Every year when the temperatures climb, we notice the same thing here at Mineral & Company: our magnesium whips start flying off the shelves. At first we thought it was a fluke. It’s not. Summer is when your muscles work hardest, sweat most, and complain loudest — and it turns out a lot of you have figured out that a little magnesium on the skin goes a long way.
So let’s talk about why.
First, a quick magnesium refresher
Magnesium is one of the hardest-working minerals in your body. It’s involved in hundreds of processes, including the big one we care about here: normal muscle and nerve function. When magnesium is in short supply, muscles can get twitchy, tight, and crampy. (The NIH has a great overview of magnesium’s role in muscle function if you want to nerd out: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Magnesium.)
Topical magnesium — like our whipped magnesium body butters — lets you put that mineral right where you’re feeling it: tired calves, achy feet, a crampy hamstring at 2 a.m.
Why summer makes it worse
Here’s the seasonal connection, and why we think our summer sales spike isn’t a coincidence:
- You sweat more. Sweat carries electrolytes out with it — and long, hot days in the garden, on the trail, or at the ballfield add up.
- You move more. Hiking, biking, swimming, yard work, chasing kids around the yard. Summer is peak “why do my legs hurt” season.
- You’re on your feet. Farmers markets, festivals, vacations, theme parks. Hours of standing and walking are brutal on feet and calves.
- Summer stress adds up, too. Travel, packed schedules, kids home from school — and here’s the kicker: stress actually makes your body lose magnesium faster. Researchers describe a “vicious circle,” where stress increases magnesium loss through the kidneys, and low magnesium in turn makes you more sensitive to stress. (Pickering et al., 2020 — Nutrients)
- Nighttime cramps love summer. Many people notice leg and foot cramps get worse after hot, active, sweaty days.
What the research says (honestly)
We’ll always be straight with you: research on topical magnesium is still young, and scientists are actively studying how much magnesium the skin absorbs. But the early results are encouraging — and they match what our customers tell us every single week.
- A pilot study from the Mayo Clinic found that participants with fibromyalgia who applied a magnesium chloride spray to their arms and legs twice daily reported significant improvements in pain and quality-of-life scores after just four weeks. (Engen et al., 2015 — PubMed)
- Magnesium’s role in muscle contraction and relaxation is well established — low magnesium is a known contributor to muscle cramps and spasms. (NIH Magnesium Fact Sheet)
- And unlike oral supplements, topical magnesium skips the digestive system entirely — which means no tummy trouble, a common complaint with magnesium pills.
- Ours is a no-rinse-off product, too. You massage it in and go about your day (or your night) — no shower step, no wiping it off. It stays on your skin and keeps working.
Bottom line: the science is still catching up, but the combination of solid mineral biology, promising early studies, and thousands of happy legs and feet keeps us confident in what we make.
Meet our new Double Lemon Whip
Just in time for summer, we reformulated our Double Lemon Magnesium Whip — and we’re a little obsessed. It’s lighter and absorbs faster, which makes it perfect for hot-weather use. Best of all, it still delivers over 400 mg of magnesium per teaspoon, so you’re not trading potency for that lighter feel. Same mineral punch, breezier finish.
How to use it: our summer routine
This is our favorite part, because topical magnesium is wonderfully simple. Here’s how we recommend using your magnesium whip when summer is doing a number on you:
For tired, achy feet:
- Massage a small scoop into the soles and tops of both feet before bed
- Work it into the arches with your thumbs — you’ve earned it
- No need to rinse — pull on a pair of light socks if you want, and let it soak in overnight
For sore muscles:
- Apply directly to whatever’s complaining — calves, quads, shoulders, lower back
- Massage in for 30–60 seconds until absorbed
- Best after a shower, when your pores are open and skin is warm
For muscle cramping:
- At the first sign of a cramp, massage the whip firmly into the muscle
- For nighttime leg-cramp-prone folks: make application part of your evening wind-down, every night, not just when cramps strike
- Consistency is the secret — daily use beats occasional use
A few friendly tips
- A little goes a long way — start with a dime-sized amount
- You might feel a light tingle the first few uses; that’s normal and usually fades with regular use
- Avoid broken skin and freshly shaved legs (trust us)
- Topical magnesium is a wellness helper, not a medical treatment — if cramps are frequent or severe, check in with your doctor
Stock up before your feet do the complaining
Summer isn’t slowing down, and neither are you. Whether it’s a long market day, a big hike, or the garden that “just needed an hour” of weeding, your muscles will thank you for keeping a jar of magnesium whip on the nightstand.
This post is for general wellness information and isn’t medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.