Learn how to make magnesium lotion with this simple recipe. This recipe is made with natural ingredients that won’t tingle or itch and will leave the skin smooth and moisturized.
I recently announced that we are expecting a child and that I have been struggling with morning sickness. Several of my followers reached out to me about the link between magnesium deficiency and morning sickness. This is not the first time I have dealt with morning sickness before, and if you have ever had it, you know how horrible it can be. And believe me when I say I have tried everything!
I found out about magnesium oil when I was pregnant with my 4th and I started using it right away. It actually seemed to help, which is huge because most things don’t. Even though the spray made my skin tingle and itch, I used it faithfully every single day. I was scared of how I would feel without it. Safe to say, I fall into the large group of people who have a magnesium deficiency.
With this 5th pregnancy, I decided to make a magnesium lotion, so applying it to my skin wouldn’t sting and I could still get the magnesium I need. This stuff is amazing! Even if you are not pregnant, you can benefit from magnesium lotion.
PIN IT FOR LATER
MAGNESIUM LOTION
This lotion is going to be similar to my whipped body butter. In fact, with the added cocoa butter, it is going to have the same texture of magnesium body butter. You can find magnesium in both flakes or oil. For this recipe, we are going to be using the magnesium flakes. I used the oil all throughout my 4th pregnancy, and I am kicking myself for not continuing after giving birth. Who knows, but maybe that would have helped me be more prepared for this 5th pregnancy.
Since I was out of the spray, I decided to try the flakes this time. I dissolved them in hot water and added them to the lotion. I also loved the fact that I could use the magnesium flakes in a bath soak.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
MAGNESIUM OIL BENEFITS
I have used natural calm magnesium powder in the past, but that is something I just can’t handle during my first trimesters, so I opted for topical use instead. I highly recommend taking magnesium if you have muscle cramps, poor digestion, or have trouble sleeping. As always, do your own research or contact a doctor before taking a new supplement. Magnesium has so many benefits for you, read more about it here.
- Promotes a healthy night sleep
- Improves digestion
- Reduces restless leg syndrome
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Lower blood pressure
- Boost mental health and help with depression
SIGNS OF MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY
As I said, magnesium is a very common deficiency and some studies show that over 75% of Americans are low magnesium. You may be low in it and not even realize you are. It can cause a lot of issues that you may just deal with and think are normal.
A magnesium deficiency can cause leg cramps, tense muscles, restless leg syndrome, sleep issues, poor digestion, and even mental disorders. Low magnesium can be caused by poor absorption of magnesium in the gut or increased excretion of magnesium in the urine.
MAGNESIUM LOTION RECIPE
Magnesium can absorb through the skin; this lotion makes it easy to boost magnesium levels! Not only will it help with magnesium deficiency, but it will also leave skin soft and moisturized.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup magnesium flakes
- 1/8 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons beeswax
- 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the magnesium flakes in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over the top of them. Stir until the flakes are dissolved. Set aside.
Melt the coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Add the lavender essential oil and magnesium to the melted coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter.
Whip the lotion using an immersion blender or a small hand mixer. Store in a glass mason jar with an airtight lid.
NOTE: If you don’t have a double boiler, you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Or to make clean up even easier, you can place the ingredients straight into the jar that you are going to store it in and place the jar into a pot of simmering water to melt the ingredients. You can also use a crockpot to melt the ingredients.
Fair warning, beeswax isn’t easy to clean off of utensils and dishes, so use the least amount possible when making this lotion. It is easiest to use boiling water and wipe it out with paper towels.
Do not wash beeswax down the drain!
HOW TO USE MAGNESIUM LOTION
Apply the lotion to the skin daily or as needed. I prefer to use it twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
HOW LONG DOES MAGNESIUM LOTION LAST?
This lotion will last up to six months when stored in an airtight container. Keep the lotion out of direct sunlight. It can be kept at room temperature but may change texture when in temperatures above 76 degrees.
CAN KIDS USE MAGNESIUM LOTION?
I occasionally use this lotion on my kids! Magnesium can boost the immune system, so using this lotion when the kids are not feeling well can help them to get better faster. My kids definitely prefer using the lotion over the spray.
A good way to judge if you are using too much magnesium is by your stools. A common sign of magnesium deficiency is constipation. If your stools get loose or you start having diarrhea, this can be a sign of too much magnesium.
What to read next: How to make body cream for all skin types.
Magnesium Lotion Recipe
Materials
- 1/2 cup magnesium flakes
- 1/8 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons beeswax
- 3 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
- Place the magnesium flakes in a small bowl and pour boiling water over the top of them. Stir until the flakes are dissolved. Set aside.
- Melt the coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter in a double boiler. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Add the lavender essential oil and magnesium to the melted coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter.
- Whip the lotion using an immersion blender or a small hand mixer. Store in a glass mason jar with an airtight lid.
Notes
If you don't have a double boiler you can make your own by placing a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Or to make clean up even easier you can place the ingredients straight into the jar that you are going to store it in and place the jar into a pot of simmering water to melt the ingredients. You can also use a crockpot to melt the ingredients.
Georgia says
Hi there! I would like to ask u something in specifically. I would like to use your recipes and make my own products not only for me but as gifts too but here in my island of Cyprus the weather is extremely hot. How can I preserve my homemade creams based on Shea butter noto melt by the heat? Today is 40degree!thank u somuch for all your info you are sharing with us. X x x
Laura says
Is keeping them in the refrigerator an option? They keep fine up to 80ish degrees, past that they may get soft.
Michelle says
I’ve been looking for an easy recipe with magnesium because I just learned of all the great benefits it has. This is perfect! Pinned this and I can’t wait to try it!
Laura says
I am so glad! It has been helping me a ton!
Kim says
Hi, could I substitute the magnesium spray I have– instead of buying flakes?
thanks
Laura says
Yes! Mixing the flakes with the boiling water makes the oil.
Maggie says
Where did you get the magnesium flakes?
Laura says
Amazon, I have them linked in the post. 🙂
Kellie says
Can epsom salt be used in place of the flakes?
Laura says
I have not tried it that way yet. You can use magnesium oil instead.
Dianne says
How much magnesium oil would you substitute for the flakes
Laura says
You can replace the water and magnesium flakes with 2 tablespoons of magnesium oil. Dissolving the flakes into the hot water is just a way of making your own oil.
Sandy says
Laura, is this lotion sticky? Thanks
Laura says
No, it’s not.
Staci says
Can another butter be subbed for the beeswax? Like shea?
Laura says
If you take out the beeswax it will change the consistency, so that is up to you. You can use soy wax instead if beeswax if you prefer!
brinda gannon says
I literally just finished making this, double batch for a friend and me, this is going to be my new go to lotion! OMG the texture, smell, is perfect! I am so happy about this recipe and will be making it for all my friends. I’ll be of course trying different essential oils too. Thank you!
Laura says
YAY I am so glad! Thanks for sharing!
Patsy Hannah says
I was wondering if I could use magnesium oxide powder instead of magnesium flakes. I have a whole bottle of magnesium oxide powder that also has vitamin c, calcium and potassium. Thanks
Laura says
I have not personally tried it, but it sounds like it would work just as well!
Jeanette says
Hi, if I have magnesium oil, so how much of that would I need to replace the flakes and water please? Thank you.
Laura says
Yes, you can use magnesium oil in replace of the flakes and water. That is just making your own magnesium oil. 🙂
Karen Rosales says
hi! I loved making this body butter, thank you. I am just wondering why my butter came out looking more like taupe/VERY light gray. I think I might have heated the magnesium for too long. Just wondering if you’ve had this happen to you.
Laura says
Yes, that may have been the problem. I have not had this issue.
Jessica says
Can’t wait to try this! What is the final quantity this recipe makes?
Laura says
Makes about one cup.
Karen says
Hi, the magnesium did not incorporate into the oils when I mixed it. Mixed it for 10 minutes using an hand held mixer. Also the magnesium seems to be separating in the jar, the bottom and sides have a lot of clear liquid. Not sure what I did wrong. Thanks
Angie says
Hi Laura, does it need a preservative? Due to the magnesium oil is based on water. Thanks for sharing 😊
Laura says
You can add an antioxidant like vitamin E antioxidant or rosemary antioxidant to help extend the shelf life of the product if desired.
Jo Ann Honaker says
Can you sub something for the cocoa butter?
Laura says
Mango or shea butter
Patty in CO says
What can I substitute for the coconut oil? I am making this for a friend whose daughter is allergic to coconut. I want it to have the same consistency when it cools, and I don’t know of any other Oil that melts and solidifies back when cooled like coconut oil does. Any suggestions?
Karen says
Hi! I made this last night and it’s my first attempt so I feel like it’s good. How do you get the cocoa butter soft enough to actually measure? Also it’s smells a little cocoa buttery so maybe I used a little too much? Thank you for sharing!!
Laura says
Cocoa butter does have a strong scent, but I love it! I just guess and get as close as I can.
Rhonda says
Hi, I was just wondering as this has water in it should it have a preservative? Also if you have magnesium spray his much would you use?
I love your creams.
Louise Malcolmson says
Yes it needs a broad spectrum preservative to preserve the water phase and vitamin e to help stop the oil phase from going rancid .
Id also be using an emulsifier instead of beeswax
Christina Evelyn De Castro says
Why does water come out of my prepared magnesium lotion after It has cooled down? Can I remove the extra water from the lotion? This is the second time I have prepared it?
I prepared the Mg oil using 1:1 ratio of water and magnesium flakes. Have I used too much water? Your formula calls for only 1/8 cup water and 1/2 cup Mg flakes.
Hoping for your immediate response.
Thank you in advance.
Courtney says
I’ve been SO excited to make magnesium lotion. Once the lotion was cooked, I applied it to myself and my kids and they were literally all in agony crying about it hurting and I noticed it burns my skin too 😭 I triple checked to make sure I used the right amounts of everything. I don’t know if others have experienced this, it’s much more than a tingle/itch though. Super bummed 🙁
Courtney says
Cooled not cooked
Laura says
Magnesium can make the skin tingle, I talk about this in the post. That is normal for any product with magnesium.
Mary catherine England says
I prefer not to use bees wax. Is there a sub that you recommend?
Laura says
You can omit it from the recipe or use soy wax. It will change the texture.
Michele says
Can you use a different oil than cocoa? That’s the only ingredient I don’t have. I have almond and mango. Thank you.
Marilyn McAllister-Snelling says
I can not access the Magnesium Flakes on Amazon. Can you share the kind you use. Thank you.
Laura says
I use Ancient Minerals flakes.
Chelsey says
This is probably a silly question but can you put this lotion on your entire body or should you only put it on certain areas of the body? Thanks in advance!
Jim Newton says
Thanks so much for this! A friend made a batch and gave me an 8oz jar and it has been terrific for my 68yo knees as I’ve been doing a second story cabinet and granite countertop job. My Mg level is good but this boost has been terrific.
Laura says
So glad to hear you like it!
L. Smith says
I just made two batches and my house smells amazing! Can’t wait to use myself and share with friends and family.