SEDE 101
If you've shopped for bath salts, you've probably seen both Epsom Salt and Magnesium Chloride — and wondered what actually sets them apart. Here's the real chemistry behind it.
What They Are
Epsom salt isn't actually salt — it's magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), first identified in the spring waters of Epsom, England, in the early 1600s. It's widely available, inexpensive, and has been used in baths for centuries.
Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) is a different compound — magnesium bonded with chloride instead of sulfate. Magnesium chloride can be sourced from a few different places in nature — most notably the Zechstein seabed and the Dead Sea. Both are naturally occurring deposits, formed through similar evaporation and crystallization processes over time, and both yield high-purity magnesium chloride.
Why Choose Magnesium Chloride Over Standard Epsom Salt?
Standard Epsom salt is a lower-cost commodity, which is why it dominates supermarket shelves. We choose magnesium chloride because of its chemical structure — it is far more soluble and dissolves faster in water, giving you a richer, more concentrated soak compared to basic magnesium sulfate.
Why Is Magnesium Chloride More Expensive Than Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is widely available and inexpensive to produce, which is why it's the standard at most drugstores. Magnesium chloride, especially when harvested from a specific source like the Dead Sea, involves a more involved natural process — solar evaporation and crystallization — to produce. That extra process is reflected in the price.
The Verdict
This isn't a case where one is good and the other is bad. Epsom salt remains the most accessible, affordable entry point into mineral bathing — widely available, inexpensive, and a perfectly fine place to start if you've never tried a mineral soak before.
But if you want a richer, more concentrated soak, magnesium chloride is the upgrade worth considering. Its smaller molecular structure, higher solubility, and the option for Dead Sea-sourced formulations with a broader mineral profile give it a genuine edge for anyone who wants more from their soak.
Pure Ingredients. Real Recovery. Feel the SEDE Difference.
0 comments