Magnesium Body Butter | Sleep · Stress · Evening wind-down

Your questions, answered

• Why is there magnesium in a body butter — does it actually absorb through skin?

  The Magnesium Body Butter by Audere Pure contains 20% magnesium chloride — dissolved directly into the water phase so it's evenly distributed in every scoop. A 2017 systematic review in Nutrients (Klotz et al.) confirms that topical magnesium chloride can penetrate the stratum corneum, with hair follicles identified as the primary absorption pathway.

  It's a body moisturiser, not a supplement — about skin comfort and a relaxing end to the day, not a remedy. Individual absorption varies based on skin condition and how long the product stays on skin. We include it because it's what makes this butter different — and because the evidence supports it being there.

• What does shea butter actually do — is it just a filler?

  Not in this formula. The Magnesium Body Butter contains 7% shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii Butter), and it's working. Research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Lin et al., 2017) found that shea butter outperforms mineral oil at preventing transepidermal water loss — within two to four hours of application, it helps skin recover its barrier function, meaning less moisture escaping and skin that stays softer for longer.

  It also contributes the butter's comforting, cushioning feel on dry skin. Shea has been assessed as safe and effective for all skin types — including sensitive — by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel.

• What's Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — why not just say coconut oil?

  Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the INCI name for fractionated coconut oil — a refined fraction that contains only the medium-chain fatty acids. It's lighter, more stable, and faster-absorbing than whole coconut oil. A 2023 study in Life (Maia Campos et al., PMC10143511) found it increases superficial skin hydration and reduces transepidermal water loss when used as an emollient.

  We use the INCI name on the label because UK cosmetics law requires it — so you can look up every ingredient by the same name worldwide. The common name appears here so nothing is hidden.

• Does it feel greasy or heavy?

  No — the Magnesium Body Butter is whipped with water into a light, fast-absorbing lotion-butter rather than a thick salve. The fractionated coconut oil gives it a smooth finish that sinks in, and glycerin holds hydration in the skin so it stays soft without feeling slick.

  A small amount goes a long way. Pat skin dry after bathing, smooth in with circular motions, and it absorbs within a couple of minutes. No residue left on pyjamas.

• Which scent should I choose — Lavender, Sweet Orange or Fragrance-Free?

  Pick by mood and skin sensitivity. Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil) is soft and calming — the classic evening wind-down, with naturally occurring Linalool and Geraniol declared on the label. Sweet Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil) is warm, bright and mood-lifting, with naturally occurring Limonene declared. Fragrance-Free contains no essential oil and no fragrance allergens to declare — the one for very sensitive skin or anyone who'd rather have no scent.

  Whichever you choose, the scented versions use real essential oils named in full — never 'parfum'. The Fragrance-Free version is also a good choice if you already wear a fragrance in the evening and don't want them to compete.

• Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

  The Magnesium Body Butter is formulated to be gentle, and every ingredient is named on the label so you can check exactly what's in it before you try it. The Fragrance-Free version contains no essential oils and no fragrance allergens to declare — it's the best choice for sensitive or reactive skin. As with any new product, patch test a small area first.

  The scented versions contain naturally occurring allergens from the essential oils — Linalool and Geraniol in Lavender; Limonene in Sweet Orange — declared on the label as UK law requires. If your skin is sensitive to fragrance, choose Fragrance-Free. The full formula is assessed under UK Cosmetics Regulation SI 2020/1466.

• Is it safe to use during pregnancy?

  The Magnesium Body Butter contains no retinoids, no hydroquinone, and no salicylic acid as an active — the trace amount in the preservative system is at preservative level only. It is independently safety-assessed under UK Cosmetics Regulation SI 2020/1466. The Fragrance-Free version contains no essential oils.

  We always recommend checking with your midwife or GP before using any new skincare product during pregnancy — especially the scented versions, which contain lavender or sweet orange essential oils. When in doubt, the Fragrance-Free version is the safer option to discuss with your healthcare provider.

• What's in the preservative — and is it safe?

  The Magnesium Body Butter uses Eco Preserve: Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, and Sorbic Acid — every component named in full on the label. Any water-based cream must be preserved to stay microbiologically safe, and we name every part rather than hiding them behind a collective term.

  The salicylic acid is present at preservative level only — it does not act as an exfoliating active at this concentration. All four components are widely used, food-and-cosmetic-grade preservatives assessed as safe at the levels used here.

• Why does it cost more than a supermarket body butter?

  The Magnesium Body Butter is made to order in small batches in Berkshire, using nature-derived ingredients at meaningful concentrations — 19% magnesium chloride, 7% shea butter — not as token additions. It's independently safety-assessed, and every ingredient is named on the label. That costs more than producing at scale with cheaper fillers.

  From £11.99 for 50 g and £17.99 for 100 g — a jar that lasts most people several weeks used nightly. If you'd like to try it before committing to 100 g, the 50 g is a good place to start.