By: Tim Wong

Find interestingly shaped glass containers, so long as they can be airtight, it makes gifting even more special!

When it comes to making DIY massage oils, knowing what you want to achieve and what scents you like are a perfect start. Massage oils have a variety of effects depending on what essential oils you mix them with, whether they are for relaxation, sleep, muscle aches, energy or focus, to name a few—there’s a ton of different concoctions you can make. Before we jump right into essential oils however, we have to discuss the carrier oil, the base or main component for a good massage oil.

A good massage oil should not feel sticky or greasy, just the right amount to layer evenly and be absorbed evenly.

Carrier oils vary in terms of viscosity, scent and properties, but they mainly help to protect the skin by diluting essential oils. The general rule of thumb is to mix three drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of a carrier oil. For adults, the recommended dilution rate for topical use of essential oils is 2%. This means that for every 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil, add 36 drops of essential oil. This can be increased by up to 4% for individuals with acute problems and decreased to 1% for children (5-12 years old), people with skin sensitivities and pregnant mothers.

A few carrier oils we recommend are sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and grapeseed oil.

Contrary to other almond scents, sweet almond oil is bland letting your essential oils overtake its neutral scent.

Sweet almond oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, which helps your hair and skin and lowers risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease. It's also an excellent source of magnesium and phosphorus.

Unrefined jojoba oil is a clear golden hue at room temperature with a slightly nutty odor, refined jojoba oil is colourless and odourless.

Jojoba oil is a humectant ingredient, it keeps your skin moisturized by attracting water to the top layer of your skin. It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, as well as controls sebum production and promotes collagen synthesis.

Grapeseed oil is known to have a light, nutty aroma and a hint of sweetness along with a thin consistency.

Last but not least, grapeseed oil has high natural stores of antioxidants and omega fatty acids – especially linoleic acid – and vitamin E. It also has phytochemicals like proanthocyanidins which offer serious benefits in UV defense for your skin. The most stand-out quality for grapeseed oil is that it absorbs easily in the skin and hair.

Once you’ve decided on a carrier oil we can move onto some essential oils to mix them with!

Massaging the temples is a great way to relieve muscle tension and headache pains.

For a classic relaxation DIY massage oil, nothing quite beats a mixture of lavender, cedarwood and sweet orange for a calm, relaxing aroma. As one of the most popular and versatile essential oils, the scent of lavender improves mood and reduces anxiety. Mixed with cedarwood which acts as a sedative in lowering blood pressure and breathing rate, it produces a tranquil effect alongside sweet orange that lifts your mood and reduces stress.

Relaxation DIY Massage Oil

¼ cup jojoba oil

20 drops of lavender essential oil

6 drops of cedarwood essential oil

10 drops of sweet orange essential oil

Lubrication with massage oil is essential to reduce friction, so be generous on a large surface like the lower back.

In spirit of the upcoming cuffing season, even long-term couples can share an intimate moment with this romantic DIY massage oil using rose, ylang ylang and jasmine essential oils. Roses are emotionally soothing, known to help improve mood, and boost self confidence. Ylang ylang reduces anxiety and boosts self-esteem, also acting as a sedative in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure rates as well as heart rate in healthy men. Lastly, jasmine increases romantic and positive feelings, as well as energy levels, which can keep you alert to sexual cues.

Romance DIY Massage Oil

¼ cup sweet almond oil

12 drops of rose essential oil

12 drops of ylang ylang essential oil

12 drops of jasmine essential oil

Muscle aches are a common thing not just for athletes, people always on their feet need to soothe their legs too.

For those who deal with a lot of muscular tension, aches and pains whether chronic or arthritic, look no further—the best way to soothe muscle aches is with peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils. Peppermint has a refreshing, invigorating and cooling effect on your body making it feel less tired and sore. Eucalyptus provides respiratory support, relaxing your nerves with an analgesic effect. Rosemary ties it all together by perking you up, reducing drowsiness and joint inflammation, relieving pain and increasing blood circulation.

Muscle Aches DIY Massage Oil

¼ cup grapeseed oil

12 drops of peppermint essential oil

12 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

12 drops of rosemary essential oil