It’s no secret you need magnesium. This vital mineral influences more than 300 bodily functions. But it’s hard to get even close to enough through diet alone. Magnesium supplements are a must. With so many different options at your fingertips, though, how should you go about it?
We see magnesium spray vs pills compared all the time. While the oral route is popular for its convenience, the fact of the matter is that pills have low absorption rates and are notorious for causing digestive side effects.
Magnesium spray can work well if you just want to target restless legs or sore shoulders, but it doesn’t deliver the broad benefits of magnesium across your entire body. So both sides of the magnesium spray vs magnesium pills comparison fall short in one way or another.
That’s where our magnesium bath soak comes into play as the smarter option over pills, powder, sprays, creams, and anything in between. You get the most bioavailable magnesium (chloride) distributed evenly across your whole body, along with other supportive ingredients.
We have a soak for every purpose, whether you need a muscle bath soak to supercharge recovery or an anxiety bath soak to find your inner zen. Browse our catalog and learn more about the magnesium soak benefits below!
“These really work. They relax you and you can sleep so much better after. I also feel like they do help detox your body also.” - Amy
“I love this bath magic. I recommend &/or gift it to my friends all the time. I have been away for work for almost 3 weeks & cannot wait to get home to my bathtub & Flewd to soothe my aching, tight muscles.” - Elizabeth
“I was amazed. I took a bath and was relaxed. I was able to fall right to sleep. Any other time, it takes up to three hours to fall asleep. So thankful. I'm learning about health issues that I was unaware of. The stress level was awful. After Flewd it really helps a lot.” - Michelle
Why Magnesium is Such an Important Mineral
Before comparing magnesium spray vs pills we need to take a step back and highlight some of the many roles this mineral plays in human health.
It supports everything from muscle contraction to energy production, sleep quality, stress response, and even how your brain communicates with your body. You just feel better when you have ample magnesium in your body. Potential benefits include:
- Less muscle cramping and tension
- Fewer headaches
- More consistent, steady energy
- Improved sleep depth and quality
- Lower feelings of stress and anxiety
- Better digestion and regularity
- Support for hormone balance and blood sugar levels
Up to 50% of people are magnesium deficient, and most don’t even realize it. There’s no question you need magnesium. The only question is how you should go about getting it on a regular basis, because consistency is everything.
The Problem With Magnesium Pills
Magnesium pills sound like the easiest fix on paper. Pop one capsule and call it a day. But the reality is more complicated, as most folks find that oral magnesium causes more problems than it solves.
Low Absorption and Bioavailability
We talk a lot about the importance of bioavailability in our blog, as we’ve compared rates for magnesium threonate vs glycinate, magnesium carbonate vs citrate, magnesium sulfate vs magnesium chloride, and many, many more. But the specific form of magnesium is just one aspect to consider. The way you take it matters even more in many cases.
Unfortunately, magnesium oxide (the most common form in supplements) has a bioavailability of only around 4%. In other words, 96% of every dose passes through your digestive tract without ever making it into your bloodstream.
Even better forms (like glycinate or citrate) still rely on a really well optimized digestive system for ample absorption. Given the fact that most people have gut issues, low stomach acid, or poor nutrient absorption, you’re just not getting nearly as much magnesium as you may think.
Digestive Side Effects
Worse, oral magnesium supplements can cause a cascade of uncomfortable side effects. The most prevalent and problematic of which is diarrhea.
Now, we want to be clear - some people are actually drawn towards magnesium for its laxative effect. Others, though, find themselves running to the bathroom more often than they’d like. That’s not to mention the bloating and cramping, especially with magnesium oxide or citrate.
It’s clear magnesium pills won’t cut it for most people. So, let’s look at the other half of our magnesium spray vs pills comparison.
How Does Magnesium Spray Work?
Magnesium sprays are a solid alternative for those trying to avoid the digestive drama that comes with oral supplements while still reaping the benefits of magnesium.
You simply spritz magnesium oil (usually magnesium chloride) directly onto the skin and let it absorb from the outside in. Here’s how it works and some considerations to keep in mind.
The Basics of Transdermal Absorption
Magnesium sprays have become really popular because they bypass the digestive system entirely and allow the mineral to enter the bloodstream through the skin (transdermally).
Does magnesium spray help you sleep? This is a common question we get asked, and the answer is a resounding yes - at least, if your sleep troubles are linked to something like restless legs. You can get really targeted with where you apply the spray, which is part of the appeal.
Common Issues With Sprays
That said, magnesium sprays aren’t always the magic bullet they promise to be. First and foremost, magnesium is needed throughout the entire body - head to toe. It’s just not practical to use a spray for whole-body magnesium supplementation.
In some cases, users say magnesium sprays leave them with a stinging or itching sensation, especially if their skin barrier is compromised or if they’re applying to shaved areas. It can also feel sticky or tacky, which is uncomfortable in its own right.
While we love the idea behind magnesium spray, it may not be as effective as you’d hope. This is why magnesium bath soaks, like our substitute for epsom salt here at Flewd Stresscare, are so great. They take the benefits of magnesium sprays and eliminate the drawbacks.
More on that in a moment. First, let’s compare magnesium spray vs pills to help you see where each has an edge over the other.
Magnesium Spray vs Pills: Key Differences to Consider
We’ve look at these two magnesium consumption methods separately, but how do they stack up side by side? Whether you want stronger recovery or more restful sleep, how you take magnesium matters. Here’s what you need to know.
Absorption Rates
Magnesium pills typically rely on your digestive system to process and deliver the mineral - which you know now is fairly inefficient. Research suggests your body may only absorb 30-50% of the magnesium in pill form in the best-case scenario - but it’s likely much lower.
On the other hand, sprays skip your digestive system and get right into the bloodstream through transdermal absorption. This sounds more efficient, but skin absorption varies widely depending on the formulation, the location you apply it to, and how often you use it.
It’s more of a guessing game - but you can safely assume absorption rates are higher transdermally than orally. This is where magnesium sprays have an edge over pills.
Coverage and Consistency
Pills win in consistency as you know exactly how much magnesium you’re taking, every time. That said, you do have to question your intake to some degree, given the absorption inefficiency and uncertainty we just mentioned.
Sprays can be a bit more of a crapshoot. One person’s “4 sprays” might cover a small patch of skin, while someone else applies it like perfume. It’s hard to get full-body coverage without overdoing it or running out fast because sprays are often used in localized spots, too.
Ease of Use
Swallowing a pill is straightforward, but not everyone loves popping capsules - especially before bed or on an empty stomach. In contrast, sprays feel easier. Just spray, rub in, and done.
In practice, though, sprays can be quite messy, leaving behind a greasy residue that feels uncomfortable. Sometimes they can sting if you have sensitive skin or recently shaved. Neither format is exactly “seamless” in comparing magnesium spray vs pills through this lens.
Side Effects and Tolerability
This is one of the most important distinctions not just between magnesium spray vs pills but topical vs oral magnesium in general. Pills and powder are notorious for causing bloating, gas, and in higher doses, a very sudden relationship with your bathroom.
You can avoid these digestive discomforts by using sprays instead, but these can come with some side effects of their own as we just mentioned: tingling, itching, or burning sensations, not to mention the tacky, sticky, gross feeling on your skin.
Onset Time
Because pills move through your digestive tract, it can take hours before you feel anything. That’s not ideal if you’re hoping for fast relief from muscle cramps or nighttime restlessness.
Sprays start working a lot quicker, but their benefits often wear off faster as well. They don’t contribute to systemic magnesium levels in a meaningful way, which is an important note.
Which is the Best Approach to Incorporating Magnesium into Your Ritual?
You might be leaning towards one side of the magnesium spray vs magnesium pills debate by now, but here’s the thing: neither is the perfect solution.
Pills get inconsistent results, and sprays lack reliable absorption. Both come with side effects that make long-term use frustrating. That’s why we want to introduce you to something better than magnesium spray vs pills below: Magnesium Bath Soaks from Flewd Stresscare!
Introducing Flewd Stresscare’s Bath Soaks: The Smarter Way to Get Your Magnesium
You’ve tried the pills, maybe even misted the sprays. But if you’re still low on energy, struggling with restless sleep, or feeling the effects of stress in your muscles and mind, it’s time to upgrade to a better delivery system.
What Makes Our Bath Soaks So Great?
Instead of pushing magnesium through your gut or rubbing it on in patches, our soaks turn full-body replenishment into a deeply relaxing ritual. One bath, 20 minutes, and your skin does the work - no stinging, guessing, or side effects.
Every soak starts with the most bioavailable Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate (47% concentration), a form your body can actually absorb and use as we discuss in our comparison of magnesium chloride vs glycinate.
We don’t stop there, though. You’ll find other all-natural ingredients like nootropics, vitamins, and adaptogens to round out each formulation. What’s not in our soaks matters too. No parabens, artificial scents, or synthetic fillers.
Find the Perfect Formula Today!
Your needs aren’t one-size-fits-all, so our blends aren’t either. Whether you're dealing with body aches, mental tension, or stubborn sleepless nights, we’ve got a soak ready to provide relief:
- Ache-Erasing Soak: Magnesium, Vitamins C + D, and plant-derived Omega-3s help untangle tension and melt away neck, shoulder, and back aches.
- Anxiety-Destroying Soak: Magnesium, B-vitamin complex, and elemental zinc help regulate mood and ease tension when your thoughts won’t slow down.
- Insomnia-Ending Soak: Targets sleep-disrupting stress with magnesium, Vitamins A + E, and plant-based L-Carnitine to support circadian rhythm and deep rest.
Each has its own unique scent profile, too, which is part of the fun. From our energizing bath soak to our serotonin bath soak, there are so many other amazing blends worth exploring as well. Our stress relief bath soak bundle is a great way to get started with our favorites!
Quick Tips on Usage
Our magnesium soaks are actually easy and enjoyable to incorporate into your self-care ritual, too. Just drop one pouch into a tub of warm water, swirl, and soak for at least 20 minutes. Use 2-3 times per week, or nightly if your body is calling for it.
Pair the soak with calming music, dim lighting, or silence (yes, silence) to amplify the benefits. No rinsing required afterward - just towel off and call it a night! Order now and discover the difference between magnesium spray vs pills vs Flewd Stresscare bath soaks.
Bringing Our Magnesium Spray vs Pills Comparison to a Close
How you take magnesium matters just as much as the fact that you’re taking it in the first place. As we bring this magnesium spray vs magnesium pills comparison to a close, it’s clear which approach is right for you.
Pills are hit-or-miss, sprays can be inconsistent, and both leave something to be desired in terms of comfort, coverage, and absorption. That’s why we made something better: bath soaks that deliver functional nutrients while you unwind.
Bathtime just became your body’s new favorite supplement. Shop our soaks now and find your new favorite way to unwind while harnessing the multifaceted benefits of magnesium!
