Magnesium chloride

Q: Is magnesium chloride safe?

CosIng associates no restriction with it. The CIR panel judged magnesium sulfate, a neighboring salt, safe and does not expect sensitization potential for magnesium salts. We did not consult a CIR report specific to the chloride: ask the supplier for the safety data sheet.

Q: What is the difference with sea salt?

Magnesium chloride is a single substance, MgCl₂; sea salt is a mixture of salts from seawater, with an abrasive and humectant function. See the sea salt entry.

Magnesium chloride is an inorganic salt of formula MgCl₂; CosIng recognizes viscosity control and flavouring1. The strongest cosmetic data point is a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt bath that improved barrier function and hydration of dry skin2. Skin absorption of magnesium remains unproven3 4.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 6 min

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Magnesium chloride at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1. The official functions mention neither hydration nor any action on skin: those effects belong to the studies below.

INCI name: MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE
Other names: Magnesium chlorideMagnesii chloridum (European Pharmacopoeia)1
CAS number: 7786-30-37791-18-6 for the hydrated form1
EC number: 232-094-6
Formula: MgCl₂Inorganic salt
CosIng functions: Viscosity controlling, flavouring"Viscosity controlling, flavouring"1
Appearance: White crystals or flakesDissolves in water: bath, so-called "magnesium oil", lotion
EU status: Permitted, no dedicated annexNo annex listed in CosIng1
Allergen to declare: No
Safety: Neighboring magnesium salt judged safe by the CIRThe panel assessed magnesium sulfate and does not expect sensitization potential for magnesium salts, based on its clinical experience5. No CIR report consulted for the chloride

What the research says

Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.

Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory

Body skinBath

A Dead Sea salt bath rich in magnesium chloride

Clinical trial

5% salt solution, 15 minutesOne forearm in the salt, the other in tap water6-week follow-upVolunteers with atopic dry skin

Skin barrier function improved in the high water loss subgroup. Hydration increased in each subgroup, and both roughness and redness decreased. The authors attribute the effect to the magnesium content, without isolating it from a complex salt2.

Absorption and safetyToxicology

Transdermal magnesium: a critical review

Review

2017 reviewMagnesium salt sprays, flakes and baths

The authors conclude that the promotion of magnesium through the skin is not scientifically supported, compared with the oral route3.

A magnesium cream in 25 volunteers

Clinical trial

25 participants, single blind, placebo56 mg of magnesium per day, 2 weeksPilot study

Serum magnesium rose by 8.5% versus 2.6% with placebo, significantly in the non-athlete subgroup only (p = 0.02). Urinary excretion did not change significantly (p = 0.48). The authors call for longer studies4.

Magnesium sulfate: well tolerated

Expert assessment

CIR panel 2018Reported use up to 11% leave-on and 25% rinse-off

No systemic toxicity issue expected after application, no sensitization potential of magnesium salts based on the panel's experience, and a negative skin irritation test at 50% in mice. The panel concludes that magnesium sulfate is safe5.

This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Few studies cover magnesium chloride alone: the main trial uses a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt, and the debate on skin absorption remains open.

Which products use magnesium chloride?

Our white label catalog includes 3 formulas with magnesium chloride: the key active in 3 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).

3Raw materials and more

Pure plant oils3

Magnesium Body CreamKey active Magnesium Salt ScrubKey active

In our formulas, it is most often paired with

Aloe vera 3 Argan oil 3 Coconut oil 3 Panthenol 3 Vitamin E 3

Magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate or sea salt?

Three common mineral salts in baths and scrubs. The table compares official functions and the data retained, not an efficacy ranking.

	Magnesium chloride	Magnesium sulfate	Sea salt
Nature	Magnesium salt MgCl₂1	Magnesium salt, assessed by the CIR5	Mixture of inorganic salts from seawater6
Official functions	Viscosity controlling, flavouring1	Bulking agent5	Abrasive, humectant, skin conditioning6
Strongest data point	Magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt bath: barrier and hydration2	CIR opinion: safe, reported use up to 11% and 25%5	No cosmetic study retained
Carmel catalog formulas	3 formulas	0 formulas	2 formulas

Frequently asked questions about magnesium chloride

What is magnesium chloride?

It is an inorganic salt of formula MgCl₂, INCI MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, CAS number 7786-30-31. It dissolves in water, hence its use in baths, lotions or so-called "magnesium oil", which is a solution and not an oil.

What are the benefits for skin?

The best data point is a Dead Sea salt bath rich in magnesium chloride: barrier function, hydration and roughness improved on dry skin2. The salt tested is a complex one and magnesium is not isolated; the formula of a finished product matters as much as the salt.

Does magnesium go through the skin?

It remains debated. A review concludes that the transdermal route is not scientifically supported3. A pilot trial in 25 volunteers measured a rise in serum magnesium of 8.5% versus 2.6% with placebo, significant only in non-athletes4. Avoid any magnesium intake claim on the label.

Can you use magnesium chloride on hair?

We found no peer-reviewed study on magnesium chloride and hair. Its use in a lotion or scalp scrub is a matter of formulation.

Is magnesium chloride safe?

CosIng associates no restriction with it1. The CIR panel judged magnesium sulfate, a neighboring salt, safe and does not expect sensitization potential for magnesium salts5. We did not consult a CIR report specific to the chloride: ask the supplier for the safety data sheet.

What is the difference with sea salt?

Magnesium chloride is a single substance, MgCl₂1; sea salt is a mixture of salts from seawater, with an abrasive and humectant function6. See the sea salt entry.

Can you manufacture a magnesium oil, cream or scrub for my brand?

Our ISO 22716 certified laboratory offers 3 formulas with magnesium chloride (oil, body cream, salt and magnesium scrub) to customize, or a custom formula. Free samples are included.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

European Commission. CosIng, entry MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE (CAS 7786-30-3, EC 232-094-6). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
Proksch E, Nissen HP, Bremgartner M, Urquhart C. Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin Int J Dermatol. 2005;44(2):151-157. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02079.x
Gröber U, Werner T, Vormann J, Kisters K. Myth or reality - transdermal magnesium? Nutrients. 2017;9(8):813. doi:10.3390/nu9080813
Kass L, Rosanoff A, Tanner A, et al. Effect of transdermal magnesium cream on serum and urinary magnesium levels in humans: a pilot study PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0174817. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0174817
Johnson W, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al.; Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Safety assessment of magnesium sulfate as used in cosmetics Int J Toxicol. 2018;37(1_suppl):47S-54S. doi:10.1177/1091581818773355
European Commission. CosIng, entry SEA SALT (CAS 7647-14-5, EC 231-598-3). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing

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