I’ve posted before about how to make your own magnesium oil. But I wanted to come up with something that was a little more moisturizing and even more skin nourishing. This magnesium lotion/body butter hydrates skin and is a great way to get more magnesium in your skincare routine.
Benefits of Magnesium
Our skin absorbs what we put on it, which can be a good thing or a bad thing! Here we’re using it to our advantage. I take magnesium supplements because unfortunately our soil and food are depleted of this vital nutrient. And most of the population has a magnesium deficiency. I also like using topical magnesium on my skin, especially at night.
Our muscles (and many other things!) need magnesium to function properly. When we don’t have enough it can lead to leg cramps, migraines, and restless legs. I don’t give my kids melatonin, but I will rub this on their feet at night to help them get restful sleep. For some people, myself included, magnesium can be more energizing. So I use magnesium body lotion during the daytime.
Why Make Magnesium Cream?
I like making my own skincare products when I can because they’re often healthier and cheaper. Some magnesium lotion brands have sulfates and parabens, but we’re skipping those here. Other common ingredients are capric triglyceride, MSM, xanthan gum, and glyceryl stearate. Not really things I have on hand in my kitchen.
Magnesium Body Butter
This recipe uses all natural moisturizing ingredients to make dry skin soft and silky. Many people notice a tingling or burning feeling the first time using magnesium oil spray. Because this magnesium is blended in a thick lotion/body butter base I’ve found it’s more comfortable to use.
Some lotion recipes add glycerin and aloe, but I opted not to here. While they’re both great for healthy skin, too much glycerin can make skin feel sticky. And aloe really shortens the shelf life.
Magnesium Lotion Ingredients
I did use Coconut oil and shea butter, which both have a naturally mild SPF of 4-5. While it won’t work the same as sunblock, it does help the skin be more resilient. Our bodies also need magnesium to absorb vitamin D from the sun, so this magnesium lotion is great for mild sun exposure.
You’ll notice a few other unique ingredients in this recipe. Instead of beeswax to thicken, I use a blend of candelilla and emulsifying wax. Candelilla is a hard plant wax that thickens without being greasy. And the emulsifying wax helps the magnesium water combine with the oily ingredients.
If you don’t have either of those, you can use beeswax, but it’s harder to clean up and feels heavier on the skin. It’s also trickier to get the magnesium lotion to not separate.
Non-Greasy Feel
A lot of body butters can feel really heavy on the skin. This is more of a thick lotion consistency and absorbs faster. It uses a blend of waxes and oils that help it to not feel as greasy as some body cream and body butter options.
The Right Magnesium
There are lots of different types of magnesium, but not all of them will work in a lotion. Magnesium supplements (like magnesium citrate) will leave a gritty feel and don’t really work. Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), can work if it’s dissolved enough, but it’s not ideal.
Magnesium lotion uses magnesium chloride as its magnesium source. I use these unscented magnesium bath flakes to make pure magnesium oil for the lotion. They’re made from Zechstein magnesium chloride harvested from ancient seabeds.
Basically, you want it to say magnesium chloride on the ingredients list.
Adding Essential Oils
A lot of my skincare recipes rely on essential oils for their scent and health-promoting properties. You could add whatever skin safe essential oil you prefer to the formulation for scent. I used lavender because it’s great for soothing irritated skin and helps the mind and body relax at night. I avoid using certain citrus essential oils because they can cause photosensitivity for daytime use.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure the essential oil you use is pregnancy or breastfeeding safe. Or just leave it out and have an unscented version.
How to Use Magnesium Lotion
I use this or regular magnesium oil on my kid’s feet each night to help them sleep and boost magnesium levels. It’s also a great product to use for sore or restless muscles. You don’t need to use it all over like a body lotion for results, but you could if you wanted to. It may clog pores if used on the face though.
Because it has oils that help with vitamin D absorption and mild sun protection, I’ll use it before going outside in the warmer months.
Magnesium Lotion
Equipment
- Blender, immersion blender, or hand blender or a stand mixer
Ingredients
- ½ cup magnesium flakes
- 3 TBSP filtered water (boiling)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 TBSP candelilla wax (can also use beeswax, but it becomes more difficult to mix)
- 1 TBSP emulsifying wax
- 1 TBSP shea butter
- 2 TBSP grapeseed oil (or any liquid carrier oil)
- 15-20 drops lavender essential oil (or other essential oil of choice)
Instructions
- Place magnesium flakes into the mason jar and add the boiling water, stirring until the magnesium dissolves.
- Set aside to cool.
- Put the coconut oil, shea butter, emulsifying wax, candelilla wax, and grapeseed oil into the top of the double boiler and turn on medium heat. You can also use a heat safe glass bowl on top of a pot filled halfway with water.
- Stir frequently until the ingredients are melted and completely combined.
- Pour the melted oil mixture into a mixing bowl or blender. Let the mixture cool until it's room temperature and slightly opaque. I put mine in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.
- Use a hand blender, immersion blender, or regular blender on medium speed to start blending the cooled oil mixture. You can also use a stand mixer.
- While the oil mixture is mixing/blending, very slowly add the dissolved magnesium mixture. Start with just a few drops, and then pour in a very thin stream. Continue to mix until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the magnesium lotion to a glass container.
Notes
- If you have pre-made magnesium oil on hand, you can use ½ cup of that instead of the magnesium flakes and boiling water.
- Store in the fridge for a cooling lotion, or at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to two months.
Storage and Shelf Life
Magnesium body butter doesn’t have any preservatives, so I make it in smaller batches. It keeps for up to two months without a problem. It can also be stored in the fridge for a thicker and cooling lotion. It’s great to use after sun exposure to help the body absorb Vitamin D. You can also add some vitamin E to extend the life of the oils and shea butter (though it’s not an antimicrobial).
Where to Buy Magnesium Lotion
If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like making it, you can buy healthy magnesium lotion online. This Magnesium Lotion Shop sells hand-crafted jars that everyone seems to love! They have a fragrance-free version or one with lavender essential oil.
Have you ever used magnesium oil or lotion before? Did you notice a difference? Leave a comment and let me know!
Brilliant!! Do you think epsom salt would work?
I made it this afternoon with Epsom salts – it didn’t dissolve well with the 3 tbsp of boiling water so my body butter seems more like a scrub with little Magnesium crystals. Oh, well, I’ll use it anyway and order some magnesium chloride.
Try a coffee grinder to pulverize the Epsom salt into a fine powder…Voila!
Someone said there is poly 60 in the elmul wax. Kind of looks it in pic on amazon. won’t zoom for me so not sure. If there is, that is not good. Cancer causer!
Thanks for that info. I found one that is pure and nothing else
I would like to try emulsifying wax, but want one without polysorbate 60, also. Would you mind sharing which one you chose?
The link to the magnesium flakes was for magnesium chloride, but I have magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). Will that work as well?
It isn’t as absorbable and it irritates some peoples skin but it will work…
Does this easily clean off of the hand mixer/immersion blender? I hesitate to use the same one I use with food, but I don’t ha e an extra one.
Thanks, I love all your recipes! Since I’ve learned about the importance of magnesium and sulfate (Dr. Mercola and Dr. Stephanie Seneff) I’ve been using the magnesium lotion from Ancient Minerals with Opti MSM (MethylSulfonyMethane). Do you have any idea how I could find and incorporate MSM in a lotion recipe like yours, so it could be supercharge with health benefit. Thanks!
Yep… just find a powdered form or a tincture that could be added to the magnesium and water mix…
This is genius! It will be such a time saver – no need for magnesium oil and a separate body lotion anymore. Thanks Katie!
I like this idea!!
If I was just starting to use magnesium oil, would you say using this lotion once a day would be enough, or would I also need to do the oil separately at some point? And would you use this on kids feet to help them sleep, or just the oil? Thanks!
Brilliant! My favourite lotion for my family is without a doubt the whipped body butter. I have tried all your recipes and like this the best. How would you sugest incorporating magnesium into this recipe? Thanks so much! x
This will make a very similar consistency to the whipped body butter. If you want it even more so, just re-whip it after it has cooled…
Either or would work. If you make it by these directions, just using on your whole body once a day should give you a big dose and using on kids feet will work great too…
Can this lotion be rubbed on newborn’s feet or is there an age restriction? I am due in 5 weeks and am wondering if this will help a little baby sleep better.
Thank you,
Aliona
Just make sure to start slow… really the only issue is too much tingling.
Thank you, Katie!
Have you subbed anything in for the shea butter? I don’t have any at the moment and was wondering if I could use cocoa butter- that way I could make it faster, because I desperately need more magnesium in my life (and the oil makes my skin sting/burn a lot).
Yep.. works with cocoa butter or mango butter too…
Katie can grapeseed oil be used instead of coconut oil? I’m want to use what I have on hand. Just ordered the magnesium flakes from e-bay online. Can’t wait to make this body butter!!????
It’s also a good idea to use a substitute for shea butter if you have a latex allergy.
I actually have a very severe latex allergy (anaphylaxis), but have no problem at all with shea butter. I use this all of the time as a primary moisturizer for my body.
Kim
Magnesium only stings your skin when you are bodily deficient in that mineral. Once the required balance is reached, your skin no longer stings when it’s applied.
Heather, is that true?! Mag Oil stings me pretty bad when I apply- i wonder
Yep, very true! Had something close to feeling a severe sunburn in the beginning (I apply magnesium oil, but much rather throw in loads of magnesium flakes in a hot bath as it doesn’t become sticky). Now I only feel a little tingle on my back when applying.
But make sure you don’t apply anything with magnesium on open wounds (finger cuts etc.) It will sting for the entire day!
Ps. making the body butter right now, although largely adapted due to lack of ingredients. Just added the concentrated oil. So far, so good 🙂
Yes, it’s true The degree of sting determines the level of deficiency. Bear with it though because the more often you apply the oil the quicker your levels will restore. When I increased the amount of exercise I was doing the oil started to sting again so I’ve had to really up the amount I use.
Sure makes sense to me. When I first started using the spray oil it stung and soon that stopped. Now when I don’t use it for a day or so it will sometimes sting again, it varies. So make sense to me the variable is how deficient I am (or not). It does dry my skin out though, in a very different way though from regular winter dry skin. It’s sticky too.
Thank you for this comment! I kept wondering why my legs would sting every time I applied the magnesium oil. I am currently pregnant and looking for any and all helpful tips to keep my body strong during as well as after.
My doctor started me on liquid mag twice a day. Prior to that, I was spraying oil and soaking in epsom salt. The spraying used to sting. But since I’ve been on the liquid mag, I was wondering why the spray no longer stings! I thought it was getting old, however there’s no expiration date….but I did wonder if I’m no longer as deficient.
Hi my magnesium levels are mid range but when I bought a magnesium spray my skin tingled. I supplement vitamin D and started getting upset tummy with these. Spoke to some other people regarding this and they said my magnesium levels might be low. Is this true and would the magnesium supplement help with the upset tummy when using the vitamin D? The vitamin D supplement has never affected me like this before. Thank you
From everything I’ve read about vitamin D:
•must be Vitamin D3
•”Prescription vit D” IS USELESS!!! (I think Dr Mercola has an article on that topic)
•vitamin K directs the D3 to your bones, otherwise it settles in veins, kidneys (stones!)
•the Trifecta includes D3, K (K2?), Magnesium, and they all work together to get calcium into your bones
I know there’s lots more, but if you have an extra day, spend it reading everything on the above topics and get educated! (something I am not, yet, but I’m getting there!). Most frustrating is my Dr said I needed to take vit D (did not say D3) because of Rx I’m on which affects bone density, and NEVER MENTIONED VITAMIN K!! Also, there are a couple of FDA we pages out there that not only contradict one another, but both are dreadfully behind in current expert opinions.
Trudy, you need to read Dr. Brownstein’s book on Why Medications don’t work. There is a chapter on Bone Density drugs.
Hi Katie, I love your blogs and recipes. I’ve been using them for about 6 months and I’ve had nothing but good outcomes. That’s saying a lot
I have severe psoriosis on the soles of my feet from taking Levaquin ( antibiotic) and I can’t bring myself to try putting magnesium there. I’m very sure I need to add much more magnesium. I take baths with magnesium and Epsom salt and many other things as you suggest. I add a drop of Ancient Minerals Magnesium oil to my homemade toothpaste (also your recipe) but I cant tolerate even a small amount on my skin. It doesn’t just tingle it burns and itches and I have to wash it off almost immediately. I can’t take it orally so I’m struggling trying to add more to my body.
I have had that experience also…it burns and itches. So I am thinking the butter may be the way to go. I also take Magnesium Malate at night, but I sometimes also have nightmares????? I am really amazed that some people have commented on the nightmares. I have never thought about the magnesium maybe being the cause, Great info. Thanks.
Hi Sharon,
From what I’ve learned about magnesium, magnesium Malate is best taken earlier in the daytime, as it can be used for increased energy, which is maybe why you are having nightmares. Magnesium Glycinate is usually recommended for use at bedtime, as it can aid sleep. Hope that helps 🙂
Dont you need to add a preservative to it?
What if I add this to homemade lotion that I already have made? It has vitamin e oil in it (to preserve). Is this good as an everyday lotion or should we limit the use?
It can be used everyday and you could add the concentrated magnesium part to a pre-made lotion 🙂
Hi there. I was wondering if adding vitamin E oil to this recipe with prolong shelf life? I was planning to make some for Christmas gifts this year (for all my fellow insomniac siblings).
thanks
Love it! You come up with fabulous ideas Katie! Do you think the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil would work in this? It seems pretty potent. I haven’t made my own magnesium oil before. Also does it leave a sticky residue like the magnesium oil alone does?
This recipe isn’t sticky at all. you could use the ancient minerals it just won’t be quite as potent since the homemade one in this recipe is really concentrated.
to you add the premade magnesium oil in the same way you did the home mixed flake/ water? or do tou melt it with the oils and butters?
I’m no professional but I would guess that you would still add the magnesium oil later b/c you are emulsifying the mixture to whip it.
Can someone make it and I just buy it from them?
Here’s the magnesium lotion Katie recommends for those who don’t want to make it themselves. https://magnesiumlotionshop.com/ref/24/
Hi Katie,
I am new to the skin care, but I have been making all my household cleaners for many years. I have one very important question…what oil can replace coconut oil….I am allergic and it causes all kinds of skin itch’s.
Thanks for your help,
Carrla
I make a lot of my own body butters and substitute sweet almond oil or grape seed oil for the coconut, coconut oil dries my skin out more than it does any good, for me anyway.
Wellness Mama,
I use Ava Anderson non toxic body butter. Can I just add magnesium to it? How would I do that?
The magnesium has to be dissolved first so you’d have to mix it with a liquid and blend in, but it would change the texture of the finished version significantly.
Instead of mixing the flakes with water ahead of time, could it be mixed/dissolved directly into a small amount of the warm liquid oil (then slowly mixedd into the whole, as with the water version)?
My magnesium and water mix will not join with my oils. I had everything cooled and it just keeps separating. What can I do?
Hi there! Could i use magnesium flakes in my natural creme deodorant?
If you use beeswax, yes, very sticky and very hard to clean up off anything you used to make it. 🙁
Made it & hated it! It dried my skin out soo much. I added extra coconut oil to see if it helps.
MDGomez,
Thank you for being honest. I have skin issues and need to re-consider now.
I re-made it, & I’m happy with it now. I must have done something wrong the first time. I used her whipped body butter recipe & her concentrated magnesium oil from this recipe.
What about adding liquid vitamin D3/K2 to this recipe as a supplement? If so, how much should I add?
Coconut oil over-use can cause skin dryness. Try substituting another type of oil such as Shea Butter. I cannot use Coconut Oil due to diet/health issues, so I find Shea a good substitute and it whips up beautifully! Good luck!
Using coconut oil topically shouldn’t effect your diet though. Can you elaborate?
Some people are allergic to some oils or perhaps they do not consume any oils at all. There are a few reasons for this, but they do not mean that it will effect the diet.
I used coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, & vitamin e oil in my butter mix. Try it see how it works for you but it left my skin feeling dry & tight. Maybe I’ll try it again with a pre-made magnesium oil.??? Will update when I do.
I have very dry skin and it became even dryer after my hysterectomy several years ago. I tried organic coconut oil for a time and my skin was dry within an hour or less. My neighbor, a retired nurse, told me shea butter was the best for dry skin and I’ve been using it ever since-it’s a bit expensive but worth it!
I’ve got some made with avocado oil instead, and I love it. No skin drying at all.
Some people do report that coconut oil dries their skin out-sometimes severely. Maybe try adding a more moisturizing oil to the mixture of coconut isn’t a good fit for you. I enjoy the smell and taste in oil pulling but I haven’t had luck with skin related uses myself.
I tried this – not sure where I went wrong. The end product is very sticky once I get it on my skin and leaves a white coating on everything I touch afterwards. I would love to know how to correct this as I really need the extra magnesium
Me too! I mad two batches, one was very sticky the other is gritty. I’m sure it is something I did wrong but I’m not sure what.
I made a batch last night and it is gritty. I am sure I did something wrong, but can someone tell me what it might be?
Was the magnesium completely dissolved before you mixed it?
I have made salves with coconut oil, olive or avocado oil and beeswax adding EO’s for various things. I added shea butter (I forget now) to one for extra skin care to give to my mom and she later mentioned that one of the jars I gave her was a little grainy. I’m guessing it was the one I had added the shea to and I’m thinking there might be some trick to adding it to a mixture so it doesn’t do that but I don’t know what it is. Maybe it has to do with temp? Also maybe whipping it helps prevent that, I don’t know because I have never tried the whipping method and created a “butter”. I know this doesn’t solve your problem but maybe helps shed light? I’m anxious to see if anyone has info or tips about this too.
I made Dandelion Lotion Bars from The Nerdy Farm Wife. She says overheated shea butter can get grainy.
How many ounces or jars does this recipe make?