Magnesium Chloride Flakes vs Epsom Salt

We see magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt compared all the time, and it’s easy to see why. They’re used more or less the same way (in a bath) for similar ailments - aching muscles, poor sleep, fatigue, and a lot more. 

So which is better, epsom salt or magnesium chloride? It’s not particularly close. Magnesium chloride is way more bioavailable. In other words, every soak goes further in its impact on:

• Muscle tension
• Sleep quality
• Energy levels
• Stress and anxiety
• Etc.

Learn more about epsom salt vs magnesium chloride below, and why our bath soaks at Flewd Stresscare are the #1 epsom salt alternative. 

“For years I was just using basic Epsom salts or magnesium flakes. I came across Flewd and my life has changed. These bath soaks are beyond anything else I have ever tried. They are incredibly comforting and do what they say they do!” - Rebecca

“Truly Divine soaks! I've tried many other types of magnesium soaks, from Epsom to mineral sea salts and so far every single Flewd Soak provides so much more relief, I consider them divine. Highly recommend for anyone looking to elevate their bath ritual with real therapeutic benefits you can feel during and for day(s) after.” - Mary

“I've been using Epsom salts all my life to relax my muscles due to ehlers-danlos syndrome. This is the first time I've gotten "No hassle, dosed in a bag with all the goodies" and I really like it. I also like deciding which flavor I want to use as if I'm setting an intention.” - Victoria

Fast Facts on Magnesium Chloride vs Epsom Salt

Overview of Magnesium

Before we get into our comparison of magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt, it’s important that you know what magnesium is in the first place. This mineral is used by the body every single day to keep things running smoothly. It helps muscles move and relax, supports nerve signaling, plays a role in energy production, and helps regulate sleep and stress responses.

Magnesium is also involved in hundreds of chemical reactions that affect everything from heart rhythm to digestion. Basically, you’ll feel fatigue, muscle tightness, poor sleep, or irritability anytime magnesium levels dip.

Unfortunately, oral supplementation rarely helps restore balance. The digestive system does a poor job absorbing enough elemental magnesium to make a difference, and pills/powders can lead to uncomfortable side effects like diarrhea or cramping. 

That’s why topical magnesium is the way to go, and why the exact form of magnesium matters. That’s where our comparison of epsom salt vs magnesium chloride becomes so important. 

What is Epsom Salt?

You’re probably plenty familiar with epsom salt. Maybe you’ve already used it in the past. It’s also known as magnesium sulfate, which is a combination of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.  It’s used in baths to support relaxation and ease sore muscles after a workout. 

Pros

• Widely available and inexpensive
• Dissolves easily in warm bath water
• Feels soothing for general muscle soreness
• Can be quite calming in a bath 

Cons

• Magnesium sulfate is harder for the body to absorb
• Larger molecule size limits how much magnesium actually enters the system
• Effects tend to be more surface-level and temporary
• Can dry out skin with frequent use
• Less helpful for addressing magnesium deficiency, stress, or fatigue

What Are Magnesium Chloride Flakes?

Magnesium chloride flakes are a highly absorbable form of magnesium. In fact, this is the most bioavailable form of magnesium. It comes from seawater and other mineral-rich salt deposits. It dissolves quickly in warm bath water and can work its way through the skin barrier quickly, reaching the bloodstream and then being distributed throughout the body for fast effects.

Because magnesium chloride is smaller and more soluble than many other magnesium compounds, it’s used by people looking for deeper muscle relief, better stress recovery, and more noticeable results from topical magnesium use.

Pros

• Delivers magnesium in a form the body absorbs more efficiently
• Dissolves fast and evenly in warm water
• Supports muscle relaxation, stress recovery, and sleep
• Less drying than Epsom salt for many people
• Often produces more consistent, longer-lasting effects

Cons

• Typically costs more than standard Epsom salt
• Can cause mild tingling on very dry or sensitive skin
• Not as widely available in grocery stores

Magnesium Chloride Flakes vs Epsom Salt: Which is Better?

You’re probably already seeing why magnesium chloride flakes are the go-to over epsom salt. But we want to take a closer look at magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt side by side to help you make the most informed decision. 

Magnesium Type

The biggest difference between epsom salt vs magnesium chloride is the type of magnesium you’re actually getting, as that’s what influences bioavailability, side effects, and overall benefits.

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, meaning magnesium is bound to sulfate. Magnesium chloride flakes bind magnesium to chloride instead. That matters because chloride is something your body already uses and recognizes easily, while sulfate is bulkier and less flexible.

Absorption Rate

There’s a clear distinction between magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt from an efficiency perspective. The former dissolves quickly and stays evenly distributed in warm water, which helps the skin absorb it more efficiently.

Epsom salt doesn’t absorb poorly, but the magnesium sulfate molecule is larger as we just spoke about above. That’s why less of it tends to make its way through the skin barrier. In other words, you’ll feel more impact (and faster) from magnesium chloride.

Impact on Muscle Tension and Soreness

Both options can feel good on sore muscles, but magnesium chloride tends to reach deeper. It helps muscles fully release after contraction, so it works better for Both options can feel good on sore muscles, but magnesium chloride tends to reach deeper. Epsom salt tends to feel more surface-level, and the effects are typically more short-lived. 

Support for Stress and Nervous System Recovery

Magnesium can help quiet an overactive nervous system, but again, magnesium chloride just works on a deeper level to help you find a sense of calm. Epsom salt baths feel more relaxing in the moment, but they’re less reliable for ongoing stress support. 

Effect on Sleep Quality

Because magnesium chloride is more consistent in how it calms the nervous system and eases tense muscles, it tends to be a better fit for sleep support. More specifically, the Insomnia Ending bath soak we’ve come up with. It combines magnesium chloride with Vitamins A & E, and L-Carnitine.

Epsom salt isn’t really something people use to help fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. Its relaxing properties are great, but they’re more surface level - as are most of the benefits of epsom salt.

Likelihood of Skin or Digestive Irritation

Neither option affects digestion when used in a bath, so you don’t have to worry about the uncomfortable side effects of oral supplements. However, epsom salt can sometimes have a drying effect on the skin. Magnesium chloride can feel tingling, but that’s really it. Both are considered relatively gentle, though, 

Which is Better Epsom Salt or Magnesium Chloride?

You can see why there’s a clear winner between magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt. It absorbs better, delivers more usable magnesium, and tends to produce more consistent results for muscle tension, stress recovery, and sleep.

But we’ve taken things even further here at Flewd Stresscare by pairing magnesium chloride hexahydrate with other proven, targeted ingredients to help you address a specific ailment - be it muscle recovery, sleep support, calmer nights, or low-energy days.

Every formula is paraben-free, non-toxic, biodegradable, and vegan. It’s so easy to incorporate our soaks into your self-care ritual, too. Just dump a packet in a warm bath and enjoy the ultimate relaxation for 15-20 minutes. You can use them up to 3 times a week.

Parting Thoughts on Epsom Salt vs Magnesium Chloride Flakes

We hope this magnesium chloride flakes vs epsom salt comparison has left you feeling confident in which best suits your goals. It’s easy to see why magnesium chloride is better than epsom salt - more bioavailable, more versatile, and paired with the right ingredients at Flewd.

Our blog has more comparisons of magnesium chloride vs magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate vs glycinate and magnesium carbonate vs magnesium citrate if you want to learn more.

But as we bring this magnesium sulfate vs magnesium chloride comparison to a close, we want to remind you that the best magnesium bath soak is just a few clicks away. From our muscle bath soak to our stress relief bath soak, everything is crafted to deliver targeted relief.

With a 4.9/5 star rating, you can place your order with peace of mind knowing you’re getting a solution that works. Join 100,000+ happy customers and counting today!