The 9 Best Massage Oils of 2020

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First Look

Best Overall: Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil at Amazon

"Not only is this oil cost-effective, its 16 ounce bottle goes a long way."

Best for Babies: Pipette Baby Oil with Renewable Plant-Derived Squalane at buybuybaby.com

"Contains fatty acids, ceramides, and antioxidants like açaí berry sterols and vitamin E."

Best for Sex: Foria Awaken Arousal Oil at foriawellness.com

"It contains organic coconut MCT oil, as well as broad-spectrum hemp and natural botanicals."

Best Budget: Unscented Neutrogena Moisturizing Light Sesame Body Oil at Amazon

"While this feels super light on the skin, the sesame oil will definitely leave you feeling nourished and soft."

Runner-Up, Best Budget: Banyan Botanicals Organic Sunflower Oil at Amazon

"This oil does have a scent, but much like its texture on the skin, it’s light."

Best Multi-Purpose: Hobacare 100% Pure Jojoba Oil at Amazon

"This oil takes home the best multi-purpose title because it’s also great as a massage oil, a moisturizer, and a hair oil."

Best for Sensitive Skin: Maple Holistics Pure Grapeseed Oil at Amazon

"This oil is packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and beta carotene, which make it not only gentle on sensitive skin, but nourishing to irritated, acne-prone skin."

Best Warming: Weleda Muscle Massage Oil at Amazon

"It also doesn’t have any synthetics or preservatives that can be harmful or irritating."

Best for Sore Muscles: Brookthorne Naturals Relief Arnica Massage Oil at Amazon

"It also contains arnica, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with all sorts of swelling and even arthritis-related pain."

Whether you have sore muscles, headaches or even if you need relief for dry, itchy skin—there is a massage oil out there that can definitely provide you with some serious relief. Not only will adding oils into your life become an absolute ritual, you’ll find that it’s a fairly easy way to keep your skin feeling more soft and supple than ever before. There are also oils for soreness, warmth, and intimate moments that will make your life easier and leave you feeling relaxed and relieved. Here are a few of the best massage oils on the market that are worth checking out.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil

We all know almonds are good for us, but if you’ve never considered the oil, think again. Not only is this oil cost-effective, it contains 16 ounces of the good stuff that will definitely go a long way. In addition to adding moisture to dry or irritated skin, this is the perfect lightweight, moisture-infused oil that can be used on damp hair as well.

It’s rich in vitamin E and fatty acids that will lock in moisture—so definitely apply this as quickly as you can after getting out of the shower or bath. This is also great as a massage oil due to its fast absorption. It’s also super gentle on sensitive skin and doesn’t have a smell.

Best for Babies: Pipette Baby Oil with Renewable Plant-Derived Squalane

Squalane is a moisturizing agent that is found in sebum—so it’s truly a natural, gentle solution for their skin. This one is derived from sugarcane, which is a natural and environmentally-friendly source.

This oil also contains fatty acids, ceramides, and antioxidants like açaí berry sterols and vitamin E. The brand works with dermatologists, pediatricians, and biologists to make sure the product is not only safe but also effective at providing moisture and nourishment to your baby’s skin. It’s also hypoallergenic and free of all synthetic fragrances.

Best for Sex: Foria Awaken Arousal Oil

Foria focuses on all-natural, plant-based formulas in all of their products, and this is especially important for their arousal oil as it banishes the likelihood of irritation. It contains organic coconut MCT oil, as well as broad-spectrum hemp and natural botanicals—all of which are intended to support blood flow, lubrication, and create a heightened physical sensation.

One of the reviews also boasts its efficacy for menopausal couples who may be experiencing pain during intimate moments. It does not have a scent and comes in packaging intended specifically to minimize environmental waste.

Best Budget: Unscented Neutrogena Moisturizing Light Sesame Body Oil

At 16 ounces, one bottle of Unscented Neutrogena Moisturizing Light Sesame Body Oil will go a long way—and trust us, you’ll be grateful for that. While this feels super light on the skin, the sesame oil will definitely leave you feeling nourished and soft.

You may be used to oils feeling, well… oily. That said, this product is so light and absorbs so quickly into the skin that you’ll hardly notice it. It’s also scent-free, which is great for people who are sensitive to smells in general, as well as those who aren’t super fond of the smell of sesame oil.

Runner-Up, Best Budget: Banyan Botanicals Organic Sunflower Oil

Reviewers love this oil for massages, skin, and hair—and that’s a seriously tall order. It’s frequently used as a carrier oil, which means that it’s used as the base in massage oils that combine different ingredients like essential oils.

Sunflower oil also has cooling properties, which is particularly great for massage or for sun-damaged skin. This oil does have a scent, but much like its texture on the skin, it’s light.

Best Multi-Purpose: Hobacare 100% Pure Jojoba Oil

This product introduces another power house: jojoba oil. It’s commonly used to treat skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, and even minor scrapes and cuts. It’s also been potentially shown to help with acne, especially with consistent usage.

That said, this oil takes home the best multi-purpose title because it’s also great as a massage oil, a moisturizer, and a hair oil. More specifically, due to its healing properties, it can help soothe dry, irritated, or broken-out scalps—and that’s always a plus. While it’s also scent-free, it is a good carrier if you want to add in a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to make your experience more soothing and spa-like.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Maple Holistics Pure Grapeseed Oil

This oil is packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and beta carotene, which make it not only gentle on sensitive skin, but nourishing to irritated or scarred skin. It’s scent-free and great to act as a carrier oil for essential oils, so you can add any favorite essential oil to it. Reviewers rave about this product, saying that it's helped improve their complexions and is great for fighting wrinkles.

Best Warming: Weleda Muscle Massage Oil

If you work out a lot and haven’t yet discovered how great a warming oil can be—this little bottle will seriously change your life. Even if you don’t have time to book an actual sports massage, working this into your lower back, sore biceps, or calf muscles will help release tension and provide a lasting warmth that’s super comforting.

Weleda Muscle Massage Oil doesn’t have any synthetics or preservatives that can be harmful or irritating. It has a very slight smell, but nothing overwhelming. Apply this oil to sore spots before bed, as it creates a relaxing, warming feeling that will help you drift off into dreamland.

Best for Sore Muscles: Brookthorne Naturals Relief Arnica Massage Oil

The ingredient list on this little bottle reads like a who’s-who of the oil world. It includes all the greats like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil. If all of those aren’t enough to sell you on it’s nourishing properties, it also contains eucalyptus, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper, all of which work to soothe soreness.

It also contains arnica, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with all sorts of swelling and even arthritis-related pain. The eucalyptus and lemongrass also add a refreshing scent that will make you feel like you’ve just entered the spa.

Final Verdict

Whether you’re in search of pain relief from muscle soreness or a solution to your dry skin, Brookthorne Naturals Relief Arnica Massage Oil is your best bet. Whenever or not you're buying an oil, make sure you’re looking into ingredients, especially if you have an allergy to nuts or any skin sensitivities.

What to Look for in a Massage Oil

Ingredients: Be sure to evaluate the ingredients in an oil before you purchase. If you’re hoping to soothe sore muscles, aim for calming agents like eucalyptus or arnica. If you’re looking for something super gentle and moisturizing make sure the oils contain ingredients like ceramides and squalane.

Precautions: Always take any allergies into consideration, but especially nut allergies as so many of the oils contain some form of nut oil or nut extract. It’s also best to make sure you’re allowing the oil time to sink into your skin after a shower so as not to stain any fabrics you touch afterwards.

Why Trust Verywell Health

An experienced health writer, Brittany Loggins understands how important it is to have a comprehensive understanding of the products she's recommending. All of the products found in her pieces have either been tested by her first hand, or have been recommended by trusted medical professionals.

Our writers spent 8.5 hours researching the most popular massage oils on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 20 different massage oils overall, screened options from 12 different brands and manufacturers, read over 410 user reviews (both positive and negative), and tested 1 of the oils themselves. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.