You’re well aware of all the benefits magnesium brings to the table, and likely familiar with epsom salt as one of the best ways to harness this mineral’s potential. After all, transdermal (through the skin) magnesium intake is way better than oral supplementation.
But have you ever stopped and wondered, just how much magnesium is absorbed in an epsom salt bath? The rate of absorption is more important than you might think - and unfortunately, you’re getting much less magnesium than you may have hoped.
Learn more about magnesium absorption from epsom salt bath below including the factors impacting bioavailability and signs you might be deficient in this mineral despite taking regular epsom salt baths.
Stay tuned as we’ll introduce the #1 alternative to epsom salt: our magnesium bath soak lineup at Flewd Stresscare. We’ve created a range of products that combine the most bioavailable magnesium chloride with key vitamins and nootropics.
Fight the symptoms of stress at the source and indulge in the ultimate self-care today!
Does Your Body Absorb Magnesium in an Epsom Salt Bath?
Wait, does magnesium soak into skin? It sure does! In fact, this is a much better way to get your magnesium intake. It’s more efficient and you avoid all the concerning side effects associated with magnesium pills and powders.
But before we compare and contrast topical magnesium vs oral and get into the rate of magnesium absorption from epsom salt bath, let’s take a step back and explain why magnesium is such a vital mineral in the first place.
Benefits of Magnesium
This miracle mineral plays a part in over 300 enzymatic functions in the body, supporting muscle function, nerve health, and stress management.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people exist in a chronic state of deficiency. The main reason for that is how poorly absorbed magnesium is orally. It’s no wonder people feel so physically and mentally drained all the time! Here are some of the most noteworthy benefits of magnesium:
- Muscle Relaxation & Recovery: Magnesium helps reduce muscle tension, cramps, and post-exercise soreness. It helps you get back to full form fast.
- Nervous System Support: It aids in regulating stress responses by balancing cortisol levels. Magnesium fights stress symptoms at the source.
- Inflammation Control: Magnesium supports a healthy inflammatory response, keeping chronic inflammation at bay and preventing all the problems that come with it.
- Improved Sleep Quality: Magnesium supports melatonin production. It also calms a racing mind and eases physical tension for deeper, more restorative sleep.
There’s no question you need magnesium - it’s just a matter of whether you should get it transdermally or orally.
Oral vs Transdermal Magnesium
Oral magnesium supplements are widely available and seen as the most convenient option but this comes at the cost of bioavailability. In other words, these supplements are poorly absorbed. A good portion of the magnesium you consume is excreted as waste rather than put to use.
The digestive system absorbs only a fraction of ingested magnesium, and it also has to work really hard to process the mineral. This can lead to unpleasant side effects like bloating, diarrhea, and cramping.
On the other hand, transdermal magnesium intake bypasses digestion altogether, getting the mineral right into the bloodstream so it can be distributed throughout the body. By soaking in a magnesium bath, you’re also bringing the mineral into all areas of your body.
This means better uptake and no side effects. While it’s a bit more work to draw a bath and soak for 20-30 minutes, it’s a great form of self-care and is well worth the effort. But how much magnesium is absorbed in an epsom salt bath, exactly?
How Much Magnesium is Absorbed in an Epsom Salt Bath?
For context, some studies have found that the rate of magnesium absorption in oral supplements can be as low as 4%. That’s so wasteful!
Users compensate by taking higher doses to meet their daily needs, which translates into the unpleasant side effects mentioned earlier. So, how much magnesium is absorbed in an epsom salt bath? Is it really a more efficient approach?
How Much Magnesium You’re Actually Getting
Unfortunately, you’re not getting all that much magnesium through epsom salt baths. We don’t have any concrete evidence on exactly how much you get, but we do know that magnesium sulfate - the type of magnesium in epsom salts - has a fairly low absorption rate.
A typical Epsom salt bath (2 cups per standard tub) contains around 240-480 mg of magnesium sulfate, but the actual absorption rate is unclear, and any benefits tend to be temporary rather than long-lasting.
While it’s not enough to overcome the challenge of magnesium deficiency, it’s a start - and there are better forms of magnesium you can rely on than epsom salt.
Factors That Affect Magnesium Absorption From Epsom Salt Bath
Let’s take a look at some of the key factors impacting bioavailability before we go any further. You can use these variables to maximize the rate of magnesium absorption from epsom salt bath:
- Water Temperature: Warm water (around 92-100°F) may support skin permeability, letting more magnesium pass through the skin barrier. Just be aware that boiling yourself alive is only going to cause more harm than good - don’t get carried away!
- Skin Condition: Healthier, well-hydrated skin may absorb magnesium more effectively, while damaged or dry skin could limit absorption.
- Bath Duration: Soaking for 15-30 minutes maximizes exposure, but there are diminishing returns past a certain point. You’re not going to absorb more magnesium by staying in the bath for an hour - on the contrary, you might just dehydrate yourself and end up losing magnesium!
- Concentration of Epsom Salt: Higher salt concentrations might slightly increase uptake, but there is a saturation point beyond which no additional magnesium will be absorbed. This is part of what makes topical magnesium supplementation unique. You can’t overdo it. Your body only absorbs what it actually needs.
Ultimately, the biggest limiting factor to magnesium absorption is the type of magnesium. As it pertains to epsom salt bath and magnesium absorption, it’s fairly low. You can tell whether or not this is a problem by watching out for the signs of deficiency.
Signs That Your Body Might Not Be Absorbing Enough Magnesium
We mentioned earlier that most people are chronically deficient in magnesium, even those who take regular epsom salt baths. This manifests in symptoms such as:
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Anxiety and irritability
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Poor recovery from workouts
- Insomnia or restlessness
If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms despite using Epsom salt, it might be time to consider a more effective magnesium source. So, what’s a better alternative?
Is There a More Bioavailable Form of Magnesium for Baths?
Whether you need the best magnesium for muscle recovery or the best magnesium for stress, look no further than magnesium chloride. In comparing these magnesium flakes vs epsom salt, it’s no contest.
Learn more about what makes it a superior solution below and how you can reap the magnesium soak benefits here at Flewd Stresscare!
Why Magnesium Chloride is Superior to Magnesium Sulfate
Sure, epsom salt is more readily available and has a longer history of use in therapeutic situations. But the magnesium absorption from epsom salt bath just doesn’t cut it.
Magnesium chloride is more stable, dissolves better in water, and is more readily absorbed through the skin compared to magnesium sulfate. This means you’re doing a better job replenishing magnesium stores and enjoying all the benefits that come with it.
But it’s not just about temporary relief. Magnesium chloride leads to longer-lasting benefits since the body is better able to retain this form of magnesium. And while some find epsom salt irritates their skin, this is not a complaint we see with magnesium chloride - it’s more gentle.
So, do you need to go and create your own homemade bath soak for sore muscles without epsom salt? You can, but with the best magnesium soak only a few clicks away, why bother?
Introducing Our Magnesium Soaks at Flewd Stresscare
Flewd Stresscare is proud to present unmatched stress relief in the form of our bath soaks, formulated from 99% natural ingredients and free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other toxic inputs.
From our muscle bath soak to our anxiety bath soak and stress relief bath soak, every formulation features bioavailable magnesium chloride with key vitamins and nootropics for unparalleled synergy. Here are our most popular products:
- Sads Smashing Soak: Combats heavy moods with Magnesium, Vitamins B3 & B6, and Lithium. Enjoy a grounding desert rain scent with green and warm woody notes.
- Insomnia Ending Soak: Promotes restful sleep using Magnesium, Vitamins A & E, and L-Carnitine. Infused with a bright yuzu citrus aroma to calm the mind.
- Panic Crushing Soak: Supports nervous system balance with Magnesium, Boron, and Omega-3s. Features a warm sandalwood and coconut scent.
- Rage Squashing Soak: Reduces tension and irritability with Magnesium, Chromium, and Vitamin B12. A refreshing jasmine and pine blend with warm, spicy notes.
- Ache Erasing Soak: Magnesium, Vitamins C & D, and Omega-3s support faster muscle recovery to get you back to feeling your best, with a delightful blood orange and mandarin scent that energizes your senses.
- Anxiety Destroying Soak: Formulated with Magnesium, Complex B Vitamins, and Zinc to regulate mood and lower cortisol for up to 5 days. Features a lime rind tropical scent with a soft sea salt and white floral base.
Relief is easier than ever with Flewd Stresscare. Simply dissolve a full bag into warm water, soak for at least 15 minutes, and let the stress melt away. You can do this up to 3 times a week. Try them all and discover your new favorite form of self-care today!
Closing Thoughts on Magnesium Absorption From Epsom Salt Bath
So, how much magnesium is absorbed in an epsom salt bath? As we wrap up our guide to the magnesium absorption from epsom salt bath, it’s clear that this form of magnesium won’t cut it. It has low bioavailability and can cause skin irritation.
In contrast, a form like magnesium chloride has higher absorption with fewer side effects. Why would you settle for anything less than the best? If you’re serious about stress relief and muscle recovery, it’s time to elevate your self-care routine at Flewd Stresscare.
Trade the outdated for the upgraded. Epsom salt is old news, so discover the future of bath soaks with Flewd Stresscare today and see what you’ve been missing out on!
