Aroma massage: exploring Biomed Nutrition products

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© Rada Kovaltsova

Russian version

To test the properties of oils and massage candles fr om a professional point of view, I invited an expert of manual influence, an active neurologist, with more than 10 years of experience in massage for both adults and children.

Massage Oil

The review was presented in two versions – “Fruit fantasy” and “Spring dew”. Each bottle containing oil is packed in a cardboard tube with a metal lid, which increases the product's representativeness. The packaging contains basic information on the composition, properties and methods of application.

Composition

Almond oil, Grape seed oil, Sesame oil, Avocado oil, Walnut oil, Safflower oil, + preservatives, stabilizers and fragrances (grindox, BHT preservative, Fragrance, FIX00001, Isoamber super (54464-57-2)).

Organoleptic properties

The difference between these oils lies solely in the aromatic composition, with the same composition, (see above).

Scent

Both oils, upon first application, have a very rich aroma, which somewhat overloads the olfactory receptors, so I personally felt stifling from them. But over time, when applied to the skin, the perfume composition stops sounding so loud and intrusive and turns into a background melody. Our experiment showed that subtle unobtrusive aroma notes stay on the skin for up to 6-8 hours.

Texture

According to specialists, the oil behaves well on the skin, does not pull the underlying tissues, and is well suited for sliding techniques. For my part, as a regular user of this very massage, I can note that the oil is not absorbed into the skin for a long time, leaving a certain feeling of clogged pores.

Candles

Candles of three brands and different aromas were presented for the review: Dzhaga-Dzhaga (Biomed Nutrition) – Fruit Fantasy, Strawberry with Cream, Temptation, Plaisir Secret – Caramel, Shunga – Vanilla Fetish.

Cans

Biomed Nutrition candles inside a can have two candles folded in the shape of the Yin-Yang sign in separate containers, which easily fall out when you turn or tilt the main jar, and therefore, if you intend to drip oil from these containers, remove them in advance so they don’t suddenly fall out with all the oil spilled on the partner's body and around (the conclusion is made on the basis of the experiment). However, this feature (two tins within a can has its advantages, I'll talk about them in the paragraphs to follow).

For Plaisir Secret (Caramel) and Shunga (Vanilla Fetish) brands, the oil itself is poured into the main container, and when the candle is lit and then tilted, no components fall out.

Speed

Dzhaga-Dzhaga: 7-10 minutes and the oil inside the mini-container (in each of the small jars) melts completely and is ready to use. For other brands, the time for the complete transition of oil from solid to liquid form takes about 15-20 minutes, which fully meets the declared characteristics on the product packaging (Shunga is slightly slower than Plaisir Secret). The answer to the question of why wh ere is such a difference in speed, lies in the size of the containers; with Dzhaga-Dzhaga, each wick heats the oil and it becomes twice smaller in volume (see above).

Smell

At the first glance “Fruit Fantasy” completely duplicates the aroma of the massage oil of the same name. Over time, when applied to the skin, the fragrance changes both in intensity and in accent notes. The difference between a candle and oil lies in the fact that the total melody of “Fruit Fantasy” is the sound of both candles in a black mini container and in a white one. However, individually, they already represent an independent perfume composition, and here, again, there is a definite plus, you can dose the aroma, making your own emphasis on low or high notes. So, the black candle has a more of tangy aroma, while the white one is more floral-fruity. When applied to the skin, both fragrances are mixed in a harmonious proportion and over time, as I have already written, undergo changes – heavy notes become thinner, and only a floral trail remains, which after 20 minutes transforms into a light freshness aroma, reminiscent of the smell of leather after taking a shower.

“Creamy strawberries”, when first opened and applied, seem very stuffy and too cloying. The black candle, as in the previous version, has a low and tangy aroma, even a little bitter. At the same time, the white candle is very sweet, just like an artificial flavoring in the food industry, “strawberry with cream”. Over time, the aroma from both candles applied to the skin in equal proportions also becomes thinner. At first, only the smell of strawberries remains, then it dissolves, leaving a trace on the skin that smells like a sweet and sour composition from barberry caramel.

“Temptation” consists of two white candles (that's a surprise), each of them has a light citrus scent at first, which, applied to the skin, resembles the scent of chewing gum. Then the aroma is transformed into a kind of Coca-Cola, the smells of some spices are added. At the very end – after 30 minutes it already sounds on the skin like sweet tea with bergamot.

Plaisir Secret (Caramel). It smells like toffee-caramel, very sweet, very intense (for an amateur).

Shunga (Vanilla Fetish). At first, the aroma is similar to a sweet cookie with spices, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, etc. 10 minutes after application to the skin, it transforms into a vanilla smell, without excess sweetness.

Massage properties (slipping, density, absorption)

Dzhaga-Dzhaga candles in use proved to be much better than massage oils, from the point of view of both the masseur and the massaged. The feeling is very comfortable, does not leave a feeling of clogged pores. The texture is very light, provides instant and long-lasting sliding, somewhat resembles silicone grease (but this is not it, and I do not recommend using it as a lubricant). Suitable for continuous massage using the sliding technique.

Plaisir Secret (Caramel) and Shunga (Vanilla Fetish) candles behaved the same way, and differed from Dzhaga-Dzhaga – the texture is much denser and less gliding, which is suitable for slower, sensual touches, and more precise work of various deep muscles.

Manufacturer country

Dzhaga-Dzhaga (Biomed Nutrition) – Russia, Plaisir Secrets – France, Shunga – Canada.

Composition

Dzhaga-Dzhaga: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Aroma, Helianthus annuus seed oil (and) rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, 2-Acetylthiophene, FIX00001 Fixamber, Isambersuper (54464-57-2).

Plaisir Secret: hydrogenated vegetable oil, fragrance.

Shunga: hydrogenated soybean oil, coconut oil, flavoring, sweet almond oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, grape seed oil, benzyl benzoate, vitamin E (tocopherol), amyl cinnamaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzyl cinnamate -salicylate, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, D-limonene, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, methylethylpenolpenol, isobenzenepenol, polygenopinolphenol, methylsulfonol, butylpenol, butyl alcohol carbonate, citral.

Overall assessment of Dzhaga-Dzhaga products:

Candles – 8 out of 10.

Massage oil – 7 out of 10.