Magnesium is increasingly becoming one of the most popular supplements in the US, and for good reason. Nearly half of the American population may be deficient, according to a population study published in the Nutrition Reviews journal.

But can magnesium actually be absorbed through the skin? What's the healthiest way to make it at home? What was the author's experience trying homemade magnesium oil for three months? And how much cheaper is it to make magnesium oil at home than to purchase it online?

In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze research studies on topical magnesium use to determine whether or not it actually works.

We'll also share a recipe for homemade magnesium oil, document how much cheaper it is than store-bought magnesium oil, and feature the author's honest experience trying homemade magnesium oil for three months straight:

Key takeaways:

• Magnesium is clinically shown to absorb through skin
• Making at home is up to 5x cheaper than buying online
• Author experienced relief of muscle aches and pains from use

Does Magnesium Absorb Through Skin?

Before purchasing (or making) magnesium oil, it makes sense to check whether or not it can even be absorbed through the skin's barrier and have biological effects in the body.

A 2017 medical review analyzed results from studies on topical magnesium use, and showed that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin and increase circulating levels in the bloodstream.

The Dead Sea has been visited by health tourists for thousands of years for its supposed healing properties, which are ascribed to its high magnesium content.

There is not enough clinical research to state conclusively that magnesium is absorbed through the skin, but in our opinion, the early research suggests that it is.

Our Cheapest Magnesium Oil Recipe

As the author of this article, I wanted to make my own magnesium oil for two reasons:

1. It's cheaper than buying from a commercial brand
2. I try to minimize plastic use for health (and environmental) reasons

Here's what I purchased (prices accurate at the time of publishing this article):

• Two glass storage jars from Amazon (non-affiliate link): $36.90
• Glass spray bottle (non-affiliate link): $7.99
• Stainless steel funnel (non-affiliate link): $8.65
• 8 lb bag magnesium salts (non-affiliate link): $29.95

Total price: $74.84 (including one-time setup costs)

I already had a large ceramic pot that I used for preparation, but that would need to be purchased if not.

The 8-pound bag of magnesium flakes from Ancient Minerals costs $29.95 and provides around 435 grams (g) of elemental magnesium.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil (33 ounce size) currently costs $39.95 and provides around 100 g of elemental magnesium.

This means that the price-per-g magnesium is over 5x cheaper in the homemade version, and is essentially plastic-free.

How To Prepare It

Preparing magnesium oil at home is incredibly simple, because it's just magnesium flakes blended into hot water.

Here are the instructions to fill both glass jars most of the way:

1. Heat 8 cups of filtered water in a pot (ceramic is better than metal for this due to potential corrosion)
2. Add in 8 cups of magnesium flakes as the water is heating up
3. Stir magnesium in until the solution is clear (no need to bring to a boil)
4. Let solution cool to room temperature
5. Use funnel to pour into spray bottle
6. Pour remaining solution into storage bottles (I recommend doing so in the sink to reduce risk of breakage)

The storage bottles looked like this after my first batch (the slight discoloration on the right bottle is just due to minor sediment and isn't an issue for a topical product):

I Tried Homemade Magnesium for Three Months

As the author of this article, I tried using my homemade magnesium oil for three months.

I noticed a relief in minor muscle aches and tension that oral magnesium alone couldn't relieve. I also noticed better sleep and a greater sense of general relaxation.

I have tested deficient in magnesium in intracellular nutrient testing in the past, so my results may not match those of someone without a magnesium deficiency.

Topical magnesium can discolor clothing and surfaces, so I purchased an organic cotton sheet from LL Bean (non-affiliate link) and use it to cover my couch when I use the oil:

I spray the oil all over my body in the shower, and then rinse off after (unless I'm doing another session right after).

Conclusion

While it's not conclusively determined that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin and provide health benefits, the early research is promising in our opinion.

The author of this article tested homemade magnesium oil for over three months, and experienced a reduction in mild muscle ache/pain/tightness and overall better quality-of-life.

In this article we shared a recipe for healthy, plastic-free homemade magnesium lotion that's over 500% cheaper than the leading magnesium oil brand (after initial setup costs).

Magnesium oil can be slightly irritating to the skin (particularly in dry climates), so individuals with sensitive, dry skin may wish to check out our magnesium lotion recipe article for a similar healthy, homemade option that we tested ourselves.