Magnesium is amazing. When we’re deficient, it shows up in annoying symptoms and even various health problems. The good news is, that supplementing is easy, especially when you know how to make the best organic magnesium lotion recipe.
A simple magnesium cream recipe
It almost seems like magic – rub this lotion on, and incredible things happen: deep restful sleep, balanced hormones, and relief from headaches, pain, and anxiety. Isn’t it great that we can make this easy DIY magnesium lotion at home?
I won’t go into a ton of detail now, but in another blog post, which you can check out here, I talk about my experience with the many incredible benefits of magnesium lotion. I also have other blog posts where I talk about how magnesium helps me with sleep and anxiety.
The wonderful thing about magnesium lotion is that when we use magnesium on the skin, we can achieve balance very quickly. This means fast relief from the symptoms of magnesium deficiency (source).
I’m going to show you how easy it is to make the best organic magnesium lotion recipe for transdermal magnesium therapy.
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No irritation, please
You can spray straight magnesium brine right on the skin, and you can get great transdermal magnesium therapy benefits that way. But, straight magnesium brine on the skin can be drying, tingly, and itchy.
When magnesium brine is combined with skin moisturizing oils and butter, we get the great benefits of magnesium through the skin, without drying and irritation. Yay!
Ingredients for my new and improved organic magnesium lotion recipe
I do have an early blog post on how to make magnesium lotion. This recipe is similar to that one, but it has been updated and made even better. My other magnesium lotion recipe is still quite nice. But, it does tend to have a bit of a softer consistency.
This new, best organic magnesium lotion recipe has organic shea butter, which helps give the lotion a thicker consistency, which makes it easier to apply. I’ve also bumped up the beeswax a little, to help with thickness.
If you’re looking for a light, nongreasy body lotion recipe with pure and simple ingredients, check out my recipe for how to make lotion with shea butter.
Organic magnesium lotion recipe directions
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 5 TBSP shea butter
- 2 TBSP beeswax
- 1 cup magnesium chloride brine
- 96 drops of essential oils (optional, click the link to see my favorite essential oils)
Instructions:
- Measure olive oil, shea butter, and beeswax into a heat-safe pitcher.
- Create a double boiler by placing the pitcher inside a pan of water with a cloth under the pitcher.
- Heat water to a gentle simmer.
- Stir the oil mixture periodically as it melts.
- Once the beeswax and shea butter are completely melted and combined into olive oil, remove the pitcher from heat and pour the oil mixture into a food processor, being careful to not get any water in the oil mixture.
- Turn the food processor on.
- Slowly pour a very thin stream of magnesium chloride brine into the food processor while it runs.
- Allow the food processor to run for a minute or so.
- Add essential oils, if using, and allow the food processor to run for another minute.
- Pour magnesium lotion into glass jars.
- Store at room temperature in a cool, dark place.
Using transdermal magnesium
I’ve found that when I’m correcting a magnesium deficiency, it’s good to take it both internally, and through the skin. That way, I get all the benefits of magnesium.
Applying magnesium to the skin is also called transdermal magnesium therapy, and it works much faster than an internal supplement (source). Magnesium enters the bloodstream immediately, where the body can use it right away.
Also, the body can use exactly the amount it needs. Overdose and digestive upset are avoided. This organic magnesium lotion works perfectly for this.
For internal magnesium, I like this Magnesium Calm powder supplement. Magnesium glycinate is another good choice I sometimes use. Taking magnesium internally helps to ensure that my magnesium levels stay healthy long term.
How much magnesium is in homemade magnesium lotion and body butter?
According to my research, 1 teaspoon of this organic magnesium lotion delivers approximately 280 mg of elemental magnesium. I usually use about 1-2 teaspoons at a time when I use it.
The best brine for homemade magnesium lotion
When I make this magnesium lotion recipe, I like to use a very high-quality, ultra-pure magnesium brine. My favorite is this one from Ancient Minerals. It comes from the Ancient Zechstein Sea in The Netherlands and is extremely pure and high quality.
You can make your own magnesium brine from magnesium flakes. But, the brine made that way isn’t as pure. It can also be more irritating to the skin.
Does magnesium lotion need a preservative?
While most homemade lotion recipes do need a preservative, I’ve found that this magnesium lotion is just fine without one. The magnesium chloride brine acts similar to the way that salt does as a natural preservative. So, as long as you’re applying it with clean hands, and it’s used up within about a year, it should stay nice and fresh.
Just like when you make any body care product at home, you want to be very careful to use super clean equipment. I recommend washing everything you’ll be using in a weak bleach solution, and then letting it air dry. That will help avoid any unwanted bacteria ending up in the finished lotion.
Essential oils for organic magnesium lotion
You can keep magnesium lotion unscented, or you can enhance the already wonderful relaxing and sleep-enhancing properties of magnesium lotion by adding certain essential oils. These ones are great choices:
I like to add essential oils in a 1% dilution. For this magnesium lotion recipe, which makes about 16 oz. of lotion, you’ll add 96 drops of essential oils.
Simple and easy magnesium oil lotion recipe
I’ve gotten various questions about how I make magnesium lotion, so I wanted to cover those here.
There is definitely a wide variety of ingredients you can use when you make homemade lotions. There are emulsifying waxes and stabilizers. I personally like to keep my skincare products as simple pure and natural as possible, with wholesome, easy-to-recognize ingredients.
I use organic beeswax for the emulsifier, and it works great. The emulsifying waxes that are commercially available are made from synthetic ingredients, and beeswax is much more pure and natural.
Stabilizers for lotion making aren’t so pure and natural, either. They’re made with processed ingredients and I prefer to skip them altogether. I am really happy with the consistency when I keep it super pure and natural like this. I really do think this is the best organic magnesium lotion recipe.
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Ancient Minerals magnesium chloride brine
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Tranquil Synergy essential oil blend
Relax Synergy essential oil blend
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Magnesium is amazing. When we're deficient, it shows up in annoying symptoms and even various health problems. The good news is, supplementing is easy, especially when you know how to make the best organic magnesium lotion recipe.The Best Organic Magnesium Lotion Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
and pour oil mixture into food processor, being careful to not get any water in oil mixture.
Can you use an emulsion blender stick?
Could you substitute jojoba oil for the olive oil? If so would you use the same amount? Thank you!
Can you use emulsifying wax and mango butter, instead of beeswax and shea butter in this recipe? If so, how much? Thanks
For everyone who is having trouble with the mixture separating….
I’ve had several failures but I think I’ve worked it out, as I’ve finally had success.
The tip is to VERY SLOWLY drip in the mag brine. Do a few drips then keep it blending, then a few more, then keep blending. It time about 20 mins to incorporate all the brine.
Regarding temperature, I poured the hot oil into the food processor as soon as it was melted. The mag brine was cool by the time it had dissolved.
Hope that helps as it’s frustrating to waste ingredients trying to nail it
The other thing I did was double the strength of the mag brine, so there is less water.
So I did 1C mag flakes to 1/2C water
I only made 1/2 a batch and it turned out lovely! I did use an emulsion blender and it worked great! Thank you!!❤️
Not sure if it was because of the 1/2 batch, but started out in food processor and it didn’t work out, so scraped it all into a bowl and emulsified, and Walla.
How do you keep this lotion from separating? Mine turns liquidy. I’m thinking substituting the olive oil for coconut oil.
I had the same problem several times, but now Ive finally had success.
The secret is to drip the magnesium brine in super slowly, dribble a bit in and let it go, then a bit more and let it go again. It took about 20 mins to incorporate all the brine but it didn’t separate. The oil mixture was hot too.
So you ran the food processor for 20 min while doing it or did you hand mix it ?
Mine separated too so I ran the mixer for 10 minutes while it cooled. Don’t know if the magnesium mixed better or if it just cooled while mixed and stayed that way
According to Rosemary Gladstar, when mixing these water and oil creams, making sure that they’re the same temp before mixing them works wonders. It won’t separate nearly as much – I’ve had good personal results when I implemented this tip!
Just curious if you have experimented with a tallow recipe? I’m a recent tallow convert and was surprised you don’t use this amazing ingredient in this? Is there a specific reason or negative drawback to making this with tallow? Thank you for your wonderful recipes and passion for sharing them!
Cheers!
Can this be made using an immersion blender as opposed to a food processor?
Also wondering if this is safe to use on my 6 month old son? If so where is the best place to apply it? Bottoms of the feet? Lower back? Back of the neck?
Thanks!
I need to make this. I think my sister needs some too.
You really need an emulsifying wax here not beeswax also a preservative or it won’t last.
I’ve made this recipe hundreds of times and it’s always worked wonderfully for me 🙂
So…half a teaspoon or a full teaspoon of the essential oil? NOT counting to 96, Sweetie! I guess I’ll see if I can find a different/better (written) recipe. Thanks for the FABULOUS idea tho!!
96 isn’t that big of a number.????
96 drops = 1 teaspoon
Generally, 6 drops per ounce is my go-to for adding essential oils. For 1 cup (8 oz) of base product I use 48 drops or 1/2 tsp essential oil
If you make the recipe you only need to count the drops one time if you measure the weight with a scale that weighs in grams. That way all you have to do is whip out the scale and measure. She also said the essential oils are optional, so it’s not going to hurt the recipe to add less or none at all.
Just made this yesterday and put on my feet before bed. Slept so well. No leg/foot cramps (which I tend to get). The only issue I have is making the bring – I heated water and added the flakes til they dissolved. I added that to the oils/wax and blended (first with immersion blender then with hand-held mixer). It’s a nice consistency but there’s water. I drained as much as I could but the day after more water is “coming out” of the lotion. When I squeeze the lotion with off-set spatula more water squirts out. Is this normal? Did I do something wrong ((i added 1:1 flakes:water)? Thanks
Could you tell me about how much this recipe makes. In ounces?
YIELD???
I couldn’t find the yield either until I re-read her blog. She states it yields about 16 oz. (2 cups)
I need to try this recipe out.
Need help with troubleshooting…
Love this lotion but after 2 days of use the brine/mag oil pooled on the top. I tried to blended it back in, but did not work
What should I do?
I’ve been making body butter for years and I had the same issue at first. I’ve been reading through to see if you’re supposed to let your melted wax/oils cool before blending. She doesn’t mention this, but that was the issue I had with the body butter. I have to let the mix cool completely before blending/mixing in the liquid.
I’m going to try that and see if it works!
Yes, spot on when making any body care butters, let the oils and butters solidify first, to a consistency of medium soft butter before blending. I put my oils and butters in the fridge for a few hrs to help it along, just keep checking the consistency though, you don’t want it solid
Have you made it since you posted this? And did having the brine and oils at the same temp work for you? Ive had the same issue with separation and it’s so frustrating
Do you know if there is any reason not to use the food processor for food after using it to make this magnesium lotion recipe? (assuming you can clean it thoroughly)
If you follow the recipe exactly as written, is it safe to use the food processor for edible food after processing the magnesium lotion? Or should you use a processor dedicated to external products? Thanks, I’ll try it based on your response!
Hi Marisa! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! I’m hoping you can clarify something for me, though. You mention about our being able to make the Magnesium Oil from the 50/50 mix of flakes/distilled water combination, but then you say you use the Ancient Minerals’ product when you make your lotion.
So, in your recipe, if we use the Ancient Minerals products, do we add an entire 8oz. bottle to your recipe (the 1 cup) or did you dilute the AM product by some amount? I’m just getting confused by how their product (other than maybe a purity standpoint that you mentioned) is different from what we would make mixing the distilled water and flakes.
Thank you, and I hope you can clarify. Also, when you note the amount of magnesium that ends up being in your end product, are those numbers from when you use the AM product?
could you use Tallow in place of the shea butter and bees wax?
What a great recipe! I’ll definitely have to try it! What’s your favorite essential oil to add to the recipe? I would most likely use lavender since I usually take magnesium at night. Thank you!
I followed your recipe and the lotion turned out perfect! Thanks so much.
Mine turned out yellowish and not white. Is that normal? I figured it was maybe due to the olive oil and the shea butter.
I need to try this recipe out!
Is this safe for 5 year olds
Love your lotion for me. But my grandson is allergic to all nuts and tree nuts including shea butter. What can I substitute for the Shea butter?
Thank you
Hey, maybe Cocoa butter would work? You could try a little bit on him to be sure, like a patch test? Good Luck .. anyone else have an idea on what to use?
Like Julie said a great substitution for Shea butter is the same amount of cocoa butter, but you could also use mango butter (same amount) if he’s allergic to cocoa too. Or you could do a combo of oils and wax to substitute, but you’d need to experiment for that.
Is there anything I could use in place of the beeswax? I love the sound of this recipe but can’t use beeswax!
You cab use candelilla wax, it’s derived from from the leaves of the small Candelilla shrub
You could probably try another natural wax like soy, I’m sure that would give you the same results.
Can you use coconut oil or cocoa butter instead of Shea butter
Yes you can use cocoa butter instead.
where did you get the lovely glass jars I see in the Magnesium lotion recipe? I haven’t been able to find any like them online.
Thanks
I did what you said but after pouring into the jar my olive oil separated to the bottom, so I put it back into the double boiler and remelted it. Then I used an emulsion blender after putting the glass measuring cup into a pot with ice water. If you keep blending as it cools then it will not separate.
Great recipe to have on hand.
I would like to know if I could use magnesium glycinate in powder form and somehow liquify it and use it in a lotion
Hi 🙂
I made this lotion tonight and it came out beautifully! I added some anti-inflammatory and pain relieving essential oils and hope to use this for my aches and chronic pain. Thanks so much!
Hi Angela! Do you mind me asking which oils you used for pain relief? I have a lot of chronic pain issues and was thinking of doing the same with Panaway, peppermint, copaiba or something along those lines.
I use balsam fir needle, cedarwood, rosemary, oregano, peppermint, eucalyptus & basil
What oil did you use please? Thank you
She has it in the link, I think she uses lavander. Hope this helps ????
Great recipe to have on hand.
Hi! Just made my first batch and everything worked perfectly! I added some frankincense and lavender oil and the smell is lovely. I am curious if anyone has tried substituting coconut oil for olive oil?
Can’t wait to see this lotion work it’s magic. Thanks for the inspiration:)
I was going to ask the same thing, can you substitute coconut oil for olive oil?
Maybe fractionated coconut oil, but using normal coconut oil would probably leave the lotion too thick once it cools.
Since you made a batch, can you tell me the yield?
Approximately 16oz
looks like a great recipe. adding to my must try list.
Love this. I need to make this.
Not sure if you’ve answered this already but can you replace shea butter with tallow?
I just wanted to report a successful batch made with a stick blender. I don’t have a food processor, so I decided to 1/2 the recipe just in case. I used the container that came with the stick blender (basically a wide mouth jar), poured in the just melted oil, ran the blender on low, and slowly added the magnesium brine. It emulsified beautifully! I’ll also add that I used lavender infused olive oil instead of essential oil. It looks, feels, smells amazing!
Thank you for sharing Lauren, that is exactly what I was looking for. I to don’t own a food processor and I have lavender infused oil on hand.
Thanks again ☺️
Hi, I have made this today and used a bit on my arm. Came out well. Quick questions: 1. it is quite oily on the skin, does this ‘soak in’ after a while? 2. Beeswax usually creates a barrier so does this impact on magnesium absorbtion?
Hi Marisa! I had a question for you, where did you get the magnesium oil? Can you please let me know how you got it, I looked at the Amazon link but did not find it?
Thank you so much Marisa!
Here you go 🙂 https://amzn.to/3GnnCch
Hi Marisa, troubleshooting question. Making this for the second time and it worked brilliantly- but just did it again and it didn’t emulsify. I wound up with the oils/wax on the side of the processor, with liquid at the bottom.
Not sure what I did wrong as the oils were hot but the brine was cool. Can I save it? Can I reheat all of it again and then try food processing it again to emulsify?
I don’t want to waste the ingredients or make the same mistake again – whatever it was!
Thanks!
I removed the water part. Heated the hard oil. Added more wax and tried again. It worked the second time with enough power.
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
This looks so good! What a a great natural remedy to have on hand!
Hi Marisa, Do you think it would work to add magnesium to your tallow balm? As opposed to making another recipe. I love your tallow balm, use it all the time. Thanks!
I have made this recipe twice now, so simple and smells great. But it is so sticky/greasy feeling on my body, can you suggest a way to tweek this to have a smoother lotion? I have not made body lotion, so not sure how to make it “less of a butter” and more like a lotion.
Thank you for all your great info on nutritional living, nice to see a young mom understanding and making great efforts to take care of her family!
Shannon
My first time to make this. I opened the food processor and all the shea butter and beeswax were on the sides of the processor and the watery brine was in the middle. I scraped it and processed it more, but it sure is oily. 2 questions. Can I add more beeswax and less oil to make it not so oily ? And it took forever to clean up the processor. It was so oily and greasy ….I don’t have a dishwasher, but man it was alot of trouble to clean up. I really love your videos and I am interested in finding out more about the GAPS diet after the first of the year. Thank you for your time you spend to help us out.
Thank you for the recipe! Please help, however!! Initially my water separated. I tried remelting and blending longer (first time I used a stick blender, second time food processor). The ingredients seem to be more blended, but still very thin. Is it ok to add Xantham Gum to this to help thicken?? If so, would I need to add any kind of preservative for the new ingredient being introduced? Really appreciate your help!
I made the brine and the lotion and it turned out fantastic! I have been using it for about a week now and have noticed a more restful sleep because I am waking up with more energy for the day! I do have a question……..Can this lotion be used on children? I have 2 grandchildren who are 7 and one who is 4. If so, how much would you use for them? Thanks so much!
I love this recipe and it really works on my arthritis!!!
But, mine doesn’t get white. It stays the color of olive oil and. Is greasy.
What did I do wrong.
I just want to say this is an excellent lotion. I started playing pickleball and would get intense cramps after playing. I apply this before I play and at night after a shower on game days! Thank you!!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Need to make this and keep it on hand!
Hi!
Thank you so much for this recipe! Mine turned out really runny. Can you please let me know what I may have done wrong?
A friend suggested letting it cool completely before putting in the food processor to create more of a whipped texture. Do you have any experience with this?
Thank you so much!
It will be runny at first when all the ingredients are warm, and it thickens as it cools 🙂 I wouldn’t let it cool before putting it in the food processor; it needs to be nice and hot for the emulsion to happen. Hope this helps!
I just made this with just Shea butter, beeswax, and magnesium brine and it came out perfectly. I have a Blendtec Blender. It is a little firmer than lotion but still soft and applicable. Thank you so much.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi, so I am trying to make magnesium cream of my own, somehow my water separate from the butter and oil. Am I not emulsifying it properly ? I use hand blender, have also tried kitchen aid mixer. Or do you think I should cool down the oil/butter mixture a little, instead of right out of the melting pot into the blender, before starting the emulsification process ?
I would use a food processor. Those give me the best results.
First timer here and I have a question as to why you did not to use a preservative in this recipe? If I would like to use one do you have a recommendation and formula? Thank you
I find the magnesium acts like a preservative in a similar way that salt does, so I’ve never used one in this recipe and I’ve always had great results. I do use a preservative in my other recipes that contain water, and my favorite is Optiphen Plus. They have usage guidelines and measurements on the container 🙂
Well, something went wrong for me. After adding in the brine everything is stuck to the sides of the food processor… What could I have done wrong?
It sounds like your oil mixture wasn’t hot enough. I hope it goes better next time!
Help! I just prepared my double boiler with everything except the essential oils…including the magnesium. I have a newborn and I’m tired…didn’t read thoroughly enough! Can I still go from here and transfer it all to the food processor with magnesium already mixed in?
Oh no! I have a new little one also and understand the need for rest. Unfortunately, it probably won’t emulsify the same this way, but I would try mixing it in a food processor and see what happens. It might at least turn into a sort of magnesium body butter, if not a nice smooth lotion.
Dear Marisa,
thank you for this wonderful recipe. Could you tell me how much is 3/4 of a cup in mililitres? It depends on the cup size, isn’t it? so , for you, how much is the right volume?
Sara , from Spain.
3/4 of a cup is 177.4 ml 🙂
Can arrowroot powder be added to help with greasiness?
I haven’t tried it, but if you do, let me know how it works!
Yes 1/2 to 1 tsp. Try a small amount then add sparingly til it feels good. . It worked perfectly in my Tallow Balm when I used too much liquid oil and it was greasy. Not much is needed.
How long will this last after it’s made? 1-2 years if stored properly?
Yes, I usually say to plan on about a year, but I’ve had it around longer and it stayed good 🙂
Hi Marisa, I made this a couple of nights ago. I used an electric handmixer (ie with the twin beaters) instead of a food processor.
It was lovely and smooth and was very close to the texture of what I have been paying a fortune for, so I was delighted.
The next night the texture had completely changed. It had solidified into a not smooth texture, and little beads of oil are in all the valleys of the lotion.
Is this due to using a hand beater instead of food processor – is this what happened to yours when it failed? Also can I shove this in the food processor now and try to smooth it out?
It did still work fine, it just didnt feel as smooth and luxurious going on.
Thanks!
I tried another recipe like this earlier and I just don’t understand how mixing liquid qith wax and oil is supposed to mix. They both separated and I ended up dumping the liquid and using the solid. But in this case the liquid is the whole point so I just don’t understand..
I’m happy to help! The wax acts as an emulsifier, making the water (brine) and oils to combine. I find that a food processor gives the most reliable results, and recommend using one instead of any other appliance. I’ve had this recipe fail a few times in a blender, but it always turns out great in a food processor (I’ve made it hundreds of times). Hope that helps!
Do you have a personal recipe for making the Magnesium Brine from Flakes?
Yes I do! Here you go: https://bumblebeeapothecary.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil-flakes/
Does your brine work the same as the brine made from Ancient Mineral?
Yes, you can use Ancient Minerals brine or homemade brine, either work well 🙂
What if we wanted to put MSM powder in the lotion in addition to the Magnesium chloride flakes? I’ve read it can be more beneficial to have both in a topical? can you just dissolve these both together into a brine? (very new to this sorry if this is a dumb question)
I was wondering if you could use melted tallow instead of olive oil?
You do need a liquid oil for the right texture, but you can substitute tallow for the shea butter 🙂
Thanks for the recipe. When I made mine it turned out to be a not so pleasant color. More of a pea green. Any ideas why? Thanks
You’re very welcome! That’s interesting; I haven’t had mine turn that color. I am guessing it has to do with the olive oil you’re using. I’m sure that can vary in color 🙂
Hi Marisa! I want to make this lotion, but I have a couple questions. I have an older model food processor that’s missing the blade. What are you using in your food processor to do the mixing, is it a blade? How big of a food processor are you using. Not sure I want to invest in a new one, but if I do, I want to know what size will work. Thanks so much! Katherine
Yes, I use the blade in the food processor. I’m not aware of any other attachment that works. Mine is a 14 cup food processor, but a smaller one should work also 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
This looks so good! What a fun gift to make for friends or to enjoy yourself!
Thanks! It makes a great gift 🙂
The food processor. Does it mess up it up if so, is there another way to mix the magnesium lotion?
The food processor is my favorite way to make this! I run mine through the dishwasher afterwards, and it’s just fine 🙂
Has anyone made this without using a food processor?
I’ve made it in a regular blender, and it turns out most of the time, but I find a food processor works every time.
Hello Marisa, thanks a lot for the recipe, it has helped me to get a better sleep quality in spite of a young toddler that still nurses at night 🙂 on the first day I felt some itching and washed it away 20 min afterwards but the second day on I just left it, it wasn’t that itchy anymore and became better the next days so it’s very likely that I was very depleted at the beginning! My question now is whether it’s safe for young children. I just added around 50 drops of lavender oil to the whole mix and that’s good enough for me, I’m quite nose sensitive. Thanks again!
You’re welcome, I’m so glad! Yes, that’s very typical. It will itch on the skin more the more deficient a person is. As the body’s levels get restored, it itches less or not at all. I have used it on my kids and toddlers. I usually put it on their feet. 50 drops in 2 cups of lotion should be a light enough dilution of essential oils to be safe for young kids, too. Hope that helps!
Pleas would you send me the recipe on MAGNESUIM lotion thank you
The recipe is right here in this blog post 🙂 Let me know if I can help further!
Hi. I’m allergic to bees so is there something else you might recommend other than beeswax?
Yes! You can use emulsifying wax 🙂
I love organic alternatives like this. I will be making this soon. Hoping to have good results. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much! Enjoy!
Could I use jojoba oil instead of olive oil?
Yes you can! Any liquid oil will work nicely 🙂
Hi, is this lotion too thick to work in a pump bottle? My son struggles with sleep, so I’m going to make some to try on him, but he’s also ataxic and a pump bottle would just be easier to use when wrangling his arms and legs at night.
Yes! It works great in a pump bottle 🙂
Hi, my fiance is having sciatic issues with his back and leg. I want to tp make this for him but Swanson does not carry Magnesium “Brine”. What is the exact name of the product from Swanson? Thanks,
I’m happy to help! Swanson calls it magnesium oil. Here is what I have found: https://smile.amazon.com/Swanson-Magnesium-Zechstein-Nourishes-Absorption/dp/B077J3CNT9/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3507OP22510BH&dchild=1&keywords=swanson+magnesium+oil&qid=1609303678&sprefix=Swanson+magn%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMzBJNUxDTU5KUlBaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjY5MjMyM1FQR1lLTzdWQTRBTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODY3MDQ0M0UyUE0wSUJGRUxUSiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Hope that helps!
So I don’t usually add reviews or comments very often, but I felt compelled to do just that with this recipe! I have to say that I originally made this for my adult son who struggles to sleep and in doing so I have now made this twice in a matter of days! While this lotion does not bring on sleep what it does unequivocally is promotes the best most restful sleep we have had in long time!! But the biggest benefit to this lotion is it is truly magic!! Unlike anything I have ever used. I gave out jars to a couple people that were in agony in different areas of their body, shoulder pain, no range of movement to back pain, my sister who is a front line nurse in the COVID hospital in my area, they all have reported unreal results, the shoulder pain she got, not all but alot of range of movement back, lower back all back pains headaches just disappear, no joke!!! My poor sister who is run right off her feet wants to bath in this every night it makes her feel fantastic! I can not say enough about this recipe! Thank you so much for providing this recipe and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have stumbled across this website!!! Is there anything you can suggest for my sister that I can make for her to soak in so she has a whole body experience? Thank you again!!! Have a Merry Christmas!!!!
Thank you so much for this, I am so glad! Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year!
Since you are using “distilled water” shouldn’t you be cautioning people to perhaps use a preservative or suggest shelf life without preservative to prevent mold?
This recipe doesn’t use distilled water, but that would be a valid point if it did! I find that magnesium brine acts as a preservative in much the same way salt does. I’ve been making this recipe for years and haven’t found the need for a preservative. In my shea butter lotion recipe that does use distilled water, I recommend Optiphen Plus as a preservative.
Distilled water is the only type of water one SHOULD use to prevent mold so I’m confused by the question and answer.
This recipe uses magnesium brine, which can be purchased as brine or made with flakes. Distilled water is a great choice for making the brine with flakes.
I’m from Canada. I found the lotion,& some great pure tablets. Can I still make the lotion from tablets? What would be the proportions?
I’m happy to help! Are they magnesium tablets? In order for the skin to absorb magnesium, in my experience, it has to be the liquid brine. I hope that helps!
Hello, is there anyway; that l can talk to you privately? This recipe
how much does it make? So l can break it down to make 1 to try it. Before l make more and give them away as gifts. Also l can only get a small part of the video, and it stops 🙁 not the full video. Also is there a place on line that you sell your stuff?
P.s. again l hope that l can learn to make this, would need your help in measurement for making 1.
Thank you eagerly waiting for your reply.
Hello, I’m happy to help! This recipe makes 16 fl. oz. You could make half of a recipe, to make 8 oz. (1 cup) but it doesn’t work well to make less than that at a time. Sorry about the video trouble, it works on my end. You might try restarting your browser or computer, or it could be your internet connection. I have a friend who sells magnesium lotion like this here: https://bumblebeeapothecary.com/shop/ Hope that helps!
How much does this recipe yield? 1-2 cups? or more?
It makes 16 fl. oz. 🙂
Is there a way to make this into lotion bars for travel?
That’s a great idea! I haven’t tried it yet, but I will get experimenting!
What is magnesium brine? Same as magnesium oil? I have an oil spray.
Magnesium brine and magnesium oil are the same thing, just different names 🙂
I usually like to have the weights in grams. Do you have this? Thanks.
Totally understandable! Here is a calculator where you can easily convert them: https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/cooking/cups-grams.php
Hello. Would like to make your organic magnesium oil however, I can not find the magnesium oil from Ancient Minerals from the link you had to Amazon. Could you kindly let me know how I can get this or where? Thank you!
I’ve run into this before; I think Amazon in different countries has a different inventory. Sorry about that! Any magnesium chloride brine should work. There is one from Swanson that is good. Hope that helps!
Hi, my fiance is having sciatic issues with his back and leg. I want to tp make this for him but Swanson does not carry Magnesium “Brine”. What is the exact name of the product from Swanson? Thanks,
I’m happy to help! Swanson calls it magnesium oil. Here is what I have found: https://smile.amazon.com/Swanson-Magnesium-Zechstein-Nourishes-Absorption/dp/B077J3CNT9/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3507OP22510BH&dchild=1&keywords=swanson+magnesium+oil&qid=1609303678&sprefix=Swanson+magn%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMzBJNUxDTU5KUlBaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjY5MjMyM1FQR1lLTzdWQTRBTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODY3MDQ0M0UyUE0wSUJGRUxUSiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= Hope that helps!
I love the consistency of this lotion, but I’ve noticed that I feel a dry residue after it soaks in. I made my own brine (according to your instructions.) Do you think I have too much magnesium in it?
The magnesium can definitely do that to the skin. It doesn’t sound like you used too much. You can wipe the lotion off after 20 minutes, which is how long it takes the magnesium to absorb, and then follow with a moisturizer. Hope that helps!
Hi,
Can I substitute emulsifying wax for the beeswax in this recipe?
Thanks!
Yes, that should work just fine!
Hi, this is a great recipe – can you please tell me an easy clean up, I’ve tried everything from white vinegar to bicarb soda and find the food processor still stays greasy.
thanks 🙂
Hello 🙂 Thank you! I always run mine through the dishwasher, and that usually works. Hope that helps!
Thanks for this, can’t wait to try! do you use this once a day?
You’re welcome! Yes, I use it every night before going to sleep 🙂
Can I use olive oil from Walmart?
Yes, if it’s a good quality one 🙂
I make a lotion that has beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil and find that after a week or so that it starts getting gritty. What would cause that?
Thanks, Sandi
I had the same problem after making the recipe exactly as described with recommended ingredients from Amazon. Not sure if gritty because I didn’t mix long enough in food processor or what?
With the shea butter, does this lotion turn butter-like hard again after cooling? Sounds like a good magnesium recipe. Thank you.
Marianne
It stays nice and soft, just like a traditional lotion consistency 🙂
can I use Epsom salts and water as the brine ? if so what are the proportions? I suffer from lupus and need to ease the pains. thank you
Epsom salts aren’t the same form of magnesium as the magnesium chloride brine, so I don’t know if that would work.
have you ever made this recipe with a preservative. I do believe that it should be mentioned in your blog. especially mixing flakes with “water”
my experience any lotion with water added needs a preservative and emulsifier.
thoughts?
You’re right, any recipe that contains water should have a preservative. That’s what I recommend in my shea butter lotion recipe. For this recipe, I always use pre made magnesium chloride brine, and I find that it acts as a preservative, in much the same way that salt acts as a preservative. I hope that helps!
I’d love to make this lotion! Sometimes I have sever leg cramps at night. This would probably be wonderful to apply. However, I’m really confused about the magnesium brine. I can’t seem to find this anywhere. Reading through the comments I noticed that you said that magnesium oil is the same as magnesium brine. And, that you can use magnesium flakes to make brine. Would you mind to clear up how to get, and or create magnesium brine?
Many people say it does help with leg cramps. Yes, magnesium brine and oil are the same thing. There is a link to where you can get the brine in the post under “shop this post.” You can also make it from magnesium flakes, and I actually am working on a blog post that shows you how to do that. Basically, you dissolve the flakes in an equal amount of simmering distilled water. Hope that helps!
Thanks! I shall look fort to the blog post! I hope I get an email notification for when it is ready???
Are you signed up for my email list? If you are, you’ll get an email when it goes live 🙂
So how do I make the brine with the Ancient Mineral Magnesium flakes.
When I clicked on the link it took me to the flakes so that is what I ordered. Now I need to know how to make the brine.
Oh thanks for the heads up! The link was supposed to go to the brine. I will have to change that. You can make the brine with the flakes, though. Just measure an equal part of the flakes and filtered or distilled water. Simmer the water and dissolve the flakes in it. Let it cool, and that is magnesium brine. Hope that helps!
I am a chronic pain patient with a big issue of muscle spasms, and have been using magnesium supplements and lotions for a long time, but would like to use a natural product, but I have one huge problem, I’m severely allergic to latex!!, so also severely allergic to shea butter!!(from my career in nursing), so what is an alternative to using shea butter in your recipe, would cocoa butter be an appropriate substitute, and would it be used at the same ratio??
You can actually leave the shea butter completely out of the recipe, and it will work nicely. The shea butter just adds some thickness. Just replace the amount of shea butter with more olive oil. Or, I think adding cocoa butter would work, although I haven’t tried it. Let me know how yours turns out! I hope that helps!
I was wondering if I could use almond oil instead of olive oil? I break out severely with olive oil.
Thanks. 💜
Yes! Many other liquid oils will work 🙂
Hello!!! This is very interesting information! I’m having digestive trouble when injesting magnesium. This lotion could do the trick! I’m wondering if I could add the magnesium that’s inside the caplets that I already have? What are your thoughts? Thank You!
It sounds like it could be helpful! There are different forms of magnesium, and the kind in the capsules probably wouldn’t absorb into skin. You want to use magnesium brine to make the lotion. Hope that helps!
Hi is there any alternative oil you can use instead of the olive oil?
Yes! You can use any skin friendly, liquid oil: jojoba, almond, avocado, etc. 🙂
I just sent in a question regarding the use of almond oil in place of olive oil. Then I saw this. Thank you!!
You’re welcome!
I am to your site/philosophy and am very interested in the magnesium lotion. Where do you get magnesium brine? I looked on amazon and I am confused on which product to buy. Please advise me on which product to purchase to make magnesium lotion.
Thank you.
Pat
Since I use a lot for making the magnesium lotion for my shop, I get large bulk containers of Ancient Minerals brand magnesium brine straight from Ancient Minerals. I’ve linked to the same exact Ancient Minerals brine (but in a smaller container) in the “shop this post” section of the blog post. But, I’ve heard of some others from Canada or other countries not being able to use that link; I guess it’s unavailable in some countries. Anyway, Ancient Minerals is the brand I recommend, as it is very high quality. If you don’t see that brand, Swanson is another good one to use. Hope that helps!
This lotion makes my skin feel so soft!
I’m so glad! We love it 🙂
Don’t have a food processor. Would a blender work?
Yes it will!
I have a question, I can’t play the video not sure why. So I’m trying to figure out how to measure solid beeswax and Shea butter? Do you grate it? Do you melt it then measure before adding to olive oil?
Thank you
Hmmm… I’m not sure why the video won’t play for you. It works on my end. Maybe try a different browser? Or check your browser settings? I use beeswax pellets, since they’re easier to measure. You could also melt it first to measure it. For the shea butter, I put the olive oil in the measuring cup first, and then add the shea butter, so that they level of ingredients comes up enough so that I know there’s enough shea butter added. 🙂
Hi
I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been dealing with fatigue, leg cramps, canker sores and now cluster headaches. I have chronic Lyme disease and hypothyroidism. I know magnesium helps with hormone issues and fatigue. I started drinking Calm but I need the topical stuff as well so I look forward to using this. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re very welcome! I do the topical as well as drinking Natural Calm – it’s a great combo! Sending well wishes for you 🙂
If I were going to double or triple this recipe to make for gifts, is there anything I need to do differently or just double or triple your original recipe? Thanks!
You can definitely double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe for a large batch. I do it all the time to fill orders for my shop 🙂
What is the consistency supposed to be when it is completely cooled?
It’s a think, creamy consistency 😊
Mine came out more like body butter. What did I do wrong?
Hmmm… I’ve never had that happen. Did you do any substitutions?
Hi there!! Out of curiosity, have you tried to make a magnesium lotion using a tallow base, maybe instead of the shea butter? You’ve got me addicted to tallow balm. 😛 I’m probably going to just go ahead and try substituting it, using this recipe as a guideline, but I wanted to check in with the tallow guru first, in case you had any insight. 😉
I have a long time ago, but not recently! It’s a lovely idea 😊 As far as I remember, it worked well! Tallow is quite often a good substitute for shea butter in recipes 😊
I have some magnesium topical spray would that work instead of the brine? I’m trying to use what I have on hand. thx
Yes! That is the same thing 😊
The link you have for the magnesium brine is no longer current. I am finding it hard to find the brine. Do you have another link?
Thanks for the heads up! Are you in Canada, by chance? The link works for me, but I had another reader from Canada contact me about the link, and I discovered that one doesn’t work for people in Canada. Perhaps this one would: https://amzn.to/2K45wQd If that one doesn’t work, let me know, and we can keep trying 🙂
Thank you, that link worked. I am in Australia 🙂
Good I’m glad!
How much magnesium oil would I use in replace of the brine?
Actually, magnesium oil and brine are the same thing 😊
Hi! Thanks for this wonderful recipe, no doubt I’m making it. Question, may I substitute olive oil with jojoba oil? Thanks
You’re welcome! Yes, absolutely! Jojoba oil would work wonderfully 😊
I made this and loved it. I definitely feel relaxed after using this, within like 20 minutes! But I used a regular blender, so it is more thick. Also my hands feel gritty after using it. Like a dry feeling? It is oily when I apply it, but after it absorbs it feels gritty on my hands. I used all of the products you listed. Does this usually happen?
I’m glad you like it! The magnesium brine leaves a unique, salty feeling on the skin, so that may be part of it. Also, I have noticed that the shea butter can sometimes form little beads, but they melt quickly when you use the lotion. And I’ve only noticed the shea butter doing that after the lotion has sat for a while. Do either of those things sound like what you’re experiencing?
Actually no! Haha the consistency is thick but very smooth. This knocks me into a deep sleep, it’a hard to keep my eyes open! I gave my aunt a jar and she said it helped her tendonitis. We love it and havr been using it religiously! Thanks for sharing this!
God bless
Okay great! I’m so glad – you’re very welcome! 😊
This is extremely greasy and takes all night to soak in, is that normal?
Hmmm… I’m wondering if it didn’t emulsify properly. The magnesium brine does have an oily feel itself, and you do experience the smoothness of the olive oil. But it should be more like a lotion. Does it seem lighter colored and creamy like the picture? I’m happy to try and figure out what’s going on.
Could you add arrowroot powder to make it less greasy?
I haven’t tried that, but it might work! Let me know if you try it 🙂
Going to try and make this soon. Is it possible to use coconut oil instead of olive?
Coconut oil is a lot thicker, so it might make the lotion stiffer, but I think it would work. Let me know how it turns out 😊
Hi, Karena! I tried this with coconut oil and it went fine 🙂
Does the amount of EO’s listed represent 2-3% in total of the recipe? (Which is the safe amount to use). I cannot tell by drops since the units have to be the same as recipe ingredients.. If you have a kitchen scale would you mind adding that info to your article? Thank you😀!
It’s a 1% dilution, which is a measurement for any amount of product. (It’s not a percent of the whole recipe.) For a 1% dilution, you use 6 drops of essential oils per 1 oz. of product. Hope that makes sense! 🙂 Here’s a link to the scale I have: https://amzn.to/3326GCy
Hi, this looks great& I can’t wait to try. A couple of questions. How can I use magnesium flakes instead. How much lotion do you use & where do you apply it.
You can make a brine with the flakes, but I find it isn’t as pure as the liquid you can get, and it tends to irritate skin more. You can melt the flakes in an equal part of water on the stove until they’re dissolved, and then use that as the brine. I use about two teaspoons of lotion, and I like putting in on my stomach and thighs. Some people also put it on their feet. Hope that helps! 😊
Wonderful information. Go Green. Be 100% ORGANIC. I grow herbs and vegetables pure ORGANIC farming. Have a wonderful life.I just turned 56 and in wonderful health. Thankfully other people like you are willing to share knowledge. Thank You.
It’s so nice to meet you! Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊💕
I tried to order the small jar of the Magnesium lotion on u site, but I do not
Know if it went thru. I had to change
My credit card no. From the one
That was listed.
Will u let me know if my order
Went thru?
Thank you,
Gail Seal
Hello Gail, thanks for your interest! I just checked, and I don’t see any orders from you, so it should be fine to try again. Let me know if you need any help placing the order 😊
Out of curiosity, can you substitute coconut oil for the shea butter?
You could, although coconut oil isn’t quite as stiff as shea butter, so the finished lotion might be a little bit of a less thick consistency. But it would still work 😊
This is incredibly interesting. I’m hearing more and more about magnesium. I am at the age where my hormones are changing and my sleep is definitely being effected. I’m beginning to think maybe this would help! Thanks for the great tutorial and education!
You’re welcome! From the research I’ve done, it should really help with healthy hormone balance.
Looking forward to trying this!! Anxiety and depression are definitely issues and so is sleep. Thanks!!
Sorry to hear that! I hope this helps! Many people say it does help those issues ❤️ You’re welcome! 😊
Well, that just got added to my list of things to try out! Thanks for sharing!
Great! You’re welcome 😊
This is definitely going on my list of things to try! Is it very oily? I have a magnesium lotion that I bought but I don’t care for how oily it is.
I don’t think it’s oily 😊 The shea butter helps it be smooth and creamy without being runny.
Hi, the link to the magnesium brine seems to be broken. Is there another product you can recommend to use in the recipe? I am very intrigued by this lotion, and would like to try it. Thanks!
Thank you for letting me know! I’m going to go fix that right now. This link should work: https://amzn.to/30mJgWN
Thank you, it still isn’t working for me, but likely that is because I am in Canada. The link takes me to Amazon.ca, which only has the magnesium lotion. Kind of defeats the purpose of making your own, then! 🙂 I will keep trying.
Hmm that’s odd! Thanks for letting me know what’s going on. Did you try searching for “ancient minerals magnesium brine?” What comes up when you do that?
It gave ‘no results’ when I typed that in to Amazon.ca. I can pull up the proper Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil on Amazon.com, but cannot order it directly from there. I will have to go with a different brand on Amazon.ca.
But on a different note, I was able to order some lovely essential oils from Plant Therapy. So excited for those to arrive!
That’s interesting! I wonder if it is not available for purchase in Canada. I’m sure there is another brand that would work. That’s great about the essential oils! Plant Therapy has wonderful ones. Happy creating! 😊💕