What Is MSM?

SEDE 101

If you've looked at the ingredient list on our Magnesium Oil or Lotion, you've seen MSM listed alongside magnesium chloride. Here's what it actually is.

The Basics

MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane — a naturally occurring, organic sulfur compound. Despite the technical-sounding name, it's not a synthetic lab creation. MSM is found in small amounts in fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal products, and it occurs naturally in the tissues and fluids of humans and animals.

Where It Comes From

MSM is part of a natural sulfur cycle found in nature. Phytoplankton in the ocean release sulfur compounds that evaporate into the atmosphere, interact with sunlight, and return to earth in rainwater — depositing MSM into plants and, from there, into the food chain. It's a genuinely natural compound, not something synthesized from scratch.

Is MSM the Same as DMSO?

Not quite, though they're related. MSM is sometimes confused with DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), another sulfur-containing compound — but they are chemically distinct. MSM is actually a naturally occurring metabolite of DMSO, meaning it's what DMSO becomes as it breaks down in the body.

Why It's Used in Cosmetics

MSM has become popular in cosmetic formulations, often included in creams, lotions, and serums. In skincare, it's valued as a skin-conditioning ingredient — helping formulas feel smooth and lightweight on application. That's why you'll find it paired with magnesium chloride in our Oil and Lotion: it contributes to the clean, non-greasy texture both products are known for.

The Bottom Line

MSM isn't a mystery ingredient or a synthetic filler — it's a naturally occurring sulfur compound, found in the same food chain that gives us fruits, vegetables, and everyday nutrition. In SEDE's formulas, it's there to support a smooth, lightweight texture, alongside our pure Zechstein magnesium chloride.

Pure Ingredient. Real Recovery. Feel the SEDE Difference.

0 comments

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.