The Power of Pomegranate Massage Cream - Massage Magazine

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With pomegranate massage creams, you can help your clients experience a relaxing massage that may help fight the effects of aging.

The Many Benefits of Pomegranate


You probably know about pomegranate’s benefits as a food—a 2015 research review in Advances in Nutrition summarizes several studies that bear out its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties—but you may not be aware of the beneficial properties of pomegranate oil. The secret to pomegranate oil’s status as a health-boosting ingredient lies in its essential fatty acids.

“Pomegranate seed oil is high in essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are helpful in maintaining the integrity of our body’s cells, which counters the effects of aging,” said Erica Ragusa, a massage therapist and herbalist at Ambika Herbals & Massage in Breckenridge, Colorado.

A 2015 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Science examined pomegranate concentrated solution (PCS) to find out its effects on skin; both human and mouse skin cells were tested. “Our results suggest that PCS prevents signs of aging … These results also suggest that skin aging can be prevented and reduced by the antioxidant effects of PCS,” stated the study’s authors.

This versatile oil is also rich in ellagitannins, substances that offer potent health benefits, according to Ragusa. She also recommends pomegranate massage creams for their anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Allergies and Contraindications


As an ingredient, you may add pomegranate oil to massage cream yourself, or you may purchase a cream containing pomegranate. If you decide to offer pomegranate massage cream to clients, be sure to choose one with high-quality ingredients; Ragusa also suggested checking with clients before their sessions to see if they have sensitive skin or known allergies to pomegranate. Since pomegranate oil is an astringent, it may cause skin irritation in some people.

“While this [astringent property] can be helpful, it could irritate sensitive skin. If irritation or redness occurs, discontinue use,” Ragusa said.

Using Pomegranate


“Pomegranate oil does have a distinctive smell that some massage therapists may wish to subdue by blending [it] into other oils,” said Ragusa. For blending, she suggested choosing lighter oils such as walnut, sweet almond or apricot kernel oil. Pomegranate oil itself is very light, she said, and skin absorbs it easily along with other light oils.

Pomegranate also works well with other plant ingredients. You can combine pomegranate massage cream with other plant oils to change the scent or add other properties to your creams. Be sure to ask clients about their own personal preferences, along with explaining your combined cream’s potential aromatherapy and therapeutic properties, before use.

About the Author


Kaitlin Morrison is a freelance health and wellness writer living in Moses Lake, Washington. A former chiropractic assistant and health care publicity person, she now follows her passion of informing and educating her readers about health care, business and marketing. She has written several articles for MASSAGE Magazine, including “Sports Massage Students Get Their Hands on Detroit Pistons.”

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