I become very picky when it comes to getting a massage in another Spa, and I sometimes ask if I can bring my own oil. The reason is, each time I go to the spa supply market ( I never buy beauty products but just studio supplies there!) I see the huge red plastic containers of oil with pin-ups on the bottle, and fake essential oils...A LOT of spas in Beijing use them.

Given the price or the questionable packaging with no information on the content,  I suspect they are petroleum based oils mineral oils, and their so called essential oils are just synthetic fragrances.

Is it even possible to buy real essential oils here?

Mineral oils have a long shelf life, but they can clog pores and have no therapeutic or dermalogical benefit. Same for the synthetic fragrances, and it can actually irritate nose and skin.

I would recommend when you go to a Spa for a massage, to ask about the oil, which carrier oil do they use?  Where are the essential oils from? Of course "you get what you pay for", and it's likely that if you have a cheap treatment, the products used are cheap too ;p.

If I go for a massage, I am going for the whole holistic experience, to heal my body and soul. I don't go just for the massage techniques,  but also for the service, attention to details, and for the quality of the products that I put on my skin, to provide nourishment and revitalize my whole being. I will soon make a list of my favorite spas!

About carrier oils, you can try:

*Almond oil: Gentle, rich in proteins and vitamins, it's a nourishing and softening oil, great for eczemas or irritated skin. If you have itchy skin after showering, this oil is for you!

Coconut Oil: Good to prevents hair dandruff! Smell is a bit strong for a massage, but some people like it!

Jojoba oil: Penetrates the skin very well, nourrishes hair and prevents hair loss.

Macadamia: Acids are very close to our skin's sebum, great for dry or mature skin.

Some spas will mix almond oil with olive oil, because olive oil is cheaper, and also almond oil is very easily absorbed by the skin. The essential oils will mask the smell of the olive oil. Ｉguess if it's a real and good olive oil, that is fine :).

Maika

I become very picky when it comes to getting a massage in another Spa, and I sometimes ask if I can bring my own oil. The reason is, each time I go to the spa supply market ( I never buy beauty products but just studio supplies there!) I see the huge red plastic containers of oil with photo of pinups on the bottle, and cheap fake essential oils... Given the price and the absence of any information on it, I suspect they are petroleum based oils mineral oils, and their so called essential oils are just synthetic fragrances. Is it even possible to buy real essential oils here?

Mineral oils have a long shelf life, but they can clog pores and have no therapeutic or dermalogical benefit. Same for the synthetic fragrances, and they can actually irritate nose and skin.

I would recommend when you go to a Spa for a massage, to ask about the oil, what is the carrier oil? Where are the essential oils from? Of course you get what you pay for, and it is likely that if you have a cheap treatment, the products used are cheap too ;p.

If I go for a massage, I am going for the whole holistic experience, to heal my body and soul. I don't go just for the massage techniques,  but also for the service, attention to details, and for the quality of the products that I put on my skin, to provide nourishment and revitalize my whole being.

And that is what I try to provide in Kocoon. I bring my essential oils from France in my suitcase every year, and I blend it with natural French sweet almond oil. It's a little more costly than other oils especially because it's immediately absorbed into the skin, but at last you will leave with a radiant moisturized supple skin!

I become very picky when it comes to getting a massage in another Spa, and I sometimes ask if I can bring my own oil. The reason is, each time I go to the spa supply market ( I never buy beauty products but just studio supplies there!) I see the huge red plastic containers of oil with photo of pinups on the bottle, and cheap fake essential oils... Given the price and the absence of any information on it, I suspect they are petroleum based oils mineral oils, and their so called essential oils are just synthetic fragrances. Is it even possible to buy real essential oils here?

Mineral oils have a long shelf life, but they can clog pores and have no therapeutic or dermalogical benefit. Same for the synthetic fragrances, and they can actually irritate nose and skin.

I would recommend when you go to a Spa for a massage, to ask about the oil, what is the carrier oil? Where are the essential oils from? Of course you get what you pay for, and it is likely that if you have a cheap treatment, the products used are cheap too ;p.

If I go for a massage, I am going for the whole holistic experience, to heal my body and soul. I don't go just for the massage techniques,  but also for the service, attention to details, and for the quality of the products that I put on my skin, to provide nourishment and revitalize my whole being.

And that is what I try to provide in Kocoon. I bring my essential oils from France in my suitcase every year, and I blend it with natural French sweet almond oil. It's a little more costly than other oils especially because it's immediately absorbed into the skin, but at last you will leave with a radiant moisturized supple skin!

I become very picky when it comes to getting a massage in another Spa, and I sometimes ask if I can bring my own oil. The reason is, each time I go to the spa supply market ( I never buy beauty products but just studio supplies there!) I see the huge red plastic containers of oil with photo of pinups on the bottle, and cheap fake essential oils... Given the price and the absence of any information on it, I suspect they are petroleum based oils mineral oils, and their so called essential oils are just synthetic fragrances. Is it even possible to buy real essential oils here?

Mineral oils have a long shelf life, but they can clog pores and have no therapeutic or dermalogical benefit. Same for the synthetic fragrances, and they can actually irritate nose and skin.

I would recommend when you go to a Spa for a massage, to ask about the oil, what is the carrier oil? Where are the essential oils from? Of course you get what you pay for, and it is likely that if you have a cheap treatment, the products used are cheap too ;p.

If I go for a massage, I am going for the whole holistic experience, to heal my body and soul. I don't go just for the massage techniques,  but also for the service, attention to details, and for the quality of the products that I put on my skin, to provide nourishment and revitalize my whole being.

And that is what I try to provide in Kocoon. I bring my essential oils from France in my suitcase every year, and I blend it with natural French sweet almond oil. It's a little more costly than other oils especially because it's immediately absorbed into the skin, but at last you will leave with a radiant moisturized supple skin!