A Guide to the Different Forms of Magnesium To Use For Wellbeing

May 20, 2023 Tracey Bailey

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in your body, and it plays a vital role in many aspects of your health and well-being. However, many people don’t get enough magnesium from their diet, and this can lead to various health problems. Some of the signs of magnesium deficiency include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and more.

Fortunately, you can increase your magnesium intake by eating magnesium-rich foods, taking supplements, or applying magnesium topically on your body. In this blog post, we explore the different forms of magnesium that you can use.

Magnesium can have many benefits for your well-being:

Improving your mood and mental health.
Supporting your heart health.
Enhancing your blood sugar control.
Boosting your exercise performance.
Promoting your bone health.

In this article we explain the difference between all the forms of magnesium you can use, and even share some recipes for how you can make your own magnesium products.

What are the Different Forms of Magnesium You Can Use

There are different forms of magnesium that you can use to increase your intake of this mineral. Firstly, it is important to understand that to boost your magnesium levels you can either ingest magnesium, or, it can get absorbed into the body through the application of the mineral to your skin in the form of bathing solutions, creams or oils containing magnesium chloride salt.

Absorption through the skin is faster and avoids the process of digestion. As it's not passing through the digestive system, it is much less likely to have any laxative effect.

The common forms of magnesium are:

Magnesium Salts

These are compounds that contain magnesium and another element, such as chloride or sulfate. They are usually dissolved in water and used for bathing or soaking. They can help relax your muscles, ease stress, improve skin health, and detoxify your body.

Studies have shown that magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin, which makes soaking or floating an ideal way to boost your magnesium levels.

Magnesium Flakes

These are similar to magnesium salts but have a flaky texture. They are also dissolved in water and used for bathing or soaking. They have the same benefits as magnesium salts but may be more concentrated and absorb faster into your skin.

At Biome we only stock Australian sourced Magnesium Flakes by Amazing Oils because we have ample supply in Australia, so there is no need to ship magnesium from other remote locations such as Nepal!

You can also find magnesium flakes in a glass jar in our stores on the Naked Beauty Bulk Bar.

Magnesium Oil

Magnesium oil is in fact not an oil! It is a solution of magnesium chloride dissolved in water, but it feels oily. It is sprayed or rubbed onto your skin and absorbed through it. It can help relieve muscle pain, cramps, spasms, and inflammation. Learn how to make your own oil below.

Magnesium Spray

This is similar to magnesium oil but comes in a spray bottle for easy application. Magnesium spray is excellent for relieving sore, aching muscles. A magnesium spray has the same benefits as magnesium oil but may be more convenient to use.

Magnesium Roll-on

Again, this is simply magnesium oil, but in a roll-on bottle for precise application. Magnesium roll on can be used on specific areas of your body that need some pain relief such as your temples, neck, shoulders, or feet. It has the same benefits as magnesium spray but may be more targeted.

Magnesium Cream

Another form of magnesium that you can use is magnesium cream or magnesium lotion. Natural magnesium cream contains magnesium chloride mixed with natural oils and butters, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. These ingredients help moisturise your skin and enhance the absorption of magnesium.

Magnesium cream is absorbed through your skin, which is also known as a transdermal delivery system. This means that the magnesium bypasses your digestive system and goes directly into your bloodstream and tissues, which may have some advantages over oral supplements.

Magnesium cream can be applied to any part of your body that needs some extra magnesium, such as your legs, arms, back, or feet. You can use it as a regular moisturiser or as a targeted treatment for specific issues, such as muscle pain, cramps, spasms, inflammation, and headaches

Magnesium cream can also help improve your skin health and appearance. Magnesium has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce skin redness, irritation, and damage caused by free radicals. It can also help regulate sebum production, prevent acne breakouts, and maintain skin elasticity and hydration.

Magnesium Deodorants

In this case, the magnesium is used for a different purpose of helping to stop the odour-causing bacteria under your arms. Small amounts of magnesium chloride are added to natural deodorant.

Magnesium Supplements

These are pills or capsules that contain magnesium in various forms, such as citrate, oxide, glycinate, or malate. They are taken orally and absorbed through your digestive system. They can help prevent or treat magnesium deficiency.

Find here all the Magnesium products available at Biome.

How to Choose the Best Form of Magnesium for You

The best form of magnesium for you depends on several factors, such as your:

Personal preference: You may prefer one form over another based on how easy it is to use, or how it feels on your skin.
Purpose: For example, if you want to relax before bed or soothe sore muscles after a workout, you may opt for a bath with magnesium salts or flakes. If you want to boost your mood or mental clarity during the day, or relieve pain in a certain spot, you may opt for a spray or roll-on with magnesium oil.
Budget: You'll need to assess how much the magnesium product costs based on how much you will need to use, and how long it lasts. See below some DIY recipes that can help you make your own cheaper magnesium products.
Tolerance: Some people may experience skin irritation or diarrhoea from certain forms of magnesium.

The Bottom Line About Magnesium

Magnesium is a vital mineral for your well-being that supports many aspects of your health. However, many people don’t get enough magnesium from their diet and may benefit from using different forms of magnesium.

You can choose from various forms of magnesium depending on your preferences: For example:

Magnesium salts or flakes for bathing or soaking.
Magnesium oil for spraying or rubbing onto your skin.
Magnesium spray or roll-on for applying to specific areas.
Magnesium supplements for taking orally.

Homemade Magnesium Products

How to make your own Magnesium Oil

1. Equal parts of magnesium flakes and distilled water. Distilled water is important to help stop the growth of bacteria, but it also means there are no chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride.
2. Place flakes in an oven-proof glass dish and slowly pour in the boiling distilled water.
3. Stir to dissolve.
4. When cool, put into glass spray bottle or use to make your own magnesium body care.

Homemade Magnesium Lotion Recipe

Find the full recipe here > Homemade Magnesium Lotion

DIY Roll on Deodorant with Magensium & Witchhazel

Magnesium, Ginger & Turmeric Foot Scrub Recipe

The advice in this blog is general in nature and in no way constitutes medical advice. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, always consult with your doctor before using any form of magnesium.

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