You should enjoy every second of your massage, but if you're using a lubricant that leaves your skin feeling dry, itchy, or sensitive, you'll have a tough time feeling relaxed. While most oils are designed for all skin types, some contain ingredients that can cause mild topical irritation or allergic reactions.
Before buying any massage liquid (or any other lubricant), you should make sure that you know exactly what you're getting, particularly if you've had a bad experience with a particular oil. Some of the most common potential irritants are listed below.
It's important to note that these ingredients only cause reactions in certain users, so if your lubricant has one of these substances, you shouldn't necessarily assume that it will irritate your skin (and conversely, don't assume that your oil is completely safe just because it doesn't have any of the ingredients listed below).
Essential Oils and Extracts
Natural plant oils can promote healthier skin and provide a pleasant aroma to complement your massage. However, they can also cause a reaction; ginger, lemon, oregano, basil, cinnamon, avocado, and clove are particularly problematic for sensitive skin people.
Parabens
These synthetic preservatives can cause contact dermatitis, often characterized by an itching or burning sensation. Methylparaben and propylparaben are two of the most commonly used chemicals in this class, but any ingredient with a "-paraben" suffix could conceivably irritate.
Menthol and Mint Oils
Massage lubricants that offer cooling or warming sensations often contain peppermint oil or menthol, although some contain capsaicin and other substances. Any cooling or warming ingredient could cause skin issues. If you like added sensations in your massage oil, look for a product with real peppermint oil (not menthol, typically much stronger) or a skin-friendly additive like vanillyl butyl ether.
Natural and Synthetic Fragrances
The term "fragrance" encompasses many substances used to add an aroma to your oil. Some of these ingredients can cause inflammation, which leads to itching, dryness, or mild pain. Floral fragrances can be particularly problematic due to cross-pollination from ragweed and other allergens. Skin irritation symptoms can vary greatly from one user to the next.
Severe symptoms can be fairly painful, so you should always test new liquids before using them for massage. Apply a small amount to your skin and let it sit for an hour or two; your partner should do the same. When choosing your massage liquid, look for a product that is specifically designed for topical use.
Avoid hand and foot lotions, as they're usually designed for fairly tough skin. A high-quality massage lubricant will last much longer and will stand less of a chance of irritation. As you might expect, simpler massage lubricants are less likely to cause a reaction.
Some products are marketed as hypoallergenic, meaning that they mainly contain inert substances such as silicone that aren't known to cause reactions. If you have skin sensitivities, these are an excellent choice.
Remember, most massage oils are not intended for use as sexual lubricants. If you want a product that works equally well for massage or sex, silicone lubricants are ideal since most contain pure, hypoallergenic silicone and nothing else.
You can also look for a water-based lubricant with a fairly thin texture and a paraben-free formula - make sure that it's designed for sex.
Finally, if you experience a painful reaction or your symptoms don't disappear after a day or two, call your doctor and get a professional diagnosis. Most of the ingredients listed above will not cause serious symptoms unless you have allergies but stay on the safe side if you believe that your massage oil causes severe irritation.