I've done oil, but I think my favorite is a few squirts of oil in one hand, add a small dash of cream, and mix. It gives an absolutely gorgeous glide, but clients don't wind up feeling as oil-slicked as with just straight oil.

The cool thing about jojoba is that it really is not an oil, but an extract...so no oily gross clogged and sticky feel for the client...it never goes rancid..ever..even after accidentally freezing it in my car!!...so the shelf life is forever, the linens never get stained or rancid...best of all is how it really is great for the skin and cleans up instantly from the stones with a few spritz of alcohol...no smell at all so never interferes with essential oils (in fact some high end oil manufactures use it as a carrier)..I have a few clients that I make special mixes for, and label the bottle for them in my 'Private Stock-Private Label' cupboard...they love it...(a bit of Arnica & Idaho Tansy added for muscle pain...etc...)
Some 'oils' actually glaze the stones and they get so caked up and sticky nothing short of a sand blaster can clean'em up...I know it is costly and is always spooky to try something new...but if you want the best ever glide and above perks give jojoba a shot...I am stubborn as a mule...(hence the name Jenny!)...and don't like change but thank goodness I listened to advice and tried jojoba....I'll never go back to other oils...
anyway..that's my 2 cents worth...
I hope every one gets stoned for the holidays!! (oh come on...you know I mean Geothermal Therapy!!)
Jenny

I originally used massage gel based on the recommendation of the instructor in my hydrostone class. I had been using natural, unrefined shea butter for my reflexology sessions and had occasion to use shea butter for a full body session with hot stones. As a result, I use shea butter exclusively for my bodywork and reflexology sessions. As others have mentioned, I also apply shea butter to the body part, dry the stones, and apply a small amount of shea butter to the hot stones before working the body part. I use a dish washing detergent to clean the stones after use and once a week I heat the stones to boiling in my roaster before using them the following week.