It's no secret: people are stressed. Because of this, you may find it hard to get into a truly relaxed state when it's time to sleep or wind down. However, you can do a few things to ease your mind and body during a high-stress time, like a deep stretch yoga flow, a warm shower, or writing in a gratitude journal.
Another great way to wind down and de-stress, according to sleep doctor Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, is by slathering your body with magnesium body lotion (ideally at night before hopping into bed). While magnesium lotion isn't a magic wand for stress, it can help soothe the sneaky tension that gets in the way of your body resting. Ahead, learn what she has to say about the benefits of magnesium and our picks of the best magnesium body lotions to help you relax.
- Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, sleep doctor and associate professor at UC Davis Health
Best magnesium body lotions at a glance:
- Best scented magnesium body lotion: Neom Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter, $41
- Best magnesium lotion for restless leg: Asutra Melt Body Butter with Lavender and Magnesium, $27
- Best magnesium lotion for muscles: Lush Magnesium Massage Bar Deep Sleep, $14
- Best magnesium cream for sleep: Dr. Teal's, Melatonin Sleep Lotion, $11
- Best high-potency magnesium lotion: Mo’ Maggie, Magnesium Lotion, $19
- Best magnesium lotion for pregnancy: 8 Sheep Organics, Sleepy Body Lotion, $50
Shop our top magnesium body lotions:
7 of the best magnesium body lotions
Size: 6.76 oz.
Scent: Lavender, sweet basil, jasmine
Applying this magnesium body lotion from Neom is a true luxury experience. The scent alone—an exquisite blend of lavender, jasmine, and sweet basil—can help lull you to sleep, and the added magnesium makes it even better. Plus, it’s made with shea butter and coconut oil for added moisture.
Pros:
- Soothing essential oils
- Moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil
Cons:
- Not for the scent-averse
- Pricier pick
Size: 7 oz.
Scent: Lavender
Co-owned by tennis superstar Venus Williams, Asutra makes products to support every aspect of your wellness routine. This pre-bed body butter pairs magnesium with vitamins A and E, as well as shea butter and almond oil for added moisture. It’s highly-rated and a hit with folks who struggle to fall asleep with restless leg syndrome (RLS).
Pros:
- Includes vitamins A and E
- Positive feedback from people with RLS
Cons:
- Reports of flimsy packaging
Size: 2.2 oz.
Scent: Lavender, chamomile, neroli
Give yourself a wind-down rub with this massage bar from Lush. It’s made with magnesium, a triple dose of lavender, calming chamomile, and blissful neroli. The bumps and ridges are there to help you get deep into your muscles and rub out any knots and tension while infusing your skin with dream-inducing goodness. Plus, there’s no plastic packaging to worry about when the bar has fully dissolved.
Pros:
- No plastic packaging
- Massaging bumps and ridges
Cons:
- May be a little messy
Size: 8 oz.
Scent: Lavender & chamomile
Melatonin is a sleep-inducing favorite for many. This Dr. Teal’s lotion pairs melatonin with magnesium, delivering a one-two punch to help you hit the pillow with ease. It also includes soothing vitamin E, as well as lavender and chamomile essential oils to help encourage relaxation. Customers say the scents are noticeable, but aren’t overpowering.
Pros:
- Pairs melatonin and magnesium
- Highly rated for sleep
- Lightly scented for those sensitive to smells
Cons:
- Some people wish the scent was stronger
Size: 8 oz.
Scent: Unscented
If you really want to get your magnesium, grab this lotion from Mo’ Maggie. In addition to magnesium, it also contains shea butter, argan seed, prickly pear seed, and hemp seed to leave your skin moisturized and your body relaxed. This unscented lotion is highly-rated, but several folks warn that it’s thick and does take a while to rub in completely.
Pros:
- Unscented formula
- Uses organic ingredients
- Highly rated
Cons:
- May take a while to soak in
Size: 4 oz. or 8 oz.
Scent: Lavender, vanilla, sweet orange, eucalyptus, or unscented
If you’re looking for a magnesium lotion to use during pregnancy, this is a great option to consider. The founder of 8 Sheep Organics created this brand after making her own magnesium lotion to help her sleep during her second pregnancy. It eased her leg cramps, restless legs, aching hips, and tired back, allowing her to get some much-needed rest. Word about her lotion spread and now it’s a hit among expecting moms, people with RLS, and more.
Pros:
- Minimal ingredients
- Multiple scent and size options
Cons:
- Pricier option
If you want the tension-relieving benefits of a magnesium lotion but prefer to skip lavender-scented formulas you’ll love this Alo pick. It’s formulated with the sleep-friendly mineral but is also powdered with amla, coconut oil, aloe vera, and arnica, which is also used for soothing aches, bruises, etc. It’s super moisturizing and can be used during the day and at night.
Pros:
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Lightweight texture that can be used day or night
Cons:
- Citrus fragrance that some may not like
What is magnesium lotion used for?
"Magnesium lotion is wonderful for a bedtime routine," Dr. Oyegbile-Chidi says. Not only can the ritual of applying lotion help you unwind, but when applied topically, magnesium can soothe your muscles, helping physically relaxing your body and helping you drift off to sleep.
"If your muscles are extra tense as you're trying to fall asleep, you can't get good sleep," she explains. Also, we know that when you're very anxious and stressed about things, and you are all tensed up in your back, your neck, et cetera, even if you do fall asleep, you're more likely to wake up (and wake up with aches and pain) because of all that muscle tension. So having a way to relax the tension in your muscles can really improve sleep overall."
Does magnesium lotion work?
Dr. Oyegbile-Chidi says there's limited research1 that shows magnesium supplementation can help improve sleep, and even less to show the impact of topical magnesium. But, based on anecdotal evidence, sleep doctors often recommend magnesium to help their patients. In addition to being helpful for your sleep health, magnesium body lotion is also great for your skin, and can help soothe dryness and flakiness (which can also be exacerbated by stress).
If you're on the hunt for something to help your body relax before bed or are just looking for something nice to fold into your sleep routine, keep scrolling to browse our favorite magnesium body lotion options below.
Things to consider before buying
Scent: Most of the picks on this list include scents like lavender, which is known for its calming properties. Still, some people are sensitive to scents and would prefer an unscented lotion. If that’s true for you, check out the 8 Sheep and Mo’ Maggie lotions on our list.
Your skin sensitivities: Beyond smell, magnesium topicals (like magnesium spray or magnesium oil) can create adverse skin reactions in some people. It’s always best to patch test a dime-sized amount of any new skincare product on your wrist to see how your skin responds. And always read the full ingredient list for any possible allergens you may want to avoid.
Does magnesium lotion have side effects?
Current research2 suggests that topical magnesium is safe for general use, but more research is needed to fully understand the benefits and possible downsides. Always follow the brand’s directions when using a magnesium lotion and, if you do feel any adverse effects on your skin, stop using it.
Where do you rub magnesium lotion?
You can rub magnesium lotion just about anywhere on your skin, especially in areas that are prone to aches and pains. Some folks prefer to rub it into their hands, while others focus on their legs and feet.
- Arab, Arman et al. “The Role of Magnesium in Sleep Health: a Systematic Review of Available Literature.” Biological trace element research vol. 201,1 (2023): 121-128. doi:10.1007/s12011-022-03162-1
- Gröber, Uwe et al. “Myth or Reality-Transdermal Magnesium?.” Nutrients vol. 9,8 813. 28 Jul. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9080813
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