Looking to Set the Mood? Try One of These Top Massage Oils (2025)

There are a number of thoughtful Valentine's beauty gifts to surprise a partner with on the 14th. Still, unboxing one of the best massage oils makes it easy to give your beau a cheeky preview of the ultimate destination of your holiday date night. We're all in on a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a stunning bouquet, but these expert-loved body oils can quickly take your date night to the next level.

"Sex starts with the mood, and touch is a huge part of feeling connected and close," Maude founder and creative director Éva Goicochea tells Bazaar. "In fact, studies have found that it raises oxytocin levels and in turn, is helpful to overall health and bonding." She notes that along with the scalp and different sections of the torso and legs, the brain is one of the largest erogenous zones in the body.

As the brain helps move the needle when it comes to arousal, mood-setting, fragrance, and other sensory experiences are major factors in how we view intimacy. "Get creative!," adds Vivi Garcia-Tunon, senior vice president of development and operations at The Well in New York City. "Set up a small relaxation area with snacks and a drink of choice to inspire togetherness, love, and affection. As a bonus, use some of author and psychotherapist Esther Perel's couples cards featuring sensual prompts to further deepen your connection." Another pro-tip? Professionals advise not eating too much or too heavily before a massage.

For the perfect Valentine's nightcap, we've rounded up some of the best massage oils editors and experts agree are worth the buy, with bonus points for their supreme hydration benefits.

Bazaar editors are big fans of just about all of Kate McLeod's moisturizing body stones, including this bedroom-approved version that doubles as a massage bar and intimacy oil. The stone seamlessly glides over skin as it warms with your or your partner's body heat.

Chanel's gourmand L’Huile Vanille Body Massage Oil uses a blend of vanilla planifolia and helianthus annuus flower oil to keep skin soft. Plus, the oil features notes of vanilla, sweet musk, lily of the valley, and more.

We consider Santal 33 one of the sexiest scents ever, so it's no surprise that it's also available as a massage oil. Its intoxicating blend of cardamom, iris, violet, and chypre notes can instantly elevate your next at-home partner's massage.

Here's a warming oil that creates a satisfying tingling effect from head to toe, thanks to the inclusion of edible sweet almond oil. Plus, a little goes a long way when it comes to massaging yourself or a partner. "One to two pumps should be adequate," Kimberley Holmes-Cardona, lead massage therapist at Chillhouse, says of how much oil to use for each body part during a massage. "Any more might make things too slippery. But don't be afraid to grab a little more if you feel stuck or dry."

If you've always wanted to re-enact that famous scene from Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca" video, using this candle from Kiki De Montparnasse is the answer. After lighting it to set the mood, its wax can be poured and massaged over your partner's body (and never gets too hot).

The name of this woody yet citrus-scented massage oil from Aesop perfectly describes how you'll likely leave your partner after using it on their neck, back, and shoulders. It has a medium-weight formula that's lightweight enough to absorb quickly, and thick enough for your beau to reap the benefits of a quality shoulder rub.

This antioxidant- and essential oil-rich oil from Flamingo Estate is called Euphoria for a reason. "From its dreamy consistency as it melts into your skin, to its smell, it's now my favorite body oil," one satisfied customer writes of the plant-based favorite. And when you're not playing masseuse, add the brand's corresponding lotion on top of the oil to really lock in moisture for dry skin.

According to Holmes-Cardona, whether your partner is sitting or standing, starting with an open palm is key. "Leaning firmly into a stroke, go from the lower- or mid-back, up to the shoulders. Next, glide out from the neck and back," she explains of the tension relieving process. "Go up toward the neck at the base of the skull, then down the back again. You can do this one side at a time, or both sides at once." Holmes-Cardona also notes that moving slowly and using applied pressure can help make your hard work that much more enjoyable.

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.