Magnesium plays a role in hundreds of bodily processes, ranging from muscle function to sleep quality and stress response. It’s arguably the most important nutrient for human health - yet so many people exist in a chronic state of magnesium deficiency.
Part of this is because magnesium is so misunderstood. The answer isn’t as simple as taking the first magnesium supplement you find. There are so many different types of magnesium, and not all forms are made equal.
We’ll compare and contrast magnesium chloride vs magnesium oxide today, as these are two popular choices you have at your fingertips. While bioavailability should take precedence over all else, you also need to account for the type of magnesium that best suits your needs.
But whether you’re looking for the best magnesium for stress or wondering which magnesium is best for sleep, you’ll find that magnesium chloride is the #1 choice. It has a high absorption rate with little to no side effects to be worried about, especially when taken transdermally.
That’s why our magnesium bath soak formulations all rely on this form. Learn more about the nuances between magnesium oxide vs magnesium chloride below, or feel the difference firsthand by tapping into the magnesium bath soak benefits at Flewd Stresscare today!
Why the Form of Magnesium Matters
If you find yourself feeling sluggish or fighting through a mental fog, weak in the face of stress, or constantly dealing with aches and pains, you could be one of the many people suffering from magnesium deficiency.
This vital nutrient influences 300+ bodily processes, and unfortunately, it’s not very abundant in food. That means you need to supplement your body’s magnesium stores on a regular basis.
The problem is, most people turn to oral supplementation. We get it - capsules and powders are cheap and convenient. They have notoriously low bioavailability, though, meaning your body ends up excreting most of the magnesium as waste.
Worse, these types of supplements can lead to uncomfortable side effects since they call for such high doses to counteract the low bioavailability. Cramps and diarrhea are, unfortunately, quite common.
That’s why transdermal - or through the skin - is the way to go with magnesium supplementation. From bath soaks to lotions and balms, there are plenty of ways you can soak up all the benefits of magnesium.
But even if you’ve decided on transdermal supplementation, you need to choose the right type of magnesium. We’ve already compared magnesium sulfate vs magnesium chloride, but what about magnesium chloride vs magnesium oxide?
What is Magnesium Chloride?
This naturally occurring compound is made of, you guessed it, magnesium and chlorine. It’s found in seawater and salt lakes and has been used in wellness for as long as we’ve known about its benefits.
The main appeal of magnesium chloride is bioavailability. Your body can absorb and use it more efficiently compared to many other forms. This means you can take lower doses to get the same effect, and in turn, save money while avoiding any potentially uncomfortable side effects.
This is why you’ll see magnesium chloride used for everything from muscle cramps to low energy, irritability, sleep issues, stress, and a whole lot more. It’s a really versatile addition to any self-care ritual.
The best part is you can apply it topically and bypass the digestive system entirely, getting the mineral right into your bloodstream where it’s needed most. This leads to faster relief without any of the downsides associated with oral supplements.
We feel strongly that magnesium chloride is the #1 epsom salt substitute, and you don’t just have to take our word for it. Hundreds of thousands of customers use our stress relief bath soak formulations, and the success stories are incredible!
More on that later. First, let’s introduce the other half of the magnesium chloride vs magnesium oxide debate.
What is Magnesium Oxide?
Magnesium oxide is a compound formed from magnesium and oxygen, typically derived from roasting magnesium carbonate or extracted from minerals like periclase. In this sense, it’s manmade - you won’t find it in nature like you would magnesium chloride.
Still, magnesium oxide is among the most common forms found in over-the-counter supplements, mainly because it’s inexpensive and easy to produce at scale. That doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you, though.
The biggest problem with magnesium oxide comes down to bioavailability. We’ve seen research suggesting the body only absorbs around 4% of the actual magnesium content!
While it contains a high percentage of elemental magnesium by weight, most of it passes through the digestive system without being used. This means you’re fighting an uphill battle if you’re trying to correct a deficiency.
There is one area where magnesium oxide has an edge over other forms, though - including magnesium chloride. It can be used as a short-term remedy for constipation because it draws water into the intestines, getting your bowels working as intended once again.
But if you aren’t having trouble with regular bowel movements, you might find this more of a frustrating side effect than a benefit. On that note, magnesium oxide may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in the form of bloating in addition to diarrhea.
Magnesium Chloride vs Magnesium Oxide: Which is Right For Your Wellness Goals?
You’re probably starting to see why magnesium chloride is the clear choice between the two already. It’s more versatile and has far higher bioavailability, so you get more value from each serving you take.
But maybe you’re wondering which magnesium is best for muscle recovery, stress, sleep, or digestive relief. Perhaps you’re curious about which has fewer side effects. We’ll compare and contrast magnesium oxide vs magnesium chloride side-by-side to leave you with a clear grasp.
Stress and Mood Support
Magnesium can help regulate cortisol levels and support neurotransmitters that impact mood. It’s a powerful defense against anxious thoughts and constant internal chaos. But, your body needs a form of magnesium it can actually absorb to fight off stress.
That’s why magnesium chloride is the obvious answer. It has better bioavailability, which means it’s more effective at calming the nervous system and stabilizing mood. You may not notice much of a difference using magnesium oxide since your body ends up excreting most of it.
Muscle Recovery and Pain Relief
Whether it’s post-workout soreness or chronic tension, a muscle bath soak might be all you need to start feeling better. Magnesium supports muscle relaxation by helping regulate calcium flow in muscle cells.
Topical supplementation is the way to go here, not just because you can avoid digestive discomfort but because you can apply the magnesium where it’s needed most.
But which is better between magnesium chloride vs magnesium oxide for this use? The former has a clear edge because it’s actually available in transdermal forms. You probably won’t be able to get your hands on a topical magnesium oxide supplement. They’re much more rare.
Sleep Quality and Relaxation
Magnesium helps activate GABA, a neurotransmitter that encourages sleep and relaxation. So if you're ready to put sleepless nights of tossing and turning in the past and wake up feeling refreshed, should you go with magnesium chloride vs oxide?
Again, it all comes down to which offers better absorption rates - and there’s no contest there. Magnesium chloride is more readily absorbed and can help ease the body into restful sleep, especially when used transdermally before bed.
Magnesium oxide is unlikely to move the needle on sleep quality due to how little of it your body can use. If anything, you’ll find yourself waking up throughout the night to use the restroom because it gets your bowels moving! Speaking of which…
Digestive Relief
Like we said earlier, there is one specific application where magnesium oxide has its place - digestive relief. It works as a short-term laxative by drawing water into the intestines. This can get things moving, if you know what we mean.
Magnesium chloride doesn’t offer the same digestive push, but it's also less likely to cause unwanted cramping or urgency - which can be a good thing if you aren’t looking for digestive relief.
Long-Term Magnesium Replenishment
The goal with magnesium isn’t to incorporate it every once in a while when you need it. Your body needs it daily. So, you should make magnesium chloride or oxide a part of your regular self-care regimen to ensure your body always has access to the magnesium it needs.
Magnesium chloride is a steady, reliable way to rebuild stores without overloading your digestive system. In contrast, magnesium oxide passes through the body relatively unused. It’s just inefficient in the long run and can strain your digestive system.
So, why settle for anything less than the best form of magnesium? Your search ends here at Flewd Stresscare, whether you’re looking for an anxiety bath soak or need to press the fast-forward button on your body’s muscle recovery process.
Tap Into the Full Therapeutic Potential of Magnesium at Flewd Stresscare
We take stress seriously here at Flewd and provide the necessary support to stop letting it run your life. Get back in control with our bath soaks, which absorb directly through your skin and go to work fast to calm your nervous system, ease tension, and reset your mood.
Every formula is 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. No parabens. No synthetic fillers. Just active vitamins, minerals, and nootropics that work together to target different types of stress at the source. There’s a soak for every purpose, too.
- Ache Erasing: Bioavailable magnesium, vitamins C & D, and omega-3s target inflammation, muscle tension, and toxin buildup with a bold citrus scent—think mandarin, clementine, and blood orange.
- Anxiety Destroying: A calming mix of magnesium, B vitamins, and zinc helps regulate mood and ease nervous energy with notes of tropical lime, soft sea salt, and white florals.
- Insomnia Ending: Magnesium, vitamins A & E, and L-carnitine work together to calm your system and reset your sleep cycle, wrapped in a sparkling yuzu-forward scent with soft floral edges.
- Sads Smashing: Magnesium, B3, B6, and nootropic lithium help lift low moods and balance emotions with a scent that smells like green desert rain - fresh, minty, and woodsy.
- Rage Squashing: Magnesium, chromium, and B12 ease adrenaline spikes and cortisol crashes, paired with a rich blend of jasmine, pine, spice, and leather.
- Panic Crushing: Magnesium, boron, and omega-3s relax the body and balance hormones with a grounding, spicy-floral scent layered with soft leather and warm wood.
Using our products couldn’t be easier. Rip the pouch open and pour the full contents into a tub of warm water. Soak for at least 15 minutes (or as long as you like). Rinse after if you want, but no need since the ingredients are all-natural.
These soaks work wonders, and you don’t just have to take our word for it. Backed by a 4.9/5-star rating from over 100,000 happy customers, you can rest assured relief is just a few clicks away.
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of Magnesium Oxide vs Magnesium Chloride
Hopefully this comparison of magnesium chloride vs magnesium oxide has left you feeling clear and confident about which form is best for your needs. Magnesium chloride outperforms magnesium oxide in just about every aspect.
It absorbs better, works faster, and offers more reliable results for sleep, mood, muscle recovery, and long-term balance. Magnesium oxide might be common, but it’s far less effective where it counts. So why settle for anything less than the best for your wellbeing?
Give your body the kind of magnesium it can actually use in the most effective form with complementary ingredients. Flewd Stresscare bath soaks are the perfect addition to any self-care care routine. Support your system the natural way - find your formulation today!
