Frequently Asked Questions

Topical magnesium is healing by way of the skin, a living, breathing organ with tremendous potential for re-mineralizing the body. The skin has the ability to absorb substances that are then carried by the circulatory system around the body. Ancient Minerals magnesium products penetrate the cells with dramatic results on cell biochemistry, and are inexpensive, safe, and convenient.

Actually no, although this is a common misconception. Magnesium “oil” is a term that was coined early in the development of transdermal magnesium therapy. It refers to the hygroscopic nature (attracts water molecules) of a highly saturated solution of magnesium chloride in water along with other trace elements. This super-saturated solution happens to present itself in an oil-like texture and lends itself particularly to absorption via the skin.

The pristine source for Ancient Minerals magnesium products lies within a deep underground seabed in Northern Europe–nearly two miles beneath the surface—referred to as the Ancient Zechstein Sea. It is extracted from the earth by a process known as solution mining, and it is globally the most coveted source of naturally occurring magnesium chloride in existence. For more information, please visit www.genuinezechstein.com.

There are several options available for purchasing Ancient Minerals magnesium products:

Ancient Minerals magnesium products are also available on the web through select authorized vendors.

While many manufacturers rely on the phrases “pharmaceutical grade” and “USP Grade” to convey a sense of quality to consumers, one must be familiar with their definition in order to have any true understanding of what these terms convey.

Both “pharmaceutical grade” and “USP Grade” refer to the same thing–the public standards set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia. There are several aspects of magnesium chloride defined by USP standards, but arguably the most important and controversial is the standard set for maximum allowable heavy metal content. This standard designates how much mercury, cadmium, lead and other toxic metals may be present while still receiving USP certification.

In the case of magnesium chloride, the USP standard allows for a maximum heavy metal content of 10 parts per million (ppm). Because transdermal magnesium chloride comes into direct contact with our skin where it is absorbed into the bloodstream, we should pay particular attention to the fact that these allowed elements are known toxins. Even as low as a single part per million of mercury can have negative effects.

What this means for you the consumer is that manufacturers can casually use the phrase “pharmaceutical grade” without telling you exactly what toxic heavy metals exist in the finished product at what levels–so long as these levels are below the USP limit.

By no means do we consider this an acceptable practice, and certainly not a suitable method to represent the purity of Ancient Minerals. And, for that reason, we refer to the “ultra-purity” of Ancient Minerals as being far beyond any pharmaceutical standard that exists in the world, period. We are completely transparent in our efforts to redefine purity.

Ancient Minerals topical magnesium products are completely free of:

• Mercury
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Fluoride

Genuine Zechstein® lab results are available proudly to all who seek them. For more information on these results, please feel free to contact us.

Some users of magnesium oil and magnesium gel with sensitive skin may experience tingling and/or slight irritation at the site of application due to the high concentration of magnesium chloride. This is completely harmless, and varies based on a number of factors, including how much is applied and where it is applied on the body.

Diluting the magnesium oil 1:1 with pure spring water can reduce this effect, although this is a matter of personal preference. Those who experience this effect also report that the tingling lessens with each subsequent application.

Another option is to choose Ancient Minerals magnesium lotion or magnesium bath flakes, for use in foot soaks and/or full body soaks, which offer a gentler form of transdermal magnesium therapy, for those with extremely sensitive or broken skin.

No, there is little to no potential for a laxative effect. This is a fundamental advantage of using Ancient Minerals magnesium products topically, as your skin can naturally self-regulate the absorption of minerals.

There are two primary reasons:

1. Meaningful quantities of magnesium from dietary supplements have a tendency to create a laxative effect in the majority of users. This reduces transit time through the gastrointestinal tract and decreases overall absorption.
2. When large quantities of magnesium are taken in a single dose, a smaller overall percentage of magnesium is absorbed.

This is a matter of personal choice, often dependent on how well or how poorly each individual tolerates oral supplements.

Ancient Minerals topical magnesium represents a welcome alternative:

• For those who prefer to avoid the inconvenience of taking pills.
• For those who experience loose stools, diarrhea or GI upset when taking oral supplements

For those who do have limited tolerance, Ancient Minerals provides much needed additional magnesium without side effects.

Rinsing off magnesium oil or magnesium gel after use is a matter of personal preference, and depends on how much you apply and where it is applied on the body. Typically, the more magnesium oil or gel used per application, the higher likelihood you may prefer to rinse it off. In roughly twenty minutes your skin can take full advantage of topically applied magnesium, and it may be safely removed at that point. Keep in mind, also, that Ancient Minerals magnesium gel is designed not to be fully absorbed into the skin, so rinsing off after applying is a fairly common practice.

Avoid using Ancient Minerals magnesium gel, magnesium lotion or magnesium oil near mucus membranes such as the eyes and nose, which can cause some irritation.

In addition, though applying the magnesium oil and/or gel to broken skin or wounds can be highly therapeutic and cleansing, the high concentration of magnesium salts may cause discomfort. If you are using Ancient Minerals on broken skin or lesions (i.e. psoriasis, eczema, acne, etc.) it is strongly advised to begin with magnesium baths until the skin had a chance to start healing and become less sensitive to the higher concentration of magnesium chloride in the oil and gel.

No. The skin has a unique ability to self-regulate absorption, and therefore overuse is of little concern.

Most definitely! Ancient Minerals magnesium baths are the preferred application by most parents, and have been used with great success on children as young as 6 months old. They are not only safe, but also highly therapeutic and can calm even the most restless young ones.

Absolutely. Ancient Minerals topical magnesium products are just as effective on animals and pets as they are on humans. In fact, natural and alternative veterinary clinics around the world use our magnesium gel and magnesium oil for everything from wound care to general health maintenance.

Ancient Minerals is the only topical magnesium brand formulated using the exclusive Genuine Zechstein® magnesium chloride source. Other manufacturers use inferior forms of magnesium, sourced from impure ocean deposits and contaminated inland water sources.

This is correct. Ancient Minerals magnesium products are highly therapeutic and healing to skin conditions such as:

• Psoriasis
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Acne
• Poison oak, etc.

Topically applied magnesium chloride enhances skin barrier function, decreases inflammation, speeds wound healing, and augments skin cell hydration. However, if you have broken skin or a large portion of your body is affected, it is advised to begin your healing regimen with magnesium baths until the skin has had a chance to start healing and become less sensitive to the high concentration of magnesium salts in the magnesium gel, magnesium lotion and magnesium oil.

Magnesium is not only beneficial, but also essential! The body utilizes alkaline minerals such as magnesium to process cellular debris and counteract elevated uric acid production when combating a detox reaction. In addition, if there is not an adequate amount of magnesium for combating the detox reaction, it will remove the magnesium from the bones and body for this purpose.

Studies have shown that magnesium is one of the most commonly deficient nutrients in the chemically toxic individual. People who tend to retain chemical and heavy metal toxins were observed to excrete a high amount of magnesium in their urine, and have problems maintaining adequate magnesium levels. Most importantly, magnesium shields our cells from heavy metals such as aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel, which explains why we so desperately need magnesium for heavy metal detoxification.

Magnesium, for the most part, is indispensable for the survival of our cells, but takes on additional significance in the age of toxicity where our systems are overrun on a daily basis with heavy metals.

There is escalating evidence that low levels of magnesium plays a role in the deposition of heavy metals that may have accumulated in brain tissue. In fact, the cause and solution of numerous physical maladies can be as easy as correcting a magnesium deficiency. In addition, many of the difficulties with mercury chelation can be reduced when the subject is administered sufficient magnesium. Most information associated with chelation will tell you that chelating wastes minerals. Yet very little investigation has been done into the critical mineral whose loss cannot be tolerated without unacceptable risk.

Magnesium is vital for phase one detoxification and, along with other minerals such as zinc, dislodges toxic heavy metals from the body. The bottom line is that magnesium is a fundamental factor in the natural self-cleansing and detoxification responses of the body.

According to Doctor Frederica P. Perera, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, there is a 500-fold difference in the ability of each person to detoxify the same exact toxin. One of the main indicators is each individual’s level of magnesium. For these reasons, the use of Ancient Minerals magnesium oil, magnesium gel, magnesium lotion, and magnesium flakes, provides the user with a foundational support system for safe and efficient detox.

The highly aqueous component of gels is said to create a greater dissolution of the minerals which also permits easier migration of the substance across the skin, since it is essentially a liquid. Given that our magnesium gel is often applied in thick layers and maintains its moist state for a prolonged period of time, it provides an ideal means of absorption for many people.

In the case of the magnesium oil, there is a briefer period of time spent in a similar aqueous state. This is one of the reasons that we recommend trying to maintain moisture by “re-wetting” drying areas for at least 15 minutes if you plan on rinsing off afterward.

This is also another reason for which we decided to create our Ultra line with the addition of MSM, as research on Methylsulfonylmethane has displayed its ability to help increase skin penetration and possibly speed the delivery process.

Although magnesium is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent and may aid in mild to moderate sunburn recovery, the potency of the full strength magnesium oil will more than likely be a bit too harsh for sensitive, sunburned skin.

If you wish to utilize topical magnesium for this purpose, we recommend a much more diluted application such as the Ancient Minerals magnesium bath flakes, or a dilution of the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil of at least 10 to 1 so as to not potentially agitate already injured skin. This would also apply to those with various forms of dermatitis, such as eczema or psoriasis.

Many people struggle with dry skin during summer months due to weather changes, increased bathing, swimming pool chlorination, etc. Since the Ancient Minerals magnesium oil is a high concentration magnesium salt, for some it may add to that hurdle.

We recommend that if you wish to use a moisturizing lotion following your application of magnesium oil to wait at least 15-20 minutes prior to doing so to give the oil adequate time to absorb into your skin on its own. Don’t forget that we also have a fantastic lotion selection amongst our Ancient Minerals line that is completely free of toxic ingredients and provides a luxurious blend rich in emollients with the added benefit of our Zechstein magnesium.

There are numerous fitness benefits to be had by having sufficient magnesium in the body at all times. That being said, usage both before and after rigorous activity have varying perks that you may want to capitalize on depending on your fitness goals and schedule.

Magnesium can help to increase endurance, stamina, flexibility, and even power output, which are all persuasive reasons for use prior to working out. However, it is also used in the body for muscle recovery along with a whole host of biological processes that are impacted when we exert ourselves.

Magnesium in the body acts as a natural nerve calmer and muscle relaxant, among other things. Because of these qualities, those with restless sleep and leg discomfort often find a modicum of relief simply by boosting their magnesium levels whether via food or supplementation.

The benefit of applying magnesium topically is that it can have a more direct and immediate effect to the area in which it is applied – which is obviously incredibly helpful for those experiencing localized pain or discomfort. Our experience has been that initial use will require more frequent applications, tapering off once magnesium levels are sufficiently, and consistently, boosted.

Feedback from those experiencing restless sleep and leg discomfort has suggested that application of the magnesium immediately prior to sleep would be the most effective, as well as keeping it accessible on a nightstand should periodic use throughout the night be required.

As many are already aware, magnesium plays a critical role in a good night’s sleep – both in preparing your body for sleep as well as helping you stay asleep throughout the night. Understandably, if you have insufficient magnesium levels, sleep quality is often affected.

The most ideal way to ensure that your magnesium deficiency isn’t at the root of your disrupted sleep cycle is to correct the deficiency and be sure to maintain adequate magnesium intake on a daily basis to recoup routine loss.

That being said, studies have indicated there may be an immediate benefit from incorporating magnesium supplementation into your preparation for sleep (45-60 min prior), and even into the latter half of your day. As you get close to when your body needs to shut down and rest, magnesium not only assists in initiating and organizing this process but also has a hand in melatonin production and relaxing the body.

Magnesium deficiency can result in a number of inflammatory issues, including disruptions of the respiratory system. Conversely, magnesium is a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Additionally, a magnesium deficient state has been shown to result in increased histamine production. In the body, histamine is balanced out by an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO). Many who experience symptoms associated with seasonal allergies are actually histamine intolerant and do not produce sufficient amounts of DAO, causing allergy-like symptoms including itching, runny nose, swelling of the throat and airways, rash, migraine, and even fatigue.

Since magnesium naturally aids in suppressing histamine production as well as increasing DAO synthesis, raising your magnesium levels through supplementation helps support a healthy respiratory system by decreasing negative response to airborne allergens.

Both physical and emotional stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency and a lack of magnesium tends to magnify the stress reaction, worsening the problem. In studies, adrenaline and cortisol, by products of the “fight or flight” reaction associated with stress and anxiety, were linked with decreased magnesium. Since stressful conditions require more magnesium use by the body, all such conditions may lead to deficiency.