Make Your Own Massage Oils: Recipes for Every Body

Massage oils are a simple, effective way to support wellbeing, soothe the nervous system, ease muscle tension, and care for the skin. Whether you're looking to unwind, calm an overworked body, or nourish ageing or sensitive skin, creating your own massage oil lets you choose ingredients that feel right for your body.

At Zurma, we stock a beautiful range of nut and seed oils and essential oils that can be blended to suit different moods, purposes, and skin types.

Why Use a Massage Oil?

A good massage oil helps hands glide over the skin without friction, while delivering therapeutic benefits through both the skin and the senses. The base oils (like Almond, Apricot, or Jojoba) condition the skin, while essential oils bring their calming, stimulating, or pain-relieving properties.

Use them for:

-Relaxation and sleep support

-Sore muscles and joint relief

-Emotional grounding

-Nurturing dry, mature, or young skin

-Post-exercise recovery

-General daily self-care

Recipe 1: Relax & Unwind Massage Oil

Perfect before bed, after a long day, or during times of stress.

Ingredients:

30ml Sweet Almond Oil

4 drops Lavender Essential Oil

3 drops Mandarin Essential Oil

2 drops Frankincense Essential Oil

How to use:
Warm a few drops between your palms and massage gently into shoulders, feet, or back.

Recipe 2: Muscle Relief Massage Oil

Designed to ease tight, tired muscles after physical work or a workout.

Ingredients:

30ml Sunflower Oil

3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

3 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil

2 drops Ginger Essential Oil

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil

How to use:
Apply to sore areas and massage slowly into the skin. Avoid broken skin.

Recipe 3: Nurturing Skin Massage Oil (for Older or Dry Skin)

A deeply moisturising blend ideal for mature or dry skin.

Ingredients:

20ml Apricot Kernel Oil

10ml Camellia or Cacay Oil

4 drops Geranium Essential Oil

2 drops Myrrh Essential Oil

2 drops Lavender Essential Oil

How to use:
Use generously on arms, legs, and hands after bathing or before bed. Gentle enough for older skin.

Recipe 4: Gentle Baby & Child Massage Oil

A light, calming blend suitable for young skin. Always do a patch test first.

Ingredients:

30ml Jojoba Oil

1 drop Chamomile Roman Essential Oil

1 drop Lavender Essential Oil

How to use:
Warm in hands and apply gently to baby’s back, legs, or feet.

Notes on Safety

Always dilute essential oils properly. For adults, 2–3% dilution is typical (that’s around 6–9 drops per 30ml of carrier oil). For children and the elderly, use 1% or less.

Do a patch test if you’re unsure of sensitivity.

Store your massage oils in amber glass bottles, out of direct sunlight.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own massage oils is a simple way to support wellbeing while caring for the skin. Whether you're easing tension after a long day, caring for whānau of all ages, or simply looking for a quiet moment of connection, these blends offer a beautiful, tactile way to tune in and slow down.

Explore our full Essential Oil and Nut & Seed Oil ranges to get started.