Soothe sore muscles and improve sleep with a topical application of this magnesium lotion recipe. Made with nourishing, natural ingredients that hydrate skin while delivering needed magnesium to the body.
My love for magnesium started with my first pregnancy. I had all the signs of a magnesium deficiency — soreness, trouble sleeping, leg cramps and constipation — but I had no idea that I was low or how to fix these issues. It wasn’t until I started using Earthley’s magnesium lotion that I noticed a big difference in how I felt.
Flash forward to today, our cabinet is stocked full of magnesium chloride flakes, homemade magnesium oil and the best magnesium lotion recipe!
This stuff is amazing. Whether you’re pregnant or not, this magnesium cream is bound to benefit you and your family members. It is easy to make and glides on your skin so smoothly without any tingling or stinging that sometimes magnesium oil can cause.
Just a dab of this on the back of my legs before bedtime improves my sleep by leaps and bounds. Sometimes if I forget to put it on, I will notice I sleep lighter, waking up more, usually causing me to go to the bathroom cabinet and put some on in the middle of the night.
What are the Benefits of Using Magnesium Lotion?
- Excellent absorption rate into the skin when applied topically
- May help improve digestive issues such as constipation
- Supports a good nights rest
- Promotes relaxation and a calmer feeling
- Soothes sore muscles and eases aches
Tools You May Need
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Bowl
Beeswax
Ingredients
Oil – there are many oil options to choose from. Sunflower oil is a non-comedogenic oil that deeply hydrates and is easily accessible. Apricot kernel oil is lightweight and moisturizing. Olive oil is heavier, leaving a more greasy feeling but it is very nourishing and is widely available to purchase.
Beeswax – pellets or pastilles work best as they melt quickly.
Shea butter – raw and unrefined is more natural but it can sometimes add an odd smell to the lotion.
Cocoa butter – locks in moisture and soothes skin.
Magnesium flakes – I buy the brand Ancient Minerals.
Water – I recommend using distilled water to increase the shelf life.
Essential oils – try lavender, chamomile or sweet orange for a calming experience. I often leave the essentials out so that I can use the lotion on my toddler.
Tips
- Always use very warm water to help easily dissolve the magnesium flakes.
- I prefer to use a hand mixer for this diy magnesium lotion. It whips air into the lotion quickly and the beaters can be easily cleaned afterwards.
- For additional skin benefits, you can infuse the sunflower or olive oil with herbs. Comfrey, calendula, plantain or chamomile are nice choices. To learn how to make an herbal infused oil, check out this article.
How to Make Magnesium Lotion Recipe
Makes: 8 ounces
Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2.85 ounces) sunflower oil (or apricot kernel oil or olive oil)
1 1/2 tablespoons (14 grams) beeswax pellets
2 1/2 tablespoons (26 grams) shea butter
1 tablespoon (11 grams) cocoa butter
3 tablespoons (40 grams) magnesium flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons distilled water
5 drops essential oil (lavender, chamomile, sweet orange), optional
Directions
In canning jar, add oil, beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter. Place the jar into a small saucepan filled with a couple inches of water. Heat over a medium-low burner until the beeswax and butters have melted.
While the beeswax is melting, warm the distilled water. Add the magnesium flakes and stir until dissolved.
Remove jar from pan. Pour hot liquid into a bowl. Allow liquid to cool for 10 minutes. When ready, the outer edges should start to solidify. Using a hand mixer on low, slowly pour the magnesium into the liquid. Whip for 3 minutes, then use a spatula to scrap the sides of the bowl. Continue to mix for another 2-3 minutes.
Pour lotion into a jar, add a lid and store in a cool, dark place.
How to Use Magnesium Lotion
To use the diy magnesium lotion recipe, apply approximately a pea-sized amount to the legs or belly. I usually do this right before I go to bed.
FAQ
How Long Does Magnesium Lotion Last?
The magnesium lotion recipe should last about 6 months provided it is stored in a clean, sealed jar.
Does Homemade Magnesium Lotion Need a Preservative?
Typically homemade creams, lotions and body butters made with water need a preservative to help them last longer and prevent them from molding. However, in my experience, the “brine” created from the magnesium flakes, helps to preserve the lotion for a longer period of time. Using distilled water also aids in an extended shelf life. I personally have yet to discover a jar of spoiled magnesium lotion.
Where to Buy Magnesium Chloride Flakes?
You can buy magnesium flakes on Amazon, Walmart, Azure Standard or the Ancient Minerals website.
More DIY Skin Care Recipes
Magnesium Lotion Recipe
Soothe sore muscles and improve sleep with a topical application of this magnesium lotion recipe. Made with nourishing, natural ingredients that hydrate skin while delivering needed magnesium to the body.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2.85 ounces) sunflower oil (or apricot kernel oil or olive oil)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (14 grams) beeswax pellets
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (26 grams) shea butter
- 1 tablespoon (11 grams) cocoa butter
- 3 tablespoons (40 grams) magnesium flakes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons distilled water
- 5 drops essential oil (lavender, chamomile, sweet orange), optional
Instructions
- In canning jar, add oil, beeswax, shea butter and cocoa butter. Place the jar into a small saucepan filled with a couple inches of water. Heat over a medium-low burner until the beeswax and butters have melted.
- While the beeswax is melting, warm the distilled water. Add the magnesium flakes and stir until dissolved.
- Remove jar from pan. Pour hot liquid into a bowl. Allow liquid to cool for 10 minutes. When ready, the outer edges should start to solidify. Using a hand mixer on low, slowly pour the magnesium into the liquid. Whip for 3 minutes, then use a spatula to scrap the sides of the bowl. Continue to mix for another 2-3 minutes.
- Pour lotion into a jar, add a lid and store in a cool, dark place. To use the diy magnesium lotion recipe, apply approximately a pea-sized amount to the legs or belly. I usually do this right before I go to bed.
Notes
- Always use very warm water to help easily dissolve the magnesium flakes.
- I prefer to use a hand mixer for this diy magnesium lotion. It whips air into the lotion quickly and the beaters can be easily cleaned afterwards.
- For additional skin benefits, you can infuse the sunflower or olive oil with herbs. Comfrey, calendula, plantain or chamomile are nice choices. To learn how to make an herbal infused oil, check out this article.
