Oil vs. cream vs. gel

Which is the best and why?

It's personal preference. I prefer oil.

Oil glides better. But then again, some people don't like that oily feeling after a massage. Oil has the chance of dripping on the floor which can make things slippery... this only happened to a classmate in massage school.

People like the feel of lotions and creams rather than oil... but you may need some practice to get the hang of it. Most creams come in a jar or tube and cannot be held in a holster. You must carry around the thing during the entire massage. If it's in a jar you need to keep hygiene in mind. You need to transfer some into a little cup for each client, making sure you don't put in too much or too little (you don't want to waste any or worse yet, run out during the massage).

Most lotions come in a pump and can be put in a holster.

Practice all three and see which one you like the feel of.

Whichever way you go, I suggest avoiding anything scented. A client may hate the smell of your oil/lotion/cream and might not book another appointment because of it (clients have told me this about other therapists). If you want scented, ask the client beforehand if they want scented or unscented and let them smell it.

Whoops, didn't even mention gel! When I tried gel, it was similar to lotion and cream in that it didn't have a good glide and would require a bit of practice. But it really seemed to reduce the oily and lotiony residue that some clients just don't like. Gel always seems a little cool when it first touches the skin (warm up in hands for a few seconds). Oil gets warm the quickest.

Hope that helps!

I personally like oil because the client doesn't feel a breeze on it. But gel and lotion makes the client cold. Plus, gel and lotion irritates my hands! Oil is good for the skin..

Biotone!!!

I like lotion. Aside from it's delicious smell, people like the feel of lotions and creams rather than oil...

www.swiha.edu

I like oil for all of the aforementioned reasons. If you have a client that does not like the feel of oil after a session: 1. you may be using too much oil very little is needed to glide well
2. provide them with a WARM (nearly hot) hand towel to wipe down with after the session

I typically lean towards cream, I think mostly because we used cream in school and it's just what I know.

A few years ago I started using oil and with some practice I can honestly say it doesn't make too much difference in doing the massage and offer the decision to my clients. However, if they say it doesn't matter, I'll use cream; mostly because I find that's what most people choose simply because oil sometimes lays on the skin.

I've never used gel - giving clients the two choices can sometimes be 'too much', adding one more option would probably be decision overload.

I prefer working with Jojoba oil, which is actually a liquid wax. It absorbs well into a persons skin, doesn't stain (great for linens), and I can use essential oils with it very well to create different mixes.

I use both depending on what treatment I am doing and whether the guest has a hairy body. I use oil with Hot Stone treatments. And I use a combination of oil and lotion for a hairy body - it mats the hair down without pulling on the hair. I used to use nothing but oil, then nothing but lotion, then nothing but gel. All different textures. I hear it's good to change it up so your body does develop a reaction to overuse of a product.

Masswill in Zürich, Switzerland said: Which is the best and why?

I prefer lotion, but one that has enough glide to last through most of the body part. PurePro is my favorite, but there are a few others. Creams are complicated to work with, oils leak and can leave a greasy feel. I tried on gel and my client's skin broke out.

I have always used either a sesame or olive based oil, but both stain clothes and sheets. In school our instructor gave us a recipe for a sesame oil mixed with coconut cream to make our own lotion. I did use this a few times, but it also stains and is a little hard to work with. Currently I am looking into trying one of the new non-staining lotion. I did like the feel of one in a tester as it was less oily feeling than oil and seemed to have decent glide.

I use all except for the gel. Tried the gel in school and never liked it. Basic massage I prefer lotion using a pump w/holster. I like that if I get too much I can stick it on my forearm till I need more an then its nice and warm. Can't do that with oil, if you get out too much its going on your client. I only use oil when I'm doing bamboo fusion and then I like a fractionated coconut oil because its very light and doesn't leave you feeling greasy. I like using a cream when I do ashiatsu because it stays on the skin a little bit longer than a lotion and has a little more drag than oil.
I also use lotion when I'm adding aromatherapy and I always make a little more than I would need so I can send the extra home with the client in a little container with my contact info on it. Makes them feel like they're getting more bang for their buck and is cheap advertisement for you.
If you like using a pump in a holster I would at least get accustomed to not using it for a few massages. When I was in school I was exclusivly a holster user. One time in clinic my pump ran out in the middle of a massage and the only extra I had was a flip cap so my holster was useless. Not cool to be working on someones neck to realize that you left the bottle down by their feet. Morale to the story is don't become too dependant on the holster so that if there comes a time when you can't use it your not going to be off your game.

I personally like lotion best especially if you have a warmer. Oil is great but clients can have some problems with it and you never want to make your clients feel like they need to take a shower after their session so I say Lotion.

I would also recommend adding some Organic Essential Oils to the lotion to help make the experience even more relaxing for your clients.

I have tried a lot of different sources and must admit that Snow Lotus Essential Oils are now my favorites. They actually offer high quality organic essential oils and my clients love them!
www.snowlotus.org
Try them, you will like them for sure.