Hi! In this post, I want to share a bit about the massage cream I use in my practice.
I keep it in a little container—it looks pretty simple—but what’s inside is something I put a lot of thought and care into.
Interestingly, most clients never ask what kind of cream or oil I’m using during a session. I never used to ask either, back before I went to massage school. But when I trade sessions with other massage therapists or talk shop, it’s always one of the topics that comes up. We have strong opinions and preferences about our massage oils, waxes, lotions and creams—it’s one of those foundational choices that really matters to us.
I’m also an herbalist, so this is one of those areas where my two worlds overlap. I make my own massage cream. Part of the reason is that I use it constantly, and it has to be good for my hands too. I also have some sensitivities to ingredients commonly found in commercial massage creams, so creating my own lets me control exactly what goes into it.
Why I Made My Own Formula
I designed this cream with a few key things in mind:
- It has to be great for your skin. I only use high-quality ingredients that are nourishing and gentle.
- It needs to perform well for massage. That means it has to have the right balance of “tack” and “glide.”
Tack gives me the grip I need when working with fascia—when I want to grab the skin and move it deliberately.
Glide allows my hands to move smoothly over the surface without dragging or causing friction. Getting both in the same product requires the right combination of ingredients.
Also, unlike a regular body lotion that’s designed to absorb quickly and be non-greasy, a massage cream needs to stay on the surface longer—I want it to hold up for 10 minutes while I’m working an area.
What’s In It?
Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients I use, in case you have sensitivities or are just curious:
- Jojoba Oil – This makes up the bulk of the formula. It’s the plant oil most similar to our own natural sebum, the oil that our skin produces, so it’s excellent for replenishing what we wash off when we use soap.
- Kokum Butter – Very tacky and very nourishing. It adds grip and skin benefits.
- Cocoa Butter – Has a lovely scent and texture. It’s tacky too and contributes to that “grippy” quality.
- Mango Butter – Smooth and creamy with a nice balance between tack and oiliness.
- Coconut Oil – Super slippery, so it brings in the glide. It also has a cool property: it changes phase with warmth. That means it starts out helping the cream keep its structure, but softens as it warms up on the body, making it easy to spread.
Will I Sell It?
I’ve had a few massage therapists ask if I’ll sell this cream. I don’t currently, but I’d be open to it if I could find the right partnership. I’d also love to offer a workshop where we make it together—kind of a DIY herbalist-meets-bodywork experience.
In the meantime, this is the cream I use in my sessions. I’m always happy to use something else if a client prefers, but this is my default.
The perfect balance of slick and grip. Fragrance free. Simple.
Thanks for reading! I hope you’re well. Take care.