The medicine cabinet is far from the only place where one might find vitamins. From fruits and vegetables to fortified drinks and cereals, there are plenty of ways to consume healthy vitamins besides popping a supplement every morning. Most likely, none of this is news, as massage therapists and bodyworkers typically are interested in all-around wellness. However, what may be a bit more of a surprise is the fact that vitamins can be found in massage creams as well.
If you are taking the time to look a bit deeper into your massage cream of choice, perhaps consider sampling a few massage creams that contain vitamins. Different massage creams comprise different vitamins, so your selection should be based on those vitamins you most want to offer your clients through topical application. Of course, you will also want to make sure the massage cream you choose presents the best blend of friction and glide for the types of techniques you practice.
As for the vitamins, each one has its own unique health benefits, so getting a grip on the perks that come along with the various vitamins might be your first step in picking the right massage cream. A few of the most common vitamins found in massage creams are vitamins A, C and E, so we will begin with a brief overview of the benefits each of these vitamins brings to the table.
When blended into a massage cream, vitamin A often comes from a natural ingredient, such as carrot oil, and may be present in the form of beta carotene. The positive aspects of vitamin A include boosting the strength of the skin’s protective tissue, helping prevent acne and acting as an antioxidant.
Vitamin E in massage cream also frequently comes in the form of an oil, such as wheat germ oil. This popular vitamin is known for its many perks when applied topically to the skin. In fact, pregnant women often use lotions and creams infused with vitamin E in an effort to prevent or decrease the appearance of stretch marks on their stomachs. For massage and bodywork clients, a massage cream that contains vitamin E may be helpful for scars and stretch marks, and it can be touted as an anti-aging tool.
The source of vitamin C is hardly a mystery, as most people know it is abundant in citrus fruits, as well as vegetables, such as bell peppers. When it comes to the health of your massage and bodywork clients, choosing a massage cream that contains vitamin C can be a boon to the skin, as this vitamin aids in collagen synthesis and also battles free radicals, which often are to blame for premature aging.
As you can see, vitamins abound beyond the medicine cabinet and even beyond the kitchen walls. These vitamins can be quite helpful when blended into a massage cream at adequate levels. Now that you know your clients can benefit from a vitamin-packed massage cream, do your homework to find the one that is right for your practice.
–Brandi Schlossberg