The Best DIY Magnesium Lotion Recipe

Looking for a natural way to boost magnesium levels and promote relaxation? This DIY magnesium lotion recipe is the perfect solution! Magnesium is essential for muscle recovery, better sleep, and overall wellness, but many people don’t get enough from diet alone. This easy-to-make, skin-nourishing lotion helps you absorb magnesium transdermally—without the digestive discomfort of supplements.

I am obsessed with magnesium lotion. I don’t know how I ever lived without it. I have struggled with sleep almost my entire life, and magnesium lotion is like a miracle potion that helps me sleep through the night, every night.

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I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.

I’ve known about magnesium’s relaxation properties and sleep benefits for quite a while, but magnesium supplementation has always been kind of hit or miss for me.

Some magnesium supplements would help me sleep and some would do the exact opposite, sometimes even giving me extreme anxiety.

Since becoming a root cause protocol consultant, I have learned that there are many different forms of magnesium, and each can have a different effect.

I also learned that for magnesium to work correctly in your body, you need adequate potassium, sodium, and B-vitamins, especially B1 and B6.

If you are deficient in any of the vitamins or minerals that I just mentioned, magnesium can actually make you feel really bad.

So, to have the best experience with magnesium, you want to ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of potassium, sodium, and B-vitamins.

Adrenal cocktails and beef liver are excellent sources for the above-mentioned vitamins and minerals.

And you will also want to make sure you choose magnesium in the form that is best for you.

There are many different forms/types of magnesium, including capsules, powders, lotions, sprays, and bath flakes.

Transdermal magnesium is the form that most people tolerate best.

Transdermal Magnesium vs Oral Magnesium

Two main ways to supplement magnesium are transdermal (through the skin) and oral (by mouth). Each has its own benefits and ideal uses.

However, transdermal magnesium bypasses the digestive system, absorbing directly through the skin into the bloodstream.

This means there is no chance of digestive issues, which unfortunately can arise when taking oral magnesium.

With transdermal magnesium, you also ensure adequate absorption.

Oral magnesium has to go through digestion before entering the bloodstream, and digestion issues can inhibit absorption.

When it comes to transdermal magnesium, my favorite form is lotion because it is so easy to use, it works really well, and also provides moisturizing benefits!

Benefits of Magnesium

Did you know magnesium is required for over 3,400 chemical reactions in the body?

Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals in the human body.

Without enough magnesium, your body will begin to break down. Magnesium deficiency can lead to heart disease, diabetes, mood problems, memory problems, depression, anxiety, and the list truly does go on and on.

I highly recommend the book The Magnesium Miracle to learn more about how important magnesium is.

Below you can discover just a few of the health benefits magnesium has to offer.

Improves Sleep Quality

As I previously mentioned, magnesium is amazing for sleep support. It helps regulate melatonin and calms the nervous system, promoting deep, restful sleep.

Supports Muscle & Nerve Function

It is also great for muscle soreness. Magnesium relaxes muscles and prevents cramps or spasms. It can also reduce tension and promote nerve signal transmission.

Boosts Energy

Magnesium is crucial for converting food into energy. It aids in ATP production and supports enzyme function necessary for energy metabolism.

Supports Heart Health

Magnesium helps maintain a normal heart rhythm, regulates blood pressure, and improves circulation. It also balances calcium and potassium levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Enhances Cognitive Function & Brain Health

One of my favorite benefits of magnesium is its ability to improve memory, focus, and mental clarity. It can also help protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Additional Magnesium Benefits

Magnesium can also improve digestion, support hormonal balance, relieve headaches, and so much more.

You can click here to learn more about the benefits of magnesium.

Magnesium Lotion Recipe Ingredients

Before you start making this DIY magnesium lotion, you will want to ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and supplies.

Everything that you need is listed below.

Ingredients

• Coconut oil (solid)
• Beeswax
• Cocoa butter
• Essential oils (optional)
• Magnesium chloride flakes
• Distilled water

Supplies

• 4-ounce glass jar
• Hand mixer
• Double boiler

Coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax are needed to make the lotion, and magnesium chloride is needed to transform it into magnesium lotion.

The magnesium chloride must be dissolved in distilled water before mixing it into the lotion.

This recipe is for a 4-ounce jar. However, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to make a larger batch. If you decide to double or triple the recipe, you will obviously need to double or triple the size of your jar.

The essential oils are 100% optional. They can be used to add scent to the lotion or add additional relaxation properties.

I’ve included several essential oil recommendations below.

Essential Oil Recommendations

Since I primarily use this DIY magnesium lotion for sleep support, I personally like to add essential oils that promote rest and relaxation.

A few of my favorite pre-made blends that I often use in this homemade magnesium lotion are listed below.

• Simply Earth Sleepy Essential Oil Blend
• Simply Earth Sweet Dreams Essential Oil Blend
• Plant Therapy Sleep Tight Essential Oil Blend
• Plant Therapy Blissful Dreams Essential Oil Blend

You can also create your own blends. For this DIY magnesium lotion, I recommend adding 24 drops of essential oil.

How to Make Homemade Magnesium Lotion

To make homemade magnesium lotion, you will first need to add two tablespoons of coconut oil, one and a half tablespoons of cocoa butter, and one tablespoon of beeswax pellets to a double boiler.

Turn on the heat and allow to melt completely.

While the coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax pellets are melting, fill a small bowl with three tablespoons of lukewarm distilled water. Next, add three tablespoons of magnesium chloride flakes to the water.

Stir until the flakes have completely dissolved. If needed, gently warm the water—do not boil—to help with dissolution.

When the ingredients in the double boiler have fully melted, turn off the heat and add 24 drops of essential oils of your choosing (recommendations are above).

Remember, the essential oils are 100% optional.

Mix everything together thoroughly.

Let the melted oil blend cool slightly to around 100°F–120°F (lukewarm). This ensures that the temperatures are similar when you add the water phase, promoting a stable emulsion.

Then, slowly pour the water magnesium solution into the oil mixture while continuously blending it with an electric hand mixer.

Mix vigorously for 2–3 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth and creamy.

Immediately transfer the warm cream to a clean 4‑ounce jar and allow it to cool completely at room temperature.

When mixing the magnesium water solution into the oil blend, it is crucial to add it slowly. Adding too quickly will cause it to separate and not combine properly.

Also, it is important to ensure the melted oil blend is cooled to room temperature before adding the magnesium water solution. Otherwise, it will separate and not combine properly.

How to Use DIY Magnesium Lotion

To use this homemade magnesium lotion, scoop a small amount out of the jar with your fingertips and apply it to your belly, wrists, or feet.

Whenever I use this magnesium lotion during the day for relaxation or to reduce anxiety, I use a minimal amount, around the size of a pea. Any more than that, and I will need a nap.

At night, when I use it for sleep, I use around triple that amount.

I recommend starting with a small amount and seeing how you feel. You can always apply more if needed.

How to Store Homemade Magnesium Lotion

Store this DIY magnesium lotion in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed when not in use, and always use clean hands to scoop out the lotion.

When Does DIY Magnesium Lotion Expire

Since this homemade magnesium lotion is made with water, its shelf life isn’t very long. If stored properly, it can stay good for 2-3 months. My family and I use up a 4-ounce jar of this stuff about every month, so I’ve never actually seen it go bad.

Just make sure to check for changes in smell, texture, or color—if anything seems off, it’s time to make a fresh batch! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Side Effects of Magnesium on The Skin?

The most common side effect of using magnesium on the skin is a mild itching, burning, or tingling on the skin.

This is especially common in people with sensitive skin or dry skin.

Always perform a patch test before applying widely, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Never apply magnesium lotion to broken skin, scrapes, or freshly shaved areas. Doing so may cause a stinging or burning sensation.

Another potential side effect of magnesium lotion is diarrhea, although it is pretty rare. This tends to happen only when large amounts of magnesium lotion are applied to large areas of the body daily.

Can You Get Too Much Magnesium From Magnesium Lotion?

It is pretty difficult to get too much magnesium from magnesium lotion, oil, or creams because the skin absorbs only what it needs and regulates excess absorption. 

Is Store-Bought Magnesium Lotion Better Than Homemade Magnesium Lotion?

I have used store-bought and homemade magnesium lotion for years, and both work great. The main difference between the two is that store-bought magnesium contains more ingredients, which include chemical preservatives.

Homemade magnesium lotion contains few ingredients compared to store-bought, but because it doesn’t contain any chemical preservatives, its shelf life isn’t as long as store-bought magnesium.

One of the most significant differences between the two is the price. My favorite store-bought magnesium lotion costs around $23 for a 5-ounce bottle.

My homemade magnesium lotion costs less than $4 for a 4-ounce jar, so you can save a tremendous amount of money by making your own.

If you don’t have any of the ingredients on hand, then your initial investment in the ingredients will be a lot more money. But keep in mind that you are using very little of each ingredient, and you can make batch after batch of magnesium lotion.

To determine the actual cost of this DIY magnesium lotion, I first calculated the number of tablespoons in each ingredient. I then divided the price of the ingredients by the number of tablespoons of product they contained.

For example, the coconut oil that I purchased is approximately 32 ounces. It contains a total of 64 tablespoons.

I divided the cost of the coconut oil ($13.59) by the total amount of tablespoons (64), which equals $.21. That means each tablespoon costs $.21

Since I only used two tablespoons of coconut oil in this recipe, the total cost of the coconut oil for this recipe is $.42. I hope that makes sense.

The complete cost breakdown is below.

• Coconut Oil: $.42
• Cocoa Butter: $2.06
• Beeswax: $.60
• Magnesium Chloride Flakes: $.35
• Total: $3.43 (I really hope I did the math right!!)

Final Thoughts

Making your own DIY magnesium lotion is an easy and effective way to support your body’s magnesium levels while keeping your skin soft and nourished.

With just a few natural ingredients, you can create a soothing, toxin-free lotion that promotes relaxation, relieves muscle tension, and enhances sleep.

I really hope you love this DIY magnesium lotion as much as I do. Please let me know if you have any questions!

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