Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Inorganic Chemistry / Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes

Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes

June 23, 2018 Posted by Madhu

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.

Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes

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.

Difference Between Epsom Salt and Magnesium Flakes in Tabular Form

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

Related posts:

Difference Between Point Group and Space GroupDifference Between Point Group and Space Group Difference Between Shielding and Screening EffectDifference Between Shielding and Screening Effect Difference Between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous CatalystDifference Between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalyst Difference Between Dia Para and Ferromagnetic Materials_Figure 2Difference Between Dia Para and Ferromagnetic Materials Key Difference - Chelate vs Macrocyclic LigandsDifference Between Chelate and Macrocyclic Ligands

Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty

Difference Between Leaflet and Pamphlet

Difference Between Leaflet and Pamphlet

Difference Between Caesarstone and Silestone

Difference Between Caesarstone and Silestone

Difference Between Catalytic and Non Catalytic Reaction

Difference Between Catalytic and Non Catalytic Reaction

Difference Between Villi and Microvilli

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Penta and Hexa Vaccine
  • What is the Difference Between Vital and Supravital Staining
  • What is the Difference Between Post Transcriptional and Post Translational Modification
  • What is the Difference Between Gingelly Oil and Sesame Oil
  • What is the Difference Between Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Truncus Arteriosus
  • What is the Difference Between Lagophthalmos and Ptosis
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.