The Best Oils To Give Yourself (Or Your Partner) An At-Home Massage (2024)

The perfect end to a long day looks a little something like this: soaking in a hot bubble bath with flower petals and bath salts, then drying yourself off and massaging all your pressure points with an aromatic body oil to soothe sore muscles. An even better end to a stressful day is receiving a full-body rubdown from your SO in your humble abode that’ll help boost intimacy and bring you two closer.

Oils are the best for massages because they're lightweight—so it doesn’t leave a sticky, thick residue—and help your hands glide seamlessly across your body. The best ones have longer-lasting skincare benefits (like radiance-boosting effects) and make you say “aah” with their calming scents. Click through to see the best massage oils recommended by the experts who use them daily for when you (or your partner) need a self-care moment.

Massage proCamila Perez uses Clarins Contour Body Oil and Tonic Body Oil to give lymphatic drainage massages to her clients. “They are helpful due to their plant extract benefits, aiding inblood and lymph circulationand skin tightening and the overall aromatherapy results,” she says. Her process: “I start stimulating the lymph nodes, to ‘empty them,’ then begin movements that encourage the excessive fluids to get inside the vessels, following the lymphatic watershed, leading the lymph filtered and flushed out.”

Jojoba oil is used a lot in spas because it "closely resembles the natural oils in human skin," Piteo explains. "It's ideal for restoring moisture to dry skin."

A great alternative for those who are extremely sensitive to scents and oil blends, Piteo says she reaches for grapeseed oil because it doesn't have anoverbearing scent and soothes sensitive skin.

The Zeel massage network—which brings massages straight to your home—uses products from Biotone. “After more than 1.5 million appointments we've learned that it's always best to assume that everyone has sensitive skin in one way or another and these products don't inflame allergies, cause irritation, or bother those with sensitivities to strong smells,” says co-founder Alison Harmelin. This oil-infused gel from the brand moisturizes and nourishes as it is kneaded across skin.

Laura Piteo, director of massage at Oasis Day Spa, has an arsenal of oils she rotates daily. Arnica oil is a star player in the lineup for its"naturalpain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits and great for giving your regular massage oil a therapeutic kick."

We use coconut oil to cook with but it works as a great massage oil as well becauseit’s a bit more slippery than other oils. "For deep tissue work,it’s not ideal," Duarte explains. "But if you like that coconut scent, it's a readily available, all natural and hydrating product to work with."

Kimberly J Holmes-Cardona, Lead Massage Therapist at Chillhouse, loves reaching for the brand'sHave a Chill Night Body Oil. “Being a dry oil, it allows for a bit of slip without being overly greasy,” she says. “The spray applicator also means you are spending less time moving the oil around to lubricate the skin since it has a broader area of coverage in one spray. All of this, paired with calming ingredients such as hemp seed and blue tansy flower oil, will leave you feeling silky and relaxed all around.”

You'll find it challenging to stay awake after inhaling this blend of primary essential oils like sandalwood, frankincense, and myrrh. Fanny Duarte, lead massage therapist at SoJo Spa Club, says ESPA's Body Oil is "perfect for coaxing both mind and body into deep relaxation. The anti-inflammatory properties of all three essential oils are also the perfect boost to a relaxing massage."

The intoxicating smellsmell of lavender draws you in at first, and then you slip into a deep sleep. That's because lavender is a healing essential oil, Duarte says."I love giving relaxing massages and lavender is perfect for promoting relaxation and stress relief along with combating inflammation."