{"id":727,"date":"2026-09-20T11:54:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T09:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpiderma.ch\/oil-or-massage-lotion-how-to-choose\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T17:03:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T15:03:17","slug":"oil-or-massage-lotion-how-to-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpiderma.ch\/en\/oil-or-massage-lotion-how-to-choose\/","title":{"rendered":"Oil or massage lotion: how to choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choose oil if you work deep over long sessions: it does not absorb and the glide holds without reapplication. Choose lotion if the session is short, targeted, or if the client has to leave straight away: the finish is non-greasy. Many practices keep both.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the question that comes up most often at the point of ordering. It has no universal answer \u2014 but it has a clear one once you know what you do with your hands during the session, and what happens in the ten minutes that follow.<\/p>\n

Oil or lotion: the comparison table<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nOil<\/th>\nLotion<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Composition<\/strong><\/td>\nAnhydrous \u2014 no water<\/td>\nEmulsion: water + fats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Glide<\/strong><\/td>\nVery long-lasting<\/td>\nLong and more controlled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Absorption<\/strong><\/td>\nLow \u2014 stays on the surface<\/td>\nPartial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finish on the skin<\/strong><\/td>\nGreasy<\/td>\nNon-greasy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best suited to<\/strong><\/td>\nDeep work, mobilisation, long sessions<\/td>\nShort sessions, targeted areas, bodycare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Practice linen<\/strong><\/td>\nMarks more<\/td>\nMarks less<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alpiderma format<\/strong><\/td>\n1 litre \u2014 CHF 28.90<\/td>\n1 litre \u2014 CHF 29.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

What really makes the difference: the water<\/h2>\n

The whole difference comes down to one ingredient. A massage oil is anhydrous<\/strong>: no water, so nothing evaporates and nothing is absorbed. It remains available on the surface for as long as the session lasts.<\/p>\n

A lotion is an emulsion<\/strong>: water and fats. Its INCI list begins with Aqua<\/em>. During the massage the water phase is absorbed and partly evaporates, while the fatty phase provides the glide. The result: a lighter feel and markedly less greasy skin at the end.<\/p>\n

Everything else \u2014 how long the glide lasts, comfort after the session, care of linen \u2014 follows from that single difference.<\/p>\n

Choosing according to your practice<\/h2>\n