This article is in reply to a massage question by one of our readers. The query is
“Sir, how many hours does it take for the oil to be completely accepted by the skin? I’m sure it is more than 45 mins as many claim. Is it advisable for a healthy person to do full body oil massage before going to sleep or is it not advisable? By this i mean overnight oil massage and just plain water bath in the morning.”
Let us analyze.
First up, I very much appreciate the analytical thinking behind these two questions.
A. How to much time does the oil take to get completely accepted by skin?
The time for skin to get the oil, completely accepted depends on many factors.
1. Nature of the massage oil -
Ancient Ayurvedic scholars have used a term “Teekshna” – meaning piercing, deep penetrating etc. The herbs and ingredients used in the oil, if they contain more herbs with this Teekshna property, more will be the oil penetration into the skin in less time.
2. Oil Temperature -
Any oil will get more absorbed when it is in lukewarm temperature. If it is very cold, the absorption time will be much longer. Hence it is a good idea to heat the oil slightly before using it for massage. Over-heating or re-boiling the oil is contra indicated, as it may cause destruction of phyto-chemicals in the herbal oil.
3. Weather -
As per Ayurvedic principles, massage is done to balance Vata Dosha at various levels such as skin, muscles, joints, bones, ligaments etc. Apart from those oils used for skin diseases, and to heal wound, whenever the oil massage is done to relieve pain, or to strengthen joints, relax muscles, or to rejuvenate the body, it is usually targeted against Vata Dosha.
Hence, in between June to September and during winter – In these periods, where there is Vata increase in body and also in atmosphere, the oil gets easily absorbed into the body.
4. Skin texture and body type -
In people with Vata body type, with features like dry skin, dry organs, rough hair, thin body with prominent veins, brown eyes, etc, the oil absorption will be fast.
In contrast, in people with Kapha body type, with oily skin, well nourished body, etc, the oil absorption will be slightly slower. Because, oil has similar properties to that of Kapha. A Kapha body type means, well oiled body. Since there is already good oil component inside the body, when the body is naturally configured to be well-oiled, when external oil is applied, naturally the absorption is bit slower. (I think there is some grammar component mistake in the last sentence. Please adjust.)
5. Age – Usually oil absorption is faster in elderly people, as Vata pridominance is seen at later stages of life.
6. Digestive fire (Pitta)
The oil absorption from skin is directly influenced by a type of Pitta called ‘Bhrajaka Pitta’. (Read my Tridosha book). Oil absorption by skin is also a type of digestion, which occurs at the level of skin. Usually oil massage is not indicated when there is indigestion. Hence, in person with good will have quick oil absorption.
6. Disease and body actions -
Stressed mind – High Vata imbalance – good absorption of oil, when applied over head as in treatments like Shirodhara, Shirovasti etc.
Not-so-stressed mind – Lesser rate of absorption, when compared to stressed mind.
Person, following a good exercise schedule, with well built muscles – Active Vata advantage – good rate of absorption and usage of oil.
Person without good exercise – lesser active Vata – lesser absorption.
Body with pain and arthritis – Faster absorption.
Body without pain and arthritis – lesser rate of absorption.
As much the body needs, so much the supply.
7. you massage it or not.
As a general rule, if massage is done after oil application, rate of absorption will be higher. Because
- Slight heat generated due to massage aids in absorption.
- Massage leads to more uniform distribution of oil over the body, leading to better absorption rate.
So based on these factors, the skin absorption time for the massaged oil may vary from 15 minutes to 1 hour. (If you ask me).
B. Can the oil be left overnight?
It is not a good idea to apply the oil to the body and leave it overnight without washing it off.
Evening part of the day is naturally dominated by Vata. Hence it is a good idea to get oil massage at evening time.
But if it is left overnight, the first part of night is dominated by Kapha. The oil, like I said, is naturally having Kapha favouring qualities. So, both the factors together will lead to increase of kapha in skin, leading to itching and other skin complications.
Hence it is best to wash off the massaged oil after say, one hour in the evening with water bath.
C. Now the question is, which water is good for bath, after the oil massage?
The question is left for the readers. The answer is hidden in the above explanations only. Just try. 
Related Article: Does massage work?
Thanks for this detailed explanation. What is your advice on how to use soapnut powders like shikakai, chigare, reetha or other ayurvedic powders.
They are very good for hair and to scalp skin.I use the same powder for my hair in place of shampoo.
Wet your hairs, take powder in hand, add little water, make a paste apply it on hair, leave it for 2 minutes, wash off.
“Slight heat generated due to massage aids in absorption.”
Hence hot water. Right?
//Any oil will get more absorbed when it is in lukewarm temperature. // warm water is good for washing body after oil massage. isn’t it??
Yes. Warm water is the right choice. Because of two reasons –
1. Any vessel used to store oil or ghee is better washed with hot water, because it removes the oil from the vessel easily.
2. Massage is done to balance Vata. Cold water would increase Vata. Hence, Hot water would keep Vata balance after the massage.
Everything you write is indeed very useful.Can you please tell me what should be done for frequent headaches?
Hi, Many home remedies for headache coming up.
Please read a few tips to relieve headache here – http://easyayurveda.com/2011/02/01/how-to-get-rid-of-headache-20-things-that-you-should-avoid/
I think you are right about the skin absorption times. Initially when i was using soap, the oil used to take many hours to absorb, hence i used to apply oil and sleep and wash the next day.
But nowadays after about 4 months of stopping soap on the whole body the absorption time has come down to 2 hours. infact after 2 hours there is almost no trace of any oil. hopefully after a few more months oil absorption time will further come down to 1 hour or less.
Thinking about it, we apply oil to our head and leave it overnight. Infact we regularly apply oil and it stays on. Isn’t that bad?
Many people apply oil and leave it overnight. That is a known practice. That can not be said as a bad practice, since there is difference in purpose between whole body massage and hair oil application.
Hair oil application is done usually to improve quality of scalp skin and hairs.Hair oil is also applied to relieve headache, stress and to induce natural sleep. Hence, targeting is towards Pitta Dosha (pridominantly) and Vata Dosha. Night, being dominated by Moon and cold properties, helps to naturally calm Pitta. It also helps in better absorption of nutritions of the oil from the scalp skin.
But if you are applying oil all over the body, most of the times, it is to relieve body pains, (Vata dosha). Hence I said, it is best to wash off the oil.
However, if you are applying oil over the body in very small quantity, or if you are applying Ayurvedic liniments or pain relief creams, then it can be left overnight, since most of the oily part eventually evaporates.
Oils such as coconut, ghee and tallow are VERY close to the body’s own sebum. (Latin word for tallow is sebum) When oil exists on skin, in triglyceride form, it is broken down into fatty acids by bacteria on skin. This increases acidity of skin and gives skin a protective barrier against infections. When there is a cut, an animal instinctively licks it. Although saliva has anti microbial properties due to alkalinity, its also that saliva can break down these triglycerides and increase acidity of skin, thus giving protection. When the skin is used to frequent baths, soap being alkaline, it loses its natural acidity and also the bacteria that are responsible for breaking down of skin oil(sebum). Therefore it will not quickly ‘digest’ the oils placed on it. When skin is in its natural state, and used to digesting its own secretions, then it will absorb oils placed on it far more quickly. Bottom line, do not bathe too frequently with soap!
This theory taken from “Bruce Fife’s book on coconut oil.”
Well quoted. One of our readers Mr Vin shared his keen observation on avoiding soaps and reaping skin benefits. Read it here – http://easyayurveda.com/2012/05/16/are-soaps-and-shampoos-really-needed-a-readers-words-of-experience/
Can one use oil as body lotion(olive/coconut)? First bathe with soap and follow up with oil?
Or should oil be put and then removed with soap(or bath powder) after an hour? If so, then what can we use as body moisturiser?
In a very low quantity, just as a thin layer, olive / coconut oil can be used as a natural moisturizer. This is not recommended for people with already oily skin.
Using it for massage, and then washing off with soap or bath powder is recommended for almost every healthy individual.
If not one hour, even 20 – 30 minutes gap between self oil massage and bath is good enough.
Related article – http://easyayurveda.com/2012/07/30/no-time-for-massage-here-is-the-solution/
I have normal skin below my shoulders and oily above. So if i wash off oil after massage then what can I use as moisturiser? Because I really need one.
Should I put some more oil in a thin layer then?
You can use Kumkumadi Taila, in a very thin layer to the face.
Just a drop of it, spread it across your palms and gently rub all-over the face. This should be good enough.