NAQI Massage Products Compared: Lotions, Oil and Massage Wax

The right massage product helps reduce unnecessary friction, protects the client’s skin and allows the therapist to control hand movements more precisely. However, different massage techniques require different levels of glide. A light lotion may be suitable for a short local treatment, longer sports massage requires more durable glide, while precise soft-tissue techniques may benefit from greater grip on the skin.

The NAQI range includes several massage lotions with different oil levels and consistencies, as well as a neutral massage oil and a thicker massage wax. The best choice should therefore be based not only on price or package size, but also on treatment duration, massage technique, the body area being treated and the client’s skin characteristics.

In this article, we compare the NAQI products available at Fiziopreces.lv and explain the differences between Light, Medium, Ultra, Sport, Relax and Ultra Plus lotions, when Neutral Massage Oil may be more suitable and when to choose Premium Soft Tissue Wax.

What are NAQI massage products?

NAQI is a brand of massage and skin-care products designed for professional use. Its massage lotions are developed to provide the level of glide required by the therapist while helping maintain skin comfort for both the client and the professional who may work with these products several times per day.

NAQI lotions differ in oil content and duration of glide. Lighter products are more suitable for shorter treatments and skin care, while formulas with a higher oil content are better suited to longer massage techniques. Most of the lotions are designed to leave the skin without a pronounced greasy feeling and are easy to wash off.

Quick comparison of NAQI massage products

Product	Main characteristic	Best suited for
NAQI Light	Light texture and shorter-lasting glide	Short treatments and sensitive skin care
NAQI Medium	Mineral-oil-free formula with medium glide	Different massage techniques and sensitive skin
NAQI Ultra	Versatile, non-greasy lotion	Everyday physiotherapy and massage treatments
NAQI Sport	Long-lasting glide	Long sports massages and larger body areas
NAQI Relax	Aromatic formula with good glide	General and relaxing massage
NAQI Ultra Plus	Pronounced warming sensation	Warming massage before activity or in cold conditions
NAQI Neutral Massage Oil	Very smooth and long-lasting glide	Long treatments and large body areas
NAQI Premium Soft Tissue Wax	Greater grip and movement control	Local soft-tissue and manual techniques

NAQI Light – for short massages and skin care

NAQI Massage Lotion Light is the lightest of the lotions compared in this article. It is intended for shorter treatments where sufficient glide is required without the need for a long-lasting oily layer on the skin.

Light can be practical for treating smaller body areas, short physiotherapy treatments and situations where the product is used not only to provide glide but also to care for dry or sensitive skin. After application, the lotion leaves the skin soft without a pronounced greasy feeling.

Because its glide is lighter, Light would not generally be the first choice for a prolonged back, leg or full-body massage. During these treatments, the product may need to be reapplied. For shorter work on the hand, forearm, shoulder or another smaller area, however, its lighter texture may be an advantage. NAQI specifically positions Light for short daily treatments and for dry or sensitive skin.

NAQI Medium – mineral-oil-free and suitable for sensitive skin

NAQI Massage Lotion Medium provides medium-duration glide and sits between the lighter Light lotion and the more versatile Ultra lotion. One of its main distinguishing characteristics is its mineral-oil-free formula.

Medium may suit physiotherapists and massage therapists who want sufficient glide for different treatments while preferring a formula without mineral oil. It is designed for different types of massage and leaves the skin without a pronounced greasy feeling after treatment.

It can be a practical everyday option for people with dry or sensitive skin, particularly when Light does not provide enough lasting glide but Sport lotion or massage oil would provide more glide than necessary. The current formulation also contains plant-derived oils and skin-hydrating ingredients.

NAQI Ultra – a versatile lotion for therapeutic treatments

NAQI Massage Lotion Ultra is a versatile product for different types of massage. It provides immediate and sufficiently long-lasting glide while maintaining a light, non-greasy feel.

Ultra is particularly practical for everyday work in a physiotherapy clinic where treatments of different durations and intensities are performed throughout the day. It can be used for the back, shoulder region, arms and legs as well as general soft-tissue techniques where a balance between glide and control is required.

Compared with Light, Ultra provides longer-lasting glide. Compared with Sport lotion or Neutral Massage Oil, it offers a lighter, less oily finish. This makes Ultra a practical option for a clinic where one versatile massage product is needed for different patients and different types of treatment.

NAQI Sport – for longer sports massage

NAQI Sport Massage Lotion is an oil-rich lotion specifically designed for longer sports massage. It provides durable, consistent glide, reducing the need to repeatedly apply additional product during the treatment.

Sport is particularly suitable for massaging the thighs, calves, gluteal muscles, back and other larger body areas. It is also practical on hairy skin, where a lighter lotion may absorb too quickly or fail to provide sufficiently smooth movement of the therapist’s hands.

Although it contains a relatively high amount of oil, it is not the same as a traditional massage oil. Sport retains a lotion-like texture, is relatively easy to wash off and does not leave the same pronounced oily coating that can occur with some massage oils. NAQI currently recommends it especially for longer sports massages, hairy skin and dry or sensitive skin.

NAQI Relax – for general and relaxing massage

NAQI Massage Lotion Relax combines good glide with a more noticeable aromatic profile. Its current formulation includes lavender, bergamot and other aromatic plant oils, making it particularly suitable for a calmer, relaxing massage experience.

Relax can be used for the back, neck and shoulder region, arms, legs or full-body massage. It provides suitable glide for general massage while leaving the skin soft rather than distinctly greasy.

The product should not be considered a treatment that by itself resolves muscle pain or persistent muscle tension. Its practical advantages are primarily its texture, suitable glide, skin-care properties and aromatic experience during relaxing massage.

For people who are sensitive to fragrances or essential oils, a more neutral NAQI lotion or Neutral Massage Oil may be more appropriate.

NAQI Ultra Plus – for warming massage

NAQI Massage Lotion Ultra Plus is a warming massage lotion containing warming ingredients including camphor, lavandin oil and methyl nicotinate. After application, it can create a pronounced warming sensation and temporary redness of the skin.

Ultra Plus can be used for warming massage before sporting activity, particularly in cold conditions, or in situations where the person prefers a stronger sensation of warmth. It also provides good glide for massage treatments.

It is important to understand that a warming lotion does not replace an active warm-up. Its primary effect is on the skin and the subjective sensation of warmth. It does not prepare the neuromuscular system for sprinting, jumping, changing direction or high-force activity in the same way as progressively increasing physical exercises.

Ultra Plus should not be applied to damaged or already significantly irritated skin. Hands should be washed after application and contact with the eyes and mucous membranes should be avoided. Always follow the current instructions and precautions provided with the product.

NAQI Neutral Massage Oil – for long-lasting, consistent glide

NAQI Neutral Massage Oil is suitable for therapists who prefer the traditional feel of massage oil. It provides smooth, long-lasting glide, making it practical for longer treatments and larger body areas.

The current oil is based on a blend of rapeseed and sunflower oils with additional skin-care ingredients. It absorbs gradually, allowing sufficient working time during the treatment without leaving an unnecessarily heavy finish. According to NAQI, it is suitable for different skin types, including dry and sensitive skin.

Massage oil can be particularly practical for full-body massage, prolonged sports or relaxation treatments and dynamic techniques where the hands or a vacuum cup need to move freely across the skin.

For local techniques where precise grip on a small tissue area is important, oil may provide more glide than required. In these situations, Ultra lotion or Premium Soft Tissue Wax may offer greater control.

NAQI Premium Soft Tissue Wax – greater grip and control

NAQI Premium Soft Tissue Wax differs from lotions and massage oil through its thicker consistency and greater grip on the skin. It does not provide the same free glide as massage oil but allows the therapist to control short, local movements more precisely.

The wax can be useful when working on smaller muscle or tendon areas, during local soft-tissue techniques and during instrument-assisted soft-tissue work when controlled movement of the instrument is required. Only a relatively small amount of wax is generally needed.

The previous version of this article presented massage wax almost as the universally best massage product, but that is not accurate. For large-area and prolonged massage, wax can create more resistance than necessary. For dynamic vacuum-cupping techniques, an oil or well-gliding lotion may often be more practical because the cup needs to move freely across the skin.

Premium Soft Tissue Wax is best suited to situations where the priority is grip and precise movement control rather than maximum, long-lasting glide.

What is the difference between massage lotion, oil and wax?

A massage lotion generally provides a balance between glide and control. It is easy to dose, has a lighter finish and generally does not leave the same oily sensation as massage oil. For this reason, lotion is often the most practical option for everyday physiotherapy and massage treatments.

Massage oil maintains glide for longer. It is useful for prolonged massage, large body areas and movements that require relatively little friction. During precise local techniques, however, excessive glide can reduce the therapist’s control.

Massage wax works differently. It provides greater grip and less free glide. Wax can therefore be practical for smaller areas and techniques where the therapist needs to maintain controlled contact with the skin, but it may be less convenient for prolonged full-body massage.

Which NAQI massage product should you choose?

For short treatments and additional skin care, NAQI Light is a suitable choice. If medium-duration glide and a mineral-oil-free formula are priorities, NAQI Medium is a good option. For versatile everyday work in a physiotherapy or massage clinic, NAQI Ultra is particularly practical, while NAQI Sport provides longer-lasting glide for extended sports massage and larger body areas.

NAQI Relax is aimed more towards relaxing treatments with an aromatic component, while NAQI Ultra Plus is intended for warming massage. For very long treatments requiring smooth, consistent glide, NAQI Neutral Massage Oil is particularly suitable. For local and precise techniques where increased grip is preferred, NAQI Premium Soft Tissue Wax is the more appropriate option.

Professional practice does not necessarily require choosing only one product. A practical setup could include one versatile lotion for everyday treatments, an oil or oil-rich lotion for longer massage and a wax for smaller areas requiring greater grip. Choosing a massage product is only one part of creating an effective treatment environment. Therapist ergonomics and patient comfort are also strongly influenced by massage-table height, width, stability and adjustment options. The main selection criteria are explained in our guide How to Choose the Right Massage Table?.

Can NAQI massage products be used at home?

Most NAQI massage lotions, Neutral Massage Oil and Premium Soft Tissue Wax can also be used for massage at home when the instructions for the specific product are followed. A massage product reduces friction and can improve comfort, but it does not automatically make an aggressive or painful massage safe.

Before first use, a small amount of product can be tested on a limited area of skin. Massage products should not be applied to open wounds, active skin inflammation or a rash. If significant burning, itching, swelling or another unusual reaction occurs, wash the product off and discontinue its use.

Particular care is appropriate with Ultra Plus because its warming sensation can be considerably stronger than that of a standard massage lotion. Follow the manufacturer’s current instructions for use and avoid combining strongly warming products with other sources of excessive heat unless specifically recommended.

Summary

The NAQI massage range makes it possible to select a product according to treatment duration, desired glide and the client’s skin characteristics. Light is suited to shorter treatments, Medium provides a mineral-oil-free alternative, and Ultra is a versatile option for everyday clinical work. Sport provides more prolonged glide, Relax is aimed more towards relaxing massage, while Ultra Plus produces a pronounced warming sensation.

Neutral Massage Oil is particularly suitable when long-lasting, smooth glide is required, while Premium Soft Tissue Wax is more appropriate for local techniques where greater grip and precise movement control are priorities.

A massage product does not by itself treat an injury or remove the cause of persistent pain. Its primary role is to improve treatment comfort, reduce unnecessary friction, support the skin and help the therapist perform the selected massage or soft-tissue technique effectively.

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Which NAQI Product Is the Most Versatile for a Physiotherapy Clinic?

Aigars Caune
Physiotherapist

If you need one product for different patients and different types of treatment, NAQI Ultra will generally be the most versatile choice. It provides sufficiently long-lasting glide without being as oil-rich as Sport lotion or Neutral Massage Oil.

However, one product cannot be optimal for every technique. Sport lotion or Neutral Massage Oil may be more suitable for longer sports massage, while Premium Soft Tissue Wax can provide better control for precise work on smaller areas. In professional practice, it can therefore be practical to combine one versatile lotion with one product for prolonged glide and one product that provides greater grip.

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