If you’ve spent any time in wellness circles lately, you’ve likely heard of Magnesium oil. It’s praised for everything from soothing restless legs to helping you sleep better. But there is a bit of a misunderstanding right in the name: Magnesium oil isn’t actually an oil!
Let’s break down what it really is, how to make a magnesium spray, and how to use it safely.
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Why is Magnesium Oil Called an Oil?
Magnesium oil isn’t an oil at all!
It’s actually a supersaturated brine, a mixture of magnesium chloride (salt) flakes and water. When magnesium chloride is dissolved in water, the liquid takes on a slightly viscous, slippery texture that feels like a light oil on the skin. Hence the “oil” in Magnesium oil!
🔶️Special Safety Considerations: Remember the lesson from school that oil and water don’t mix? Because Magnesium oil is water-based, it’s not a suitable carrier for essential oils. If you want a scent to your Magnesium spray, skip the essential oils and try the botanical twist options below.
⭐️How to Make Your Own Magnesium Spray
The standard recipe is a simple 1:1 ratio of magnesium chloride flakes to liquid.
- 1/2 cup Magnesium chloride flakes (I like these from Now Solutions)
- 1/2 cup distilled water (or see the botanical twist below!)
Instructions:
- Bring your liquid just to a boil (this helps the magnesium chloride flakes dissolve)
- Place the flakes in a glass bowl or measuring cup.
- Pour the hot liquid over the flakes and stir until completely dissolved.
- Let the magnesium oil cool completely before transferring to an 8oz glass spray bottle or multiple smaller glass spray bottles (like these).
Common uses for Magnesium oil include:
- relaxing muscle cramps[1],
- sleep support,
- stress reduction,
- restless legs, and
- exercise recovery.
The Magnesium Spray Botanical Twist
Instead of plain distilled water, you can use hydrosols (like Rose or Lavender) or strong herbal teas (like Chamomile or Rose) to add botanical benefits and a light scent. And you can combine them for different intentions!
You can even make a skin nourishing butter with your botanical Magnesium oil!
Get the recipe for Natalya King’s Herbal Magnesium Butter in the FREE Gathered Wisdom e-book courtesy of the 2026 Virtual Herbalism Conference.
How to Prepare the Botanical Base for Magnesium Spray
- Using a Hydrosol: Simply replace the water in the recipe with the hydrosol. Heat it gently to a simmer (don’t boil vigorously), just enough to dissolve the flakes.
- Using an Herbal Tea: Brew a strong tea. I like to use a heaping tablespoon for each 1/2 cup of water. Bring water just to a boil, then pour over tea. Steep covered for 10 minutes, strain well, then reheat to dissolve your flakes. (Here are some fun teacup umbrellas to cover your tea!)
- A Note on Shelf Life: The expected shelf life of a Magnesium oil made with freshly boiled distilled water is about 6 months. When made with a hydrosol that’s been brought to a simmer (not a boil) you can expect about a 3-4 month shelf life. When made with an herbal tea, it will likely have a much shorter shelf life. I recommend refrigerating and discarding herbal tea-based Magnesium oil in a month.
Here are some suggestions:
| Intention | Use This | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Restful Sleep | Lavender hydrosol or tea | Lavender is known for its sedative properties and ability to lower cortisol. |
| Muscle Recovery | Peppermint hydrosol or tea | Peppermint provides a natural cooling sensation and has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. |
| Anxiety Support | Rose hydrosol or tea | Rose is gentle and heart-opening; it helps calm the nervous system and is soothing to the skin |
| Sensitive Skin | Chamomile hydrosol or tea, Marshmallow Tea | Chamomile and Marshmallow are both extremely soothing to skin. |
| General Wellness | Witch Hazel hydrosol, Frankincense hydrosol, or other favorite hydrosol or tea | Choose a favorite “water” and go with it! |
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
How to Use Magnesium Oil
- Topical Application: Apply Magnesium spray lightly on the skin. Start with the feet and work your way incrementally up the legs. Magnesium oil can also be incorporated into a butter. (Learn how in the free Gathered Wisdom e-book.)
- Absorption: Let the Magnesium oil air dry. A slight tingling or stinging is normal, but it shouldn’t burn.
- Optional Rinse: You may have a salty residue on your skin after the Magnesium oil dries. You can rinse after 20 minutes as your skin will have already absorbed what it needs.
- Sensitive Skin Caution: If you have sensitive skin (like I do), consider applying Magnesium oil just to the soles of the feet. Or slightly reduce the amount of magnesium chloride or increase the amount of water when you make the oil. Always patch test before general use.
- Other Notes: Do not apply Magnesium oil to freshly shaved or irritated skin. Always keep tightly sealed and cool for longest shelf life.
Magnesium Deficiency: The Hidden Stats
An estimated 31% of the global population does not meet the daily requirement for magnesium[2]. In the United States an estimated 60% of the adult population does not meet the average dietary intake (ADI) of magnesium, with about 45% being magnesium deficient[3]. Because our soil is becoming depleted of minerals, even a “healthy” diet can sometimes fall short.
Common symptoms of low magnesium include:
- Muscle cramps and “twitches”
- Fatigue and general weakness
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Increased anxiety or irritability
🔶️Important Note: While topical magnesium is a fantastic way to support the body and provide localized relief for muscle cramping, it’s not a remedy for clinical magnesium deficiency. Significant deficiencies should be addressed through diet and oral supplementation under a doctor’s guidance.[4]
Magnesium Chloride vs. Epsom Salts: What’s the Difference?
If you look at a bag of magnesium chloride flakes and a bag of Epsom salts, you might think they’re interchangeable. After all, they both say “magnesium,” right? Nope. Here’s the scoop:
Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate): Epsom salts are a combination of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen and have a large grain table salt appearance. While they are world-famous for bath soaks, they are actually not ideal for a leave-on spray. Epsom salts have a larger molecular structure, making them harder for the skin to absorb effectively.
Magnesium Chloride Flakes: This is what we use for Magnesium oil. It’s a compound of magnesium and chloride and has a flake appearance. This form is more bioavailable, meaning your body can absorb and utilize it more efficiently when applied topically. It feels “oily” and silky on the skin and is far less drying than Epsom salts.
Summary: Use Epsom salts for a pain-relieving, muscle relaxing soak. Choose magnesium chloride flakes for a DIY spray for better absorption and smoother feel. Other good salts for a skin-detoxifying soak include mineral-rich Dead Sea salts and Himalayan Pink salt.
References
- Nightingale, J., Al Bakir, I., Abada, F. (2024) Pilot study of a topical magnesium preparation to treat hypomagnesaemia in patients with an ileostomy. Intest Fail, 2 :100018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intf.2024.100018.
- Zhang, W., Zhao, Y. (2025). Global dietary magnesium deficiency: prevalence, underlying causes, health consequences, and strategic solutions. Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 95(6):46828. https://doi.org/10.31083/IJVNR46828.
- Workinger, J.L., Doyle, R.P., Bortz, J. (2018). Challenges in the diagnosis of magnesium status. Nutrients, 10(9):1202. http://doi.org/10.3390/nu10091202.
- Gröber, U., et al. (2017). Myth or reality—transdermal magnesium? Nutrients, 9(8):813. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080813.
Recommended Magnesium Oil Resources
- Magnesium Chloride – Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes (on Amazon)
- German Chamomile Hydrosol (Matricaria chamomilla / M. recutita):
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Roman Chamomile Hydrosol (Anthemis nobilis):
- Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Chamomile Flower (Matricaria chamomilla/M. recutita):
- Elanen naturals, organic (on Amazon)
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon)
- homegrown from seed from Botanical Interests.
- Frankincense Hydrosol (Boswellia carteri):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia):
- Aromatics International, organic, artisan, Montana grown
- Plant Therapy, conventional (Direct and Amazon).
- Lavender Buds (Lavandula spp):
- FGOrganics, L. angustifolia, organic (on Amazon)
- Anthony’s Goods, Lavandula spp, organic (on Amazon).
- Mint Hydrosols (Mentha spp):
- Spearmint Hydrosol (Mentha spicata), organic, from Aromatics International
- Peppermint Hydrosol (Mentha x piperita), organic, from Aromatics International (Direct and Amazon)
- Both of of Aromatics’ mint hydrosols are excellent spritzed into chilled still or sparkling water!
- Peppermint Leaf (Mentha x piperita):
- Elanen naturals, organic (on Amazon)
- Rose Hydrosol (Rosa damascena):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic
- Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon).
- Rose Petals (Rosa spp):
- JMac Botanicals, organic (on Amazon)
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon).
- Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
- Aromatics International, coarse & fine
- Mountain Rose Herbs, coarse & fine
- Viva Doria, fine (on Amazon)
- Local grocer (I’ve gotten containers from Costco).
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Christine Pressler | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Christine is an avid reader, writer, lifetime learner, and proponent of self-care for better mental health and energy. She enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen.💚 (Learn more >>)
