How to Make Magnesium Spray: A Deep Dive Into DIY Transdermal Magnesium
I've been making my own magnesium spray for about six years now, and honestly, it's one of those things that sounds way more complicated than it actually is. When I first heard about transdermal magnesium—basically, magnesium you absorb through your skin—I was skeptical. Really skeptical. But after dealing with persistent muscle cramps that kept me up at night (you know, those charley horses that make you want to cry?), I figured I'd give it a shot.
The whole process takes maybe five minutes, costs a fraction of what you'd pay for commercial sprays, and once you understand the basic chemistry behind it, you'll probably wonder why anyone buys the pre-made stuff. Well, I know why—convenience and not everyone enjoys playing kitchen chemist. But for those of us who do, let's dive in.
The Science Behind Transdermal Magnesium (Or Why This Actually Works)
Your skin is basically a giant sponge with very particular tastes. It doesn't let just anything through—otherwise, we'd be in serious trouble every time we took a bath. But magnesium chloride, when dissolved in water, creates ions small enough to penetrate the skin barrier. This isn't some new-age nonsense; it's been studied extensively, particularly in balneotherapy (fancy word for therapeutic bathing).
What makes magnesium chloride special compared to other forms? It's all about the molecular structure and how it behaves in solution. When you dissolve magnesium chloride flakes in water, you get magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) floating around separately. These magnesium ions are what your body actually uses, and they're small enough to slip through your skin's outer layers.
I remember being amazed when I learned that your skin can actually be selective about what it absorbs based on what your body needs. It's not a perfect system—you're not going to cure a severe deficiency with spray alone—but for maintenance and targeted relief, it's surprisingly effective.
What You'll Need (And What You Definitely Don't)
Here's where things get refreshingly simple. You need exactly two ingredients:
- Magnesium chloride flakes (not Epsom salt—that's magnesium sulfate, totally different beast)
- Distilled water
That's it. No preservatives, no essential oils (unless you want them), no complicated equipment.
For tools, grab:
- A glass measuring cup or bowl
- A spray bottle (glass is ideal, but plastic works)
- Something to stir with
- A funnel (optional but saves mess)
Now, about those magnesium chloride flakes—quality matters here. You want something that's been tested for heavy metals and comes from a reputable source. I learned this the hard way when I bought some suspiciously cheap flakes online and ended up with a spray that left weird residue on my skin. Ancient seabeds like the Zechstein source in Europe or the Dead Sea are typically good bets. Yes, it costs more, but we're talking about something you're putting on your body daily.
The Basic Recipe That Actually Works
After years of tweaking ratios, I've settled on what I call the "Goldilocks concentration"—not too weak to be ineffective, not so strong it feels like fire ants on your skin.
Start with:
- 1/2 cup magnesium chloride flakes
- 1/2 cup distilled water
This creates roughly a 50% solution, which sounds intense but remember, commercial products often use similar concentrations. They just don't advertise it that way.
Heat your water to just below boiling—I usually microwave it for about 90 seconds. You want it hot enough to dissolve the flakes quickly but not so hot you can't handle the container. Pour the hot water over your flakes and stir. The solution will get surprisingly hot as the magnesium chloride dissolves (exothermic reaction for you chemistry nerds). Keep stirring until completely clear.
Here's a tip I wish someone had told me early on: let it cool completely before putting it in your spray bottle. Hot liquid + pressure from spraying = potential disaster. Ask me how I know.
Customizing Your Spray (Because One Size Doesn't Fit All)
The beauty of making your own is you can adjust everything. Too tingly? Dilute it. Not feeling anything? Make it stronger. I've found that different body parts have different sensitivities—what feels fine on my legs might be too intense for my neck.
For sensitive skin, try a 25% solution:
- 1/4 cup flakes to 3/4 cup water
For maximum strength (use with caution):
- 2/3 cup flakes to 1/3 cup water
Some people add aloe vera gel for its soothing properties, but this changes the shelf life dramatically. Without preservatives, you're looking at maybe two weeks in the fridge versus months for the basic spray.
Essential oils are another popular addition. Lavender for bedtime spray, peppermint for post-workout—whatever floats your boat. Just remember that some oils can increase skin sensitivity, and always dilute them properly. We're making magnesium spray, not chemical burns.
Application Secrets Nobody Talks About
Here's something that took me embarrassingly long to figure out: where and when you apply matters as much as what you apply. The bottoms of your feet? Terrible for absorption, despite what Pinterest might tell you. Those thick calluses aren't letting much through. Inner arms, behind the knees, stomach—these areas with thinner skin work much better.
Timing matters too. Right after a shower when your pores are open? Perfect. On dry, cold skin in the middle of winter? You might as well be spraying armor. I've also noticed that slightly damp skin seems to help with absorption and reduces the tingly sensation some people experience.
Speaking of tingling—let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, magnesium spray can sting, especially if you're deficient. It's like your skin is saying "FINALLY!" and going a bit overboard. This usually decreases with regular use. If it doesn't, dilute your spray or apply it to less sensitive areas first.
The Whole "Magnesium Oil" Confusion
Pet peeve time: people calling this "magnesium oil." It's not oil. It just feels slippery like oil because of the mineral concentration. This confused me for months when I first started researching. I kept looking for actual magnesium oil and wondering why I could only find flakes or pre-made sprays.
The slippery feeling is actually a good sign—it means you've got a decent concentration. Too watery and you're basically making expensive water. Too concentrated and it'll leave a crusty residue that makes you look like you've been swimming in the Dead Sea and forgot to shower.
Storage and Shelf Life (The Boring but Important Stuff)
Pure magnesium chloride solution is pretty stable. I've had batches last six months with no issues. The key is keeping it in a clean container and not introducing contaminants. Every time you touch the spray nozzle with dirty hands, you're potentially introducing bacteria.
Glass containers are ideal because they don't react with the solution, but I'll be honest—I use plastic spray bottles because I'm clumsy and glass plus tile bathroom floors equals disaster. Just make sure it's good quality plastic that won't degrade.
If your spray develops any cloudiness, weird smell, or visible particles, toss it. It's cheap enough to make that there's no point risking skin infections to save three dollars worth of ingredients.
Real Talk: Does This Actually Replace Oral Supplements?
Look, I'm not here to tell you to throw away your magnesium pills. Transdermal application has its place, but it's not a magic bullet. For acute muscle cramps or targeted relief, it's fantastic. For correcting a serious deficiency? You probably need a multi-pronged approach.
I use spray for immediate relief and maintenance, but I still take oral magnesium (glycinate, if you're curious) for systemic support. The spray is more like a spot treatment—twisted ankle, sore shoulders, restless legs before bed. It's part of my toolkit, not the whole workshop.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"It burns too much!" - Dilute it or apply to less sensitive areas first. Build up tolerance gradually.
"I don't feel anything!" - Your concentration might be too low, or you might not be deficient. Not everyone needs supplemental magnesium.
"It leaves white residue!" - Your solution is too concentrated, or you're applying too much. A little goes a long way.
"It won't dissolve completely!" - Your water isn't hot enough, or you've exceeded the saturation point. Magnesium chloride is highly soluble, but there are limits.
My Personal Protocol (What Actually Stuck)
After all the experimentation, here's what I actually do: I keep two concentrations on hand. A stronger one (50%) for post-workout or when my legs are being jerks at 2 AM, and a gentler one (30%) for daily maintenance. I spray the gentle version on my stomach and inner arms every morning after showering. The stronger stuff lives on my nightstand for emergency deployment.
The biggest game-changer was realizing I didn't need to coat myself head to toe. A few targeted sprays work better than trying to turn yourself into a magnesium mummy. Quality over quantity, always.
Making your own magnesium spray isn't just about saving money—though that's a nice bonus. It's about understanding what you're putting on your body and being able to adjust it to your needs. Once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder why this isn't common knowledge. Then again, maybe it's better that not everyone knows. More magnesium flakes for us DIYers, right?
Authoritative Sources:
Gröber, Uwe, et al. "Myth or Reality—Transdermal Magnesium?" Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 8, 2017, p. 813.
National Institutes of Health. "Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals." Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022.
Proksch, E., et al. "Bathing in a Magnesium-Rich Dead Sea Salt Solution Improves Skin Barrier Function, Enhances Skin Hydration, and Reduces Inflammation in Atopic Dry Skin." International Journal of Dermatology, vol. 44, no. 2, 2005, pp. 151-157.
Rosanoff, Andrea, et al. "Essential Nutrient Interactions: Does Low or Suboptimal Magnesium Status Interact with Vitamin D and/or Calcium Status?" Advances in Nutrition, vol. 7, no. 1, 2016, pp. 25-43.
Schwalfenberg, Gerry K., and Stephen J. Genuis. "The Importance of Magnesium in Clinical Healthcare." Scientifica, vol. 2017, 2017, article 4179326.