Should You Use Magnesium Oil on Your Feet?

Some people apply magnesium oil to their feet to help improve sleep and pain. While research supports the effectiveness of topical (on skin) applications of magnesium, no studies show that using magnesium on your feet can help.

Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in hundreds of body processes, like muscle contractions and blood pressure. It may be useful for improving sleep, muscle relaxation, and pain relief.

Most research uses magnesium taken by mouth (in pill or liquid form). Some studies have found that applying magnesium to the skin can be useful.

Improved Sleep and Relaxation

Many studies have reported that magnesium helps improve sleep quality and how fast you fall asleep. The mineral helps regulate levels of melatonin, cortisol (the stress hormone), and other chemicals that help you relax and fall asleep.

Research has shown that magnesium may improve restless leg syndrome symptoms, which include uncomfortable sensations in the legs that often worsen when lying in bed. However, these studies were not specifically performed using magnesium applied to the feet.

Muscle Recovery and Relaxation

Magnesium may also help with muscle recovery, soreness, and relaxation. This may be useful if you have muscle damage caused by exercise or physical activity. Researchers have not reported information on magnesium oil applied to the feet.

Pain Relief

Magnesium supplements have been shown to help relieve pain. One study was performed in women with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain and tiredness. People with fibromyalgia may also have low magnesium levels, which can influence symptoms.

The study asked participants to apply a magnesium spray to their arms and legs twice daily for four weeks. By the second week, many participants saw an improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms.

More research is needed to understand if magnesium oil applied to the feet can also help with pain relief.

Applying magnesium oil to your feet may help your body directly absorb the mineral into your bloodstream. Magnesium can pass through the outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis, and reach your blood vessels. From there, the mineral enters your bloodstream and goes to work in the body where it is needed.

When you swallow a medication, the digestive system helps break the supplement down to use in your body. This can cause gastrointestinal side effects like stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Applying medication directly to your skin can lower the risk of these side effects.

Magnesium absorption happens best in areas with sweat glands and hair follicles. Though your feet do not have hair follicles, they do have plenty of sweat glands. These sweat glands may help medications applied to the skin enter the body quickly.

Topical magnesium can be found in many forms, including oil, cream, lotion, spray, and salts. When applying magnesium oil to your feet, first test the oil on a small area of skin. Before applying it to your entire foot, wait to see if you experience any side effects or reactions to the oil, like burning or stinging.

Before applying magnesium oil, start with feet that are clean, dry, and free of lotion, sweat, or other products. This will help you absorb as much of the product as possible. Avoid applying magnesium oil to your feet if you have any cuts or scratches. This can cause pain and issues with healing. Once applied, you can massage the oil into your skin to help with absorption and blood flow to the area.

If you are using magnesium oil for sleep, it is best to apply the product right before you go to sleep. If the oil makes your feet dry, you can apply moisturizer afterward. Read the label of your magnesium oil product or talk with a healthcare provider to determine the best dose and frequency of use.

Choosing a Magnesium Oil

The most commonly used magnesium forms for skin application are magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate. The amount of magnesium in a product may vary. Read the label and talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about a magnesium oil product.

Ingesting large amounts of magnesium through your diet or supplements may raise your risk for gastrointestinal side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Applying magnesium oil to your skin lowers your risk of these side effects.

Possible side effects of applying magnesium oil to the skin include rash, skin irritation, and redness in the area. Applying magnesium oil may cause pain and burning if you have broken skin or scratches.

Some people use magnesium oil on their feet to help improve sleep and pain, but there is little research that supports the effectiveness of applying magnesium oil to your feet. More research is needed to understand how magnesium oil on your feet can be useful.

If you are interested in using magnesium oil, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you decide if the product is safe and effective.