Magnesium Oil Benefits & How to Use It

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Even with a nourishing, real-food diet, it’s difficult to get the magnesium we need from food alone. Magnesium is one of the few supplements I take every day and I often use topical magnesium oil spray on my skin.

Why is magnesium critical to overall wellness? Many people don’t get enough of this vital mineral that the body uses for hundreds of reactions. Every cell in the body needs magnesium in some way! It’s essential for bone, tooth, muscle, nerve, and joint health as well as for optimal sleep and stress reduction.

More sleep and less stress? Sign me up!

Why Are We Lacking Magnesium?

Magnesium deficiency is widespread because many of us have lifestyle factors that actively deplete our magnesium levels. These include lack of sleep, excess stress, or alcohol/caffeine/sugar consumption. On top of that, many natural magnesium sources are depleted. Our soil has less magnesium due to over-farming and high pesticide use. Water filtration systems also remove much of the naturally occurring magnesium in water.

The ocean is still a wonderful source of pure magnesium and trace minerals, but we don’t all have daily access to a beach. Transdermal magnesium oil is an easy and effective way to increase magnesium levels.

Benefits of Magnesium Oil

Thousands of studies involve magnesium therapy in some form. These studies evaluate this essential mineral’s effect on everything from skin health to diabetes and hypertension.

One easy way I’ve found to increase my levels is transdermally (or through the skin) with this magnesium oil. Just spray it on after a shower or a bath, let it soak in, and you’re done! It’s quick, and easy, and bypasses the digestive system for absorption.

There are also magnesium supplements that can be taken internally. I like magnesium drink mixes like Natural Calm or the ones from Jigsaw Health. Lately, I’ve also been loving this one from BiOptimizers that blends 7 different kinds of highly absorbable magnesium.

However, some people have difficulty absorbing magnesium internally. If you have trouble increasing your magnesium intake with oral supplementation, then topical use can be helpful. In my experience, it helps to cycle the two methods to ensure absorption.

Here’s why I make magnesium oil a regular part of my routine:

1. Improved Magnesium Levels

Obviously, the goal of using magnesium oil is to boost our magnesium levels. A 2010 study by the Herbal Research Centre showed over a 25 percent increase in cellular magnesium levels. Study participants used magnesium on their skin for 12 weeks. Transdermal magnesium therapy includes magnesium soaks (like foot soaks) and magnesium spray.

I consider this a basic form of nutritional insurance since it’s so difficult to get magnesium from food and water.

2. Smoother Skin

I like using magnesium oil for healthier skin along with dry brushing. I dry brush in the mornings and often use magnesium spray. This routine helps my skin stay smooth and breakout-free. People with sensitive skin should start with diluted magnesium oil and work up as their skin allows.

3. Less Muscle Soreness

Many athletes swear by magnesium for post-workout recovery and sore muscles. Even those who aren’t high-level athletes can benefit from using magnesium after workouts. Studies indicate magnesium spray may help reduce muscle soreness and replenish magnesium levels lost through sweat. I’ve also found it’s great for leg cramps and muscle cramps that can keep kids (and adults!) awake at night.

4. Fewer Headaches and Migraines

There’s a lot of research about magnesium’s importance for headache and migraine relief. Studies show people who have good magnesium levels have fewer headaches and migraines. If you feel one coming on, sometimes drinking water and taking magnesium is enough to get it to go away. This is great news for those who don’t want the side effects that come with conventional pain relievers!

5. Balanced Blood Sugar

There’s also quite a bit of research on magnesium and balanced blood sugar. This may be for several reasons. Too much sugar depletes our magnesium levels. Having unbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels may deplete magnesium. This, in turn, makes it more difficult to balance blood sugar and insulin.

Magnesium doesn’t treat diabetes or blood sugar imbalance. However, magnesium can be an important part of a holistic approach to blood sugar management.

6. Lower Risk of Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Hospitals routinely use IV magnesium as an acute treatment for high blood pressure. Most of us aren’t giving ourselves IV magnesium at home though. And until recently there hasn’t been much well-documented information on magnesium supplements and blood pressure.

A 2016 meta-analysis found that magnesium can help significantly reduce blood pressure. This analysis found a benefit at doses of more than 370 milligrams daily. So someone would likely need to supplement both internally and transdermally to get the benefit.

7. More Restful Sleep

There’s a good reason Epsom salt baths are often used for relaxation. Magnesium may have a beneficial effect on GABA receptors in the brain. This allows us to relax and sleep easily and possibly deeper. Magnesium also helps remedy restless legs at night for a better night’s sleep.

It’s important to note that a small segment of people seem to have the opposite effect and wake up after taking magnesium. These people should, of course, not take magnesium at night.

How to Use Magnesium Oil

Spray on arms, legs, and stomach daily. I use 10-20 sprays most days. It usually causes a tingling sensation the first few times you use it, which is normal. It should fade after a few times, but you can dilute it with more water if it’s bothersome.

After applying, leave on the skin or wash off after 20-30 minutes. I usually apply after a shower and then use a moisturizer or lotion bar about 5 minutes later. If the sticky feel on your skin bothers you, try applying at night before bed when you won’t notice it as much or before showering and rinse off.

This is my favorite magnesium oil formulation. If you’re the DIY type you can also make your own with magnesium flakes! When I don’t have magnesium oil on hand I’ve been known to make it! Try this easy recipe.

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DIY Magnesium Oil

Here's a super simple way to get magnesium oil topically. Great for kids too!
Prep Time5 minutes
Yield: 6 ounces
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Boil the distilled water.
  • Place the magnesium chloride flakes in the glass measuring cup or bowl and pour the boiling water over them.
  • Stir well until completely dissolved, about 1 minute.
  • Let cool completely and store in a spray bottle.

Notes

  • I prefer to use magnesium oil after a shower and often add 10 drops of lavender essential oil for scent and relaxation. It’s a great way to get a little self-care in!
  • This can be stored at room temperature for several months. 

Other Natural Ways to Get Magnesium

While magnesium does have many well-documented benefits, it’s only a small part of the many nutrients we need. Magnesium supplementation is great but should be in addition to a real-food diet like nature intended!

Some foods have magnesium, though the amounts are declining due to poor soil quality and over-farming. Foods that have magnesium include:

Top Ten Magnesium Rich Foods

Magnesium Oil FAQs

This post has generated hundreds of comments and questions. I’ve tried to answer the most common ones here:

Why is this called an oil when there is no oil in it?

Good question. This is actually a highly saturated mineral solution of magnesium. When it goes on the skin it feels like an oil and was named “Magnesium Oil” for this reason. Confusing? A little… but I didn’t come up with the name. Even commercial brands of magnesium oil use that term.

What type of magnesium is best?

From the research I found, magnesium chloride seems to be the most absorbable and least irritating form. It’s also easy to find some to buy. (This is the brand I use.)

Would Epsom salts work?

I find Epsom salt sprays too drying but I love Epsom salt baths. The difference is that Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate and can be more drying and not absorb as easily into the skin.

Can I use an oral magnesium supplement powder to make transdermal magnesium?

Nope! The forms for internal use are irritating to the skin. This would also leave a white film and make a big mess. I don’t recommend it.

Is it good to add calcium to the spray too?

I wouldn’t. In theory, you could and it would dissolve decently well, but it would leave a white film on the skin. And calcium isn’t as easily absorbed through the skin. Many people get plenty of calcium and not enough magnesium, so this potentially wouldn’t be as beneficial.

Can this go in a plastic bottle?

In theory yes and it should work fine. I prefer glass whenever possible, especially since glass bottles are readily available now. You can find glass spray bottles here.

Can I use this on babies/kids/my pets?

Ask your healthcare provider/vet to be sure before using any product on a child or pet. That said, I use this magnesium spray on my kids at night to help them sleep more soundly.

Can I use magnesium while pregnant/nursing?

Supplements like magnesium are generally considered beneficial during pregnancy and while nursing, but check with your midwife or doctor if you have any concerns. I’ve used it through several pregnancies with great results.

This is supposed to improve sleep, so why does it seem to keep me up?

There’s a small group of people who have an opposite reaction to magnesium. While it promotes restful sleep for many people, some have trouble sleeping for a few hours after taking magnesium. After some experimentation, I found that I’m part of this group and do better taking magnesium in the morning.

Why does this oil cause burning/tingling for some people?

One theory is that those who are deficient have a tingling or burning reaction to magnesium oil. I noticed it seemed to irritate me much more at first but I soon adjusted and didn’t have a problem with it. However, I don’t have any science to back up the deficiency theory. I also found that this particular magnesium oil didn’t tingle or burn at all.

What about adding essential oils to the mixture?

There are some risks associated with certain essential oils but some can also be very beneficial. Adding a few drops of generally skin safe oils (like lavender or sweet orange) adds a nice scent and some health benefits. As always, do your own research and ask a qualified aromatherapist for any personalized health advice.

Can this be used as deodorant?

Yep! I have a separate recipe for a spray deodorant that’s basically this recipe anyway. Even this spray on its own works great for me now. You can also try this magnesium roll-on deodorant with magnesium powder.

Have you tried magnesium to help reduce stress or improve sleep? Ever tried to make your own? Share below!

Homemade magnesium oil is a cost effective way to increase your magnesium levels and can reduce stress, improve sleep and improve health.
Sources
  1. Kass, L., et al. (2017). Effect of transdermal magnesium cream on serum and urinary magnesium levels in humans: A pilot study. PloS one12(4), e0174817
  2. Maier, J. et al. (2020). Headaches and Magnesium: Mechanisms, Bioavailability, Therapeutic Efficacy and Potential Advantage of Magnesium Pidolate. Nutrients12(9), 2660. h
  3. Reno, A. M., et al. (2022). Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Muscle Soreness and Performance. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 36(8), 2198–2203.
  4. ELDerawi, W. et al. (2018). The Effects of Oral Magnesium Supplementation on Glycemic Response among Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Nutrients11(1), 44.
  5. Zhang, X., et al. (2016). Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials. Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)68(2), 324–333.
  6. Watkins, K., & Pd, J. (2010). A pilot study to determine the impact of transdermal magnesium treatment on serum levels and whole body CaMg ratios. Medicine.

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

985 responses to “Magnesium Oil Benefits & How to Use It”

  1. Kimberly H Avatar
    Kimberly H

    I use magnesium as a deodorant.. I’ve not used commercial deo for at least a year. I buy generic Milk of Magnesia which has no other ingredients in it other than magnesium hydroxide. I also soak in epsom salts often.

    1. Garcia Avatar

      Epsom salts are not the same as the magnesium flakes. The flakes are magnesium chloride and the Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate, I believe. Can someone correct me if I’m wrong?

  2. Alexandra Avatar

    Hi so i just read thats its almost impossible to OD on the oil which is great news,, i am healing candida overload and leaky gut with adrenal fatigue lol bundle of fun arnt i lol,, os i have gut issues,a very restricted diet while healing the candida, get anxiety when im really off, get muscle aches and im tired,, you think this is a good addition ? cause i used to take mag back in the begining but it used to upset my gut system so this would be a good way to take it by the sounds of things?? any advice offerings :)?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      My son did great with the skin oil when he was on GAPS for gut issues… worth a try…

  3. Pamela Bloom Avatar
    Pamela Bloom

    Magnesium is absorbed through the skin. I get mine by taking a nice soak in the tub twice a week for about 15 minutes with epsom salts. It works great.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Not the same… magnesium sulfate vs. magnesium chloride. It will still provide magnesium and some other readers have done this, but I haven’t tried it personally…

  4. Eva Matamoros Courtney Avatar
    Eva Matamoros Courtney

    Will substituting Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) for the magnesium chloride flakes give the same results?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It will still be a source of magnesium and I’ve heard from several people who have done this, but I don’t think the results are exactly the same…

      1. Syan de LuMargh Avatar
        Syan de LuMargh

        Having been told much the same by acupunturists & chiropractors alike about epsom salts. I receive some benefit from epsom salts baths, which is better than none at all, but have been surprised it did not provide the relief I was told to expect. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I think it’s exactly what I’ve been seeking. 🙂

        1. Tracey Byrne Avatar
          Tracey Byrne

          I use the magnesium chloride powder (not flakes) which I buy on line and make it up just by adding 50gms to 100ml of distilled water. Using it daily on the skin and depending on the severity of the condition you are using it,several times a day. You can not overdose on it using it as a skin spray. My acupuncturist uses it and gave me the information. It does have a cumulative effect so you should keep using it. I get relief (almost immediate relief) from my mixture. The fakes aren’t quite as strong as the powder and epsom salts is not the same either. Hope this helps.

  5. Nan Avatar

    I’ve seen a magnesium chloride product by Life Flo Health that comes from the ancient Zechstein seabed, yet they claim that it is not for internal use? Is that only for precaution?
    Also, I’ve seen that a few weeks of daily spray raises levels to normal/optimal, so how frequently would the spray need to be used after that for maintenance?
    Thanks

  6. Alicia Avatar

    Can you tell me more about using this on my 17 month-old? Her sleep is TERRIBLE. She is up every 1.5-3 hours at night. We no longer nurse at night, but she still wakes up. Sometimes, after she has woken up, if she isn’t settled enough, she will wake again in 20-30 minutes. I’ve tried remedying all the obvious possible issues (teeth, hunger, wet diaper, cold, hot, blankets on/off, etc.) with no improvement. I’ve tried Calms Forte for Kids (at a reduced dose) with one night of success, but no more than that in a week long period. I’m interested in trying the magnesium oil, but I want to be sure its something that is safe for her. I’d appreciate any info you can give me. Thank you, thank you. I’m really hoping this is it, because if its not, I’m at a total and complete loss.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It may take a little while to get her levels up so she sleeps well… I run a few sprays on my kids feet and then put socks on before bed. Improving gut health also seems to really improve sleep though…

      1. Alicia Avatar

        I’ve been pretty strict with her food. I’m not sure how damaged her gut is. She was EBF until 6 months. At that point we started with avocado and sweet potato, but she really didn’t get interested in solids until she was 9 months. Even then she only had tastes of things (whole, organic fruits, veggies or organic, grass-fed meats). She didn’t really start wanting 3 meals a day until she was 13 months. We mostly followed “food under one is just for fun”. She was completely grain and gluten free until 13 months. At that point I introduced a grains here and there, but only as small tastes and she is still GF 90% of the time. She is not vaccinated, she has never had any OTC meds or any antibiotics. She occasionally gets homeopathic remedies or tissue/cell salts. Does it sounds like her gut health could be an issue given the info I’ve provided?
        I just got the Magnesium Chloride flakes tonight so I’m going to go make the magnesium oil and we’ll start it tomorrow. Is there risk of using too much on her? Should I just use a few sprays on her feet once a day?
        Thanks!

        1. Wellness Mama Avatar
          Wellness Mama

          Sounds like you are doing great on the diet/gut health… it is really difficult to overdose with the skin oil or baths, so a few sprays a day to start on the feet should be great…

  7. Chris Robinson Avatar
    Chris Robinson

    After 20 min even an hour, no oily feel , also feel nothing, no salt anywhere either, i also think the water desentigrated the salt, so Im stumped

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It is great if it doesn’t feel oily on your skin… did you follow the instructions? Did you use magnesium flakes or epsom salt?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I haven’t tried it directly on eczema externally, but I have seen magnesium help eczema recovery when taken internally…

  8. Jenny Avatar

    Is it safe to use on a toddler. I have a one year old and wondering if I should apply on her but not sure how much?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I put a couple of sprays on each child’s foot at night at that age…

    2. Mag Avatar

      If you have a young child and you are giving them baths, you could also put some epsom salts in the bath water. It’s less concentrated than the mag oil……but it’s another way to get mag into our systems. So you could use the mag oil and the epsom salts together as part of your daily routine.

  9. Amanda Wrenn Avatar
    Amanda Wrenn

    Just bought the magnesium flakes! I’m going to try to use them with coconut oil as Heather suggested. Praying it helps me with my anxiety and depression! I will be trying it on my 22 month old “spirited” toddler as well, it would be a plus if it helps with sleeping issues!

    1. Amanda Wrenn Avatar
      Amanda Wrenn

      Ok, so I tried the coconut oil. The magnesium isn’t dissolving totally. I now have a lump of magnesium floating in coconut oil. Any ideas as to why? I only used 1/4 cup of both.

        1. Amanda Wrenn Avatar
          Amanda Wrenn

          I decided to just do the water. It seems to have worked wonders in just 4 days. My daughter, who has only slept through the night twice in the last 22 months has slept through the night the last two!

  10. Heather Avatar

    instead of dissolving this in water could you dissolve it in heated coconut oil and use as a rub? it might help some of the skin sensitivities or would it not absorb as well?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Many people need more magnesium than calcium, and a lot of people also have trouble absorbing magnesium through the digestive track for various reasons, so the skin is sometimes a more effective way to absorb it…

  11. Ramona Chiasson Avatar
    Ramona Chiasson

    I realize this is an older post, but I thought I’d mention that for Canadians, you can purchase magnesium flakes from here: http://www.magnascent.ca/
    We ordered a 1 kg bag (just over 2 pounds) and it arrived very quickly.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It has a somewhat oily texture once made, but you are right… it isn’t technically an oil (the store bough versions are called that as well, so I used the name for clarity)

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I order them from Amazon since nowhere local has them where we live…

  12. Susan Littleton Avatar
    Susan Littleton

    Can I use Epson salt instead, which is Magnesium sulfate? It’s less expensive than Magnesium Chloride.

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