be used. Here are some of the best options:
Coconut oil: an exotic oil with multiple benefits
Coconut oil is often considered the best option for Hawaiian massages due to its exceptional moisturizing and softening properties. It offers excellent glide while leaving skin silky soft. What’s more, it has a pleasant, exotic fragrance that promotes relaxation during the massage.
Rich in saturated fatty acids,coconut oil has a melting texture ideally suited to Lomi-lomi massage:
- It facilitates the gliding of hands over the body, while offering a light cooling effect,
- Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent oil for acne-prone skin,
- Its lauric acid content protects the skin barrier and prevents dehydration.
You can mix coconut oil with essential oils to perfume your massage and add a relaxing, energizing or pain-relieving effect, depending on your needs. However, be sure to respect the recommended dosages to avoid skin reactions.
Almond oil: soft and moisturizing
Sweet almond oil is also very popular for Lomi-lomi massages. It has a light texture and penetrates easily into the skin, enabling the masseur to work effectively on different areas of the body. Rich in vitamins A and E, it has nourishing and regenerating properties that help maintain skin suppleness and elasticity.
Extracted from the almonds of the almond tree,almond oil is appreciated for its nourishing, softening and soothing properties. It is particularly well suited to
- It quickly penetrates the skin without leaving a greasy or sticky sensation,
- Its light texture enables fluid, rhythmic movements typical of Hawaiian massage,
- Its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve muscle and joint tension.
Almond oil can be used alone or in synergy with other vegetable and/or essential oils to enhance its effects.
Grape seed oil: a light, balancing oil
Grape seed oil is another interesting option for Hawaiian massages. It offers a light, non-greasy texture that makes it easy for hands to glide over the skin. This oil is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the skin against premature aging and external aggression.
Derived from grape seeds,grape-seed oil is often used in massages for its low-fat texture and anti-inflammatory properties:
- It quickly penetrates the skin without clogging pores,
- Its balancing action helps regulate sebum production,
- It strengthens blood vessels, preventing the appearance of varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.
This oil is particularly suitable for people with combination to oily skin or those prone to skin inflammation. Like almond oil, it can also be combined with other oils to enhance its effects.
Jojoba oil: an oil with regenerating properties
Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax derived from the seeds of simmondsia chinensis, a plant native to North America. It offers several advantages:
- It has a structure similar to human sebum, enabling it to penetrate the skin easily without leaving a greasy film,
- Its regenerative properties promote healing and repair of skin tissue,
- It is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive or dry.
Jojoba oil can also be used as a base for diluting essential oils. Its calming and soothing action makes it a good choice to accompany essential oils acting on anxiety, stress or sleep disorders.
Avocado oil
Highly nourishing, avocado oil is ideal for dry or mature skin. It penetrates the skin easily, leaving a light protective film that maintains hydration throughout the massage. What’s more, it contains vitamins A, D and E, as well as essential fatty acids that help regenerate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Vegetable oil synergies for an optimal Lomi-lomi massage
To reap the full benefits of this massage, you can also blend different plant oils to create your own plant oil synergy:
- Combining dry oils: You can blend dry oils such as macadamia oil and hazelnut oil to create a fine, silky texture that glides easily during massage.
- Combine moisturizing oils: For optimum hydration, combine oils rich in essential fatty acids, such as grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil.
- Combining regenerating oils: You can also mix oils and ingredients with regenerating and soothing properties, such as avocado oil and borage oil, to promote skin repair during massage.
Mix carefully and test a small amount on the client’s skin for allergic reactions.
Adding essential oils to enrich your massages
To enhance your Hawaiian massage sessions and boost their effectiveness, you can add a few drops of essential oils to your massage oil. Essential oils can help stimulate the senses and intensify the benefits of massage. Here are a few suggestions for essential oils:
- Lavender essential oil: Renowned for its relaxing properties, lavender essential oil can be added to your preparation to promote relaxation and relieve stress.
- Eucalyptus essential oil: This oil has decongestant and revitalizing properties that help purify and refresh the mind during massage.
- Ylang-ylang essential oil: With its enchanting fragrance and relaxing effects, ylang-ylang essential oil can be used to enhance the relaxing effect.
- Lemon essential oil: For an invigorating and energizing effect, add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your preparation. This oil stimulates blood circulation and helps combat physical and mental fatigue.
In conclusion, choosing the right massage oil is crucial to reap the full benefits of Lomi-lomi massage. Don’t hesitate to test different combinations of vegetable and essential oils to find the one that best suits your needs and skin type.
