This easy 4-ingredient magnesium lotion recipe is a must to help with magnesium deficiency. Using this DIY magnesium lotion daily has helped my restless legs, quality of sleep, and reduced my anxiety!
I try to use home remedies whenever I can, like healing chapped lips naturally, making elderberry syrup to boost immunity, and charcoal gummies when someone gets the stomach flu. And these all work!
But I tried every stretch and massage technique you can think of to stop my restless legs from keeping me up at night and nothing worked.
So, I decided to learn how to make magnesium lotion. And then I wondered why I waited so long!
DIY MAGNESIUM LOTION
Here are the top 5 reasons that I love this DIY magnesium lotion!
- Helps me sleep at night
- Calms my nerves and muscles
- Reduces stress (read here on how magnesium reduces stress)
- It’s fun and really easy to make…
- And it’s more affordable than store-bought!
Read my research and even more about the benefits of magnesium lotion HERE!
MAGNESIUM LOTION RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Shea Butter. For this recipe, you want unrefined, ivory shea butter. I use this brand because it’s the best quality I’ve tested among shea butters.
Beeswax. Use pastilles (pellets) instead of the brick. The brick is fine if you’re using the whole thing, but when you need just a tablespoon or two, the pastilles make it SO much easier to measure. I use these because I’ve used their other products (including the shea butter mentioned above, and their zinc oxide to make homemade sunscreen) and I trust them to provide great quality.
Coconut Oil. You want unrefined virgin coconut oil – the kind that is solid at room temperature – not refined coconut oil or fractionated coconut oil. I’ve been using this coconut oil for years, but this brand is also really good.
Magnesium Flakes. You want magnesium chloride flakes, which is a highly concentrated form of magnesium. This brand is one of the best on the market.
- There are other types of magnesium on the market, so make sure you’re getting the right kind. I explain the most common types of magnesium in this post (like magnesium sulfate aka Epsom salts). For the tutorial below, make sure you get magnesium chloride flakes.
- If this is the first time you’re making magnesium lotion, I recommend starting with this 1.65 lb bag. If you’ve already made the lotion and have fallen in love (like me!), you can upgrade to buying it in bulk. This 8 lb bag has the lowest price per pound – and trust me, I’ve looked at them ALL!
For this magnesium lotion recipe, you’ll need the following:
- ½ cup magnesium flakes
- 3 Tbsp boiling water
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp beeswax pastilles
- 3 Tbsp shea butter
You’ll also need these supplies:
- 1-quart mason jar
- 2 coffee mugs or small bowls
- Immersion blender or hand mixer
HOW TO USE THE EXTRA MAGNESIUM LOTION RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- An 8 oz bar of shea butter will make about 4 batches of magnesium lotion. If you are looking for other uses for it, I also use shea butter in homemade shaving cream and homemade peppermint lip balm.
- If you have extra beeswax to use, consider making homemade citronella candles or use it in homemade dry-skin healing lotion. Otherwise, one bag of beeswax pellets will make 8+ batches of magnesium lotion.
- We use coconut oil all the time in the kitchen, and I also use it in my natural skincare routine to remove makeup naturally and as a daily facial moisturizer.
P.S. Having ingredients on hand for more than one purpose is a great use of your budget! I go more in-depth on making the most of your grocery budget in Grocery Budget Bootcamp. The principles in this course can apply to more than just groceries! Enrollment is currently closed, but you can join my FREE 5-day Crush Inflation Challenge and start saving money on groceries tomorrow!
HOW TO MAKE MAGNESIUM LOTION
Step 1. Measure magnesium flakes into a mug or small bowl. Fill another mug halfway with water and microwave on high until it is boiling, about 2-3 minutes. (Alternatively, you can bring water to a boil on the stove.) Measure 3 Tablespoons of boiling water into the mug with the flakes. Stir until the flakes are dissolved and set aside.
Step 2. In the quart mason jar, measure coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter. Place the jar in a small pan filled with 1-2 inches of water. Place it on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. You can use a double boiler, but I find the jar method easier since I can store it in the same jar!
Step 3. Allow the solids to melt, swirling the jar occasionally if necessary. (Be sure to wear an oven mitt.)
Step 4. When everything inside the jar is melted, remove it from the pan and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 5. Pour the dissolved magnesium into the quart mason jar. If it solidifies upon contact, that’s okay. Place the immersion blender at the bottom of the jar and blend the mixture together really well, moving the blender up and down along the sides of the jar as necessary to incorporate the ingredients.
This magnesium lotion recipe makes about 8 ounces of lotion. Store at room temperature for up to 2 months.
MAGNESIUM LOTION DIY NOTES
This is more of a magnesium body butter than a liquid, pumpable lotion. It has a slightly waxy, greasy feel because of the combination of coconut oil and magnesium. You can use a different oil if you’d like, as long as it’s liquid. Know that this will change the final texture slightly. Also, because of the ingredients used, it will not absorb like we’ve come to expect when using typical over-the-counter lotion. Then again, it’s not supposed to. 🙂
If you find the list of ingredients and the idea of making lotion daunting, I HIGHLY recommend making magnesium oil spray. It’s just two ingredients – magnesium and water – and it’s great for a beginner DIY. It’s also just as effective as magnesium lotion! You can find the tutorial for DIY magnesium spray here.
Considering the fact that magnesium is a salt, you may find the lotion to tingle or itch at first. Use caution if you have any cuts, broken skin, or freshly shaved legs!
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MAGNESIUM LOTION DIY SUPPLIES
The hardest part of this magnesium lotion DIY is cleaning your supplies, but I’ve figured out a way to make it easier!
- Scrape as much of the lotion off the immersion blender as possible.
- Fill another quart jar halfway with very hot, soapy water. Place the immersion blender inside and let it soak for a few minutes. (I set my kitchen timer for 3 minutes, so I don’t forget.)
- Turn the immersion blender on in the jar for about 10 seconds. Dump out the water and repeat step 2, this time adding a couple of tablespoons of baking soda. Place the immersion blender inside and let it soak for a few minutes. (Again, I use the kitchen timer.)
- Turn the immersion blender on in the jar. Dump out the water and, at this point, the immersion blender should be fairly clean. If it isn’t, you can use a sponge with dish soap to remove any remaining portions of the lotion.
MAGNESIUM BODY BUTTER FAQS
What is magnesium lotion used for?
People most often use magnesium lotion for improved sleep, relaxation, stress reduction, and magnesium deficiency. This article talks about the importance of magnesium for our bodies. I found topical magnesium to be much more effective than magnesium supplements.
What is the best magnesium body butter?
My homemade magnesium lotion recipe is the best, of course! It’s much more cost-effective to make your own (especially if you use it nightly), and you get to control the quality of the ingredients. Use organic ingredients for organic magnesium lotion!
If you don’t want to make the lotion yourself, you can get a similar high-quality magnesium lotion here.
Does magnesium lotion help you sleep?
It definitely helps me sleep! After I started using it, I noticed improvement in just a few days. Now I use it on my legs every night before I go to bed. Not only do I fall asleep faster, but I stay asleep the whole night and my restless legs are no more!
You can read more about the sleep benefits of magnesium in this post.
You could even add a few drops of lavender essential oil or other essential oils to your lotion for an even better night’s sleep!
MORE NATURAL LIVING DIYS
- DIY Magnesium Oil Spray
- Homemade Lotion Bar
- Homemade Sunscreen
- How to Naturally Condition Hair
- The Ultimate Detox Bath
Do you know the weight of the beeswax pastilles you use? My beeswax is much finer, almost granular, and I think that the 2 T I used may have been more beeswax than was correct for the recipe. The lotion leaves a sticky residue, and I’m guessing it’s not supposed to!
I’m so grateful I came across this idea. I have chronic migraines, and before/during migraines I get very tight and painful muscles in my legs, neck, and jaw. I’ve been massaging this into those areas daily, reapplying it if the muscles start tightening, and not only is it relieving the muscle pain, it *seems* to be preventing migraines as well! Too early to be sure, but I’m feeling hopeful.
Hi Hope! I don’t know the weight of the pastilles off hand, and unfortunately my kitchen is temporarily off-limits and I can’t weigh them for you – I’m so sorry! This lotion shouldn’t leave a “sticky” residue, per se. It will be thicker than most lotions, and it won’t absorb completely like we’re used to in lotions (so you’ll likely feel the thin layer “sitting” on your skin for several minutes). I apply it to my legs before bed, and lay with my legs on top of the covers for about 15-20 minutes before climbing underneath. By then, it’s mostly absorbed and I can barely keep my eyes open anyway, LOL. I’m so glad this seeps to be helping with your migraines!! I hope time proves your theory right!
I just made this. Purchased everything but the magnesium at Hobby Lobby. Magnesium was not available there so I went down the street to GNC and they had ionic magnesium drops which after checking with manufacturer, can be taken orally or used in topical cremes and lotions. The caution was not to use directly on the skin by itself as it might irritate the skin but diluted in a lotion or with water was good. I used shea butter, solid coconut oil ( both of which melt at 76 degrees) lavender essential oil..about 12 drops..100%pure beeswax pellets. I melted the beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter down, added the liquid magnesium 12 droppers full..and essential oils and blended. It solidified into a smooth créam. I poured into my jar and put on my feet immediately. Already feeling less jumpy. My legs are achy..lasts all day and night. Anxious to see and feel the magic. Will post tomorrow my results.
Hi Vicki! What type of magnesium does the bottle say? I actually have a post going up tomorrow about the different types, and you want magnesium chloride. Magnesium citrate is the runner up.
I would add vitamin e oil or a preservative to this recipe. Anytime you incorporate water into a lotion type recipe you run the risk of bacteria growing in the lotion or mold. And bacteria and mold are not often apparent just by looking at the product. And boiling the water does not eliminate the risk. Vitamin e oil is a natural preservative but does not promote as long of a shelf life as a preservative would.
I’m lazy and would like to buy this already made. Can you recommend one? My restless leg is a big problem
I haven’t seen this pre-made Berniece, but I promise it’s really easy to make! 🙂
I saw some on Amazon when I was looking for magnesium flakes. But they cost around $10 for 8 oz, which is what you’d pay for a pound of magnesium flakes — which I’m guessing would make around a dozen batches. A pound of shea butter was around $12-14, and I think would make at least 6-8 batches. And coconut oil is pretty affordable. So the ready-made lotion costs at least 5 times as much as the raw materials!
Yes! I bought everything listed in this tutorial Hope and it’s lasted me nearly a year with AT LEAST another year’s worth of lotion supplies to go!
Combine RLS, varicose veins and being 6 months pregnant, and you’ve got a momma desperate for a good night’s sleep! 😉 Shipping to Nepal is not easy (or cheap!) so I’m going to see if I can round up these ingredients locally, because this seems like a good idea! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh my, you’re in a pickle Erin Joy! I hope you’re able to find everything locally, and that you’re finally able to get some sleep!!
I’m curious if you think this base could be used to make a Manouka honey cream? I’ve bought it off the internet but it’s very expensive. The healing qualities are amazing though, especially in winter in red, chapped skin. Thank you for these tips!
I haven’t heard of Manouka honey cream Chilli, so I’m honestly not sure!
I suffer from restless feet , so I was very interested in trying this. The doctor wants me to take 300mgs of magnesium. I was wondering if your cream would give me enough?
I’m not sure how much magnesium is in the finished cream Tina, but it works for me!
To work for your legs does it have to be applied to the legs? My husband’s restless legs keep me awake at night but i would have to shave him in his sleep to apply it to reach the skin. I give him foot massages with lotion after work. Would rubbing this for the lotion still help?
Hi Michaela – I think it works *best* if it’s applied to the legs, but because your skin absorbs what goes on it, I think it will work in other places too.
What a great idea!
I make my own pain relief butter…. I use my crock pot on low heat to melt everything down.. takes longer, but I don’t have to babysit it. Similar concept
I bought magnesium lotion a while back, and slept like a baby while using it. But I got out of the habit… I heard that magnesium at room temperature goes bad. Can I still use my lotion? It’s been a long time since I got it. Maybe a year or more? Is it poisonous being at room temperature, or just won’t work as well? Thank you!
You can still use your lotion for sure. I have mine in an open container on my nightstand, and it’s been there as long as yours. 🙂 Still sleeping like a rock!
Great, thanks! Can’t wait for tonight ☺️
My son is sensitive to coconut oil. Do you think I could use a different oil or is the coconut best because it hardens when cool?
The Shea butter and beeswax help solidify the lotion as well as the coconut oil. If you substitute an oil like sweet almond or avocado oil, you will have a softer lotion. It won’t whip up quite the same either but the purpose of the lotion will stay true! Let us know how it turns out!
In August of 2016 I suffered a sever arm injury that severed my muscle and nerves. I was on a nerve blocker for a few months and recently came off of the medicine. I’ve read that magnesium is good to help with nerve regrown and to help the pain. Do you think this lotion would be good to rub on my arm when it’s giving me troubles? I’ve also started to take Young Living’s Mineral Essence that also has magnesium (I’m not quite up to the full dosage suggested).
Just made this this morning and the directions were perfect! Used my Kitchen Aid mixer because that is all I had. I found the utensils cleaned up beautifully when I wiped everything down with paper towels, then hot water and Dawn dish soap! I purchased the dark blue , glass jars on line and plan to gift them for Mothers Day next weekend. Im sent free so did not add and oils. It is a pleasant,natural aroma. This was a fun project for a Sunday morning! Thank you!
I’m so glad it turned out for you Sheri, and that you enjoyed the process! I wish the recipients a Happy Mother’s Day, and hope they enjoy the lotion!
Hi Tiffany,
I have Fibromyalgia and I get pain on other parts of body as well like shoulder ,neck arms. I take magnesium supplement as it helps to reduce the pain. Can I use this lotion as my daily body lotion all over my body? is it safe to do so?
Hi Toneet! I’m not a doctor, but I think you’d be fine to use it as a daily body lotion. The kidneys usually rid excess magnesium, so I’d double check w/your doctor to ensure that fibro + supplements you’re taking + lotion + foods don’t put you at increased risk for overdose. 🙂
Hi Tiffany!
Thanks to take your time in answering :).
Well, the recipes that I told you that got damage were not from yours. But I did not want to try again any recipe with water before to be sure it works. Thank you again. I will tell you my experience with your recipes when I try those 😉
Hi,
I’ve heard the same regarding water and preservative.
I just made this magnesium cream using water to make my own oil and now I’m concerned. Should I keep it in the fridge? Should I throw it away and redo purchasing oil? I hate wasting stuff and money, but I don’t want to poison myself either… :S
I did the eye makeup removal recipe, was happy with it, and then a lot of people told me to throw it away because there was water in it and no preservative. 🙁
Thanks
Hi Priscilla! You don’t need a preservative in all instances where water is used. If it’s for personal use and made in small batches (like the eye makeup remover), there’s no cause for concern. If that were the case, salad dressings using water wouldn’t exist. 😉
Hi Tiffany, I love your blog and your recipes. I have notice that in some DIY recipes you use just water but any kind of preservative. I have read in other blogs that the preservative is very important when water is used because of the bacterias. Could yoy tell me your experience please?. I already have made 2 recipes with distiled water and both in only one week got damage 🙁
Thanks again!
Hi Edith! Oddly, I have never had any DIY recipe go bad or rancid on me. I either make small batches and use it all up quickly (like toothpaste) or the tutorial starts with purified water in some sort (like tap water that’s been boiled, as in the case of this lotion recipe). Did you have issues with one recipe in particular? Perhaps I can help you troubleshoot from there.
Just because you cannot see bacteria doesn’t mean it isn’t present. A preservative is always required for products made woth water or that will come into contact with water.
I don’t disagree Didi, but I haven’t had any issues with this lotion personally.
Hello! I’m a doula and blogger for Living Heart Doula. Love this article! Mind if I link you in an article I’m doing on morning sickness? (Magnesium can help with too.)
Yes you may Jessica – thanks for asking!
I made this recipe, but the end product is definitely solid …. not a “lotion” at all. Did I do something wrong?? Did I whip it too long??
No Sharon, but room temperature plays a part for sure. To make it less solid, you can omit the beeswax entirely.
I’ll try that next time. Thanks!!
I was wondering how many recipes you get out of the shea butter and bees wax pellets? I looked on Amazon and to buy those two items can be pricey. Just want to make sure I’m going to get more than one recipe.
Hi Emily! I just wrote a post on several recipes you can use for the shea butter and beeswax: https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2017/03/diy-beauty-products/
And both products have a VERY long shelf life too!