Magnesium For Wellbeing: The Best Forms And How To Use Them

May 20, 2023 Tracey Bailey

First published in May 2023. Last updated August 2025

Magnesium is the humble mineral that powers your muscles, calms your nerves, strengthens your bones, and even helps you sleep like a baby. Yet, most of us aren’t getting enough. The good news? Magnesium comes in more forms than your favourite coffee order—salts, oils, creams, and sprays—so topping up can be as indulgent as a bath soak or as simple as swallowing a capsule.

In a nutshell:

Magnesium is vital for muscle function, mood, bone health, and more.
You can boost magnesium by eating magnesium-rich foods, taking supplements, or applying it through the skin.
Topical magnesium (oils, creams, flakes) absorbs faster and avoids digestive side effects.
Choose the form that suits your needs: baths for relaxation, creams for skin health, sprays for convenience, supplements for overall intake.
DIY options can be cheaper and customised with natural ingredients.

What is magnesium and why do you need it?

Magnesium is one of the most abundant minerals in your body, playing a vital role in many aspects of your health and well-being. However, many people don’t get enough magnesium from their diet. Magnesium deficiency can lead to problems like:

Fatigue and weakness
Muscle cramps
Headaches and insomnia
Anxiety or low mood

You can increase your magnesium intake through food, supplements, or topical application. This guide focuses on the different forms of magnesium you can use—and how to choose the best one for your needs.

How is magnesium absorbed?

Magnesium can be taken orally or absorbed through the skin (transdermal magnesium).

Oral magnesium passes through your digestive system—this can work well, but some forms may cause a laxative effect.

Transdermal magnesium (oils, creams, baths) is absorbed faster and bypasses digestion, which means fewer digestive side effects, and makes soaking or floating an ideal way to boost your magnesium levels while relaxing!

Comparison of common magnesium forms

Form	How it's used	Best for	Notes
Magnesium salts (e.g. chloride, sulfate)	Dissolve in bath or foot soak	Muscle relaxation, skin health, stress relief	Absorbs well through skin; ideal for evening baths
Magnesium flakes	Bath soak	Faster absorption than salts; higher concentration	Biome stocks only Australian-sourced flakes
Magnesium oil	Spray or rub onto skin	Targeted muscle relief, cramps, spasms, & inflammation	Feels oily but is water-based
Magnesium spray or Magnesium roll-on	Apply directly to specific area	Convenience and portability. Temples, neck, shoulders, or feet	Roll-on is more precise
Magnesium cream or lotion	Massage into skin	Skin hydration plus magnesium boost	Bypasses digestion; can help with cramps & headaches
Magnesium deodorant	Apply to underarms	Odour control	Used in natural deodorant to inhibit odour-causing bacteria
Magnesium supplements	Oral capsules or powders	Overall magnesium intake	Choose form based on tolerance (e.g. citrate, glycinate)

Find here all the Magnesium products available at Biome.

How to choose the best form for you

When choosing magnesium:

Purpose – Relaxation before bed? Try salts or flakes in a bath. To boost your mood or mental clarity during the day, or relieve pain in a certain spot, opt for a spray or roll-on with magnesium oil.

Budget – Consider how much you need and how long it will last.

Tolerance – Some forms can irritate skin or cause diarrhoea.

Preference – Do you enjoy baths, or prefer something quick and portable?

DIY magnesium recipes

Homemade Magnesium Oil

1. Equal parts of magnesium flakes and distilled water. Distilled water is important to help stop the growth of bacteria, but it also means there are no chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride.
2. Place flakes in an oven-proof glass dish and slowly pour in the boiling distilled water.
3. Stir to dissolve.
4. When cool, put into glass spray bottle or use to make your own magnesium body care.

Homemade Magnesium Lotion

Find the full recipe here > Homemade Magnesium Lotion

More DIY recipes with magnesium

DIY Roll on Deodorant with Magnesium & Witchhazel

Magnesium, Ginger & Turmeric Foot Scrub Recipe

FAQs

Q: Can magnesium be absorbed through the skin?
Yes, magnesium chloride can be absorbed transdermally. Many people use baths, creams, or sprays for faster uptake.

Q: Which form is best for muscle cramps?
Topical magnesium oil or cream applied directly to the muscle can be effective.

Q: Can I use magnesium every day?
Yes, but adjust based on tolerance and product instructions.

DISCLAIMER: The advice in this blog is general in nature and in no way constitutes medical advice. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, always consult with your doctor before using any form of magnesium.

References