Magnesium Supplements Wellness Hub

If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram in the past year or two, you've probably seen it: someone sitting on the edge of their bed, spritzing magnesium spray on the soles of their feet, and claiming they now sleep better than they have in years. The comments are always full of people asking where to buy it. It's a trend we get asked about a lot — and our honest take is that it's more nuanced than either side of the internet wants to admit. So let's go through it properly. Why did this trend take off? Magnesium has been having a moment. It's one of the most talked-about minerals in the wellness space right now — and for good reason. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle function, nervous system regulation, and the production of GABA, the neurotransmitter that tells your brain it's safe to wind down and sleep. The "spray it on your feet" angle went viral because people were looking for an alternative to oral supplements, which can cause digestive upset in some people, and because the ritual of it — sitting quietly, massaging your feet before bed — felt calming in itself. And the results people reported? Better sleep, fewer leg cramps, less tossing and turning. Millions of views, thousands of five-star comments. But does the science back it up? What we actually know about topical magnesium Transdermal magnesium — that is, magnesium absorbed through the skin — does have genuine scientific support. Research published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine found that magnesium levels can increase meaningfully following topical application. Some studies suggest transdermal delivery may even outperform oral supplementation for certain applications, particularly because it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract entirely. That said, the evidence specifically for sleep improvement via topical magnesium is still emerging. We know oral magnesium is well-supported for sleep quality. We know topical magnesium is absorbed. The direct line between the two is plausible — but researchers are still building that evidence base. What we can say with confidence: Topical magnesium is absorbed through the skin, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of sweat glands and hair follicles Magnesium supports GABA function, which is central to relaxation and sleep onset Magnesium relaxes muscles, which is especially relevant for people whose sleep is disrupted by leg cramps, restless legs, or physical tension The ritual itself has real value — applying a product mindfully before bed, massaging your feet, slowing down — this is evidence-based sleep hygiene, regardless of what you're applying Why feet specifically? This is actually a fair question. The soles of the feet have a high density of sweat glands and nerve endings, which can support absorption of topical products. They're also an easy, convenient place to apply a spray without getting it on your pillow or sheets. From a purely practical standpoint, your feet are also one of the last things you do before getting into bed — which makes application a natural trigger for your brain to start winding down. If you find magnesium spray tingles on other parts of your body (especially when you first start using it — this is normal and usually settles within a week or two), the feet tend to be better tolerated. You can also work up to applying it to your calves, shoulders, or anywhere you carry tension. Where it genuinely shines Topical magnesium applied before bed tends to be most useful for: Leg cramps and restless legs. Foot and leg cramps are one of the most common sleep disruptors in adults, and magnesium's muscle-relaxing properties are well-documented. Applying the spray directly to the legs and feet before bed makes good physiological sense here. The "tired but wired" feeling. If you're exhausted but your mind won't switch off, that's often a nervous system that hasn't had the signal to stand down. Magnesium supports that shift. The act of massaging it in also activates the body's relaxation response in a very direct way. Busy parents and active people. If you've been on your feet all day, done a workout, or carried a lot of physical tension — topical magnesium on the legs and feet before bed is a genuinely helpful recovery tool. People who can't tolerate oral magnesium. Oral magnesium can cause loose stools at higher doses — it's one of the most common reasons people stop taking it. Topical application sidesteps this completely. The honest verdict Topical magnesium on your feet before bed is low risk, has legitimate physiological support, and forms part of a calming bedtime ritual that will help your sleep regardless of how much magnesium you absorb. Is it a magic cure for insomnia? No. If you have a clinical sleep disorder, please talk to your GP — there are well-evidenced treatments available. But is it a reasonable, natural, safe thing to add to your wind-down routine? Absolutely. And for people dealing with muscle cramps, restless legs, or a nervous system that runs hot, it can make a very real difference. How to do it properly Step 1. After your shower or before getting into bed, spray The Base Collective Magnesium Oil Spray onto the soles of your feet and up your calves if you like. Step 2. Massage it in for 30–60 seconds. Take a breath. This is the moment to start winding down. Step 3. Allow it to absorb fully before putting on socks or applying moisturiser — around 5–10 minutes is ideal. Step 4. In winter, or if your skin tends to dry out, swap to our Magnesium & Vitamin E Cream — it delivers the same magnesium benefit with extra hydration. For kids: Our Magnesium Baby Wash and Baby Balm bring the same calming mineral into bath and bedtime routines for little ones — no spray required. A final note on magnesium deficiency Modern diets, stress, caffeine, alcohol, and sweat all deplete magnesium stores. Many adults are walking around mildly deficient without knowing it. Common signs include poor sleep, muscle twitches or cramps, low energy, anxiety, and that persistent "tired but wired" feeling. Restoring magnesium — through diet, topical application, or both — often brings a subtle but noticeable steadiness: better sleep quality, calmer mornings, fewer muscle complaints. The TikTok trend might be a little overhyped. But the mineral itself? That one's the real deal. Explore The Base Collective's full magnesium range at thebasecollective.com

You might think we're biased. After all we've very clearly about getting you Magnesium intake via your skin. (If you want to know why you need Magnesium you can read all about that here.) But there are several good reason why we recommend transdermal application of Magnesium rather than oral Magnesium supplements and we've jotted them down right here for you.   Why you should spray your magnesium instead of swallow  Magnesium. It’s relaxing and calming, energising and rejuvenating… so how can you benefit most? While certain foods and supplements can increase your magnesium levels, we’re big advocates for transdermal application and its ability to absorb magnesium through the skin. While supplements may seem like a quick fix for your deficiency, applying this incredible mineral topically actually allows for you to hit the exact spot you need it. Plus, you can treat your skin while you’re at it. Who doesn’t want that?   Why can’t I just eat magnesium enriched foods? To increase magnesium levels, you can turn to foods such as spinach, almonds and avocados, which are all high in magnesium. However, when passed through the digestive system, much of this crucial mineral is lost. Milk, coffee and excessive alcohol consumption for example, can further inhibit how much magnesium is absorbed through the small and large intestines.(2) Other factors such as stress, digestive issues and kidney malfunction can too play a part. When sourcing magnesium solely from food, you should also be aware that cooking, boiling, processing and refining food can deplete its magnesium content by up to 85%!(1)   Magnesium supplements can be destroyed in the gut! Did you know that majority of magnesium ingested is destroyed in the gut? According to one study, the amount of dietary magnesium absorbed can fluctuate between 24-76%, with the rest being eliminated through waste.(3) As oral magnesium supplements aren’t the most effective, we recommend increasing your levels with topical treatments!    How can transdermal magnesium help? One of the reasons we love topical magnesium, is that it can be used to target sore spots over the entire body. If you often have headaches or migraines for example, applying magnesium to the base of your neck can help alleviate tension. Struggling with period pain? Apply to the lower abdomen! Topical magnesium is also fantastic for relieving specific conditions such as restless leg syndrome or sleeplessness. Applying a little magnesium to the soles of your feet before bed works wonders. For topical application, we recommend our Magnesium Oil which may assist with anything from muscle fatigue to feeling stressed. To build up your tolerance, start with only one or two sprays both morning and night. Apply to your stomach, back or legs, slowly working up to 10 sprays.   Can I apply topical magnesium while taking other medication? Another great benefit of applying magnesium transdermally, is that it won’t interfere with any other medications you may be taking. Once applied to the skin, your body will only absorb what it needs! It’s a safe and simple way to increase your magnesium levels, while treating your skin.   Your skin will thank you! Speaking of treating your skin, incorporating magnesium based products into your everyday routine not only benefits your body… you'll also be left feeling smooth and hydrated! Getting into the habit of moisturising with our Magnesium + White Tea Body Balm for example, means you can increase your magnesium levels each day without thinking. We all love a good multitasking product!   Still got questions? Shoot through an email to hello@thebasecollective.com and we'll get back to you with any questions you have. Afterall, Magnesium is pretty much our favourite topic to talk about these days!         (1)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1855626/ (2)www.saveourbones.com/what-you-should-and-shouldnt-do-to-get-maximum-magnesium-bioavailability/   Stock image via pexel.com