3 Best Magnesium Creams & Lotions for Sleep (RN Tested + Approved!)

I have tried a lot of lotions, creams, and skincare products, and there is one type that stands out for supporting sleep— magnesium lotion 👏

Here are my 3 all-time favorite magnesium products to help get those zzz’s 😴

If you're looking for the best magnesium cream or lotion, there are a lot of options to choose from. It’s honestly kinda overwhelming 😅, but which ones actually work, without a bunch of other ingredients mixed in. I've used topical magnesium products for years as part of my evening wellness routine, particularly before bed and after workouts.

After trying several formulas, my top pick is Toups & Co. Magnesium Balm, followed by Earthley Magnesium Lotion. I also like Primally Pure Magnesium Spray if you prefer a lightweight topical magnesium product rather than a cream.

As an RN and holistic health coach, I look for simple ingredients, a comfortable texture, and products I actually enjoy using consistently. Below, I'm comparing my three favorites, including which is best for sleep, which offers the best value, and which I'd choose if you're specifically looking for an organic or naturally formulated magnesium cream. (Also, i’ve got 2 young kids in my home, so it’s important to me that any products in my home are safe for them too!)

The Best Magnesium Creams & Lotions at a Glance

Toups & Co : Best for someone looking for a smooth magnesium cream

Earthley Magnesium Lotion: Best for someone looking for minimal ingredients

Primally Pure Magnesium Spray: While this isn’t a lotion or cream, it is a great product with the same effect! I’ve been using this for over a year and love how it supports sore muscles and restfulness.

What Is Magnesium Cream?

Magnesium lotion is a topical skin-care product formulated with magnesium, typically magnesium chloride, plus moisturizing ingredients such as butters, oils, beeswax, or tallow.

Magnesium itself is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of processes throughout the body, including normal muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood glucose regulation, blood pressure regulation, and bone health.

Topical magnesium products have become especially popular as part of nighttime routines and for massaging tired muscles.

One important distinction: while the benefits of getting adequate magnesium through your diet are well established, research on how much magnesium is absorbed through intact skin from lotions, balms, and sprays is still limited. I don't consider magnesium lotion a replacement for a magnesium-rich diet or medically necessary supplementation.

Instead, I view it as one more tool in a holistic wellness routine, and one that I personally enjoy using.

Benefits of Magnesium Lotion

There are two different things to consider when talking about magnesium lotion: the known benefits of magnesium within the body and the experience of using magnesium topically.

Adequate magnesium supports:

• normal muscle and nerve function

• energy production

• healthy blood pressure

• blood sugar regulation

• bone health

• normal heart rhythm

Many people also use topical magnesium before bed, after exercise, or when massaging areas that feel tired or tense.

Personally, I love incorporating magnesium lotion into my nighttime routine. Applying it to my legs and feet has become one of those small habits that signals to my body that it's time to wind down.

The Best Magnesium Lotions and Creams

I’ve tried several different topical magnesium products over the years (especially when I was pregnant or struggling with sore muscles). These are the products that stand out from the rest…

1. Toups & Co. Magnesium Balm — Best Overall Magnesium Cream

While Toups & Co. technically calls this a magnesium balm rather than a magnesium cream, it serves essentially the same purpose and has the rich, moisturizing consistency many people are looking for when searching for a magnesium cream.

This balm is made of 100% grass-fed tallow and infused with magnesium-rich Dead Sea Salt.

The full ingredient list is:

Grass-Fed Tallow, Magnesium Chloride from Dead Sea Salt, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil*, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Beeswax, Organic Thyme Extract*, Glycerin, Organic Frankincense Oil*, Organic Lavender Oil*. (*certified organic)

This is a great, high-quality product that I love using on my whole family. It has a subtle scent from the essential oils that is soothing, without being overpowering. 10/10 recommend for a topical magnesium balm!

2. Earthley Magnesium Lotion — Best Organic Magnesium Lotion

This is your more common lotion feel. It is made of high-quality ingredients, including organic shea butter, magnesium chloride, mango butter, and beeswax. While this magnesium lotion has several different scents available, personally, I choose the unscented version for sensitive skin.

That said, it can occasionally get a little bit grainy depending on the temperature during shipping! It is a very easy fix it this happens though. Just melt the lotion down in a pan, and then cool it down in the frige. That will get it back to a smooth texture.

That is sometimes just part of choosing products that skip stabilizers or additional ingredients.

3. Primally Pure Magnesium Spray — Best Magnesium Spray

While this isn’t technically a lotion or a cream, it is one of my all-time favorite products for supporting sleep!! Primally Pure’s sleep spray uses a magnesium spray that works essentially the same as a lotion or cream. Personally, I’ve occasionally paired it with one of their tallow body creams if I want more of that lotion feel. But it is also great on its own!

What Is the Best Magnesium Cream for Sleep?

If you're specifically looking for the best magnesium cream for sleep, my first choice is Toups & Co. Magnesium Balm. I like applying it to my feet and legs as part of my nighttime routine because the balm format is moisturizing and easy to massage into the skin.

Earthley Magnesium Lotion is another good option, especially if you want a traditional lotion consistency at a lower price point.

That said, I wouldn't frame topical magnesium as a proven sleep treatment. Magnesium plays important roles in the nervous system and normal muscle function, but research on how effectively magnesium is absorbed through intact skin remains limited. I think of magnesium cream as part of a relaxing bedtime routine rather than something I rely on to treat sleep problems.

Reasons for Magnesium Deficiency

What is the reason for so many people to be deficient in such an important mineral?! Well, you’ll see that there are several factors at play that may be effecting one’s health…

• Magnesium Depletion in Agriculture

  One research article reads, “it is ascertained that magnesium content in fruits and vegetables dropped in the last fifty years, and about 80% of this metal is lost during food processing. As a consequence, a large percentage of people all over the world do not meet the minimum daily magnesium requirement.”

  Because of increased demands of food production, the soil is being over-farmed and drained of its essential nutrients, including magnesium. In addition, fertilizers further deplete the nutrients. Then, even after harvesting, the processing of food (into things like cereals, breads, and other popular processed foods) further depletes the nutrients available for your body to absorb.

  One way that you can try to minimize these effects is by purchasing produce from local farmers who hopefully use sustainable farming methods. These methods can help to maintain the integrity of the soil and, in turn, produce more nutritious foods. 

• Medication Use

  Currently, more than 66% of Americans are taking at least one prescription medication. Some of these medications reduce magnesium levels in the body by their mechanism of action. For example, diuretics cause excretion in the urine, while proton pump inhibitors inhibit the absorption of magnesium in the body. 

  While many of these medications can be life-saving for people with chronic illnesses, it is important to note the effects they have on mineral status in the body.

• Magnesium Levels in Water

  Do you have a reverse osmosis water filter? Did you know that while these systems are great at removing chemical and unwanted pollutants from our water, it also removes healthy minerals, including magnesium? 

  That is why any time you are drinking filtered water, you need to be sure it is either remineralized, or you mineralize it yourself. We have had a reverse osmosis filtration system in our home for several years and always use these drops to make sure we are putting healthy minerals back into our water!

• Drinking Soda

  Did you know that most dark-colored carbonated beverages (think most popular sodas) contain phosphates? These phosphates bind to magnesium in the GI tract, making it unable to be absorbed by the body!

• Stress
  A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that stress depleted magnesium levels in the body. Not only that, but decreased magnesium caused further stress to the body, creating a negative cycle of magnesium loss.

Signs You May be Deficient in Magnesium

For many people, the signs of magnesium deficiency are vague and similar to many other deficiencies in the body. Some of the most popular signs of magnesium deficiency include:

• fatigue

• poor sleep quality

• muscle cramps and twitching

• leg cramps or restless leg syndrome

• constipation

• high blood pressure

• poor mental health

• numbness or tingling in hands and feet

  As you can see, there are many reasons to be aware of your magnesium intake and having sufficient levels within your body. These signs and symptoms listed are not definitive or diagnostic. If you are concerned about mineral deficiencies in the body, make sure you see your healthcare provider for further evaluation!

One of my favorite #momhacks is using magnesium lotion or magnesium baths if my little ones ever struggle with constipation!

Health Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Here’s how adequate magnesium levels support your overall health:

• Promotes restful sleep
  Magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters and melatonin, which play a role in sleep quality and circadian rhythm.

• Supports muscle relaxation and recovery
  It helps reduce muscle cramps, tension, and post-workout soreness by supporting healthy muscle and nerve function.

• Reduces stress and anxiety
  Magnesium can help calm the nervous system and regulate cortisol levels, promoting a more balanced mood.

• Eases headaches and migraines
  Studies suggest magnesium may help prevent and reduce the severity of migraines by supporting vascular and neurological health.

• Supports heart health
  Magnesium helps maintain normal blood pressure and supports a steady heart rhythm.

• Aids in bone health
  It works alongside calcium and vitamin D to build and maintain strong bones.

• Balances blood sugar levels
  Magnesium plays a role in insulin function and glucose metabolism, supporting stable blood sugar levels.

• Relieves PMS symptoms
  Some women find that magnesium helps reduce symptoms like bloating, irritability, and cramps during their menstrual cycle.

Best Ways to Increase Magnesium

I am always an advocate for a food-first approach to wellness- that is why with all my coaching clients, we work towards nutrient-dense foods, eating enough to fully nourish your body, and prioritizing quality first.

But unfortunately, with magnesium, it isn’t always possible due to the soil depletion and poor water quality previously mentioned. That is why it can be an important mineral to supplement. My requirements with supplements are that they are always high-quality, third-party tested, and optimally sourced. One of the benefits of getting enough magnesium is that it can help you to have a good night's sleep, thanks to its calming effects. (That is why people usually recommend taking a magnesium supplement, or using a magnesium lotion, at bedtime before falling asleep!) 

How to Supplement Magnesium for Optimal Health

• Smidge Magnesium- my favorite oral supplementation form of magnesium. Unlike other oral magnesium products, this includes three different varieties of magnesium and is formulated specifically for taking in the morning. They also have an evening magnesium that supports restful sleep.

• Trace Mineral Drops- taking in trace minerals is important because they are often missing from your diet and water (especially if you use a water filter that is reverse osmosis) 

• Electrolyte Drinks- My family loves LMNT electrolyte drink packs. They are science-backed to give you the appropriate ratio of sodium, magnesium, and potassium for cellular hydration! (by shopping the link above, they’ll add a free bonus pack to your first order 👏)

• Magnesium bath- most bath salts are either Epsom salts or magnesium flakes, so what's the difference? Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate, while magnesium flakes are magnesium chloride. While both are beneficial to your body, magnesium chloride can be absorbed more quickly. This is why it is popular to help with sore muscles, joint pain, or chronic pain.. plus the warmth helps with added relaxation 😌

• Magnesium lotion- While these are all great options that I use regularly, one of my favorite ways to supplement is magnesium lotion! That is because sometimes magnesium supplements can cause G.I. symptoms, including diarrhea. If you are sensitive to oral magnesium pills, lotion may be a better starting point for your body.

FAQ About Magnesium Lotions and Creams

What is the best magnesium cream?
My top pick is Toups & Co. Magnesium Balm because it combines magnesium chloride with grass-fed tallow and nourishing skin-care ingredients. Although it's technically called a balm, it has the rich, moisturizing consistency people often want from a magnesium cream.

What is the best magnesium cream for sleep?
My favorite for a nighttime routine is Toups & Co. Magnesium Balm, followed by Earthley Magnesium Lotion. I like applying topical magnesium to my feet and legs before bed, although evidence that magnesium is absorbed in meaningful amounts through the skin is limited.

What is the highest-rated magnesium cream?
There isn't one universally highest-rated magnesium cream, and ratings vary between retailers. Of the products I've personally used and researched, Toups & Co. is my top choice based on its formulation, texture, and skin-nourishing ingredients.

What is the best organic magnesium lotion?
Earthley is my pick for someone specifically looking for a magnesium lotion made with simple, naturally derived ingredients. Toups & Co. is my overall favorite if you're open to a balm rather than a traditional lotion.

Is magnesium cream good for sleep?

Many people use magnesium cream as part of their nighttime routine, and I personally enjoy applying it before bed. Magnesium itself plays an important role in normal muscle and nervous system function and is involved in processes related to sleep.

However, there's an important distinction between getting adequate magnesium and applying magnesium to your skin. Evidence that topical magnesium significantly increases magnesium levels in the body is limited. I wouldn't consider magnesium cream a treatment for insomnia, but it can be a relaxing part of a healthy bedtime routine.

Where should you apply magnesium cream for sleep?

I typically apply magnesium lotion or balm to my feet and legs before bed, but it can also be massaged into areas such as the calves, shoulders, back, or abdomen depending on the manufacturer's directions.

Avoid applying magnesium products to broken, irritated, or freshly shaved skin, especially if you're sensitive to the tingling sensation magnesium chloride can sometimes cause.

Is magnesium cream better than magnesium spray?

Neither is necessarily better it just depends on personal preference!

A magnesium cream, lotion, or balm contains moisturizing ingredients in addition to magnesium, so it's my preference for everyday use. A magnesium spray is lighter, quick to apply, and convenient for travel, but magnesium chloride sprays can sometimes feel more tingly or irritating on sensitive skin.

Can you use magnesium lotion every night?

Many magnesium lotions are designed for regular use and can be incorporated into a nightly routine. Follow the directions for your specific product, especially since magnesium concentrations vary considerably between formulas.

If you're trying a magnesium lotion for the first time or have sensitive skin, start with a small amount and see how your skin responds.

Can magnesium lotion cause tingling or burning?

Yes. Topical magnesium chloride can sometimes cause tingling, itching, or a mild stinging sensation, particularly with concentrated magnesium sprays. You're also more likely to notice irritation if you apply it to freshly shaved, dry, broken, or otherwise irritated skin.

If a product causes significant burning, redness, or persistent irritation, wash it off and discontinue use.

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