Written by Kate Tietje
This is it. I’ve finally perfected it. A series of ideal magnesium lotion recipes.
I’ve made several versions of magnesium lotion recipes over the years. My original recipe was so wonderful when it was first made, creamy and beautiful, but over time it got rather thick and sticky. After using it for several months, I decided to try again.
Next was the Chocolate-Rose Magnesium Lotion. What resulted was an absolutely perfect lotion. Smooth, creamy, and rich without being heavy. Plus, it smells divinely of chocolate, with just a hint of coconut and rose. I really only bothered infusing it with rose the first time; after that, I just made it with plain oils. I really liked the texture of that one…but the coconut oil tended to get hard (since it does solidify at a lower temperature than the other oils) and end up as little beads throughout the lotion. I loved the texture but didn’t like the hard beads.
Then there was the Lavender Scented Magnesium Lotion. That’s still my favorite to use on the kids, but it’s a little creamier than I prefer for myself. It’s one of the most popular recipes I’ve ever posted. The goal was to help the kids feel peaceful so they could fall asleep faster and easier and get a good night’s sleep once they were out. The magnesium would promote a solid night of sleep. I chose lavender for the “fall asleep faster and easier” part.
Lavender is known to promote rest and relaxation. It’s also very safe for children and babies. Plus, many like the scent. Lavender and magnesium combine to make a powerful good night lotion for, well…a good night for all!
I included only edible plant-based oils, so this lotion is so safe that kids could eat it! Although I wouldn’t recommend that. 🙂 This is much safer than the so-called good night lotions that come in stores (which made my poor daughter’s skin turn bright red almost instantly as a baby — one of the reasons we began to explore more natural options in the first place). It comes together very quickly and easily, too.
Now there’s herb-infused magnesium lotion…
My goal was a lighter, smooth magnesium lotion recipe that went on well and stayed smooth (no lumps). That meant no coconut oil. I came up with an oil blend that I love…it’s perfect! I made it a couple of times with just the oils.
Then, I happened to have some of my infused oils sitting around in the cabinet (I automatically start a new batch every time I use the old one; it takes two minutes, so I always have some around), so I decided to add those instead of plain oils. Even better! It’s just so nourishing for skin, it’s awesome and healing, and it’s so easy.
Have you read about the importance of Magnesium? If not, check out Everything You Need To Know About Magnesium. You will notice that none of these lotions have an “added preservative” in them. With the magnesium, it acts as a preservative, these should last several months on the counter.
Do you love the idea of magnesium lotion but aren’t ready to make it yourself? Check out Earthley’s Good Night Lotion, a premade magnesium lotion in our store!
Magnesium Lotion Collection
I will share all 4 recipes now, starting with the original magnesium lotion!
Original Magnesium Lotion
This is simple, requires only a few ingredients, and can be made in less than 15 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup double-strength magnesium oil
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 cup unrefined shea butter
- 2 tbsp. of beeswax
Directions:
Step 1: Make your magnesium oil if you haven’t already.
Step 2: Melt the avocado oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a small saucepan. (If you want to infuse any herbs, strain the avocado oil alone, then melt the infused oil with the shea butter and beeswax.)
Step 3: You could add some essential oils to the melted oil mix if you want, 10 – 12 drops. I didn’t bother.
Step 4: Pour the mix into a blender.
Step 5: Turn it on low and stream in the magnesium oil.
Step 6: Put the lid on and turn it up higher. It will turn into an opaque, cream-colored liquid. That is when the emulsification is complete, and you have your lotion!
Step 7: Pour the lotion into a glass jar. This makes around 12 – 13 ounces of lotion, so I used a 16-oz. glass mason jar.
To use: Allow your lotion to cool completely. It will solidify and become very thick and creamy, more like a “body butter” than a lotion. Use as with any normal lotion, spreading especially over thin-skinned areas. It absorbs quickly and quickly and doesn’t dry out the skin. It shouldn’t cause any stinging or tingling like plain oil can. I like to use this just before bed, putting it on my legs and belly. It is nice for pregnant bellies, too. 🙂
Chocolate Rose Magnesium Lotion
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. of rose-infused apricot oil (instructions below)
- 1 oz. shea butter
- 1 oz. cocoa butter
- 1.5 oz. coconut oil
- 1 tbsp. of beeswax
- 2 oz. magnesium oil
Directions:
Step 1: Place 4 – 6 ounces of apricot oil in a small glass jar. Add about 1/4 cup of dried rose petals. Place this jar in a pot of hot water and allow it to sit for several hours. (I do this on my stove with the burner on low to medium. Once bubbles begin to form in the water, I turn it off.)
Step 2: Strain the oil through a piece of cloth into a clean jar. Use 2 ounces for this recipe; keep the rest for another use. Or just make a bigger batch!
Step 3: In another small glass jar, pour 1 oz. Very hot, filtered water. Add 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of magnesium chloride flakes and stir until dissolved. This is the perfect amount for this recipe, so increase it if you make a larger batch. If you don’t want this lotion to contain magnesium, skip this step and use 2 ounces of pure filtered water in the final recipe.
Step 4: In an 8-ounce or larger glass jar (tall one, not like the type you’ll use to store it), place all of the oils and the beeswax — but not the magnesium oil (which is not technically an oil, but a salt solution). Place this jar into a pan of water that comes up about 3/4 of the way on the jar. Turn it to medium heat.
Step 5: Stir the oils occasionally until it is completely melted. Remove the jar from the water — use a potholder; it’s hot! — and pour the oils into a small mixing bowl.
Step 6: Allow this mixture to cool until close to room temperature. Then, using a mixer or immersion blender, begin to blend the oils together. Slowly pour in the magnesium oil while you do this. It will become thick and opaque.
Step 7: Once thoroughly mixed, pour the lotion into an 8-ounce glass storage jar. Put a lid on it and allow it to cool completely.
Lavender Scented Magnesium Lotion
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. shea butter
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 tbsp. avocado oil (or other liquid oil — olive, apricot, jojoba, etc.)
- 2 tbsp. double-strength magnesium oil (mix 1 tbsp. warm water with 2 tbsp. magnesium chloride flakes)
- 1 tbsp. beeswax
- 15 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions:
Step 1: Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a saucepan over low heat.
Step 2: Add the avocado oil and magnesium oil.
Step 3: Add the essential oil.
Step 4: Use an immersion blender to blend it all together until thick and opaque (or pour it into a standard blender and mix it up).
Step 5: Scoop/scrape it into a 4-ounce jar or tin.
To use: Allow it to cool completely before using it. Spread a small amount on thin-skinned areas, like the back of legs or bellies, before bed. Promotes restful sleep all night long! The kids fell asleep faster on our first night using it, and all slept for nearly 11 hours before waking. Not bad!
Herb-Infused Magnesium Lotion
We start with a couple of butters, add some awesome liquid oil, melt in some beeswax, blend it all with magnesium “oil,” and end up with magnesium lotion. Simple, right?
It is.
If you’re not planning to do the herbal-infused part, go ahead and skip all of the herbs that are listed here. Skip the first few steps in the directions, too.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp. magnesium flakes
- 1.5 tbsp. filtered water
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. apricot oil (or olive, or sweet almond, etc.)
- 1 tbsp. lavender buds
- 1 tbsp. dandelion flowers dried
- 1 tbsp. calendula flowers
- 1 tbsp. chamomile flowers
- 3 tbsp. shea butter
- 2 tbsp. mango butter (or cocoa butter)
- 1 tbsp. beeswax
Directions:
Step 1: In a glass jar of at least 4 ounces, add all of the herbs (lavender, dandelion, calendula, and chamomile) and pour the apricot or olive oil over it. Put a lid on and shake to combine. Now, you can just set it in a cool, dark cabinet and forget it for about 6 weeks or until you remember it’s there.
Or, you can set the jar in a pan of hot water that comes up some of the sides but not to the top and leave this on low heat for an hour (keeping watch of the water level). You do this if you want it done now rather than weeks from now. You can do both to have your oil ready for today’s batch, and then you will have the cold infusion for the next batch you make!
Step 2: Strain the oil through cheesecloth, squeezing it to get all the oil out (which you keep in another glass jar). Discard the herbs. If you have infused the quick way, you’ll want to let this cool for 15 – 20 minutes before straining so you don’t burn yourself.
Step 3: *This is where you hop in if you’re not infusing the herbs!* Put the butters and beeswax into a glass bowl and set the bowl on top of a pot of water. Turn the pot on medium heat, and let the steaming water melt the oils and wax slowly.
Step 4: In yet another glass jar, combine the magnesium chloride flakes and water. Put a lid on and shake until dissolved.
Step 5: Pour the herb-infused oil with the now-melted butter and wax. Add the magnesium oil, too.
Step 6: Use a hand blender to mix it all up! If you don’t have one, pour it into a regular blender. You can also try a whisk, but that will take forever (I’ve tried), and it may still separate. A hand mixer will work, too. Anything that whips it well.
Step 7: Pour the finished magnesium lotion into an 8-ounce glass jar. Or any subset of jars or tins that make a total of 8 oz., in case you want multiple containers. That’s it! It’s a lot of little pieces, but it comes together quickly at the end!
I’ve been using your regular magnesium lotion on my little girl, who is almost 3, and it works so well to settle her for bed. Thank you, Kate! I’ll have to try this one when it’s time to make lotion again.
I’ve made your regular magnesium lotion a couple of times and our granddaughter loves it for her growing pains in her legs, but now I can’t wait to try this one for all the grandchildren. You’re doing a great job. God has certainly given you a great gift. Thank you.
I have all of these ingredients on hand and know that me and my family are magnesium deficient. And since the time change over here, none of us have been sleeping regularly which is unusual as we are all great sleepers. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
[…] Good Night Lotion @ Modern Alternative Mama […]
I know it was mentioned that you could use the lavender on a baby, but what about the magnesium?
How long do you have to mix it for? I’ve been mixing it for a while and it’s still quite liquidy.
[…] Good Night Lotion Recipe […]
I had a batch of lotion get brown and rusty looking after putting it in a metal tin. It was fine for about a week, but then you could see the discoloration start. Has this ever happened to anyone else and do you know what is happening there?
Most likely, the magnesium (which is a salt solution) is reacting with the metal. I usually put mine in glass and have had no issues.
It is probably from the metal tin. Use glass or plastic container instead!
[…] Good Night Lotion […]
how old does my baby need to be before using magnesium?
Well, This is certainly a gift tonight! I have a similar situation where I have been using mag for some time now, but my kiddos don’t. Bless you and your gift of sharing. My 10 year old lacrosse player with ADHD has THE worst time going to sleep. He is due to go to sleep away camp next month but is highly anxious because he can’t fall asleep and if he does he always wakes through out the night. I am making this tomorrow! I am going to add cedarwood EO to my mixure as I understand it also has wonderful properties to aid in sleep. Thank you xmillion times over!
Can you use magnesium citrate powder for this?
I don’t have a blender at the moment. Will it stay mixed together without the blending process?
Hi Meggs,
Probably not. Do you have a mixer, or immersion blender, or anything that can mix it somehow? Those should work just fine.
Hi Kate, I’d really like to make this. Would you use it on a baby? If not, what age would you recommend starting to use it? Thank you!
Hi Bethany,
Yes, I would. I have used it on babies from 4 – 6 months. Just a very small amount, like 1/8 tsp. or less.
Can the Good Night lotion be made using something besides coconut oil. We are allergic to coconut.
Hi Mary,
Yes, you can use any other liquid oil. The lotion may be a bit softer, but it will work fine.
[…] “Good Night” lotion by Modern Alternative Mama. […]
Any need for vitamin E or some preservative to prevent bacteria growth?
Thank you, Kate
This should last up to 6 months. I make 8 oz batches and my Hubby and I use our batch up within 3-4 weeks. If you are concerned about bacteria growth in the lotion, don’t use your fingers but instead a small spatula or plastic spoon to scoop some out. I do not recommend metal spoons or jars as the minerals in the magnesium will affect the metal.
[…] Keep Reading. […]
[…] space, we needed to help our children fall asleep easier. One thing that we use regularly is this good night lotion. Magnesium and lavender help to promote restful, healthy sleep — falling asleep easier and […]
[…] myself, I found that once I started using magnesium lotion, I no longer had leg cramps in pregnancy at […]
I used different essential oils combo (my favorites .. lavender actually energizes me, so I left that out). Note to self for future reference: do NOT make this in the middle of a busy day .. right now I just want to take a nap & that’s just from the aromatherapy effects LOL! Can’t wait to try the lotion ‘officially’ at bedtime tonight 🙂
On the Magnesium would I be able to use “Earth Shifts Ionic Magnesium with Trace Minerals”?
I don’t see why not. Whatever form of magnesium you prefer should be fine.
Hi,
I am wondering if you know how many mg of magnesium is in this lotion? Like per teaspoon?
Thanks,
Sara
It is roughly 200 mg per teaspoon.
Just made a big batch of this with some friends. Smells amazing and it’s nice and smooth. Very excited to use it on my toddler!
Is this safe to use on a 4 month old infant?
Yes, but it may not help with better sleep just yet!
I have a homemade naked salve I will add lavender and magnesium oil to, although I would recommend the feet, as these absorb things so well.
When my kids started in their own beds, they were told they had to stay there, unless in need of a toilet.
Also, they could not get out in the morning till they had knocked on the wall, or quietly popped into our room to ask – that came in handy when they started waking at 4 or 5 as we just sent them back to bed!
At now 10 and 12, they have been (mostly) really good at that since going into a bed.
Thanks for the lotion though, as my 12 year old has the lack of sleep at night gene of a teen already!
Can I add cypress essential oil as I read it helps with bedwetting? TIA
Sure, you could add that or use instead of lavender.
[…] there was the good night lotion, and lavender-scented magnesium lotion. That’s still my favorite to use on the kids, but […]
Hi there- I found you via Pinterest and was wondering does this formula work for adults? Or would you need to increase the magnesium? I’ve just ordered all the goodies to make this and have fingers crossed that this will help with my chronic insomnia.
It does work for adults! Our whole family uses it every night. You just might need to use a little more lotion than a child would.
[…] we’re a little obsessed with DIY around here. We’ve shared about how to make your own lotions, herbal tinctures, and even cloth diapers. I think we’ve tried just about everything under […]
[…] Good Night Lotion […]
Is a preservative needed for this goodnight lotion? I see a tiny bit of water used in the magnesium mix.
Thank you
Bonnie
Nope, no preservative needed! The magnesium itself acts as a natural preservative.
Do you sell this lotion
Having been awake since about 3.30am and it is now 6ama I will be making this today! We tried magnesium oil spray for a few days but found it was such a nuisance so hopefully this will work (on my 2 year old as well!)
It says magnesium oil…is that on top of the water mixture or i use the water mixure instead of the oil?
Magnesium oil is the mixture of the magnesium flakes + water.
would it be okay to use a small bit at naptime or would it be too strong and truly meant for nighttime stretches?
It is fine to use at nap time 🙂
I made some and it now has white chunks in it, seemed to happen lole 4 days after making it. Did it crystallize? anyone know why?
This is typically from the coconut oil. It has a lower melting point than other oils, so if it gets a little warm, the coconut oil will “melt out” then re-solidify into tiny chunks. It will melt fine on your skin and not change how the lotion works.
Hi Kate!
Thank you so much for this recipe I have been searching for something like this for my active 11 month old to help her calm at night. And also something for hubby and I:). I do have a question, my first batch did not get thick in the blender. It did get opaque but not thick until cooled. Also once it cooled water separated from the lotion. Are these normal? I followed the recipe but it seems off. Smells great though!!
Hi Michelle! Typically that means that it was too hot when blended. It will separate if it isn’t blended at a cooler temperature. You could try to re-melt, cool the oils a bit, and then blend. Or if you make another batch just be sure to let it cool a bit more before blending. Hope that helps!
[…] Magnesium oil can be irritating to some people’s skin. If you find that is the case, you can use your homemade magnesium oil to make a nourishing lotion. Learn how to make the lotion here. […]
Loved your page. Want to try magnesium cream. Have one query, as no preservative is added to it, what would be it’s shelf life? As water is used to make magnesium oil,I would like to know how to increase the shelf life. TIA
Hi! The shelf life would be a year or possibly longer with correct storage. Definitely long enough to use up a batch! Be sure to keep the lid on when not in use and don’t expose it to extreme temperatures 🙂
Would lavender infused oil work in place of the EO?
Any substitutes for the African Shea butter?
Can I use epsom salts to make the magnesium oil or does it need to be magnesium chloride? Thank you.
Magnesium chloride works best as it is least irritating and absorbs easier. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate and can be more drying to the skin and not absorb as easily.
Seems to me no one has asked why all of their children have anxiety and insomnia….most likely the MSG in so many foods and dressings and sauces. Look to the source, not just the symptoms.