We get this question all the time...
'What is the best massage cream, lotion, oil and gel?'
And the answer we give is always the same...
It depends.
After giving that vague response, we begin the process of figuring out what will best for the person asking, and start with what qualities the therapist is looking for in their lubricant (quick absorption, long lasting, high drag coefficient, etc), what modalities the are using (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, etc), what is the setting they are in (massage school, spa, sports venue, clinic, etc), and what type of client(s) are they working with (high end, budget minded, medically challenged, etc)
When it comes to high-quality massage creams, lotions, and oils, two names consistently rise to the top: Sacred Earth Botanicals and Biotone. Both brands offer trusted, professional-grade products, but they serve different needs and values. Whether you’re a massage therapist, spa owner, or wellness enthusiast, choosing the right brand can elevate your practice and client experience.
Let’s break it down and see how these two industry leaders compare:
Brand Philosophy & Commitment
Sacred Earth Botanicals
Facility is certified organic by the Oregon Tilth and the USDA.
Organic & Earth-Friendly: Proudly focused on sustainability and certified organic ingredients.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free: No animal testing. No animal-derived ingredients.
Minimalist & Clean: No synthetic fragrances, parabens, or nut oils. Great for sensitive clients.
Recycle or reuse everything possible.
Environmentally Friendly
They demonstrate their commitment to the environment in many ways, such as using only 100% post consumer recycled paper that is processed without chlorine for their daily use. They also purchase environmentally friendly paper for their promotional materials and use post consumer recycled material for their display boxes contain
Only purchase renewable power for their facility, generated from alternative sources like wind, solar and wave energy.
Biotone
Performance-Driven: Known for its exceptional glide and long-lasting formulas.
Broad Appeal: Offers a wide range of product lines for all modalities—Swedish, deep tissue, spa therapies, and more.
Traditional Spa Favorite: A go-to brand for decades in large spa and massage therapy settings.
The desire for natural skincare products started in the late 1970s when people began to question the safety of chemicals used in personal care offerings. San Diego native Jean Shea, BIOTONE founder, and president joined this natural focus with her large mixing pot and a homemade mixer. Starting in her home, she created her first product, Chamomile Moisture Lotion, which she sold through health food stores.
As her business grew, she moved to a small office in the same neighborhood as a massage school. When the school director asked if she could formulate massage products for the school, BIOTONE was born. BIOTONE grew from making one massage oil to making hundreds of products for therapists in health, wellness, and medical clinics throughout the United States and abroad.
✅ Winner – Values: Sacred Earth Botanicals
✅ Winner – Versatility: Biotone
Product Lineup & Usage
Sacred Earth Botanicals
Organic Massage Oil, Gel, Salves, Essential Oils, Vegan Massage Cream & Lotion, Cooling & Warming Lotion
Ideal for therapists focused on clean ingredients, eco-conscious clients, and sensitive skin.
Moderate glide; absorbs well for detail work and deep tissue.
Top Sellers: Vegan Massage Cream, Vegan Massage Lotion, Organic Massage Oil Blend
Biotone
Extensive product lines: Creme (Cream), Lotion, Oil, Gel, Balms, Spa Line, Aromatherapy / Essential Oils, Bodycare (Butters, Exfoliants), Lab Blends / CBD,
Excellent for customized treatments, spa add-ons, and long-session modalities.
Offers options with essential oils, warming agents, or cooling menthol.
Top Sellers: Advanced Therapy Massage Cream, Dual-Purpose Creme (Cream), Nutri Naturals Light Oil, Revitalizing Unscented Oil, Healthy Benefits Gel
✅ Winner – Variety: Biotone
✅ Winner – Simplicity & Purity: Sacred Earth Botanicals
Ingredients & Sensitivities
Sacred Earth Botanicals
Certified organic ingredients like sunflower oil, shea butter, and aloe. No parabens, synthetic preservatives, or artificial scents. Hypoallergenic and non-GMO.
Biotone
Uses high-performance formulations, but not all are organic or fragrance-free.
Many formulas include nut oils or parabens — check labels for client sensitivities.
Some scented options may not suit fragrance-sensitive clients.
✅ Winner – Ingredient Quality: Sacred Earth Botanicals
✅ Winner – Sensitive Skin & Allergies: Sacred Earth Botanicals
In part 2 of this series, we will start to break down the individual lines of each of these brands and compare / contrast how they can benefit you as a practitioner and see if we can't dial in which product will suit your / your clients needs better. We also carry other lubricant brands, so check here to see if there is something else that you may be interested in.