Let's get this out of the way: Massage oil is a little corny. It's hard not to think of a mojo-less Austin Powers offering a sensual massage or Jerry Seinfeld contemplating becoming an “orgy guy” who has to get “all kinds of robes and lotions” for his new lifestyle. But the truth is that massage can do so much: it relaxes us, helps us release stress, keeps us present and centered, and, yes, sometimes it turns us all the way on. It’s an intimate way of connecting with a partner by making them feel as blissed-out as you can. What could be better than that?
One of the most common causes of libido issues is stress. It can feel nearly impossible to relax into arousal, desire, and pleasure when your mind is running a mile a minute, trying to process all the stressors of the day. Both giving and receiving a massage can force you to focus on the present moment, and to let go of whatever anxieties are hounding you, at least for a few minutes. This makes it much easier to get turned on and then get busy. Massage products should be just another item in your sexual toolkit. (Like sex toys for men or sex toys for couples.)
While you could always just use your hands and any skin-safe oil you happen to have already, specialized massage products can make the experience more immersive, comfortable, and overall horny for both partners. So here are some products that elevate a simple massage into something a little sexier than a quick should rub.
The Best Massage Oil: Sliquid Balance Serenity
Sliquid
Balance Serenity$21Amazon
Organic, hypoallergenic, and vegan-friendly, this massage oil would be a solid pick for just about anyone. This oil blends sweet almond, coconut, grapeseed, and jojoba seed oils with various skin-soothing botanical extracts, and its Tahitian vanilla scent is perfect for cultivating a chilled-out headspace.
The Best Fragrance-Free Massage Oil: Maude Oil No. 0
Maude
This silky liquid is a skin-nourishing mix of jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, castor oil, and argan oil—and nothing else. The high-quality natural oils contain beneficial key minerals, as well as vitamin E and Omega 6 and 9. If you have sensitive skin or you don’t react well to scented products, but you still want to give and/or receive luxuriant massages, this moisturizing unscented oil could be your holy grail.
The Best Oil for Genital Massage: Her Highness Pleasure Oil
Her Highness
Pleasure Oil$60Her Highness
The hemp-derived CBD in this oil, which works in tandem with a base of extra-virgin olive oil, helps increase arousal and sensitivity by boosting blood flow to your hotspots. There’s also a hint of peppermint essential oil for a slight cooling effect. It’s a decadent sensual massage oil for genital massages, whether you’re touching yourself or someone else. (Don’t use oils on your junk, or your partner’s, if you plan on using latex barriers such as condoms or dental dams later, as oils make them more prone to breakage.)
The Best Massage Candle: Jimmyjane Afterglow
JIMMYJANE
Afterglow massage oil candle$42 $25Jimmy Jane
A massage candle is a must-have for seductive nights in. Like a normal scented candle, it fills the room with a nice scent for some aromatherapy. But its wax, when melted, transforms into a pourable, skin-safe hydrating massage oil. It melts at a much lower temperature than a standard candle, but dripping hot wax on someone’s skin can be pretty kinky in and of itself, too. The wax contains shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe vera, all of which are amazing ingredients for skincare.
The Best Massage Stones: Désirables Adori
Désirables
Adori massage stones$88SheVibe
Sometimes hands just aren’t firm enough or strong enough to apply sufficient pressure to sore muscles for adequate pain relief. That’s where this trio of relaxing massage stones comes in. They have a unique curved design that makes them easy to hold onto, even when your hands are covered in oil, and their ultra-smooth porcelain material holds temperature well, in case you want to pre-warm them to help melt away all that muscle tension. Even if sex isn’t involved, these are wonderful for a pain-relieving full-body massage.
The Best All-Over Body Massager: Magic Wand Rechargeable
Amazon
A classic, a legend, an icon. This thing is sometimes euphemistically marketed as a personal massager. But honestly, it's true! There is nothing quite like the Magic Wand when you want deep, rumbly vibration on your tensest, sorest spots. If you then move it towards more, uh, sensitive areas—well, you're going to like that, too. This version is rechargeable, so you won’t have to deal with dangling power cords.
The Best Massager That’s Also a Sex Toy: Jimmyjane Evoke Du-o
JIMMYJANE
Evoke Du-o$64 $30Jimmyjane
One end of this toy is a rolling, vibrating massage wheel that loosens tense muscles with ease, while the other end is an insertable vibrator designed to stimulate the G-spot or prostate. What will they think of next?
The Best Massage Gun: Theragun Prime
Therabody
The intense pounding motion of this high-powered massage gun can be intimidating at first, but once you use it to zero in on your tensest spots, you'll understand why it gets so many 5-star ratings, replicating a deep-tissue massage. It won’t replace a massage therapist, but the Prime brings you everyday massage therapy. Couples can enjoy using this massager together, but it's also wonderful for solo use when there's no one around to work out your kinks for you. That's not a cheesy play on words, either—please note that this gun isn't considered safe for genital use!
The Best Lickable Massage Oil: Lovehoney Oh!
Lovehoney
Not all massage oils taste great, even the ones that smell like they would – but this one is specifically designed to feel delightful on your skin and taste delicious on your tongue. (Skip using it on your private parts, though—the sweet flavors could cause infections down there.)
More Sex Toy Recommendations from GQThe Best Sex Toys for Men Bring Maximum Pleasure
The Best Sex Toys for Couples Will Make Sex Even More Awesome
The Best Sex Lube for Every Level of Freakiness
The Best Fleshlight and More Stroking Sex Toys for Men
The Best Sex Blanket Is a Blanket Literally Made for Sex
The Best Cock Rings for Harder Hard-Ons
Kate Sloan is a sex toy writer for GQ. She has written the books “101 Kinky Things Even You Can Do” and “200 Words to Help You Talk About Sexuality & Gender,” and is a cohost for the podcasts The Dildorks and Question Box. Her writing on sex and relationships... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQSex and Relationships