Jojoba massage oil is one of the easiest ways to give a slow, comfortable massage at home. It spreads easily, leaves skin feeling soft, and has almost no scent of its own, so it suits partners who dislike strong perfumes. This guide explains what jojoba really is, how it compares with other options, how to use it step by step, and the safety points that matter, including why it should never meet a latex condom.
In this guide
- What jojoba is
- Why use it for massage
- Jojoba vs other massage options
- How to choose a bottle
- How to give a jojoba massage
- Making it relaxing
- Safety and condoms
- What we stock
- FAQ
What is jojoba massage oil?
Jojoba massage oil is pressed from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, Simmondsia chinensis. A 2021 review in the journal Polymers describes the plant as "native to North and Central American deserts" and now grown in countries such as Chile, Egypt and Argentina.
Chemically, it is not a true oil. The same review reports that jojoba "is composed of almost 98% pure waxes", which is why it is "widely known as liquid wax rather than oil or fat". That wax structure explains most of what people like about it for massage.
You will see it sold as "jojoba oil", "pure jojoba" or as the base of a blend. When a label says jojoba massage oil, check whether jojoba is the only ingredient or one of several.
Why use jojoba oil for massage?
Jojoba oil massage is popular because the wax feels silky, spreads easily and keeps well. Here is what each of those points rests on.
- It feels close to skin. The 2021 review links its smoothing effect partly to its "structural similarity with skin sebum", the waxy film your skin makes naturally.
- It keeps well. The review says jojoba "shows high resistance toward rancidity" and has "high oxidative stability comparing all other oils".
- It moisturizes. The review cites its "high skin moisturizing ability", so skin feels soft after a massage rather than tight.
- It has little scent. That makes it a good carrier if you want to add your own scent, or none at all.
What jojoba does not do is heat up, taste sweet or work as a lube. If you want warmth or flavour, a warming formula or candle fits better. If you want lubrication for sex, choose a water-based or silicone lube instead.
How does jojoba compare with other massage options?
Jojoba is the simplest choice: one ingredient, light glide and long shelf life. Other formats add warmth, flavour or condom safety. This table compares jojoba with the main massage formats, using a product we stock as the example for each one.
| Option | What it is | Feel | Scent or taste | With latex condoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure jojoba | Liquid plant wax | Light and silky | Almost none | No |
| Soy massage candle (e.g. Intamo) | Soy wax with shea butter, cocoa butter and sweet almond oil | Warm pour, rich and moisturizing | Peppermint and eucalyptus | No, it melts into a butter blend |
| Coconut oil candle (e.g. Kama Sutra) | Candle that melts into coconut oil | Warm, smooth | Vanilla scent | No |
| Edible warming oil (e.g. Shunga) | Flavoured liquid that warms when you blow on it | Glides, gentle heat | Flavoured, safe to taste per listing | Base not listed; check the label |
| Silicone massage gel (e.g. pjur) | Silicone lube that doubles as a massage gel | Slick gel | None | Yes, silicone lubes are condom-safe |
The condom column follows Planned Parenthood, which says oil-based products "damage latex and polyisoprene" and lists silicone-based lubes as safe with all condoms.
How do you choose a good jojoba oil?
Choose a bottle that tells you exactly what is inside. A short ingredient list is a good sign.
- Read the ingredients. "Simmondsia chinensis seed oil" is jojoba. If water, fragrance or a long list of extras comes first, it is a blend.
- Prefer a dark or opaque bottle. Jojoba is stable, but light and heat still age it.
- Check for added fragrance. If you have sensitive skin, an unscented bottle is the safer start.
- Treat label words with care. Terms such as cold-pressed or organic describe how it was made. A product sold as a jojoba oil massage oil may still be a blend, so the ingredient list matters more.
- Buy a size you will use. A little goes a long way, so a small bottle is a sensible first buy.
- Look for a pump or flip cap. It is easier to use one-handed with oily fingers.
We do not sell pure jojoba, so use this checklist wherever you buy it. Our body massage oil guide compares jojoba with each common carrier oil by skin type if you are still deciding.
How do you give a massage with jojoba oil?
Warm the room, warm your hands and start with less than you think you need. Massage is about steady, unhurried pressure, not technique.
- Set up. Lay an old towel over the bed or a thick blanket on the floor. It can mark sheets and fabric.
- Warm the room. A cool room makes muscles tense, so close windows and dim the lights.
- Warm it first. Pour a small pool into your palm and rub your hands together for a few seconds. Never microwave the bottle.
- Start with the back. For a full-body massage, the back is the easiest place to begin. Use long, slow strokes from the lower back up toward the shoulders, then glide back down.
- Add pressure gradually. Ask your partner what feels good, and ease off over bones and the spine.
- Top up as needed. Add a little more when your hands start to drag.
- Finish gently. Slow, light strokes signal the end. Leave the last of it to soak in, or wipe off any extra with a warm cloth.
Want a scent? Mix a few drops of essential oil into the jojoba rather than putting essential oil straight on skin. Our body massage oil guide lists safe dilution amounts, and our massage oil for sex guide covers moving from massage into intimacy.
How do you make the session more relaxing?
The setting matters as much as what is in your hands. A few small choices make the difference between a quick rub and a session that feels like a real break.
- Agree on the plan first. Talk about how long you have, which areas to focus on and which are off limits. A clear start removes guesswork.
- Silence the phones. Put them in another room. Even one buzz can pull someone out of a calm state.
- Check in without breaking the mood. A quiet "more or less pressure?" every few minutes is enough. Agree on a simple word or tap that means stop.
- Keep the person warm. Cover the parts of the body you are not working on with a towel or light blanket.
- Use soft, steady sound. Low music or silence both work. Sudden changes in volume do not.
- Leave time after. Offer a glass of water and a few minutes to lie still before anyone gets up.
Swap roles on another night if you can. Taking turns keeps it fair and teaches each of you what the other enjoys.
Is jojoba oil safe, and can you use it with condoms?
Jojoba is well tolerated on skin by most people, but it is not a lube and it is not condom-safe. Those two points matter more than anything else here.
Skin reactions are uncommon but possible. The 2021 review reports that "patch tests on humans did not reveal allergic reactions except in hyperallergic people", and that one study found it "slightly irritant". So test any new bottle first. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying a new product to a small spot such as "the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow" twice daily for seven to 10 days. If redness, itching or swelling appears, wash it off and stop using it.
Oil and latex do not mix. Planned Parenthood warns that oils "damage latex and polyisoprene" condoms, which can make them break. If massage leads to sex, wash oily hands and skin with soap first, and switch to a water-based or silicone lube. Our water-based lube and condoms guide has a full compatibility chart.
Keep it outside the body. We do not suggest jojoba as an internal lube. For the same reasons covered in our coconut oil as lube guide, a lube made for internal use is the better choice.
A few practical cautions round this out:
- Skip broken skin, rashes and fresh tattoos.
- If you have a nut allergy, read the label of any blend, since some blends add almond or other nut extracts.
- Oily skin makes floors and bathtubs slippery, so step carefully after a massage.
- Store the bottle capped, away from heat and direct sun.
Massage products we stock
Red Pleasures does not sell pure jojoba oil, and none of the listings below name jojoba as an ingredient. If you would rather have warmth, scent or flavour than a plain bottle, these are the massage products in stock today. Prices are live store prices in CAD.
- Intamo Eucalyptus Peppermint Soy Massage Candle, $45.00: soy wax with shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils.
- Shunga Coconut Thrills Edible Warming Massage Oil, $31.95: a 100 ml flavoured formula that warms when you blow on it gently.
- Earthly Body 3-in-1 Moisturizing Massage Candle, Isle of You, $19.95: a 6 oz candle that melts into a moisturizing massage oil.
- Kama Sutra Vanilla Scented Massage Candle, $16.95: a 1.7 oz candle with a coconut oil base and vanilla scent.
None of these are condom-safe either, so the rule above applies to them too. Browse the full massage candles collection. Red Pleasures is an Ottawa-based store with discreet shipping across Canada and the USA.
FAQ
Is jojoba oil good for massage?
Yes. It spreads easily, moisturizes, has little scent and resists going rancid, which makes it an easy choice for a home massage.
Is jojoba really an oil?
Not chemically. A 2021 review in Polymers reports it is almost 98% waxes, which is why it is often called a liquid wax.
Can you mix essential oils with jojoba massage oil?
Yes. Jojoba makes a good carrier because it has almost no scent. Add only a few drops of essential oil and patch test the blend before a full massage.
Can I use jojoba oil as a lube?
We do not recommend it. It is not made for internal use and it damages latex and polyisoprene condoms. Use a water-based or silicone lube for sex.
Is jojoba oil safe with condoms?
No, not with latex or polyisoprene condoms. Planned Parenthood says oil-based products damage both materials, which can cause a condom to break.
Can you be allergic to jojoba oil?
It is uncommon. Human patch tests in the 2021 review showed reactions mainly in highly allergic people. Test a small patch of skin for several days before using a new bottle.
How should I store jojoba oil?
Keep it capped in a cool, dark place. Jojoba resists rancidity better than most carriers, but heat and sunlight still shorten its life.
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