Magnesium has surged in popularity in recent years, partly for its potential to improve sleep and ease anxiety. With supplements and sprays already widely used, it’s no surprise that magnesium bath soaks are now filling up (virtual) shelves, too—offering a way to immerse yourself in the mineral and take advantage of its reported stress-relieving and muscle-soothing benefits.
Vogue’s Favorite Magnesium Bath Soaks:
– Best Overall: Flewd Stresscare Anti-Stress Bath Treatment — $11 at FLEWD STRESSCARE
– Best for Dry Skin: Neom Magnesium Bath Milk — $42 at AMAZON
– Best for Stress Relief: Higherdose Serotonin Soak — $39 at AMAZON
The excitement around magnesium is well-founded. This essential mineral supports over 300 processes in the body, including energy production and stress regulation. And it’s not just supplements that deliver benefits—topical magnesium, whether from sprays, salts, or bath soaks, can also be effective. It may help support the skin barrier and even improve conditions like eczema. Bath soaks, in particular, offer a relaxing way to enjoy magnesium’s calming effects. Below, explore our top picks to enhance your next self-care ritual.
In This Story:
– Does a magnesium bath actually work?
– The benefits of a magnesium bath soak
– What is the best type of magnesium to soak in?
– How We Tested
– Meet the Experts
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Best Overall: Flewd Fatigue Defeating Anti-Stress Bath Treatment
$11 at FLEWD STRESSCARE
Why We Love It: If you wake up feeling like you need more sleep, you’re not alone—and this soak might help. Formulated with magnesium, potassium, and tryptophan, it’s designed to counteract burnout, boost energy, clear brain fog, and promote better sleep. It starts working in about 15 minutes, though a longer bath is ideal when you’re especially tense. Consider using it in the morning to reap benefits throughout the day.
Editor Experience: “I sleep better than ever after using this Flewd soak. Marketed as an ‘anti-stress treatment,’ it truly eased my worries and helped me fall into a deep, uninterrupted sleep—free from racing thoughts.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
Key Ingredients: Magnesium chloride hexahydrate, tryptophan, potassium
Magnesium Per Dose: 115 g
Scent: Fruity and creamy
Size: 245 g
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Best for Dry Skin: Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Magnesium Bath Milk
$42 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: Add four or five capfuls of this milky formula to a warm bath to unwind at night. Magnesium helps calm the mind and relax tight muscles, while argan, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils deeply nourish and soften the skin. It’s especially beneficial for dry or eczema-prone skin, particularly during winter.
Key Ingredients: Magnesium chloride, sunflower seed oil, argan oil, jojoba seed oil, aloe leaf juice powder
Magnesium Per Dose: Not disclosed
Scent: Freshly cut lavender
Size: 300 ml
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Best for Stress Relief: Higherdose Serotonin Soak
$39 at AMAZON
Why We Love It: Created to reduce stress and lift your mood, this soak uses Zechstein magnesium flakes—sourced from the ancient Zechstein seabed (now the North Sea), which the brand notes is highly bioavailable and free from pollutants. It’s blended with French green clay, algae, and apple cider vinegar to soften skin and relieve muscle tension.
Key Ingredients: Zechstein magnesium, apple cider vinegar, French green clay, algae
Magnesium Per Dose: Not disclosed
Scent: Crisp and herbal
Size: 32 oz.
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Best for Sensitive Skin: AncieAncient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes
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$37 $30 (19% off) | AMAZON
Why We Love It: Ancient Minerals is ideal for sensitive skin and even children. It uses only magnesium chloride flakes sourced from the Zechstein seabed. While it contains trace minerals, it’s free of fragrances and other additives, keeping the formula simple and clean.
Key Ingredients: Zechstein magnesium chloride flakes
Magnesium Per Dose: 15 mg
Scent: None
Size: 8 lbs
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Saint Jane Beauty Deep Sleep Bath Salts
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$58 | AMAZON
Why We Love It: These bath salts dissolve under running water to help you unwind. They combine magnesium chloride with hyaluronic acid for hydration and peptides for smoother, firmer skin. Sweet almond and evening primrose oils provide extra moisture, while jasmine, orchid, lavender, and blue lotus extracts create a calming floral scent—perfect for relaxing after a long day.
Key Ingredients: Magnesium chloride, palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, hyaluronic acid, green tea leaf oil
Magnesium Per Dose: Not disclosed
Scent: Calming floral
Size: 12 oz.
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Vertly Muscle Soak Bath Salts
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$24 | CREDO BEAUTY
Why We Love It: This soak uses both magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride to relax the body, while Dead Sea and Epsom salts help relieve sore muscles. It also includes arnica, an herb known to reduce inflammation and ease muscle and joint pain. The blend of lavender, eucalyptus, and clary sage essential oils adds a soothing, herbaceous scent, turning an ordinary bath into a spa-like experience.
Key Ingredients: Magnesium sulfate, Dead Sea salt, magnesium chloride, sulfur, sunflower seed oil, arnica extract
Magnesium Per Dose: Not disclosed
Scent: Herbaceous lavender
Size: 10 oz.
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Everything You Need to Know
Does a magnesium bath actually work?
While there isn’t strong evidence yet that magnesium improves muscle recovery, warm baths alone can help. However, a recent study in JAAD Reviews found that magnesium may support wound healing and improve conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. Dr. Shari Lipner, a board-certified dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-author of the study, notes, “We are only just beginning to understand the role of magnesium in the skin. Topical magnesium may have anti-inflammatory benefits and help reduce water loss through the skin.”
The Benefits of a Magnesium Bath Soak
Many people find that magnesium baths ease muscle soreness, relieve tension, and help the body relax. For the skin, the benefits may be clearer. Dr. Lipner says, “There is some evidence that people with atopic dermatitis or eczema could benefit from magnesium baths, as it may help repair the skin barrier and reduce itch.”
What is the best type of magnesium to soak in?
For baths, magnesium chloride is often preferred because it dissolves easily in water. Dr. Lipner explains, “Magnesium chloride is slightly better than magnesium sulfate for baths, and both are much better than magnesium oxide, which doesn’t dissolve and isn’t helpful for the skin.”
How We Tested
When testing and reviewing products, we take a holistic approach to provide well-rounded recommendations. We start by relying on Vogue’s expertise…We consulted a wide range of experts, including board-certified dermatologists and celebrity estheticians, to get professional insights on the best products in the industry—the ones these specialists genuinely use with their own clients. We combine their knowledge with our editorial standards to create the carefully selected recommendations you find on our site.
For magnesium bath soaks specifically, we chose the top options by evaluating key factors: ingredients, the form of magnesium, type of soak, scent, packaging, and the skin and wellness benefits they offer. Our selections are based on firsthand testing of each product, along with expert advice and customer reviews, to decide which ones we can confidently recommend.
Meet the Expert
Shari Lipner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful FAQs about magnesium bath soaks designed to sound like questions from real users
FAQs Magnesium Bath Soaks for Stress Muscle Relief
Beginner Definition Questions
1 What exactly is a magnesium bath soak
Its a product you add to your bathwater typically made from magnesium flakes or chloride It dissolves allowing your skin to absorb the magnesium which is a vital mineral many people are deficient in
2 How is this different from Epsom salt
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate Many highquality magnesium flakes are magnesium chloride which is believed to be more easily absorbed by the body Both can be effective but chloride is often preferred for targeted muscle and stress relief
3 Ive never tried one What does it feel like
Most people describe a deep sense of relaxation The warm water soothes muscles and the magnesium can create a gentle tingling sensation on the skin Its like a spa treatment at home
Benefits How It Works
4 What are the main benefits of using a magnesium soak
The top benefits are 1 Soothes sore muscles and cramps 2 Promotes deep relaxation and reduces stress 3 Improves sleep quality and 4 Supports overall mineral balance
5 How does soaking in magnesium actually ease muscle tension
Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant When absorbed it helps block pain receptors and calm the nervous system It also aids in flushing out lactic acid that builds up in muscles after exertion
6 Can it really help with stress and anxiety
Yes Magnesium regulates the bodys stressresponse system and helps produce calming neurotransmitters The act of taking a warm bath itself is relaxing and the magnesium enhances that effect on a physiological level
Common Problems Practical Tips
7 My skin feels a bit itchy or tingly Is that normal
A mild tingling sensation is very common especially when you first start using it or if you have a magnesium deficiency It usually subsides quickly If you have sensitive skin start with a smaller amount
8 How much should I use and how long should I soak
A general guideline is 12 cups of flakes per standard bath Soak for