• Chemical Name: Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate
• Chemical Formula: MgCl₂·6H₂O
• INCI Name: Magnesium Chloride
• CAS Number: 7786-30-3 (anhydrous) / 7791-18-6 (hexahydrate)
• Grade: Food Grade / Cosmetic Grade
• Common Names: Magnesium Chloride Flakes, Magnesium Flakes, MgCl₂ Flakes, Zechstein Magnesium (when from Zechstein source)
• Appearance: White to off-white flat crystalline flakes
• Odour: Odourless
• Taste: Bitter, saline
• Purity: ≥99% Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate
• Magnesium content (elemental): Approximately 12% by weight
• pH (5% solution): Approximately 5.5–6.5 — mildly acidic
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water — dissolves rapidly in both hot and warm water; highly hygroscopic
• Molecular Weight: 203.31 g/mol (hexahydrate)
• Storage: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from moisture — extremely hygroscopic; will absorb atmospheric moisture and dissolve or cake if not sealed
• Shelf Life: Indefinite in properly sealed, dry storage

HOW TO USE

Bath Soak
Add 250g–500g of Magnesium Chloride Flakes to a warm bath (not hot — heat reduces absorption and can be draining). Dissolve fully before entering. Soak for 20–30 minutes. Best used 2–3 times per week.

Foot Soak
Add 50–100g to a foot bath of warm water. Dissolve and soak feet for 20–30 minutes. Foot soaks are a highly concentrated transdermal application area — the thin skin and high blood vessel density of the feet makes this a particularly popular application method.

Magnesium Oil (topical spray)
Dissolve 100g of Magnesium Chloride Flakes in 100ml of warm distilled water. Stir until fully dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to a spray bottle. Apply directly to skin and massage in — do not rinse off. Note: "Magnesium Oil" is a misnomer — it is not an oil but a highly concentrated aqueous solution that has a slightly oily feel on skin. A mild tingling sensation on application is normal and not harmful; reduce concentration if sensitivity occurs.

Magnesium Body Mist / Spray
Dissolve 50g Magnesium Chloride Flakes in 150ml of distilled water for a lighter 25% concentration spray. Apply to legs, arms, abdomen, or soles of feet. Leave on for at least 20–30 minutes before rinsing if desired, or leave on overnight.

Bath Bomb / Bath Soak Blend
Include 10–20% Magnesium Chloride Flakes in dry bath salt blends, bath soaks, or bath bomb formulations for magnesium enrichment. Combine with Epsom salt, Pink Himalayan salt, sodium bicarbonate, and essential oils for a complete mineral soak product.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

Bath Soak (direct use): 250–500g per full bath
Foot Soak (direct use): 50–100g per foot bath
Magnesium Oil (concentrated): 50–60% dissolved in distilled water (50–60g per 100ml)
Magnesium Spray (lighter): 20–30% dissolved in distilled water (20–30g per 100ml)
Bath Salt Blends / Soaks (product formulation): 10–30% of total dry weight
Bath Bombs: 5–15% of total dry weight
Cosmetic formulations (water phase): 1–5% for magnesium enrichment in creams and serums

• Highly soluble — dissolves completely and quickly in warm water, creating a clear, smooth bath or spray solution with no residue
• High purity food grade — no fillers, anti-caking agents, or additives; clean ingredient for cosmetic and wellness formulations
• Rapidly absorbed through skin in bath and foot soak applications
• Natural mineral origin — derived from ancient underground mineral deposits formed millions of years ago; free from modern environmental contaminants
• Versatile format — suitable for direct use bath soaks, foot soaks, DIY magnesium oil, topical sprays, bath bombs, and cosmetic formulations
• Flake form is easier to measure and dissolve than crystal or granule formats — fast dissolution in warm water
• Available in 100g, 1kg, and 3kg — suitable from personal wellness use to small-batch product production
• Odourless — completely neutral; blends without interfering with fragrance or essential oil scents in bath products
• pH of approximately 5.5–6.5 — mildly acidic; gently supportive of the skin's natural acid mantle

MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE vs EPSOM SALT (MAGNESIUM SULPHATE) — WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Both Magnesium Chloride Flakes and Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate) are magnesium-containing bath additives used for wellness soaks. Here are the key differences:

Magnesium content: Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate contains approximately 12% elemental magnesium by weight. Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate (Epsom Salt) contains approximately 10% elemental magnesium. Magnesium Chloride has slightly higher magnesium content per gram.

Absorption: Magnesium Chloride is widely considered to be more bioavailable and efficiently absorbed through skin than magnesium sulphate, though the evidence for transdermal absorption of either form remains an active area of research. Many practitioners and formulators prefer magnesium chloride for this reason.

Anion: Magnesium Chloride provides chloride ions alongside magnesium; Epsom Salt provides sulphate ions. Both have different secondary properties in the bath — sulphate is associated with muscle relaxation specifically, while chloride is associated with broader metabolic and cellular magnesium availability.

Feel: Magnesium Chloride produces a softer, slightly silkier water feel than Epsom Salt. Many users describe the skin feel after a magnesium chloride bath as notably softer.

Cost: Epsom Salt is generally cheaper per kilogram at equivalent sizes. Magnesium Chloride is a premium magnesium bath ingredient.

Conclusion: For maximum magnesium delivery and skin feel, Magnesium Chloride Flakes are the premium choice. For budget muscle-soak applications, Epsom Salt is effective and economical. Many professional bath product formulators blend both for a balanced mineral soak.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

• Bath soaks and bath salts
• Foot soaks
• DIY magnesium oil (topical spray)
• Magnesium body spray and mist
• Bath bomb formulations (magnesium-enriched)
• Wellness bath soak blends
• Muscle recovery bath soaks
• Sleep-support bath soaks
• Pregnancy bath soaks (check with healthcare provider)
• Magnesium-enriched body lotion and cream formulations
• Natural skincare and wellness product manufacturing
• Cosmetic ingredient (water phase)

• Food grade — safe for bath, foot soak, and topical skin applications at recommended concentrations
• Not for internal consumption as a supplement without medical guidance — consult a healthcare professional before oral use
• Avoid contact with eyes — magnesium chloride solution is irritating to eyes; if contact occurs rinse thoroughly with water for several minutes
• May cause mild tingling or itching sensation on application in concentrated form (magnesium oil) — this is normal; reduce concentration if uncomfortable or if skin reaction occurs
• Not recommended for use on broken, damaged, or very sensitive skin without medical guidance
• Avoid use in hot baths — very hot water can be draining and may cause dizziness; use warm water (37–40°C)
• Individuals with kidney disease, heart conditions, or other serious medical conditions should consult a doctor before using magnesium baths or topical magnesium products
• Extremely hygroscopic — store in an airtight sealed container; will absorb moisture from the air and dissolve or cake if exposed to humidity
• Keep out of reach of children — children's bath soak use should be age-appropriate and supervised; consult a paediatrician for use with infants

What is the INCI name for Magnesium Chloride Flakes?
The correct INCI name is Magnesium Chloride. This is the name that must appear on your finished cosmetic product ingredient list when using these flakes in bath salts, bath bombs, body sprays, or other cosmetic products sold in Australia.

How do I make magnesium oil with these flakes?
Magnesium oil is a misnomer — it is actually a concentrated aqueous solution of magnesium chloride that feels slightly oily on skin due to its high concentration. To make it: dissolve 100g of Magnesium Chloride Flakes in 100ml of warm distilled water. Stir until completely dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to a glass or HDPE spray bottle. Apply 5–10 sprays to skin and massage in. Leave on for at least 20–30 minutes before rinsing if desired, or leave on overnight for maximum absorption.

How much should I add to a bath?
A typical therapeutic bath soak uses 250–500g of Magnesium Chloride Flakes in a full-size bathtub of warm water. Start at 250g if you are new to magnesium baths and increase to 500g as your body acclimates. Soak for 20–30 minutes in warm (not hot) water. After your soak, pat skin dry without rinsing to allow residual magnesium to continue absorbing.

Is the tingling I feel from magnesium oil normal?
Yes — a mild tingling or itching sensation when applying concentrated magnesium oil or spray to skin is common and is not harmful. It is thought to be caused by the magnesium ions activating nerve endings as they penetrate the skin. If the tingling is uncomfortable, dilute your magnesium solution with more distilled water (reduce concentration from 50% to 25–30%), or rinse the area with water after 20 minutes. The sensation tends to reduce with regular use as the body adapts.

Can I add Magnesium Chloride Flakes to bath bombs?
Yes — Magnesium Chloride Flakes can be incorporated into bath bomb dry blends at 5–15% of total weight for a magnesium-enriched fizzy bath product. Be aware that magnesium chloride is highly hygroscopic — it attracts moisture which can trigger the fizzing reaction prematurely during bath bomb making. Keep your workspace as dry as possible, work quickly, and store finished bath bombs in individually sealed packaging to prevent moisture ingress. Some formulators add magnesium chloride as a separate dissolvable sachet alongside the bath bomb rather than incorporating it into the bomb itself, to avoid premature activation issues.

What is the difference between Magnesium Chloride Flakes and Magnesium Chloride Oil?
They are the same ingredient in different forms. Magnesium Chloride Flakes are the solid form — you dissolve them yourself to create your desired concentration. Magnesium Chloride "Oil" is simply pre-dissolved flakes in water at approximately 50% concentration. Buying flakes gives you full control over concentration and is significantly more cost-effective than buying pre-made magnesium oil, as you are not paying for water. All commercially available magnesium oil products are made from the same magnesium chloride flakes dissolved in water.

How should I store Magnesium Chloride Flakes?
Store in an airtight, sealed container in a cool, dry location. Magnesium Chloride is extremely hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the surrounding air and will progressively dissolve into a wet cake or liquid if left unsealed in a humid environment. This does not render it unusable — it is simply very concentrated dissolved magnesium chloride — but it makes accurate measuring difficult. Always reseal immediately after use and store in a dry cupboard away from steam sources like kettles and dishwashers.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Epsom Salt — the classic magnesium sulphate bath salt; blend with magnesium chloride for a complete mineral soak
• Pink Himalayan Rock Salt — adds minerals, colour, and aesthetic appeal to magnesium bath salt blends
• Sodium Bicarbonate (Food Grade Baking Soda) — combine with magnesium chloride in bath soaks for a skin-softening, pH-buffered soak
• Citric Acid Anhydrous — pair with sodium bicarbonate and magnesium chloride for fizzing bath soaks and bath bombs
• Bath Bomb Supplies Collection — shop all bath bomb and bath soak making ingredients
• Essential Oils Collection — scent your magnesium bath soak blends with pure essential oils
• Lavender Essential Oil — the most popular essential oil pairing for sleep and relaxation magnesium soaks
• Fragrance Oils — fragrance your magnesium bath soak and wellness product range