Looking for a magnesium cream, with or without arnica? Both of our balms start from the same base and both carry magnesium chloride. Magnesium Balm carries more magnesium chloride than Recovery Balm; Recovery Balm adds arnica. So pick by the kind of day the body has had: Magnesium Balm for muscles that feel tight and tense, Recovery Balm for bumps, knocks and the knees and feet that take a pounding.
Which one should you pick (or give)?
Ask one question first: is it tension or impact?
- Tension is the neck and shoulders that hold the day, or calves that feel tight by bedtime. That's Magnesium Balm.
- Impact is the knock on the shin, or the knees and feet that take the miles. That's Recovery Balm.
A few real-life picks:
- Desk job, tight neck and shoulders by 5 o'clock: Magnesium Balm.
- Runner or hiker whose knees and feet take the miles: Recovery Balm.
- On their feet all shift, like a nurse, teacher or server: Recovery Balm.
- Always bumping into things during weekend projects: Recovery Balm. Arnica is traditionally used for bruising.
- Likes a slow foot and calf massage before bed: Magnesium Balm.
When both could fit, use these tie-breakers:
- Think about what they'll reach for most. A spot that got hit or pounded points to Recovery Balm. A spot that feels tight points to Magnesium Balm.
- Buying for someone who's allergic to sunflowers, marigolds or ragweed? Arnica comes from that plant family, so check with them before you give Recovery Balm.
- Still torn for yourself? Keep one of each. More on that below.
Which size to give
- At home: the 8 oz jar. It lasts months, and every jar comes with a wooden paddle for scooping.
- In a gym bag or desk drawer: the 2.5 oz twist-up. With daily use, a stick lasts about a month.
- In a pocket, a purse or a stocking: the 0.5 oz mini. The mini is the on-the-go size.
Not sure they'll love it? Give the full size you think fits best. Orders on drdougs.com are backed by our 90-day 100% Happiness Guarantee.
Rosemarie M. gave Magnesium Balm to a friend "because they would not think to buy this on their own."
If the gift is really for dry hands or heels, that's a different balm: Original Miracle Balm is our balm for dry, itchy, cracked skin. Use it every day to keep skin challenges away.
Shop Magnesium Balm or Recovery Balm.
The difference at a glance
| Magnesium Balm | Recovery Balm | |
|---|---|---|
| What it adds to the base | Magnesium chloride | Magnesium chloride plus organic arnica |
| Pick it for | Tension: tight neck, shoulders and calves; a slow wind-down massage | Impact: bumps, knocks, and knees and feet that take a pounding |
| Arnica | None | Organic arnica |
| Scent | Organic peppermint and lavender essential oils | Organic peppermint and lavender essential oils |
| Sizes | 0.5 oz mini, 2.5 oz twist-up, 8 oz jar | 0.5 oz mini, 2.5 oz twist-up, 8 oz jar |
What they share
Ingredients you can pronounce. No petroleum. The base is organic olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax, with organic peppermint and lavender essential oils and vitamin E. Lavender for a calming scent.
I make both of these balms, and they start from that same base. Then each one adds its own active.
What Magnesium Balm adds
Magnesium Balm adds magnesium chloride. Eight ingredients you can read out loud. Six of its ingredients are certified organic.
Magnesium chloride is my pick for a topical, and in my view it's the best one. It dissolves easily, which is one reason I chose it. I set out to put in as much magnesium chloride as the balm could hold and still rub in smoothly. It goes on smooth, with no grit. Made to go on without the sting some magnesium sprays have.
Massage it right where you feel it: a tight neck, shoulders that hold the day, calves that feel tight at the end of the day. You can also make it part of your wind-down: massage it into your feet or calves before bed. You can use it any time, though. There are no timing rules.
What Recovery Balm adds
Recovery Balm adds arnica, traditionally used for soreness and bruising, to the magnesium balm base. Arnica is a mountain flower. Seven of Recovery Balm's ingredients are certified organic, including the arnica.
Recovery Balm started with an injury of my own:
"I injured myself and got plantar fasciitis... somebody said, 'Oh, you should try arnica.'... I thought, 'Oh, I'm gonna make this myself.' ... So I ordered some arnica, put it into our magnesium balm, and this is where we are."
I still massage it in from my knees to my toes every morning before my socks go on.
Reach for it after a hard workout, a long run, a long shift on your feet or a bump. In trials, massage after hard exercise eased muscle soreness. A slow rub-in with the balm is an easy way to add massage to your routine.
A few cautions that come with arnica: skip broken or irritated skin. Don't use arnica on your skin if you're allergic to sunflowers, marigolds, ragweed or other plants in that family. If you're pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor first.
Can I use both?
Yes. You can keep one of each and use them on different spots or different days. One customer, Ruth J., put it simply:
"I've begun using Magnesium Balm alternately with Recovery Balm."
Pick by what you'll use it for.
Is it greasy? How much to use
I formulated it to absorb completely into the skin. You'll feel the coconut oil and olive oil as you massage it in, and then it leaves your skin soft and smooth. Start small. Still feel the oils? Use less next time. Not full coverage? Use a little more. The magic happens when you massage it in.
"We wanted it to massage in completely and not leave footprints on my wood floors or stain sheets and clothing like many products do," says Natalie Gardner, my co-founder.
Finding your amount can take a try or two. Deanna T. wrote about Magnesium Balm:
"Very soothing and a little goes a long way...I tend to use too much"
For tired muscles, rub it in where you want it. Cover the spot and about 5 inches above, below and around it, then keep massaging until it disappears. Skip broken or irritated skin.
Is it worth the price?
Four things come with every jar and stick:
- A neurologist's formula. I made a magnesium balm for my clinic patients and for myself first.
- Organic ingredients you can check. Six of Magnesium Balm's ingredients are certified organic. Seven of Recovery Balm's are, including the arnica. Made without petroleum.
- A little goes a long way. The 8 oz jar lasts months. With daily use, a stick lasts about a month.
- Our guarantee. Orders on drdougs.com are backed by our 90-day 100% Happiness Guarantee.
Some customers feel the price. Rita B. stretches her Recovery Balm:
"I use the wooden paddle to scrape it out rather than dig it out. Lasts me longer... Works great but is pretty costly for us."
FAQ
Does Magnesium Balm have more magnesium than Recovery Balm?
Yes. The highest concentration of magnesium is in the Magnesium Balm. Recovery Balm trades some of that space for arnica. More magnesium isn't a promise of better results; pick by the job.
Want a magnesium cream without arnica?
Choose Magnesium Balm. Arnica is only in Recovery Balm.
Do they smell the same?
Yes. Both use organic peppermint and lavender essential oils. Essential oils can bother sensitive skin, so if you're new to them, try a small spot first.
Is the mini a good way to try it?
The mini is the on-the-go size, made for a pocket, a purse or a race bag. If you want to see whether a balm suits you, a full size ordered on drdougs.com is backed by our 90-day 100% Happiness Guarantee.
Sources
- Guo J, et al. Massage alleviates delayed onset muscle soreness after strenuous exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 2017. PMID: 29021762 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29021762/)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Arnica (About Herbs), updated May 6, 2022. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/arnica
This article is educational and is not medical advice.