How to make a homemade magnesium cream to help improve sleep and boost magnesium levels in the body, without the tingle or itch that topical magnesium oil sprays can bring. Plus, skin will be left feeling soft, smooth and moisturised.

What I’ve come to love about magnesium creams over sprays is how they can provide a healthy dose of magnesium without the sting and discomfort. It’s a lot more pleasant to rub the cream onto my skin after a shower or a bath and not be left with stinging, burning, and at times unbearable itching after the application, and the nourishing cream leaves my skin feeling hydrated and moisturised for hours afterwards.

I like to take magnesium in this supplemented form because, unfortunately, our soil and food are depleted of this vital nutrient, and I fall into the large category of people who have a magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium is an important electrolyte needed for over 600 cellular processes in the body, including basic functions like protein synthesis, glucose regulation, nerve and muscle function as it helps with the transmission of electrical impulses, and more. Magnesium has been found to be absorbed more easily through the skin than through ingestion. 

Using a topical form of magnesium rather than ingesting it internally means it bypasses the digestive system, being absorbed straight into the bloodstream from the skin, so those who have trouble absorbing magnesium internally may find that a magnesium oil or cream can prove to be more effective than ingesting supplements.

Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium can be a helpful remedy for ailments like morning sickness brought on by pregnancy, it may help to soothe leg and muscle cramps and reduce pain, may ease restless leg syndrome, may ease headaches or migraines, facilitate restful sleep and may ease insomnia. It can help improve digestion, strengthen bones, has anti-inflammatory benefits, may lower blood pressure, and can improve mental health by calming nerves and helping with depression, anxiety and stress.

I swear by this magnesium cream recipe for when I have any muscle tension or if I’m struggling with feelings of anxiousness or stress. I sleep incredibly soundly after applying it, too. I like using topical magnesium on my skin, especially at night, as it promotes better sleep by positively affecting GABA receptors in the brain, which helps the body to relax and sleep better. I simply massage a small amount onto my feet (or on any areas where I feel tension) prior to bed and I’m out like a light.

For some people, magnesium can be more energising than relaxing, so using this magnesium cream during the daytime may prove to be more beneficial. Go off how you feel and how your body responds, as we’re all different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health.

Why Make Your Own Magnesium Cream?

Some pre-made magnesium creams have sulphates, parabens, capric triglyceride, MSM, xanthan gum, and glyceryl stearate in the ingredients, but we’re skipping those here in this DIY cream.

Many people notice a tingling or burning sensation for the first few times after using a magnesium oil spray, but because this magnesium oil is blended in a thick, body butter-type lotion base, it’s much more pleasant to use.

There are lots of different types of magnesium, but not all of them will work in this cream recipe. You want magnesium chloride as the magnesium source, not supplements like magnesium citrate or Epsom salts containing magnesium sulphate, as they don’t dissolve as well in this recipe.

Before we get started in learning how to make this homemade magnesium cream, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!

Homemade Magnesium Cream for Sleep

The recipe below is a 1% dilution and makes approximately 16 oz of cream. If you find this quantity to be too much, this cream can make as a wonderful gift. You can keep half and gift the other half to a friend. I find having a larger batch can be easier when it comes to the blending phase. The shelf life of this cream is around 1-2 months, as there are no preservatives used in this cream.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (150 g) olive oil (can also use a lavender infused oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil)
• 5 tbsp (75 g) shea butter
• 2 tbsp (12 g) beeswax
• 70-100 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops Vitamin E oil
• 6 tablespoons (60 g) aloe vera gel
• 1 cup (250 g) magnesium oil 

To Make:

1. If you are making your own magnesium oil, see the full recipe here. If you have a pre-made magnesium oil ready to go, continue on with the recipe.
2. In a large bowl, add the beeswax and shea butter and place the bowl on top of a saucepan filled with water to create a double boiler. Melt the ingredients over low heat, occasionally mixing together until the wax has completely melted.
3. Once melted, add the olive oil to the bowl and stir well to combine. Remove the bowl from the heat and allow it to cool slightly (approximately 2-3 minutes).
4. Next, add the lavender essential oil and vitamin E oil and stir to combine. Allow the cream to slightly set and become semi solid before transferring to a blender. You can whip the cream using an immersion blender, stand mixer, small hand mixer, or regular blender on medium speed.
5. Slowly add the magnesium oil and aloe vera, a little at a time, while constantly blending. 
6. Once the mixture becomes thick, white, and creamy, remove the cream and transfer it to a sterilised glass jar for storage. Store the cream away from direct sunlight and heat. This cream can be kept at room temperature but may change consistency when temperatures reach above 24°C (76°F).
7. When applying this cream, you don’t need to apply it all over the body like a moisturiser to get results, simply apply it onto the bottoms of the feet, onto the legs, arms, stomach, or any troublesome areas. Avoid applying it onto the face as it may clog pores or irritate the eyes.
8. To make the clean up afterwards easier, I’ve found it best to use boiling water and wipe out any equipment with paper towels.

This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Have you used a magnesium cream before? Did you find it helpful? Share in the comments below.

Lots of love,

Vanessa