You have probably heard that magnesium is important for various essential cellular activities in the body, but did you know there are benefits of magnesium for skin care as well?
This pure mineral helps replenish the skin with other essential minerals and hydrates and soothes it. It may also help you treat a variety of skin issues. In this article, you will learn about the benefits of magnesium, how to use it, its side effects, and much more. Keep reading!
In This Article
What Is Magnesium? Expert Insights
Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explains, “Magnesium plays a role in many important interactions between enzymes in our body. It helps with many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve activation, blood pressure, bones, and heart.”
Magnesium provides incredible advantages to the skin as well. Let’s find out more in the following section!
Benefits Of Magnesium For Skin
1. Improves Skin Barrier Function
According to a study, magnesium salts are beneficial in preventing inflammatory diseases. The research examined the efficacy of a magnesium chloride-rich Dead Sea solution. It was found that bathing in a Dead Sea salt solution improved skin barrier function in people with dry skin (1).
Related: 38 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Dry Skin On The Face
2. Enhances Skin Hydration And Reduces Inflammation
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Research states that bathing in a Dead Sea solution rich in magnesium increases skin hydration and moisture. In addition, it reduces skin roughness and redness, which are indicators of inflammation (1).
Dr. Chacon adds, “Magnesium provides many benefits to the skin that include hydration and moisturization as well as creating an overall glow that is pleasant to the aesthetic eye.”
She adds, “When applied topically, magnesium oil can help reduce the oiliness of the skin by breaking apart fats and oils. It can help reduce the severity and appearance of acne breakouts. There’s also some additional evidence that it is helpful for eczema and rosacea as well as other skin conditions.”
Related: Skin Inflammation: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment
3. Controls Body Odor
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Magnesium is a common ingredient in most natural deodorants as it is said to regulate odor by facilitating a gentle detoxification process in the body. This may help remove unpleasant body odors and keep your skin smelling fresh.
There are various ways to use magnesium to get its maximum benefits for healthy skin. Let’s check them out.
Related: 18 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Body Odor And Tips To Follow
How To Use Magnesium To Get Healthy Skin
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There are a few things you can do to use magnesium to improve your skin:
- Eat foods rich in magnesium like nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, leafy vegetables, milk, yogurt and fortified foods.
- Take magnesium supplements, like magnesium citrate.
- Use a magnesium chloride-infused moisturizer that is made with healthy, non-toxic ingredients. Use it up to 3 times per day for maximum results.
- Take 1 to 3 pumps of magnesium oil into your hand and rub it into your skin thoroughly every day.
Did You Know? Eating dark chocolate can give you a good amount of magnesium, as one ounce of this treat contains 64 mg of magnesium.
“Magnesium on the skin is best used as an oil. The oil itself can be rubbed on the skin. It is available in spray bottles or can be made at home by mixing magnesium flakes with boiled and distilled water,” remarks Dr. Chacon.
But, how much magnesium should you use on your skin? See what an expert has to say about it in the next section!
How Much Magnesium Should You Take For Your Skin?
According to Dr. Chacon, “One should start with a cautious amount of 100 mg per day. You may increase it depending on the level of tolerance. However, if you notice any side effects, please get in touch with your doctor immediately and stop using it.”
Before adding magnesium to your skin care routine, you must know a few preventative measures. Read on to find out.
StyleCraze Says You can also use magnesium by adding magnesium flakes to warm bath water and soaking in it for some time to help absorb magnesium in the body.
Precautions To Be Considered
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- Magnesium on the skin may lead to side effects. Perform a patch test on your forearm before you start applying it to your face.
- It is important not to overuse magnesium. Take less than 350 mg daily.
- Avoid taking magnesium supplements in conjunction with medications for depression or anxiety and some antibiotics. Consult your healthcare provider before you start consuming it.
Dr. Chacon adds, “Individuals with conditions like diabetes, intestinal disease, heart disease, or kidney disease should be cautious while taking magnesium supplements. It is important to take it in moderation. Magnesium overdose can lead to nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. In some rare cases, high doses can be fatal too. But this happens only in the case of internal ingestion of a tablet. The same rules may not apply to magnesium for skin care. Topically, like other substances, it may cause an allergic reaction.”
Although magnesium is one of the most beneficial ingredients, it has some surprising side effects. Find out more in the next section!
Side Effects Of Magnesium
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Magnesium on the skin can lead to several side effects like:
- Stinging or burning sensation.
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, and face.
- Hives or itching.
- Skin rash.
- Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting when taken orally.
- Kidney problems.
- Skin dryness.
- Unusual sweating.
- Too much magnesium intake may result in irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and eventual death.
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The Final Takeaway
Magnesium offers some therapeutic benefits for the skin. It can help improve the skin’s health by increasing its firmness and moisture. In addition, it may reduce inflammation and acne. However, in some cases, it may lead to adverse reactions in certain people. So, if you are new to this ingredient, perform a patch test before you start using it. In case of any adverse effects, stop using the product and consult a doctor immediately.
