What is the Best Topical Magnesium?

The best topical magnesium bypasses the digestive system, saving you from the uncomfortable side effects powders and pills are notorious for while dramatically improving absorption rates. 

But there are so many different forms of magnesium, and tons of different ways to use them - sprays, oils, balms, and more. The BEST magnesium topical is a magnesium bath soak from Flewd Stresscare because you get:

• The most bioavailable magnesium chloride hexahydrate
• Targeted formulas for sleep, stress, aches, and more
• 99% natural ingredients for up to 5 days of relief

We’ll help you weigh your options below and choose the best topical magnesium for any purpose. Discover the #1 epsom salt replacement for your goals today!

Why Topical Magnesium?

Topical magnesium skips the digestive system entirely and delivers magnesium where your body can actually use it. But what does this vital mineral do in the first place?

Benefits of Magnesium

Magnesium influences over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, so you could make the case it’s the most important mineral for human health. It supports:

• Muscle relaxation
• Nerve signaling
• Energy production
• Sleep quality
• Stress recovery
• And so much more

That’s why low levels of magnesium in the body manifest in the form of fatigue, tension, poor sleep, or irritability. Replenishing it can improve several of these issues at the same time. The problem is, a lot of magnesium supplements cause more harm than good. 

Why Oral Supplementation Falls Short

Pills and powder sound convenient, but they come with side effects that make it hard to stick with long term. Most supplements pull water into the intestines, leading to bloating or diarrhea before much magnesium is absorbed.

Even higher doses don’t guarantee better results because the digestive system can only handle so much at once. A lot of what you take gets excreted as waste. That’s why the best topical magnesium is worth adding to your self-care ritual. 

Soaks, Sprays, Oils, and Balms: A Smarter Path to Absorption

Topical magnesium absorbs through the skin, or transdermally. This bypasses digestion and all the side effects and absorption shortcomings that come with it. You’ll get much higher rates of absorption through the skin. There are a few ways you can go about it.

We get asked all the time, does magnesium spray help you sleep? It can - but you’re only covering a very small bit of your body with the good stuff. That can lead to somewhat limited results.

Oils and balms are also useful for spot relief. Bath soaks are best because they cover the entire body at once, allow for longer absorption time, and support relaxation at the same time. Warm water also helps muscles and pores relax, making uptake more effective.

The Form of Magnesium Matters Too!

Yes, topical magnesium is better than oral magnesium - but there’s still more to consider. Magnesium oxide and sulfate are widely available and cheap, but they fall a bit short in terms of absorption.

The best magnesium topical tends to be crafted with magnesium chloride hexahydrate, because it absorbs more efficiently and delivers more usable magnesium. It dissolves easily, works well topically, and tends to produce more consistent results for stress, muscle tension, and sleep.

You can learn more about magnesium chloride vs magnesium glycinate, magnesium carbonate vs magnesium citrate, and many other types of magnesium in our blog. In the meantime, we want to introduce the best topical magnesium supplements below.

What is the Best Topical Magnesium?

There’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all answer on which magnesium topical supplement is best. It all depends on what you’re struggling with. Is it sleeplessness, restless legs, aches, stress, or something else entirely? 

We’ve handpicked the best magnesium topical solutions on the market right now, but the #1 choice is the stress relief bath soak lineup at Flewd Stresscare. 

Flewd Stresscare Bath Soaks

• Type: Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate

• Other Ingredients: Vitamins, Amino Acids, Nootropics, Omega-3s, and more.

• Price: As low as $7.16 per soak

Flewd Stresscare builds every soak around magnesium chloride hexahydrate, the most absorbable form of topical magnesium. You get 8x more magnesium, but it’s just one ingredient used. Every formula is tailored to a specific goal with other complementary ingredients:

• Ache Erasing combines magnesium with Omega-3s, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D to support recovery and relaxation after long days or physical stress. 
• Insomnia Ending layers in Vitamins A and E plus L-Carnitine to help the nervous system settle and support deeper rest. 
• Anxiety Destroying adds zinc and a full B-vitamin complex to help you unwind mentally and physically.
• Rage Squashing brings together Nootropic Chromium and Vitamin B12 to take you from on edge to cool, calm, and collected.
• Fatigue Defeating balances Tryptophan, Potassium, and Vitamin B6 to banish sluggish feels and help you get stuff done.
• Sads Smashing has Vitamins B3 & B6 and Nootropics to bring good vibes back to your life. 

Each has its own scent profile, too, ranging from light and vibrant to musky and fragrant. But Flewd Stresscare never uses artificial junk. Every soak is 99% natural, non-toxic, paraben-free, biodegradable, and vegan.

Using the soak is easy, too. Dump a packet in your bathtub and indulge in the ultimate self-care for 15-30 minutes. You don’t have to rinse off after, though you can if you’d like. You’re getting stress-reducing nutrients for up to 5 days. Use your chosen soak thrice a week.

Alo Magnesium Reset Spray

• Type: Magnesium Chloride

• Other Ingredients: Valerian, arnica, aloe vera, amla, turmeric, basil, skullcap, avocado oil

• Price: $48

This magnesium spray is made for muscle recovery and unwinding post-workout. It blends bioavailable magnesium chloride with valerian and arnica and has become really popular for after workouts, yoga, or long days on your feet. It absorbs fast, doesn’t feel greasy, and works well when applied directly to problem areas like calves, shoulders, or lower back.

It’s a spray, so you get complete control over where you get relief. That can be a good thing or a limitation. This solution is fine for spot relief, but it’s definitely not the best topical magnesium for whole-body wellness. You don’t get the same amount of magnesium you would from a soak.

The herbal blend brings a calming, spa-like vibe to your post-workout routine, and although the ingredient list is long, Alo is known for keeping its formulas clean. 

Cymbiotika Adaptogenic Sleep Spray

• Type: Magnesium Chloride

• Other Ingredients: Ashwagandha, reishi, shiitake, dragon’s blood, lavender, aloe, copper

• Price: $36

Cymbiotika’s spray leans heavily into adaptogens and botanicals alongside magnesium chloride. It’s made specifically for your bedtime ritual with a sea of calming ingredients to help you unwind physically and mentally.

The brand recommends spraying the feet, legs, or torso before bed. It works relatively quickly, but not everyone likes crawling into a clean bed feeling like they just bathed themselves in a salty substance. You’re not getting the whole-body reach you would with a soak, either.

It’s still one of the best topical magnesium products for those who find restless legs keep them up at night, and we like the adaptogens included. But the long ingredient list (with DMSO on it) can raise some scrutiny. And like most sprays, the effects are just a bit limited in scope. 

Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Body Butter 

• Type: Magnesium Chloride

• Other Ingredients: Lavender, chamomile, patchouli, nourishing plant oils

• Price: $41

If you’d rather lotion up than spray down before bed, this could be the best magnesium topical solution. Neom’s body butter blends topical magnesium with rich moisturizers and sleep-focused essential oils. 

It’s meant to be massaged into the skin as part of an evening routine. You’re getting relaxation, scent, and skincare in one simple step. The lavender-forward aroma is the main draw here and pairs well with mindful breathing before bed.

It’s a thick lotion, so absorption is slower and magnesium delivery is lighter. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker if you use it alongside Flewd Stresscare bath soaks other nights of the week, otherwise the actual impact on sleep can be less noticeable. 

Salt Lab Magnesium Spray

• Type: Magnesium Chloride

• Other Ingredients: None

• Price: $64

Last but not least we have another spray, this one stripped of all other ingredients. You get just pure magnesium chloride, straight from the Tibetan Plateau. 

This spray dries quickly without leaving residue. Many people use it daily on their feet or legs to support relaxation and sleep quality. There are no added botanicals or fragrances to complicate things. But that also means your relief is going to be somewhat one-dimensional.

And like all magnesium sprays we highlighted, it’s hard to call this the best topical magnesium when you want full body benefit. Magnesium exposure stays limited to the application area.

Tips on Choosing the Best Magnesium Topical Product

Not every magnesium topical works the same way, so the right choice depends on what you’re dealing with and how you’ll actually use it. These are the things you need to factor in:

• If fatigue or stress is your main issue: You need magnesium delivered over a larger surface area, so stick with bath soaks. Full-body exposure gives your system more time and space to absorb magnesium.
• If muscle soreness is localized: Sprays or oils work well for calves, shoulders, or lower back after workouts or long days. But, even still, a muscle bath soak probably makes more sense. 
• If sleep is the priority: Warm bath soaks or calming lotions are going to set the stage better for bedtime.
• Check the magnesium form: Magnesium chloride absorbs better than sulfate or oxide. If the label doesn’t clearly state the form, that’s a red flag.
• Pay attention to ingredient load: Minimal formulas are a must for sensitive skin. Botanical blends can feel nice but aren’t always necessary for magnesium support.

Daily sprays are easy to maintain. Soaks work best a few times a week when you want deeper recovery, though. Whatever you go with, make sure to pay attention to how the formula affects you. Mild tingling can happen, especially at first. Consistent irritation usually means the format or concentration isn’t right for you, though. 

Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Best Topical Magnesium

The best magnesium topical can make a big difference in how you feel daily - it can impact sleep quality, stress response, mood, physical tension, and so much more. But don’t settle for sprays or lotions. The best topical magnesium is a Flewd Stresscare soak.

These soaks bring you magnesium chloride hexahydrate in a way your body can truly use, paired with targeted formulas for stress, sleep, soreness, and fatigue. Try a Flewd soak and turn your next bath into real magnesium support! 

“I take at least 2 soaks a week bc of the way they leave me feeling. It helps me reset midway through the week and then I finish my weekend and start my week with a soak. It’s become a ritual that I don’t go without. They smell amazing too!” - Lauren

“I appreciate these soaks so much in a cold winter night. I love the different themes for sadness, aches, panic, anxiety, etc. I gave some for gifts and they were a hit!” - Jennifer

“This is my favorite scent. I notice a HUGE difference in my stress levels with a 20-30 min soak!” - Katie