Magnesium “Infused” Tallow? Let’s Clear That Up.

You’ve probably seen it floating around, tallow balms being marketed as magnesium "infused.” Sounds fancy, right? The problem? It’s not really true. There’s no such thing as magically infusing magnesium into fat. But there is a real way magnesium ends up in skincare products,and it’s worth knowing the difference so you’re not misled by marketing buzzwords.

What does “infusion” really mean?

When something is infused, one substance is steeped into another. Think of tea leaves releasing flavor into hot water, or herbs soaking in olive oil until the oil takes on their aroma and properties. That’s a true infusion: compounds dissolving and dispersing.

Tallow can definitely be infused with botanicals or essential oils. Those aromatic and lipid-soluble compounds happily move into the fat. But magnesium? That’s a mineral salt. And salts don’t dissolve in fat. Put magnesium flakes in tallow and they’ll just sit there, undissolved, no matter how long you wait.

What’s really happening in "infused"magnesium tallow balms

So when a company claims their product is “magnesium infused tallow,” here’s what’s really happening: they’re tossing magnesium chloride flakes into the tallow and assuming they’ll somehow “infuse.” But salts don’t dissolve in fat, they just sit there. Even in powdered form, magnesium won’t blend into tallow.

And here’s the bigger issue: magnesium needs water to dissolve and be absorbed. Without it, those flakes or powders aren’t doing much for your skin at all.

At best, what you’re left with is a suspension. At worst, it’s misleading marketing.

Why this matters

Words matter. If a company tells you their balm is “infused,” you might reasonably believe the magnesium has been incorporated into the fat, boosting its qualities. But skincare isn’t wizardry, it’s science. And when brands overhype or mislabel what they’re doing, it erodes trust.

The truth is, magnesium can be a wonderful addition to skincare, especially for soothing tired muscles, supporting relaxation, and calming the skin. But it doesn’t need made-up terminology to shine. It just needs to be formulated properly.

The real science: magnesium belongs in water, not fat

“Magnesium oil” is actually a misnomer, it’s not an oil at all. It’s simply magnesium chloride dissolved in water. The only reason it’s called “oil” is because of the slick, oily texture it leaves on the skin.

Here’s the crucial point: magnesium dissolves in water, not oil. If you want magnesium and tallow to truly combine, you need to introduce water into the recipe.

That means creating a tallow lotion, not just a balm. A lotion is an emulsion, a stable blend of water and fat that allows oil-loving ingredients and water-loving ingredients to work together in harmony. This is where magnesium can actually dissolve and become evenly distributed, giving your skin the benefits in a way your body can actually use.

Why our approach is different

At Mill District Naturals, we decided to do this the right way. Instead of sprinkling in flakes and calling it “infusion,” we created a pumpable magnesium tallow lotion.

Here’s what makes it different:

• Magnesium dissolves properly. We dissolve magnesium chloride in water first, so it’s evenly distributed throughout the lotion, not just suspended in clumps.

• Formulated to be gentle. Our formula is designed to be gentle, no stinging, no greasy feel. Traditional magnesium oil can sometimes irritate the skin and dry down into a crusty residue. Ours skips all that: it absorbs smoothly, leaves no residue, and feels clean on the skin.

• The texture is lightweight and spreadable. Because it’s a true lotion, it glides onto the skin smoothly, instead of feeling heavy or gritty.

• It’s safe and stable. When you mix water and fat, microbes see it as the perfect breeding ground. To keep the product fresh and safe, you need a preservative. That’s non-negotiable.

The preservative conversation (no need to panic)

The word “preservative” makes some people nervous, but it shouldn’t. Without one, any water-based product will grow bacteria, mold, or yeast. You don’t want to rub that on your skin.

We use a very small amount of a natural preservative that’s Ecocert and COSMOS approved, two of the strictest global standards for safe, sustainable ingredients. That means it’s both effective and clean. Your product stays safe, and your skin gets the benefits without the compromise.

The bottom line

Magnesium has real value in skincare. But “magnesium infused tallow” is marketing, not science. If magnesium is simply mixed or suspended in fat, it isn’t doing what you think it is.

The real way forward is a lotion, where water, magnesium, and tallow come together in a stable, safe formula. That’s why we make our pumpable magnesium tallow lotion: because words like “infused” don’t matter nearly as much as products that actually work.

No gimmicks. No smoke and mirrors. Just honest ingredients, crafted the way they should be.

Check out our Magnesium Tallow Lotion here.