Most of us have soaked in an Epsom salt bath at some point, so the idea of magnesium through the skin is not new. Magnesium lotions and balms were something I only discovered a couple of years ago, when my chiropractor introduced me to them, and they have become one of my favorite little rituals since. It is so nice after a long day, for soreness after a workout, or for the everyday aches, pains, and tightness that show up along the way, and in pregnancy it doubles as a rich belly moisturizer, so you get a soothing two-for-one. I want to walk you through why I reach for magnesium in the first place, and then hand you the exact recipe so you can make a batch of your own.
Why Magnesium
Magnesium is one of those minerals that does an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. It is a cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, which is a clinical way of saying it has a hand in muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood sugar regulation, and the way the body settles down at the end of the day. When I look at the women in my practice, magnesium is one of the most common things they are running a little low on, partly because of depleted soils and modern diets, and partly because stress steadily draws down our stores.
I keep magnesium on board in a few different forms, and you can see the ones I reach for over on my essentials page. A balm is a different tool than a capsule, though. Oral magnesium is wonderful, but for some people it can be hard on digestion at higher doses, and a balm gives you a gentle way to layer a little extra in through the skin while doubling as a rich moisturizer. It may support that end-of-day sense of calm, it may help ease the muscle tension that builds up over a busy day, and it leaves your skin soft either way.
Why It Has Been So Nice in Pregnancy
Magnesium needs climb during pregnancy, and this is the season when so many of the things magnesium is associated with seem to show up at once: restless legs, general tension, and sleep that comes and goes. I started using this balm after my evening shower and have kept it up because it feels good and because it is an easy, soothing ritual to fold into an already full day. During pregnancy it has become my go-to moisturizer with a little extra built in, and I smooth it over my belly, calves, and feet before bed.
One honest note before you make it: magnesium oil can tingle a little on freshly shaven or sensitive skin, especially the first few times. That is normal and usually fades as your skin gets used to it. And because pregnancy is its own season, please run any new addition, even a topical one, by your own provider first.
Homemade Magnesium Balm
A creamy, whipped balm with magnesium oil, shea butter, and beeswax
First, Make the Magnesium Oil
This comes together ahead of time so it can dissolve fully and cool before you whip it in.
- 1 oz boiling filtered water
- ¼ cup magnesium chloride flakes (I use Trace Minerals)
Combine the boiling water and flakes, stir, and let the mixture sit until the flakes are fully dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature before using. You will need about ½ cup of magnesium oil for the balm, and this small batch makes roughly that.
Balm Ingredients
- ½ cup magnesium oil (from above)
- ½ cup neutral oil (avocado or jojoba both work beautifully)
- ½ cup unrefined shea butter
- 2 tbsp beeswax (I source mine from a local honey farmer)
- Optional: 2 tbsp vitamin E oil
- Optional: 20–30 drops lavender essential oil
Instructions
-
In a double boiler, gently melt the shea butter and beeswax together.
- ½ cup unrefined shea butter
- 2 tbsp beeswax
-
As soon as they are just melted, stir in the neutral oil, plus the vitamin E and lavender essential oil if you are using them.
- ½ cup neutral oil
- Optional: 2 tbsp vitamin E oil
- Optional: 20–30 drops lavender essential oil
-
Transfer the warm mixture to a stand mixer. Start on low and slowly stream in the cooled magnesium oil, then gradually increase the speed until the liquid begins to turn creamy.
- ½ cup magnesium oil (from above)
- Place the bowl in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to let the mixture cool and firm up some, but not too much. You want it cool, not solid.
- Whip again until it reaches a creamy, spreadable balm consistency.
- Spoon or pour into a clean glass jar and store with the lid on.
Notes
- Let the magnesium oil cool first. Streaming warm magnesium oil into the melted butters can keep the balm from setting up properly, so give it time to come down to room temperature.
- Watch the chill time. The fridge step is there to help it whip, not to set it hard. If it firms up too much, let it sit out for a few minutes before the final whip.
- That tingle is normal. Magnesium oil can tingle on freshly shaved or sensitive skin and usually settles as your skin adjusts. Start with a smaller amount the first few times.
- Storage: a glass jar with a lid, kept somewhere cool and out of direct sun, keeps it at its best.
The way I use it: after a shower and before bed, I work a little into my shoulders and neck. Through pregnancy I have leaned on it as a moisturizer with extra benefits, smoothing it over my belly, calves, and feet. It has been such a simple, grounding way to close out the day, and I hope it becomes that for you too.
If you make a batch, send me a note and tell me how you used it. I love hearing which little rituals stick.
This post is for general education and isn't a substitute for personalized medical advice. If you're pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition, talk with your provider before adding anything new, and individual results vary.
