From: keg@strathspey.llnl.gov (Keith Grant)
Newsgroups: alt.backrubs
Subject: Choosing oils
Date: 6 Apr 92 20:22:09 GMT
Reply-To: keg@strathspey.llnl.gov (Keith Grant)
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

After all the previous postings on oils I couldn't resist adding my own
input on how and why I choose an oil.

First off, I don't set great store by the mineral oil versus vegetable oil
debate.  I have used both and both have advantages and disadvantages.  Any
thick oil if slopped liberally on the skin will clog pores.  Mineral oil
tends to be a thick oil.  If you get a lot of oil on your skin and wash
it away with lots of soap and warm water you will also remove natural
oils & moisteners from your skin.  The added oil  acts as a solvent for
your own oils.  This can be useful for removing black auto oil & grease or
oil-based ink from your skin, but does tend to dry out your skin.

Mineral oil doesn't go rancid with time and exposture to air at the top of
a bottle.  Vegetable oils do get rancid although this is slowed by Vitamin
E (an antioxidant), by keeping oil in full bottles, and by refrigeration.
It also is hypoallergenic, for those allergic to almonds, coconuts, ...

I tend to use a massage lotion, which contains mineral oil, for deep tissue
work.  I don't need much to get the small amount of lubrication I want, it's
easy to control the amount I'm applying, and it has a long shelf-life.  I
also can carry a small amount aroundd with me for quick neck and shoulder
work.  Even if the cap is a little loose it doesn't flow over everything :-).

For most whole body massages I use a light weight oil - often almond oil
based.  My choice here is almost always based on personal preferences
regarding viscosity.  I like a lightweight oil that doesn't leave a thick
film and leave the recipient feeling like they've been in an oil slick.  I
also don't like oils or fragrances that are too intense and invasive.  
Within these guidelines most oils work fine.  If you have a thicker oil,
use less and work harder at spreading it.  I've done just fine with 
almond oil, coconut oil, and safflower oil.  Most Hahn's oils, sold in
health food stores are deoderized.  The almond oil only smell like almonds
if you add fragrance.

Finally, it's true, baby oil as well as other oils are not recommended for
babies.  Also, hairy people require more oil, otherwise you end up 
pulling their hair.  Ouch!

  +-------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
  I                         I                                               I
  I Keith Eric Grant        I The interesting thing about a waltzing bear   I
  I keg@strathspey.llnl.gov I           is not how well it dances!          I
  I                         I                                               I
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  I                                                                         I
  I For certain it is, that any ideas expressed above are of my own humble  I
  I opinion and bear nary a relation to the policies or positions of LLNL   I
  I or of any agency or contractor of the U.S. Government.                  I
  I                                                                         I
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