Magnesium Oil Benefits Include Relief For Sore Muscles, Clear Skin & Better Sleep

Coconut, squalane, rosehip, argan—the list of wonder oils in wellness seems to be everlasting and rightfully so.

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in many biological processes of the human body.

In fact, the interaction between phosphate and magnesium ions make this mineral essential to the functioning of all cells in all living organisms.

Magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions that contribute to healthy metabolic and immune functioning.

Additionally, magnesium is critical for healthy bone development, and its deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis1, high blood pressure2, and even heart disease3, and diabetes4.

You might be asking yourself why magnesium seems to be cropping up everywhere. It’s because magnesium deficiency, known medically as hypomagnesemia, is pretty common.

In fact, recent data shows that magnesium deficiency is conservatively estimated to affect around 10%–30% of a given population5. The reason? Low dietary intake coupled with over-farmed soil, lack of sleep, constant stress, and too much alcohol, caffeine, and sugar consumption.

Most with magnesium deficiency may not even know it because they have no symptoms or minor ones.

Despite the fact that this condition often flies under the radar, some health experts believe that magnesium deficiency is one of the largest and most under-addressed health problems.

Since many people are magnesium deficient, it's often beneficial to integrate this mineral into your diet, supplement rotation, and self-care routine.*

While there still needs to be more research done on magnesium oil specifically (at the moment most of the research is about magnesium glycinate supplementation) here are some ways magnesium deficiency affects the body and what magnesium oil or a magnesium supplement might do to help.

If any sort of body pain has you feeling out of commission, a magnesium oil massage may be just what you need.

When applied topically, a healthy level of magnesium has been demonstrated to stave off nerve pain and help alleviate dull, aching chronic pain7 in human studies. That's why magnesium-infused bath salts and magnesium foot and hand lotions have grown ever more popular.

Some preliminary research shows that magnesium might help alleviate carpal tunnel pain.

When magnesium is lacking in the body, you may experience more frequent muscle spasms or cramping.

In the body, magnesium functions as an electrolyte that is critical for muscle function, as it grants potassium entry into your muscle cells. Because of this interaction, it's vital for neuromuscular transmission and contraction.

While there is not much robust and methodologically sound research on magnesium’s antispasmodic properties9, there exists evidence that supplementation relieves cramps in some patient populations10.

Throughout history, magnesium has garnered a reputation for relaxation and bliss that makes it ideal for those with insomnia and anxiety. The research supporting magnesium supplements for sleep12 is fairly robust.

In fact, it’s now widely accepted in the medical community that sustaining healthy magnesium levels often leads to better sleep thanks to magnesium’s vital role in maintaining appropriate GABA levels.

GABA is a neurotransmitter that promotes unwinding and slowing down. While many studies do not look at the effect of magnesium oil just yet, magnesium supplementation has been shown to greatly improve sleep quality in people who report having problems with falling or staying asleep13.*

Even if you’re not looking for more Z's, magnesium is critical in regulating the stress response. Recent groundbreaking research demonstrates that magnesium deficiency may wreak havoc on the gut and contribute to anxiety14.

When topically applying magnesium oil to the skin, you are reducing the oil production of the sebum15, which makes this a standout for those dealing with chronic acne and breakouts.

It acts as a humectant, keeping the skin hydrated. While there is no clinical evidence showing that magnesium helps with skin irritation, like rosacea, it’s believed to help because of the many benefits it has in regulating the body’s biological processes and stress response.

Making your own magnesium oil at home is simple and requires only two ingredients!

How to use:

When just starting to use the oil, five or just a few sprays a day will be enough to get your body used to the Mg.

Over the span of a few days or week, gradually add more sprays—I do not suggest using more than 15 to 20 sprays on the body per day.

Magnesium citrate is often used in supplements because it absorbs well internally, but this type of magnesium is too irritating for the skin and can leave a film. Make sure that you are only using magnesium chloride flakes for your body oil.

While this spray is regarded as safe, dermal magnesium supplementation may have side effects. If you have any problems, consult a doctor.

One of the most common side effects is skin inflammation—itch and rash. If any unpleasant skin irritation occurs, stop use and check in with a health professional about your reaction.

Additionally, ingesting high doses of magnesium can sometimes lead to an upset stomach thanks to its laxative-like properties. And be wary of any heart palpitations or noticeable blood sugar changes, especially if you take heart medication or have a cardiovascular condition.