Magnesium is an important mineral that carries out several vital bodily functions. Its skin-specific benefits include revealing a smoother complexion, calming sensitivity, and fighting the primary cause of acne – excess sebum.
Although magnesium is present in various foods, industrialized methods for harvesting and processing these foods strip most of their magnesium content. This is why more people opt for transdermal magnesium, such as magnesium sprays and oils.
Reduces Inflammation
The super-nutrient magnesium accomplishes about 300 important biochemical reactions in our bodies. These include cellular energy production, the synthesis of DNA, and transporting calcium and potassium across cells. It also plays a huge role in bone formation and regulation of hormones like parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Magnesium acts as a natural calcium antagonist and NMDA receptor blocker and also as a vasodilator, which improves blood flow throughout the body, bringing nutrients to the skin, hair, and nails.
Lackluster nails indicate that our body isn’t getting the essential vitamins and minerals it needs. However, these life-giving nutrients can only be delivered promptly and thoroughly if the delivery team-our circulatory system is in tip-top shape. Magnesium is the uber-efficient logistics manager, reducing congestion and clearing our arteries.
Studies have shown that people who eat more magnesium-rich foods, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans, have lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation. These studies did not investigate the mechanism, but magnesium may play an important protective role against inflammatory-related disease.
Ideally, it would help if you tried to get all the magnesium you need from your diet. However, if you have a difficult time with absorption, magnesium supplements are helpful. In addition, a recent study found that topical application of magnesium can also help improve your magnesium levels.
Regulates Cellular Regeneration
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body, and it’s needed for many things – it’s essential to the brain, nerves, heart, muscles, and more. But many of us don’t get enough, leading to many health problems.
Luckily, magnesium is absorbed well through the skin, so topical applications are a great way to add it to your routine. It’s commonly found in bath flakes and salts, mixed with water to make oils or sprays, and even in lotions and gels.
A randomized clinical trial that tested the efficacy of a magnesium-rich lotion on 34 healthy participants has shown that transdermal magnesium application can significantly increase serum magnesium levels. This was achieved by applying a magnesium-rich cream to the skin for two weeks and measuring serum and 24 h urinary magnesium levels.
The magnesium benefits for your skin include softening and hydrating, shrinking pores, and removing dead cells and excess oil. It also regulates cellular regeneration, which helps prevent inflammation, slows down aging, and keeps your immune system in check. It’s no wonder many beauty brands now incorporate it into their products. You can pick up magnesium in lotions, like Glossier’s Super Glow Vitamin C & Magnesium Serum or Drunk Elephant’s Sili Body Lotion, as well as in magnesium-rich face masks, like Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep Overnight Facial.
Improves Sleep
Getting a good night’s rest is critical for your health and appearance. Insufficient sleep can lead to irritability, poor focus, and depression. One study by German scientists found that supplementing with magnesium helped participants regulate the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, which are responsible for sending signals to your body that help you feel relaxed and ready for sleep. When these two systems are regulated, they can help you fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. Magnesium also works well with melatonin to improve circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycles.
If you have trouble falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night, it could be a sign of an undiagnosed sleep disorder, Gurubhagavatula cautions. A professional can help you identify the issue and recommend proper treatment.
The easiest way to boost your magnesium is by eating more foods that are naturally rich in this mineral, like nuts and leafy vegetables.
You can also take magnesium supplements — typically available in magnesium sulfate and look similar to coarse table salt — or use a topical spray that combines magnesium chloride with a light carrier oil, such as this spray from HigherDose. However, it’s important to note that absorption from the skin is limited and will not significantly raise your magnesium levels if deficient.
Encourages Hair Growth
Magnesium isn’t called a super supplement for anything; this mineral plays an important role in more than 300 different chemical reactions in the body that affect skin health. It also helps replenish the skin with other essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and adrenaline. The nutrient reduces inflammation, encourages cellular regeneration, and improves the condition of hair and nails.
A magnesium deficiency can lead to thinning hair and brittle nails, but this beauty-boosting mineral counteracts some of the symptoms by regulating hormones that trigger them. It also helps prevent clogged hair follicles by improving blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring healthy, luscious locks.
The mineral is a key ingredient in many beauty products, so you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine. It’s a common ingredient in beauty oil sprays that you can use to massage into the skin, but you can also make your own from magnesium flakes and boiled distilled water.
Try Glossier’s Super Glow Vitamin C & Magnesium Serum, Drunk Elephant’s Sili Body Lotion, Ren’s Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash, or Neom’s Incredible Perfect Night’s Sleep Overnight Facial Cream to see the results for yourself.
Have you noticed that some people have an unmistakable glow about them? They probably have ample amounts of magnesium in their bodies. This wonder mineral helps to alleviate stress and anxiety, promotes a good night’s sleep, removes toxins at a cellular level, strengthens muscles, and even reduces wrinkles.