Magnesium Cream Recipe With Emulsifying Wax

This magnesium cream combines magnesium chloride brine with a simple oil-and-water lotion base, emulsified with cosmetic-grade emulsifying wax. It makes a smooth, scoopable cream; because it contains water, careful heating, clean equipment, and suitable preservation matter as much as the ingredients.

Ingredients

½ cup (120 ml) distilled water
½ cup (120 ml) magnesium chloride flakes
½ cup (120 ml) distilled water, for dissolving the flakes
¼ cup (55 g) shea butter
¼ cup (55 g) sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons (14 g) emulsifying wax NF, cosmetic grade
1 teaspoon (5 ml) broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative, suitable for lotions and used within its supplier’s recommended range

Instructions

Wash your hands and clean a heat-safe measuring cup, small saucepan, spoon, thermometer, and blender or milk frother. Sanitize the final jar and tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then let them air-dry completely. Use distilled water throughout; ordinary tap water can introduce minerals and microbes.
Make a concentrated magnesium chloride solution: combine the flakes and ½ cup (120 ml) distilled water in a heat-safe cup. Warm the mixture in a saucepan of hot water, stirring until the flakes dissolve. This can take several minutes. Set it aside to cool. The resulting solution is concentrated and may sting sensitive skin; do not use it undiluted as the finished cream.
Put the remaining ½ cup (120 ml) distilled water in a separate heat-safe cup. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the shea butter, almond oil, and emulsifying wax together, stirring until no wax pieces remain. Warm the water separately until both the oil mixture and water are approximately 160–170°F (71–77°C). A thermometer helps; do not let either mixture boil.
Pour the warmed water into the melted oil mixture in a thin stream while blending with a sanitized immersion blender or frother. Blend in short bursts for about 2 minutes, scraping the sides with a clean utensil as needed. The lotion should look evenly creamy, with no separate oil slicks.
Let the emulsion cool, stirring occasionally. When it is below 104°F (40°C), slowly blend in the cooled magnesium solution. Adding it all at once can thin or destabilize the cream, so pour steadily while mixing. Continue blending briefly until the texture is uniform.
Once the cream is below 104°F (40°C), stir in the preservative according to its supplier’s directions. Preservatives differ in compatibility, use level, and temperature limits; if yours requires a different addition temperature or percentage, follow its instructions and recalculate the amount for the batch. Do not omit it for a product containing water.
Transfer the cream into the prepared jar, close it, and leave it undisturbed for 30 minutes to finish cooling and thicken. Label it with the date and ingredients. This recipe makes roughly 1½ cups (360 ml), depending on the flakes and final texture.

Tips

Use emulsifying wax NF made for cosmetics, not candle wax, beeswax alone, or a food thickener. Beeswax does not reliably bind this water-based mixture.
Sweet almond oil can be replaced with jojoba or sunflower oil in the same quantity. The feel may change slightly; avoid nut-derived oils if they are unsuitable for anyone who may use the cream.
Keep both phases at similar temperatures when combining, and blend in short bursts. A temperature mismatch or an inadequately melted wax can cause separation.
Patch-test a small amount on intact skin and wait 24 hours before broader use. Magnesium chloride can cause tingling or irritation, especially on freshly shaved, broken, or sensitive skin; rinse off if irritation occurs and avoid eyes and mucous membranes.

Serving Suggestions

This is a topical body cream, not a food or drink. If you choose to use it, start with a small amount on intact skin and allow it to absorb before dressing; the oil and shea butter may leave a slight residue. Wash your hands after application, and keep the cream away from children and pets. Do not apply it to wounds or use it as a substitute for medical care.

Variations

For a lighter-feeling cream, replace the shea butter with the same weight of sunflower oil, keeping the emulsifying wax unchanged. The result will be softer and may feel less rich. For a firmer cream, do not simply add more wax: that can create a waxy texture or upset the emulsion. First make a small test batch and adjust the oil-to-water balance only with a reliable cosmetic formulation method.

You can leave the cream unscented, which is the simplest option for sensitive skin. If adding a fragrance or essential oil, use only a skin-safe product at its documented leave-on use level, account for it in the formula, and check that it is compatible with the preservative. Scent does not preserve the cream.

Storage and Reheating

Store the finished cream in a tightly closed, sanitized container in the refrigerator and use a clean, dry spatula rather than wet fingers. Since preservation performance depends on the exact preservative, pH, and hygienic handling—and this home recipe has not been laboratory-tested—make a small batch and discard it after 2 weeks. Discard it sooner if the smell, color, texture, or appearance changes, or if you see mold. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and do not freeze it; thawing can break the emulsion. Do not reheat it. A preservative reduces microbial risk but does not make a contaminated product safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without a preservative?
No—not as a stored cream. The formula contains water, and microbes can grow even when a product looks and smells normal. A refrigerator and clean utensils are helpful but are not substitutes for a compatible broad-spectrum preservative. Without one, do not store or share the batch; use a professionally formulated product instead.

Can I use magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt instead?
Not as a direct swap. Magnesium chloride flakes dissolve into the concentrated solution used here; magnesium sulfate has different solubility and can behave differently in a lotion. Substituting it may affect texture and stability, so use a formula specifically developed for that salt.

Why did my cream turn runny or separate?
Common causes include insufficiently melted emulsifying wax, combining phases at very different temperatures, adding the magnesium solution too quickly, or changing the formula. Let it cool fully before judging its thickness. If oil or water remains separated, do not assume extra blending or reheating will make it safe or stable; discard it and make a fresh batch.

How much magnesium is in each serving?
The magnesium content per spoonful cannot be determined reliably from this recipe. Flake purity, the amount that dissolves, water loss, and how evenly the finished cream is mixed all affect the result. Do not use it as a measured magnesium dose or assume topical application replaces dietary or prescribed magnesium.

Can I make a larger batch?
For a first attempt, keep to this small quantity. Scaling can change heating, mixing, preservation, and stability. If you do scale a cosmetic formula, use a precise scale, recalculate preservative according to its supplier’s instructions, and have the finished product professionally assessed for stability and microbial safety.

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