Today I’m showing how to make magnesium lotion. Magnesium is a life changer and helps to overcome so many different health issues.
How to make magnesium lotion
Magnesium is one thing I never want to be without. I apply it to my skin every night, without exception. I can definitely tell a difference in my sleep if I happen to skip using it!
If a headache happens, I immediately think about whether or not I’ve been consistent with magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is a common reason for headaches to occur, and taking it regularly can completely eliminate them. Sounds good to me!
Those are just the top two things that come to my mind when thinking about how transdermal magnesium has helped me personally. Let’s find out what else magnesium can help with.
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What does magnesium do?
It turns out that magnesium is very important for a myriad of functions in our bodies. And sadly, most of us are deficient in it. Magnesium:
- Is critical to heart health
- Is essential for bone health
- Helps maintain normal blood pressure
- Helps maintain healthy hormones
- Promotes restful sleep
- Assists in muscle strength
- Relieves muscle cramps
- Necessary for vitamin D assimilation
- Very helpful during pregnancy
- Important for healthy skin
- Helps improve energy and mood
- Helps alleviate anxiety and depression
- Relieves restless leg syndrome (RLS)
That’s a pretty wide and varied list, isn’t it? I thought it was pretty amazing. It makes sense that if we are deficient, many things can go wrong.
What makes us deficient in magnesium?
For one thing, our modern diet doesn’t contain the amount of magnesium it should. Much of the soil that is farmed has become depleted of many important minerals, including magnesium. Taking prescription drugs also deletes the body of magnesium.
Also, anytime the body’s electrolyte balance is thrown off for whatever reason, magnesium is usually lost and needs to be replaced.
I also learned a little bit about magnesium deficiency when I did the GAPS diet. Although a grain-free diet can be very helpful as a temporary way of life to heal the body, if it is followed long-term, magnesium deficiency can sometimes happen.
What can we do about magnesium deficiency?
If you thought that supplementing with magnesium would be the solution, you’re right! But there are different ways to supplement, and some work better than others.
There are a variety of magnesium supplements that can be taken internally, and this is important. But when it comes to the best way for the body to use and absorb magnesium, transdermal magnesium therapy, or putting magnesium on the skin, is definitely the best and most effective way to go.
The word transdermal just means “through the skin.” As I’ve talked about before, our skin quickly absorbs whatever we put onto it. When it comes to transdermal magnesium therapy, we can use this to our advantage.
Why is putting magnesium on our skin the best way to supplement?
When magnesium is taken internally, it’s harder for the body to assimilate and use the magnesium. Also, it’s easy to take too little or too much. We certainly want to be taking enough magnesium, since it’s so important for so many different things.
On the other hand, an excess of magnesium in the digestive system leads to the need to visit the bathroom – a lot. And in a hurry. We definitely want to avoid that!
The great thing about using magnesium on the skin is that the body absorbs only what it needs. There is no risk of absorbing too much, and the digestive system isn’t affected at all.
Also, when magnesium is absorbed through the skin, the body is able to assimilate and use it much more effectively. It can enter the bloodstream very quickly and begin its important work.
How am I supposed to put magnesium on my skin?
There are a couple of different ways to do this. You can spray magnesium oil (also called magnesium chloride or magnesium brine) right on your skin. This works very well, but it can tingle and itch a bit at first, and can also be somewhat drying to the skin.
My favorite way is to use a magnesium lotion. With a moisture-rich lotion, the tingling and itching are eliminated, and the skin is moisturized at the same time. I created this magnesium lotion to be pure and extremely effective. It has been one of the top sellers in my shop for a long time now.
Today I’m going to show you how to make magnesium lotion for yourself! I think you’re going to love it, and the health benefits it gives.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.
The ingredients
For the magnesium itself, I use Ancient Minerals brand magnesium brine. It is some of the purest available and comes from the ancient Zechstein Sea in The Netherlands.
I like to use olive oil for the moisturizing component. For an emulsifying agent, I like going with beeswax. That’s it! Pure and simple.
You can leave the magnesium lotion with these three ingredients, or you can add essential oils to help even more with sleep and relaxation. I like using lavender, or various blends of calming essential oils.
The method
To make the magnesium lotion, we’ll be creating an emulsion. That just means that the magnesium brine and olive oil wouldn’t normally mix together well, but we’re going to persuade them to come together into a beautiful, smooth lotion. If you’ve ever made homemade mayonnaise, it’s just like that.
You can use a blender or a food processor for this step. The key is to go very slowly with pouring the magnesium brine into the hot oil. It might sound a little complicated, but it’s pretty simple once you try it. I’ll show you exactly how to do it in the video.
How to make magnesium lotion directions
Ingredients:
- 1 cup magnesium brine
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp beeswax
- 96 drops of essential oils of choice, optional (lavender or a calming blend are great)
Instructions:
- Put olive oil and beeswax in a heat-safe container.
- Create a double boiler by putting the container with olive oil and beeswax in a pan of water.
- Heat the water in the makeshift double boiler to a low boil.
- Keep heating the olive oil until the beeswax is completely melted and blended in.
- Have the magnesium brine measured out and nearby in a pitcher that can pour slowly
- Carefully pour the hot olive oil and beeswax mixture into the blender or food processor.
- Turn the food processor on, and very slowly pour magnesium brine into the food processor in a very thin stream.
- Once all of the magnesium brine has been added, let the food processor run for another minute or so.
- Add essential oils (if using) while the food processor is running.
- Turn off the food processor, and pour into glass jars to store.
How to make magnesium lotion video
Do you supplement with magnesium?
How do you take it? What has it helped you with?
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Magnesium Lotion
Today I'm showing how to make magnesium lotion. Magnesium is a life changer and helps to overcome so many different health issues.
Ingredients
- 1 cup magnesium brine
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp beeswax
- 96 drops essential oils, optional
Instructions
- Put olive oil and beeswax in a heat safe container.
- Create a double boiler by putting the container with the olive oil and beeswax in a pan of water.
- Heat the water in the makeshift double boiler to a low boil.
- Keep heating the olive oil until the beeswax is completely melted and blended in.
- Have the magnesium brine measured out and nearby in a pitcher that can pour slowly.
- Carefully pour the hot olive oil and beeswax mixture into the blender or food processor.
- Turn food processor on, and very slowly pour magnesium brine into food processor in a very thin stream.
- Once all of the magnesium brine has been added, let the food processor run for another minute or so.
- Add essential oils (if using) while food processor is running.
- Turn off food processor, and pour into glass jars to store.
Hi Marisa,
Do you have a recipe that subs mango butter in lieu of olive oil? Thank you!
Just a little update – if you are wanting to make a half (which would fill fill a half pint jar) you still need to use the full amount of beeswax for the recipe (even if the all the rest is in half measures). Using half the wax isn’t enough to set it up, even with half the liquid.
For cleanup, The dishwasher won’t cut it… It’s a hand wash. Only kind of recipe.
I have made this recipe three times and I love it!!!
It’s a great recipe, but please be aware – if you make a half batch (this will fill a 1/2 pint jar) you must still use the full 2 T of wax to thicken it up.
I’ve made this recipe 3x and found it true. (I had tried 1/2 the wax and it’s not enough).
Other than that, it’s a fab recipe!
Can you use beef tallow instead of olive oil ?
Hi Marissa,
How many grams is 2 TBS beeswax for this recipe?
Many thanks
Cathy
Have you tried making this with tallow? Wondering if it would work or not.
Hi! I’m wondering if you have noticed that there are little whitish colored dots in the lotion after it sits for a while. I followed the instructions excactly so I’m not sure what this is.
Hi Marisa
I grate from a beeswax bar so I think the tablespoons is different due to volume/weight. How many grams would your beeswax be roughly in this recipe? 1 cup-1 cup-2Tbsp? My first batch was beautiful but second batch not thickening, realised my new grater grates very fine.
Kind regards
Amber
I’m interested in how to clean the food processor after mixing the solution with beeswax. I confess I haven’t made it yet, but really, really want to, just worried about the cleanup.
Is there a way to get it to come back together if it separates? Do you just redo the whole process?
I brought my lotion in a trip and my suitcase got stuck in a connecting city. I think it got really cold. Could that have caused the magnesium oil to separate?
What is the link to the jars you use ?
Wonderful website. I do not have a food processor, what would be the best substitute and how would I use it? There was a comment that someone had problems using a hand blender. I also have a Vita Mix. Thank you.
Thank you so much! You can try using a regular blender like a Vita Mix. I have had hit and miss results with a blender (it usually turns out but not always) but it always turns out in a food processor 🙂
Which magnesium chloride one do you buy
Here you go! https://amzn.to/3wbzgCN
I have fallen in love how your DYI tallow lotions and balms feel on my skin. I would love to hear your results with this (tallow + magnesium brine.) For now, my husband is getting the original recipe! I’m having so much fun! Thank you!
Thank you, I’m so glad! Yes, substituting the tallow for shea butter is really nice. I’ll have to make a recipe/post on it!
Can I put the use extra virgin coconut oil instead of olive oil?
Using coconut oil would make a much thicker lotion, so it wouldn’t be quite the same, but you could try it! 🙂
Hi Marisa,
Could I use soy wax instead of bee wax to make it vegan? Thanks!
I think you can, I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work. Another idea would be to use an emulsifying wax. It isn’t as pure and natural, but it does work!
How long is this good for? Where should it be stored?
Could you just add the magnesium to your tallow recipe?
I love the idea of combining the two! However, I think it would try and separate out. If you substituted tallow for the shea butter in my updated magnesium lotion recipe, I bet that would work great!
Hello!! I’ve used this recipe twice now and love it but for some reason, the oil and magnesium oil separate after a few days. Do you have any suggestions for how to not have that happen?
Thank you so much!
Glad you like it, and sorry to hear that. I haven’t had this happen. Did you use any substitutions? Do you use pre made brine, or do you make brine from flakes? I’m happy to try and help figure this out.
I did use different oils now that you mention it! I used Ancient Mineral magnesium oil with half olive oil and half coconut oil so I will try with full Olive Oil ☺️
Thanks for the reply!
Oh,so happy I found your website!!!
I make my own magnesium oil (brine) and,because I’m highly deficient, I don’t experience the itching/burning that my kids and husband do.I have an already made olive oil infusion (lots of herbs good for dry skin inside) that I plan on using instead of just plain olive oil.
Now,is it possible to add some shea butter,as my kids do competitive gymnastics for many,many hours a week and have dry skin?If I can,how much should I use.I was thinking to even add some beef tallow to it too,but not sure how much.I have already made tons of salves that contain at least 14 herbs inside,shea butter,cacao butter ,all organic ingredients that I use for my family and friends, and everyone loves them.
Thank you.
Ann
Thank you so much, I’m glad you’re here! The herbs infused in the olive oil sound lovely! Yes, you can add shea butter. I actually have another version of this recipe that uses shea butter: https://bumblebeeapothecary.com/best-organic-magnesium-lotion-recipe/ I haven’t tried using tallow, but I think that would be wonderful! I would probably add tallow in place of all or part of the shea butter. If you try it with tallow, let me know how it turns out! It sounds like you love creating beautiful herbal things! 🙂
Hello, this is wonderful, thank you for sharing. Just wondering about how long this lasts? Since there isn’t any preservative.
Thanks! You’re welcome 🙂 I find that the magnesium brine acts like a preservative (much like salt does) and that keeps it very stable for around a year or so.
Thoughts on using Grapeseed oil instead of olive? Does it have any smell when it’s plain? TYI
You should be able to use whatever liquid oil you want. I personally haven’t tried grapeseed, but it is a very nice oil for skin, and it’s very mild, so I think it would work nicely. I don’t notice a smell when I make it plain with no essential oils 🙂
I purchased a jar of pure magnesium chloride brine but when I got it it is flakes. Can this be used to make the lotion?
That was probably disappointing! I’m sure you could tell them their mistake and get it exchanged. Amazon is very good about that. Otherwise, you can dissolve the flakes in an equal amount of water and make the brine that way.
Perfect! I will try that. Thank you so much. 😊😊😊
Would the flakes be mixed with same amount of water by volume or by weight?
Here is my recipe for making the brine with flakes: https://bumblebeeapothecary.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil-flakes/
Good Morning…. I went on to the ancient minerals site looking for the magnesium brine , can’t find it . Could they no longer sell it? If so what do you suggest. Thank You
I’m not sure if they sell it on their site or not. I have a link for it on Amazon, though: (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/2OuPUX7
Do you buy the flakes or the oil when you talk about magnesium brine?
I like to use the oil 🙂 I find it is more pure than making it with flakes, and less irritating to skin. There is a link to the brine I use towards the end of the post under “shop this post.” 🙂
Hi! How much lotion do you apply each day and I have heard to apply to the bottom of the feet (although I’m not sure why the feet)? Where do you usually apply it on the body?
Thanks!!
Hello 🙂 I like to apply around 1-2 tsp each evening, right before going to bed. My favorite places to apply it are areas with thin skin that are not super sensitive, like stomach and thighs. Some people do apply it to their feet, but I personally haven’t done that. Hope that helps!
I was wondering how much this makes? I like using 4oz ball jars for creams
I like those, too! This makes 16 fl. oz., so you would get 4 of the 4 oz. jars 🙂
Do you think coconut oil or avocado oil would work in place of olive oil?
Avocado oil would work great, but coconut oil might be too thick. I haven’t tried coconut oil though, so if you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Would this be safe to use on a baby to promote sleep? Thanks
I wouldn’t, just because of the small risk of the tingling and itching that might happen on sensitive baby skin. For babies and small children, baths with magnesium flakes added to the water are a great way to boost their levels and promote sleep 🙂
Thanks:)
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hi! First off, thank you so much for your wonderful site – I’m getting super inspired! I’m wondering why tallow couldn’t be used for the magnesium lotion, or why olive oil is better? Do you think tallow or whipped tallow could also work for this recipe? Thanks so much in advance!!
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you’re here 🙂 I’ve been using olive oil, since I wanted a softer, easily spread lotion. Tallow is stiff at room temperature, so it would make more of a balm or body butter. When I create the lotion with olive oil, I make an emulsion. I’m not sure if that would be possible with tallow or not. I would like to try it, though! When I do, I’m sure I’ll write about it. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
When looking at where to buy the magnesium brine, I searched the site you linked to. It isn’t sold as a brine, but, an oil, or spray. Do you purchase the magnesium oil and then dilute it for your magnesium lotion recipe?
Hello! Yes, the magnesium brine is also called an oil. It’s the same thing 🙂 I don’t dilute it, I just use it as is, from Ancient Minerals. Hope that helps!
What is the shelf life of this cream since it has a water (brine) component? Is it salty enough to preserve itself? Thanks!
Hello! It should last around a year. In my experience, with the Ancient Minerals brine that I use, the magnesium chloride is salty enough to act as a preservative for that long. 🙂
Love all your teachings! Thank you! Wondering if this can be whipped into a balm like the tallow balm?
Thank you so much! Thank you for being here. As is it is like a gel/cream/lotion. I’ve never tried whipping it to be light and fluffy, but it would a fun thing to try! Thanks for the idea 🙂