Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes

The key difference between Epsom salt and magnesium flakes is that the Epsom salt (chemical formula: MgSO₄(H₂O)₇) is the heptahydrate form of magnesium sulfate whereas the magnesium flake (chemical formula: MgCl₂) is magnesium chloride flake.

Both Epsom salt and magnesium flakes are magnesium salts. These compounds are useful as magnesium sources. Epsom salt is different from table salt but looks like the same. It occurs as tiny, colorless crystals that resemble sodium chloride (table salt). Magnesium flakes are magnesium sulfate crystals that we can use as a magnesium source for skin hydration, healing wounds, etc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Epsom Salt
3. What are Magnesium Flakes
4. Side by Side Comparison – Epsom Salt vs Magnesium Flakes in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is the solid magnesium sulfate that has the chemical formula MgSO₄(H₂O)₇. Its mineralogical name is epsomite. This compound is important as a bath salt since ancient times. It is also useful as a beauty product. This compound appears as colorless, tiny crystals which resemble the appearance of table salt.

Figure 01: Epsom Salt Packet

The name of this compound derives from its source; the bitter saline spring in Epsom in Surrey. We use this compound both externally and internally. It is highly water-soluble. The benefits of this salt include the followings:

• Ease the stress and relax our body
• Relieve cramping and pain
• Improve muscle function
• Prevent from artery hardening and blood clots
• Make insulin more effective
• Relieves constipation

What are Magnesium Flakes?

Magnesium flakes are magnesium chloride crystals having the chemical formula MgCl₂. It is a useful bath salt since ancient times. The important facts about this compound are as follows:

• Improve skin hydration
• Speed wound healing
• Enhance skin barrier function
• Decrease inflammation

Magnesium flakes are a form of transdermal magnesium. It delivers magnesium through the skin. This causes a rapid absorption into cells.

What is the Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes?

Epsom salt is the heptahydrate solid form of magnesium sulfate. The chemical formula of Epsom salt is MgSO₄(H₂O)₇. The benefits of Epsom salt includes the ability to ease the stress and relax our body, Relieve cramping and pain, Helps muscles and nerves function properly, Prevent from artery hardening and blood clots, etc. Magnesium flakes are magnesium chloride crystals. The chemical formula of Magnesium flakes is MgCl₂. The benefits of magnesium flakes improve skin hydration, speed wound healing, enhance skin barrier function, and decrease inflammation. This is the main difference between Epsom salt and magnesium flakes.

Summary – Epsom Salt vs Magnesium Flakes

Both Epsom salt and magnesium flakes are magnesium salts and have medicinal importance. People used both salts since ancient times. The difference between Epsom salt and magnesium flakes is that Epsom salt is the heptahydrate form of magnesium sulfate whereas magnesium flakes are magnesium chloride flakes.

Reference:

1. “Magnesium Sulfate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 June 2018. Available here 
2. “Magnesium Bath Flakes.” Ancient Minerals. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’14531099982′ by Kazuhiro Keino (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

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