This pages discusses the different massage oils and butters incorporated into my sessions.

“AROMATIC DESERT” OIL OPTIONS:

APRICOT KERNEL OIL

Comedogenic Rating: 2 – Will not clog pores on MOST people

    Apricot kernel oil is a lightweight oil with the ability to penetrate the skin while leaving little surface residue.  It has properties similar to sweet almond oil and is generally considered hypoallergenic for people who are allergic to nuts.  However, for those allergic to apricots, this oil should be avoided for topical use.

    The apricot kernel oil has one of the most diverse list of benefits, and is affordable to be able to be used as a primary/base massage oil for a session, which is why I have chosen to have it as an option.  It is rich in essential fatty acids and is high in vitamins that are important for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin.  It, also, is anti-bacterial which makes it a valuable for reducing acne causing bacteria.  In Chinese medicine, the oil of apricot kernels is used for constipation.  It is believed to help move toxins, salt, and uric acid out of the body and help inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, backaches, and fluid retention. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, the oil is used to help with dry skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.  In both cultures, the oil is used internally and externally for clearing conditions of the lungs, such as congestion and asthma, and is believed to fight cancer.

FRACTIONATED COCONUT OIL

Comedogenic Rating: 2 – Will not clog pores on MOST people

    This form of coconut oil has had the long-chain fatty acids removed to make it lightweight, odorless, and allow it to be liquid at room temperature.  The result is a product that is full of beneficial medium-chain fatty acids that readily absorbs into the skin and leaves little greasy residue with a much lower chance of clogging pores.  For these reasons, it is a go-to oil for many therapists who perform oil massage.

    Fractionated Coconut Oil softens and hydrates dry skin while providing antibacterial benefit for treating acne.  It has advantages over whole coconut oil that include an indefinite shelf life, improved heat resistance, and it has a greater cleansing effect on the skin.  Even though it lacks the lauric acid of whole coconut oil, it still is a good choice for hydrating skin and helps with the fading of skin spots, stretch marks, wound scars.

Fractionated Coconut oil is full of two important medium-chain fatty acids for the skin:

• Caprylic acid: A potent antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory fatty acid helpful in treating many skin conditions.  It is used to treat yeast infections, digestive disorders, and high cholesterol when taken orally or topically (to the skin).  Dermatophilosis, acne, eczema, and psoriasis are skin conditions treated and soothed by Caprylic acid.
• Capric acid: A strong antiviral and antimicrobial fatty acid.  Once absorbed into the body, Capric acid is converted into monocaprin that helps combat viruses, bacteria and Candida.

‘MASSAGE BUTTER’ OPTIONS:

I am currently experimenting with a couple of different plant-based butters to find an optimal blend.  These are the current butters that may be part of what is used for your session. If you have an allergy to any of them, I can create an alternative blend for your session.

ORGANIC HEMP SEED BUTTER

Hemp seed butter provides one of the highest concentrations of the four essential fatty acids beneficial to the skin: LA, GLA, LNA and SDA.  It is often used in body care products to moisturize dry and damaged skin (i.e. eczema, psoriasis and mastaligia). In addition, it is an excellent source of amino and Omega-3 fatty acids that can help help the hair become stronger and healthier.

Hemp seed oil is also one of the “driest” natural oils available, being absorbed quickly into the skin. It provides high fluidity and excellent lubricity without being greasy. The Hemp seed butter is produced using the fatty fractions and unsaponifiables (natural waxes/paraffins) which are collected during the refining process and are then blended with hydrogenated vegetable oil to produce a butter-like material suitable for use on skin and hair.

Hemp Seed Oil is produced from the oil of one of the world’s most nutritious seeds, It contains 24% protein, consisting of all of the 21 known amino acids, and contains the perfect balance of Essential Fatty Acids.

One of the ‘driest’ natural oils available, it is absorbed quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. Hemp Seed Butter is a creamy butter with white or yellowish to pale green tint that is ideal for skin care, having a very mild, pleasant scent and an excellent melting point. It is created by blending Hemp Seed Oil with non-GMO Soy Butter to produce a buttery material that is exceptionally rich in essential fatty acids, and suitable for use in cosmetics and toiletries.

ORGANIC RAW AFRICAN SHEA BUTTER

This butter has been used for centuries for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antiaging properties.  It comes from the nut of the Karite Shea tree that is indigenous to Africa. Raw Shea butter contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids.  Shea butter has the ability to soothe, hydrate and balance your skin. It is used as a moisturizer for dry skin and eczema, as a dry scalp treatment, for chapped lips and to help soften cracked dry skin on heels, elbows and knees.

UNREFINED MOROCCAN ARGAN BUTTER

Argan butter, just like Argan Oil, is a powerful moisturizer rich in triterpenoids – for remarkable skin healing properties, polyphenols – responsible for relieving inflammation, and tocopherols (Vitamin E, plus A and F) – powerful antioxidants to reverse aging. Use to protect skin from free radicals, outdoor extreme elements, cold, heat, rain, as well as the sun’s UVA radiation. Argan butter is the ultimate treatment to transform aging, dry, stressed and over exposed skin into radiant, flexible, and healthy looking skin.

Non-comedogenic and ideal for all skin types, from the most sensitive to acne-prone skin. Argan butter returns shine and luster to damaged hair, provides moisture and nutrient support from the scalp to split ends, and heals delicate areas including fingernails and cuticles.

Argan butter offers not only moisturizing and hydrating benefits to your skin. It is a powerful revitalizing emollient, which moisturizes and soothes skin & nourishes pores without clogging, restores softness and improves skin texture. Melt a small amount in the palm of your hand and apply to your scalp, hair, or hair ends, cuticles or nails. Use anywhere needing special attention to revitalize and restore.

ORGANIC UNREFINED TAMANU BUTTER

Tamanu butter, which is derived from the Tamanu nut oil, can treat acne and pimples very quickly. Our Organic Tamanu Butter is renowned for its skin conditioning and therapeutic properties. It has a variety of uses. Use this for making luxurious body butters for intense moisturization. It is believed to promote healthy skin and has antioxidant properties due to the natural presence of Palmitic, Stearic and Oleic Acid.

“Tamanu oil possesses a unique capacity to promote the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. This process is known as cicatrization.” – Chris Kilham.

Though this butter is thick and rich, once it is applied to skin it is readily and completely absorbed, leaving no oily residue. The following are the important benefits of Tamanu butter.

Healing properties:
According to researchers, Tamanu oil is a widely used traditional topical aid that can be used for a variety of skin irritations and diseases. In Pacific island folk medicine, Tamanu oil is applied liberally to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, and to reduce foot and body odor. Tamanu oil is also massaged into the skin to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica. Tamanu oil is employed by Polynesian women for promoting healthy, clear, blemish-free skin, and is also used on babies to prevent diaper rash and skin eruptions.

ORGANIC UNREFINED AVOCADO BUTTER

Avocado butter contains the antioxidant vitamins A, E and D that kill of the free radicals that age your skin. It, also, contains lecithin and unsaturated fatty acids that are beneficial to your skin, and it melts at only 30C – 35C making it very easy to apply to your skin.

It contains a natural sunscreen that protects your skin and hair from the damaging effects of the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.

It can be used to moisturize dry skin ad it can also help to reduce the appearance of age spots, sometimes referred to as liver spots, caused by the oxidation of fatty deposits just under your skin. Also, it is amazing cosmetic ingredient to add to your homemade scrubs and lotions.