Magnesium Oil Benefits: Forms, Benefits, Uses, And Risks - Healthline

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Nutrition

Magnesium Oil Benefits, Forms, and Risks

Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on October 23, 2024

Benefits and uses
Forms
Side effects and risks
FAQ
Takeaway

Magnesium oil can be rubbed onto the skin or sprayed if added to a spray bottle. It may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but research on topical magnesium is very limited.

Magnesium oil is made from a mixture of magnesium chloride flakes and water. When these two substances are combined, the resulting liquid has an oily feel but isn’t technically an oil.

Magnesium is an important nutrient that has multiple functions within the body, including:

regulating nerve and muscle function
managing blood sugar and blood pressure levels
manufacturing and supporting protein, bone, and DNA health

Applying magnesium oil topically to the skin may help raise levels of this nutrient within the body, a process known as transdermal.

However, although research supports the benefits of oral magnesium supplementation, very limited research supports the claimed benefits of transdermal magnesium.

Some recent research shows promise, but more studies are needed to determine whether magnesium oil can provide any health benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about the possible benefits, forms, and risk factors of magnesium oil.

A note on supplements

The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate or standardize the quality, purity, and dosages of supplements.

As a result, many nutritional supplements have not been tested for safety.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional before buying and using any supplement. They can recommend the best dosage for you or suggest alternative remedies.

When buying supplements, look for third-party verification from companies like NSF International or USP to ensure they’re from a reputable source.

Benefits and uses

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to several chronic health conditions, such as:

diabetes
hypertension
heart disease
stroke
osteoporosis
migraine headaches

Much of the research done on magnesium supplementation for these health conditions has focused on magnesium in food and oral supplementation.

Several recent animal and human studies suggest topical magnesium may have some benefits, but more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

Neuropathy associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A 2023 study examined the effects of transdermal magnesium oil on peripheral neuropathy in 26 participants with CKD. The participants used a spray bottle to apply five sprays of a magnesium chloride solution once daily for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, the amount of magnesium in the body didn’t change much. However, participants reported improvements in neuropathic pain and frequency of symptoms.

Fibromyalgia

A 2015 study found that transdermal application of magnesium chloride on the arms and legs of people with fibromyalgia helped reduce symptoms, such as pain.

Participants were asked to spray magnesium chloride four times on each limb, twice daily for 1 month.

Healing wounds

A 2023 study in rodents found that magnesium creams helped promote and accelerate wound healing.

Forms of magnesium

Magnesium is most commonly sold in supplement form as a pill or capsule to be taken orally by mouth.

It’s possible to find magnesium oil, cream, or spray, which can all be applied to the skin.

A 2017 review also highlighted several small studies that looked at the effects of bathing in a magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) bath. However, the authors noted that bathing did not provide any significant benefits.

Magnesium oil can also be made at home by mixing magnesium chloride flakes with boiled, distilled water. A recipe for preparing DIY magnesium oil is available here.

Can you put magnesium oil directly on your skin?

You can apply magnesium oil directly on your skin, but consider testing it out on a small patch of skin to see if you experience any adverse reactions, such as stinging or a burning sensation.

Here are the steps to perform a skin patch test:

Wash a specific area like your thigh or forearm with mild, unscented soap.
Pat the area dry.
Apply a small amount of magnesium oil onto a small, cleaned area.
Place a bandage over the patch, and keep the area dry for 24 hours.

If you notice any rash, irritation, or discomfort during the 24 hours, remove the bandage and wash your skin thoroughly with gentle soap and water.

If you don’t experience any reactions, you should be safe to keep using magnesium oil.

Side effects and risks

It’s unclear whether applying topical magnesium oil has the same effects as taking oral magnesium supplements or eating a diet rich in magnesium.

It may be difficult to determine the dosage of topical magnesium oil. Even so, it’s important not to overdo it.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that you don’t exceed the upper daily limit of magnesium intake, which is 350 milligrams for people ages 9 years and older.

Ingesting too much magnesium may lead to hypermagnesemia. This may cause symptoms like diarrhea, muscle cramps, and nausea. In cases of extreme intake, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and cardiac arrest may occur.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to rub magnesium oil?

There are no specific guidelines on the best place to rub magnesium oil. However, a 2017 study found that applying magnesium cream to the torso, stomach, and legs slightly increased magnesium levels after 2 weeks.

What does rubbing magnesium oil on your feet do?

Some people claim that rubbing or spraying magnesium oil on your feet may help promote sleep. However, no research has examined these effects.

Where not to put magnesium oil?

It’s best to avoid putting magnesium oil near your mouth, nose, and eyes.

The bottom line

Magnesium oil is touted as a potential curative for many conditions, such as migraine headaches and insomnia.

However, the research on topical magnesium is very limited, and there are varying opinions as to the body’s ability to absorb it fully through the skin.

If you think you may have low magnesium levels, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They could help measure your magnesium levels and provide ways to boost them safely.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Athavale A, et al. (2023) Transdermal magnesium for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in chronic kidney disease: A single-arm, open-label pilot study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37486715/
Engen DJ, et al. (2015). Effects of transdermal magnesium chloride on quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia: a feasibility study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26343101/
Gröber U, et al. (2017). Myth or reality: Transdermal magnesium?https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5579607/
Kass L, et al. (2017). Effect of transdermal magnesium cream on serum and urinary magnesium levels in humans: A pilot study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5389641/
Magnesium. (2022). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
Rahmanian E, et al. (2023). The effect of topical magnesium on healing of pre-clinical burn wounds. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37980271/
Questions and answers on dietary supplements. (2024).https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements

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Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Corey Whelan — Updated on October 23, 2024

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