Benefits of using oil on the skin
Ayurvedic oils and the benefits of oil massage (with discount codes)
I love using oil on my skin. Both my face and my body receive the benefits of using oil daily. And there are so many benefits to massaging the skin with oil - especially from an ayurvedic perspective.
Some of my favourite oils discussed in this blog post
What are the benefits of ayurvedic oil massage?
In ayurveda, abhyanga is often recommended in one’s daily routine. Abhyanga is often translated as a self-massage or warm oil massage. However, you can also receive abhyanga from an ayurvedic therapist.
In abhyanga, you warm up some oil and apply it to your skin. Traditionally you would leave it on whilst having a steam so the skin can absorb the benefits of the oils. But in our busy lives, you might simply leave the oil on for a while and then enjoy a warm shower as a substitute.
But there are other ways to use the oils.
Here are my favourite ways to enjoy the benefits of using oil on my skin:
Abhyanga / applying oil to the body
Ok, most days my abhyanga is literally just applying oil to my skin instead of body lotion. A quick application of the oils and that’s that. But ideally, I enjoy warming the oil a bit and then massage with love and attention. Taking the time to truly enjoy the touch, to calm my nervous system (I’ll share more about this in another post), to release any tenderness and care for my joints. Then I most often leave the oil on. Unless I have plenty of time to take a warm shower (as a substitute for a sauna) and relax after.
I am currently loving Osi Oils Shine Organic Ayurveda Vata Body Oil (use ANJA10 for a discount)
Face oils
I absolutely love facial oils. I use them daily; morning and night. And especially in the autumn and winter, I’ll also add a face cream on top. I love face oils because they truly moisturise the skin and my skin feels happy. I simply apply or massage the oil onto my face after cleansing. It’s simple and easy. Of course, it’s always better when you have time to massage and use different pressure points on the face and head. You can also apply a little oil to the nostrils and ears.
I’ve been using Neal’s Yard Remedies skin care products for years and I change between the Rose, Orange Flower and Frankincense facial oils depending on my mood - it’s aromatherapy and skin care in one!
Castor oil packs and belly massage
This is one of my favourite things to do. Castor oil is a heavy and sticky oil. It is used in ayurveda as well as many other traditions for various health issues. Often used for digestive issues as well as reproductive and menstrual health. (Please note there are contraindications so check with health care provider).
In a castor oil pack you apply a bit of oil on a flannel or an actual compress. Then leave it to work on your lower abdomen, liver, belly…wherever you need it. Add a hot water bottle if possible and take time to simply relax and breathe.
See the flannel below. Super easy to ties around the belly so the oil stays where it need to be!
However, I enjoy massaging the abdomen. This is where we digest. It’s where our intestines and bowels live. And depending on your focus you might apply the oil towards your liver, along the lower ribcage near your respiratory diaphragm, the navel and the solar plexus. You can also massage gently just above the pubic bone focusing on bringing some love to your ovaries and uterus.
The abdomen holds a lot… We might feel a knot in our belly or butterflies. We might feel tight and tender, heavy or light perhaps bloated, constipated or sensitive. We digest our food but also our emotions and all our sense impressions. And many of us are also digesting our relationship to our belly. How it looks, how we think it “should” look, how it changes through the day and through our menstrual cycle. Many of us hide our bellies or feel ashamed of them.
Massaging our belly brings awareness. Touch is so important. Touch is love. Belly massage is a beautiful way to truly relax our nervous system. Supports our lymphatic system and our digestion too.
For pure castor oil packs, I use Castor Vida (use code ANJALANGE to save £)). They sell the compress too which makes it very easy to use when applying the oil directly to the compress. Or use the compress after the massage to let the oil stay for a while. Again add your hot water bottle for extra benefits.
For a loving more fragrant belly massage you can try Flow Organic Ayurveda Belly Oil (use ANJA10 for a discount) which has a mix of base oils (including castor oil), ayurvedic herbs and essential oils.
Breast massage
When we massage our bodies please include your breasts. Always. And remember the tissues around the breasts too - this is also important if you have had a mastectomy or don’t have breasts.
Remember to include your breast and chest in your massage. (Not my breasts or nails!)
Breasts are often only associated with lovemaking and breastfeeding - and then it's not you but your partner or baby/babies who give them attention. It’s another body part that we can be very judgemental about - just like our belly. Are they the wrong shape, different shapes, too small, big, long or heavy… Are they in the way? We hide them inside bras. We compress them.
How often outside lovemaking do you cherish and touch your breasts?
To support breast health and lymphatic flow a gentle massage of the breast and around the breasts is part of ayurvedic abhyanga or massage. It’s also a perfect way to notice how your breasts change through your menstrual cycle. You can notice if there are unusual changes too which need to be monitored or checked.
Our chest is associated with our heart centre, the energetic and the spiritual heart. A place of unconditional love, compassion and devotion. Connecting to our heart through a loving chest and breast massage is about self-love too.
You can use your regular body oil for this. I am currently enjoying Osi Oils Féminin Breast Oil (use ANJA10 for a discount) which has a gentle soothing aroma and light qualities.
Currently loving the oils from Osi Oils.
Intimacy and vaginal dryness
Every skin tissue and mucosal part can become dry or sensitive including that of the vagina and vulva. Vaginal dryness during perimenopause and postmenopause is pretty common as well. To moisturise in general or lubricate for pleasure you can also apply oil. Use oils specifically for this sensitive area or simple oils such as coconut oil.
There are light oils designed to stimulate, lubricate and rejuvenate including CBD-based oils like the Clit Spritz from The Tonic (use ANJASTRIBE20 to save £) which I highly recommend.
Head to toe - oil massaging
Finally, include your head and your scalp. Massage your feet too. I’ll share more about why oil massage is so beneficial from the point of touch, the nervous system and in ayurveda in a coming post.
Mentioned recommended resources + discount codes:
Osi Oil (ayurvedic oils) use code: ANJA10
Castor Vida (Castor oil + compress) code: ANJALANGE
The Tonic (CBD oils) code: ANJASTRIBE20
Neal’s Yard Remedies (skin, face and body care + essential oils)
Other oils and brands I love and use:
Holistic Essentials in UK and EU / use ANJAYOGA for discounts
for oil massage, you can use most vegetable oils such as coconut or sesame (not toasted) such as this one
Check out my resources link too.
Continue reading my next blog to learn about oils for joint pain or creaky knees HERE
Read my next blog on joint health and oils here
FYI: only recommend products I truly love and believe in. And some are kindly offering a discount or are affiliates too. This does not affect what or why I recommend the specific products. For more recommended resources look here.