Magnesium is a mineral many people seek to absorb through their skin, a method known as transdermal application, often using magnesium oil. Coconut oil is a long-standing fixture in health and beauty routines due to its moisturizing properties. Given the popularity of both, combining these two substances is a common desire, aiming for a single, convenient application that delivers the magnesium while also conditioning the skin. This requires clear guidance on how to effectively merge these disparate ingredients.
The Nature of the Ingredients and Mixing Feasibility
The question of combining these products hinges entirely on their chemical makeup. Specifically, magnesium “oil” is not an oil at all; despite its name, it is a highly saturated brine. It is magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in water, creating a concentrated salt solution that is an aqueous, or water-based, substance.
Coconut oil, conversely, is a true lipid composed of medium-chain fatty acids, and is therefore an oil-based substance. This fundamental difference means that when simply stirred or shaken together, the two liquids are immiscible. They follow the basic rule that water and oil do not naturally mix.
A casual mixture will quickly separate into two distinct layers, with the water-based magnesium brine settling away from the coconut oil. This means you cannot create a stable, homogenous mixture without an additional step. The inherent incompatibility necessitates specific preparation techniques to temporarily bind the two phases together.
Practical Reasons for Combining Magnesium and Coconut Oil
The primary motivation for blending these substances is to mitigate common side effects associated with applying the concentrated magnesium solution directly to the skin. Many users report a stinging, itching, or tingling sensation when using pure magnesium chloride brine. This reaction is often temporary and can be related to the high salt concentration on the skin’s surface.
The addition of coconut oil acts as a physical barrier and a deep moisturizer, which helps to minimize this discomfort. By creating a buffer layer on the skin, the oil can significantly reduce the stinging sensation.
Pure magnesium oil often leaves a sticky or tacky salt residue on the skin after the water evaporates. Coconut oil’s emollient properties counteract this drying and tacky effect, resulting in a much softer and smoother post-application feel. Combining them achieves the desired transdermal magnesium absorption with a more pleasant and nourishing experience.
How to Prepare and Apply the Mixture Effectively
Since the water-based magnesium brine and the lipid-based coconut oil do not mix naturally, effectively combining them requires specific application strategies.
Layering Application
The simplest approach involves layering the products rather than trying to pre-mix them into a single solution. First, apply the magnesium oil to the skin and allow it ten to fifteen minutes to absorb. Then, apply a layer of coconut oil over the top to moisturize and eliminate any sticky residue.
Creating a Magnesium Body Butter
For those preferring a single, ready-to-use product, a semi-stable “Magnesium Body Butter” can be created through emulsification. This method typically uses a solid fat like coconut oil, often combined with shea or cocoa butter. The fat is melted and then cooled until it becomes opaque and semi-solid.
The magnesium brine is slowly added to this cooled fat mixture while whipping rapidly with a hand mixer or immersion blender. This vigorous whipping action traps microscopic droplets of the brine within the fat matrix, creating a light, fluffy, and generally stable emulsion.
A common starting ratio is approximately one part magnesium oil to two parts total solid fats. The resulting cream should be massaged into areas of the body with thinner skin, like the feet, legs, or torso, for optimal absorption. Even the whipped blend may separate over time, so it should be stored in an airtight container and may require occasional re-whipping or stirring before each application.