Magnesium Body Butter vs. Real Muscle Relief

Magnesium Body Butter vs. Real Muscle Relief

 

Why “Feels Nice” Isn’t the Same as “Actually Works”

 

Magnesium body butters are having a moment.

They promise relaxation, muscle recovery, and “natural relief”, all in one silky jar. And to be fair… they do feel nice.

But here’s the honest truth (the kind we believe customers deserve):

👉 Magnesium body butter doesn’t meaningfully relieve sore muscles.

Most of what people feel is massage + placebo, not magnesium doing deep muscle work.

Let’s break this down in a simple, friendly way.

 

 

Magnesium Is Great, Just Not Through Your Skin

 

Magnesium is essential for:

 

  • Muscle contraction and relaxation

  • Nerve signaling

  • Recovery after exercise

 

When you eat magnesium or take it as a supplement, your body absorbs it through the gut and puts it to work.

So the idea of rubbing magnesium on sore muscles sounds logical.

The problem?

🚫 Your skin is designed to keep minerals OUT


Magnesium is a charged mineral, and your skin is very good at blocking charged particles.

Scientific reviews and controlled studies have found:

 

  • Magnesium applied to the skin barely absorbs, if at all

  • Blood magnesium levels don’t significantly change

  • Muscle recovery outcomes are no better than placebo

 

👉 A major review on “transdermal magnesium” concluded there is no solid evidence that magnesium lotions or oils meaningfully raise magnesium levels or treat deficiency:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5579607/


👉 A controlled trial using magnesium cream daily for two weeks showed no significant improvement in magnesium status compared to placebo:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5389641/


👉 Studies looking specifically at muscle soreness and recovery found no clear benefit from topical magnesium compared to placebo:

https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/35/5/article-p416.xml


So what is happening when magnesium body butter “works”?

 

 

The Placebo + Massage Effect (Which Is Real )

 

When you rub anything into sore muscles:

  • Blood flow increases

  • Nerves are stimulated

  • Muscles temporarily relax

  • Your nervous system calms

 

That alone can reduce discomfort.

✨ This is the placebo effect, and it’s very real, but it’s not magnesium penetrating deep muscle tissue.


There’s nothing wrong with enjoying that experience.

But if your muscles are tight, sore, or overworked, relaxation alone often isn’t enough.

 

 

Why a True Muscle Rub Works Better

 

A real muscle rub works completely differently.

Instead of trying to force minerals through the skin, it uses small, bioactive compounds that can penetrate the skin and interact with pain receptors and circulation.

This creates:

  • Faster relief

  • Reduced pain signaling

  • That warming or cooling sensation that actually helps soreness

 

This is why traditional muscle rubs have existed for over a century — because the mechanism works.

 

 

What Makes Our Muscle Rub Different

 

We didn’t create our muscle rub to follow trends.

We created it to work.


Here’s what’s inside, and why each ingredient matters:

 

🌿 Yarrow Oil

 

Traditionally used for:

  • Muscle tension

  • Inflammation

  • Post-exertion soreness

 

Yarrow has a long history in herbal medicine for calming overworked tissue.

 

🌲 Douglas Fir Oil

 

  • Improves circulation

  • Provides a fresh, grounding aroma

  • Traditionally used for respiratory and muscle support

 

It gives both physical relief and an uplifting sensory experience.

 

🌲 Black Spruce Essential Oil

 

  • Known for deep muscular support

  • Often used for adrenal and physical fatigue

  • Excellent for sore backs, legs, and shoulders

 

This is a favorite among herbalists for deep, tired muscles.

 

🌳 Oakmoss Absolute

 

  • Warm, grounding, slightly earthy

  • Supports relaxation and nervous system calming

  • Adds depth and balance to the blend

 

Oakmoss helps your body exhale, which matters when muscles are holding tension.

Together, these ingredients:

  • Stimulate circulation

  • Calm pain receptors

  • Support relaxation without pretending to be something they’re not

 

 

Why Our Muscle Rub Costs More (And Why That’s Intentional)


We’re often asked:

“Why is your muscle rub more expensive than magnesium body butter?”

The honest answer:

 

💚 Because it’s formulated for results, not trends

 

  • High-quality essential oils cost more, especially the ones that actually work

  • We formulate for function, not buzzwords

  • We don’t rely on ingredients that sound impressive but don’t deliver

  • Every ingredient earns its place

 

Magnesium body butter is cheaper because:

  • Magnesium flakes are inexpensive

  • The primary benefit is massage and relaxation

  • The magnesium itself isn’t doing the heavy lifting

 

Our muscle rub:

  • Uses potent botanicals

  • Works quickly

  • Delivers noticeable relief

 

You’re not paying for hype.

You’re paying for performance.

 

 

 

Which One Should You Choose?


Magnesium body butter is great if you want:

 

Relaxation

  • A calming nighttime ritual

  • Soft, moisturized skin

  • A soothing massage experience

 

Our muscle rub is for when you want:

  • Relief from sore or tight muscles

  • Help after workouts or long days

  • Neck, shoulder, or lower-back tension relief

  • Something that actually works

 

 

Our Promise: Honest Skincare

 

We believe:

  • Education builds trust

  • Transparency matters

  • Nature works best when used correctly

 

That’s why we won’t claim magnesium body butter does something science doesn’t support.

And it’s why we’re proud of our muscle rub, even if it costs more.

Because when your body hurts…

“Feels nice” just isn’t enough.

Back to blog