13/05/2026
We've all been there. We're shuffling toward the bathroom after a day that felt like a twelve-round boxing match with our inbox. Our shoulders are somewhere near our ears, our brains are buzzing with leftover caffeine and "per my last email" energy, and all we want is to melt into a tub. We reach for that giant, crinkly bag of Epsom salt because that’s what we’re told to do. It’s the classic move. But as we’re sitting there in the steam, a thought usually creeps in: Is this actually doing anything?
Does soaking in these crystals actually get magnesium into our systems, or are we just making ourselves into human soup? It’s a fair question. At Flewd Stresscare, we’re obsessed with the science of how our bodies handle stress, and that starts with understanding exactly what we’re putting in our bathwater. We’re going to dive into the messy reality of skin absorption, why the type of magnesium matters more than the marketing, and whether our favorite evening ritual is science-backed or just a very warm placebo.
The short answer is that while we can absorb minerals through our skin, the traditional bag of Epsom salts might not be the most efficient way to do it.
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Before we can talk about absorption, we need to know what we’re looking at. Epsom salt isn't the same stuff we put on our fries. It’s a chemical compound known as magnesium sulfate. It’s made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It got its name from a salty spring in Epsom, England, where it was first discovered hundreds of years ago.
Since then, it’s become the go-to remedy for everything from sore hamstrings to "detoxing." But here’s the thing: just because something contains magnesium doesn’t mean our bodies can easily use it. In the world of wellness, we talk a lot about bioavailability. This is a fancy way of saying "how much of this stuff actually makes it into our system where it can do some work."
When we dump those crystals into a warm bath, they dissolve. They break apart into magnesium and sulfate ions. The theory is that these tiny particles then travel through our skin, into our tissues, and eventually into our bloodstream. It sounds simple enough, but our skin is literally designed to keep things out. If we absorbed everything we touched, we’d blow up like a balloon every time we took a swim.
This is where the debate gets heated. If you ask a hardcore skeptic, they’ll tell you that transdermal absorption—which is just the process of absorbing things through the skin—is a myth for minerals. They’ll argue that the skin is an impenetrable fortress.
However, we know that’s not entirely true. We use nicotine patches, hormone creams, and even some pain medications through the skin because it’s a great way to bypass the digestive system. When we swallow a supplement, our gut has to break it down, and a lot of the good stuff gets lost in the process or causes, well, a very urgent trip to the bathroom. Taking nutrients through the skin is a clever workaround.
Research on magnesium specifically is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some compelling signs. A famous study from the University of Birmingham followed participants who soaked in Epsom salt baths for seven days. They found that 17 out of 19 people saw an increase in their magnesium levels. Interestingly, the people who didn't show an increase in their blood levels showed a massive spike in their urine, which suggests the magnesium did get in—their bodies just already had enough and were flushing the extra out.
Other studies have suggested that we don't just absorb through the surface of the skin, but through our hair follicles and sweat glands. These act like tiny tunnels that allow the magnesium ions to bypass the tough outer layer of our skin.
Key Takeaway: While the skin is a tough barrier, research suggests that magnesium ions can find their way in through hair follicles and pores, especially with consistent soaking.
If we're looking to actually boost our levels, we have to look at the form of magnesium we’re using. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It’s cheap, it’s easy to find, and it’s been around forever. But in the world of transdermal science, it’s not exactly the heavyweight champion.
At Flewd, we use magnesium chloride hexahydrate. We choose this because it’s a more bioavailable form of magnesium for the skin. Think of it like this: if magnesium sulfate is a basic flip phone, magnesium chloride is the latest smartphone. They both do the same core job, but one is much faster and more efficient at connecting.
Magnesium chloride is more soluble, meaning it breaks down and stays in a state that our skin can actually interact with more easily. It’s also less drying. If you’ve ever stayed in an Epsom salt bath too looooong and come out feeling like a piece of parched parchment, you’ve felt the drying effects of sulfate. Magnesium chloride tends to feel "oilier" and more hydrating, making it a better experience for our skin while it does the heavy lifting of nutrient delivery.
When we pour a packet of our soaks into the water, we’re looking for those bonds to break quickly. If the mineral doesn't fully dissolve and stay in a state where the ions are "free," they aren't going anywhere but down the drain. Magnesium chloride has a much higher "solubility constant" than Epsom salt, which is why we’re such big fans of it for our formulas.
We don't believe in just dumping some minerals into a tub and calling it a day. We see the bath as a delivery vehicle. If we're already opening up our pores with warm water, why stop at magnesium?
Our formulas are built on that magnesium chloride foundation, but we layer in targeted nutrients based on what we’re actually feeling. Because let's be real—the stress we feel after a fight with a partner is different from the stress of a deadline, which is different from the physical ache of a heavy workout.
By bypassing the digestive system, we're making sure these nutrients get where they need to go without being destroyed by stomach acid. It’s a 15-minute treatment that can keep us feeling leveled out for days.
Why are we even talking about this? Because stress is a magnesium thief. When we're under pressure—whether it's a "lion chasing us" kind of stress or a "passive-aggressive Slack message" kind of stress—our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This causes us to dump magnesium out through our kidneys.
It’s a cruel joke of biology. When we need magnesium the most (to calm our nervous system and relax our muscles), our bodies are busy throwing it away. This leads to a vicious cycle:
Soaking isn't just about "me-time." It’s about manual replenishment. We're literally putting back what the day took out of us.
If we’re gonna do this, we might as well do it right. You can't just sprinkle a tablespoon of salt into a boiling hot tub and expect magic. Here is how we maximize our 15 minutes in the water.
We want the water warm, not scalding. If the water is too hot, our bodies start sweating to cool us down. If we’re sweating out, we aren't absorbing in. Aim for that "comfortable but cozy" range—usually between 92°F and 100°F.
The studies show that absorption happens over time. We recommend at least 15 minutes, but 20 to 30 is the sweet spot. This gives those magnesium ions enough time to navigate the hair follicles and get into the deeper layers of the skin.
After you get out, don't immediately scrub yourself down with soap in the shower. Pat yourself dry. Let those nutrients stay on your skin for a bit. This is why we make our formulas non-toxic and skin-friendly—no weird residues or fake perfumes that you’ll be dying to wash off.
One soak feels great. Three soaks a week can change the baseline of how we handle stress. Think of it like charging a battery. You don't just plug it in for five seconds and expect a full charge; you need a consistent connection.
If your goal is better sleep, soak about an hour before bed. If you’re dealing with post-gym soreness, get in the tub as soon as you can after your workout. Match your soak to your symptom.
While magnesium is the star of the show, we also look at nootropics—substances that help with cognitive function and mood. When we're stressed, our brains are literally under-resourced. That’s why we include things like chromium and B12 in our Rage Squashing Soak. We're not just trying to relax the muscles; we're trying to give the brain the tools it needs to stop seeing everything as a threat.
Traditional Epsom salt baths don't do this. They're a one-note song. We prefer a full orchestra.
Let's be honest: the term "bath salts" has been ruined by drug store aisle vibes and some very weird news stories from 2012. Most "bath salts" you find at the grocery store are 90% sodium chloride (table salt) with a tiny bit of magnesium and a lot of synthetic fragrance. They smell like a "Midnight Rain" or "Tropical Escape," but they don't actually do anything for your biology.
We’re moving away from the "pretty smelling water" era and into the "transdermal nutrient treatment" era. We don't use parabens, phthalates, or those heavy synthetic dyes that stain your tub and irritate your skin. We keep it 99% natural and biodegradable because we care as much about the planet as we do about our cortisol levels.
While we’ve been tough on Epsom salts for their magnesium sulfate absorption, we have to give credit where it’s due: sulfate is also important. Sulfate helps support our body's natural detoxification processes and can help strengthen the walls of the digestive tract.
This is the one area where Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) have a leg up. However, many people find that the benefits of the more bioavailable magnesium chloride far outweigh the sulfate trade-off, especially since we can get sulfur from our diets (think eggs, garlic, and cruciferous veggies).
While soaking is suuuuuper safe for most of us, there are a few times when you should check with a pro before diving in:
For everyone else, the biggest risk is that you might accidentally fall asleep in the tub because you’re finally relaxed.
We talk a lot about ions and bioavailability, but we can't ignore the psychological part of this. Stress isn't just a chemical reaction; it’s an experience. Taking a bath is a radical act of slowing down in a world that wants us to go faster.
When we submerge ourselves in water, we’re cutting off the constant stream of notifications. We’re telling our nervous systems that, for the next 15 minutes, we are safe. That mental shift, combined with the physical replenishment of magnesium, is what makes the Flewd experience so powerful. It’s a two-pronged attack on stress.
We've seen over 100,000 customers find relief this way. It’s not just about the salt; it’s about the ritual.
You’ll see a lot of brands claiming that their salts will "pull toxins" out of your body. Let's be real—your liver and kidneys are the only things "detoxing" you. A bath isn't going to suck heavy metals out through your pores like a magnet.
What a bath can do is support the systems that already do that work. By lowering our stress levels and providing the minerals our bodies need to function, we're making it easier for our natural systems to do their jobs. We're not "pulling" anything out; we're "putting" the good stuff in.
Can you use too much Epsom salt in a bath? Generally, following the package directions is best, usually 1–2 cups for a standard tub. While it's hard to "overdose" via the skin because the body is pretty good at self-regulating absorption, using too much can be very drying and leave your skin feeling itchy or tight.
Does magnesium chloride absorb better than Epsom salt? Yes, most research and nutritional experts suggest that magnesium chloride is more bioavailable and more easily absorbed through the skin than magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). It is also more soluble in water, which helps the magnesium ions stay in a state where they can actually penetrate the dermal layers.
How often should I take a magnesium bath for the best results? For most people, taking a soak 2–3 times per week provides a consistent "recharge" for magnesium levels. While you can soak every day if you're dealing with high stress or intense muscle soreness, a few times a week is usually enough to feel a significant difference in your overall stress resilience.
Can I drink Epsom salt to get more magnesium? While some grades of Epsom salt are FDA-approved as a laxative, we don't recommend it for magnesium replenishment. It can cause significant digestive upset, bloating, and diarrhea. Transdermal absorption (soaking) is much gentler on the system and allows you to bypass the digestive side effects entirely.
So, do Epsom salt baths increase magnesium? The evidence points to yes—but with a few "ifs" and "buts." You can get a boost, but you have to be consistent, and you have to understand that not all magnesium is created equal. If you’re just looking for a cheap way to warm up, a bag of grocery store salts is fine. But if you’re looking to actually address the way stress is depleting your body, you need to step up your game.
By choosing a more bioavailable form like magnesium chloride and adding in targeted nutrients, we can turn a simple bath into a powerful recovery tool. We don't have to let stress run the show. We can take 15 minutes, get in the water, and give our bodies exactly what they've been missing.
Final Thought: Magnesium is the ultimate "anti-stress" mineral, and delivering it through the skin is one of the most effective ways to bypass the gut and get straight to the relief.
Ready to move past the basic salt bag? Check out our Build Your Own Bundle (BYOB) and pick the soaks that actually match your mood. Your nervous system will thank you.
