Magnesium Chloride Explained: Top Benefits, Beauty Uses, and DIY Balm Recipe
What is Magnesium Chloride?

Magnesium Chloride is a naturally occurring inorganic mineral compound (salt) composed of magnesium and chlorine. Often sourced from seawater or ancient seabed deposits, it constitutes about 0.4% of seawater and is extracted from sources called magnesite or brine pools.
Chemical formulation: MgCl2
It is highly soluble, making it a versatile ingredient in both beauty and therapeutic products. Valued for supporting skin health, muscle relaxation, and overall wellness.
Usually found as a crystalline substance or flakes. Store in a dry place.
Magnesium chloride is noted for its high bioavailability, meaning it can easily be absorbed through the skin (transdermally), enhancing effectiveness for topical use.
Key Benefits for Skin & Body
- Improves hydration, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the skin barrier function — beneficial for conditions like eczema and acne.
- Supports over 300 processes in the body, helping with deficiency-related issues.
- Plays a critical role in muscle function by regulating calcium channels that affect muscle contraction and relaxation.
- Topical magnesium helps reduce muscle cramps and soreness — excellent for athletes.
Always use pharmaceutical grade to ensure purity.
Beauty Uses
- Calms skin and hydrates — often found in creams and mists.
- Gentle exfoliant for eczema.
- Added to shampoo or hair treatments to nourish the scalp and support hair growth.
- Use in diluted forms. Always patch test for sensitivity.
Therapeutic Uses
- Muscle relief in sprays, balms, and body butters.
- Foot soaks — dissolve flakes in warm water for relaxation and pain relief.
- Massage — blend with oils like sweet almond or grapeseed for deep relaxation.
- Supports stress relief and recovery.
Top 10 Benefits of Magnesium Chloride
- Muscle relaxation
- Pain relief
- Enhanced skin hydration
- Reduces inflammation
- Stress reduction
- Improved sleep quality
- Supports skin healing
- Detoxification
- Balances electrolytes
- Non-invasive and natural
DIY Magnesium Chloride Body Balm Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shea butter or coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax (adds firmness)
- 2 tbsp magnesium chloride flakes (dissolved in water)
- 10 drops essential oil (Lavender = sleep, Peppermint = invigorate)
- 2–3 tbsp rose water or distilled water
Method:
- Dissolve magnesium: boil water, add flakes, stir until dissolved, allow to cool slightly.
- Melt base: in a double boiler, melt shea butter/coconut oil with beeswax.
- Combine: remove from heat, slowly add magnesium solution and stir well.
- Add essential oils once mixture cools slightly.
- Pour into sterilized containers and allow to solidify.
- Use: apply to sore muscles, dry skin, or areas needing relaxation.
Explore Magnesium Products
Earth & Thyme has excellent ready-made solutions like Muscle Ease Balm, Magnesium Body Balm (with lavender for sleep), Magnesium Spray, and Foot & Bath Soaks.
🌿 Shop Magnesium ProductsAdditional Insights
- Transdermal absorption: bypasses digestion for direct effectiveness.
- Cell function support: essential for 300+ enzyme reactions.
- Impact on nervous system: calming effect, relieves stress and anxiety.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: supports pain management and arthritis relief.
- Skin barrier enhancement: strengthens hydration and reduces redness.
- Supports sleep and mood: improves GABA neurotransmitter function.
Quick Recipe: Magnesium Muscle Relief Spray
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/4 cup magnesium chloride flakes (dissolved in hot water, cooled)
- 10 drops essential oil (peppermint & eucalyptus for muscles, lavender for sleep)
Store in a spray bottle. Apply to sore muscles, joints, or tension areas as needed.
Final Thoughts
From powering your cellular functions to supporting your heart and brain, magnesium chloride is indispensable for human health.
Exploring how to boost your magnesium intake — both practically and naturally — is key to unlocking its many benefits. We encourage you to incorporate magnesium chloride into your routine and discover how it can support your well-being and daily life.