Magnesium Chloride Flakes: The Ancient Zechstein Sea
What if the minerals in your bath could tell a story that began 250 million years ago?
Long before modern cities, roads or even dinosaurs, an enormous ancient sea covered parts of what we now know as northwestern Europe.
Over geological time, its waters evaporated, leaving behind extraordinary deposits of naturally occurring minerals.
Some of those minerals remain preserved deep beneath the Earth's surface today.
And among them is magnesium chloride, the mineral compound used to create the delicate white flakes that have become a familiar addition to modern mineral bathing rituals.
Welcome to the fascinating story of the Zechstein Sea.
A Sea That Disappeared Millions of Years Ago
Let's travel back approximately 250 million years, to a geological period known as the Permian.
The continents looked very different from those we recognise today.
Much of the Earth's land was joined together in the enormous supercontinent Pangaea, and vast areas of northwestern Europe were covered by an ancient sea.
This was the Zechstein Sea.
Over time, changing geological conditions caused seawater to enter and become concentrated within the region. As water evaporated, dissolved minerals became increasingly concentrated. Eventually, different minerals began to crystallise and settle, forming extensive layers of salt deposits.
This process occurred repeatedly, creating a remarkable record of ancient marine environments.
Imagine an enormous body of water gradually disappearing, yet leaving behind a mineral legacy that would survive for hundreds of millions of years.
Quite extraordinary, isn't it?
Hidden Beneath the Netherlands
Fast-forward to the present day.
Beneath parts of the Netherlands lie mineral formations associated with that ancient sea. Near the town of Veendam, in the province of Groningen, naturally occurring magnesium chloride is recovered from underground Zechstein deposits.
These deposits contain a mineral known as bischofite, a naturally occurring form of magnesium chloride with water incorporated into its crystal structure.
The magnesium-rich minerals are carefully extracted and prepared for a variety of modern applications.
It's a remarkable connection between the Earth's distant geological past and the ingredients we use today. A mineral formed in an ancient marine environment can become part of a contemporary bathing ritual.
For us, this is what makes understanding an ingredient's origins so fascinating.
What Exactly Is Magnesium Chloride?
Magnesium chloride is a naturally occurring mineral compound made up of magnesium and chloride ions.
Its chemical formula is:
MgCl₂
The form commonly supplied as magnesium bath flakes is magnesium chloride hexahydrate. Its formula is:
MgCl₂·6H₂O
That last part simply means that six water molecules are incorporated into the crystal structure.
Sound familiar?
If you've read our guide to Epsom salts, you might remember that magnesium sulphate crystals also contain water within their structure. Nature has some fascinating ways of arranging minerals!
Magnesium chloride flakes are typically white or colourless and dissolve readily in water. When added to a bath, they dissolve and release magnesium and chloride ions into the surrounding water.
There is another characteristic that makes magnesium chloride particularly interesting. It's one that you may have experienced without even realising it!
Why Do Magnesium Flakes Sometimes Become Damp, Sticky or Hard?
Have you ever opened a container of mineral flakes and noticed they've started clumping together? You might even find they've become quite hard over time.
There's a fascinating scientific explanation for that!
Magnesium chloride is hygroscopic, meaning it readily attracts and absorbs moisture from the surrounding air. In sufficiently humid conditions, it can absorb so much moisture that the crystals begin dissolving into the water they've collected. This process is known as deliquescence.
Here's where things get particularly interesting.
As moisture moves through a mixture of mineral salts and subsequently evaporates or redistributes, dissolved minerals can recrystallise, effectively binding neighbouring crystals together.
The result?
What began as loose, free-flowing mineral flakes can gradually form firm clumps or even a solid mass. This is something you might notice with our SoulSoak Mineral Bath Salts.
When freshly prepared, SoulSoak has a lovely loose texture. But because it contains magnesium chloride flakes, prolonged exposure to moisture in the air can gradually cause the blend to harden. This is particularly noticeable if the packaging isn't sealed properly or is stored in a humid environment, such as a bathroom.
The good news? Hardening alone doesn't mean your bath salts have spoiled or become unsuitable for use.
If the product has simply clumped due to moisture exposure, you may be able to gently break off the amount you need and dissolve it in your bathwater.
To help maintain its original texture, we recommend keeping SoulSoak tightly sealed between uses and storing it somewhere cool and dry, away from excess humidity. A simple storage habit that can make quite a difference!
This is another wonderful example of how understanding an ingredient's natural properties can help us better appreciate the products we use.
Magnesium Chloride Versus Epsom Salts: What's the Difference?
Although magnesium chloride flakes and Epsom salts are often grouped together as mineral bath salts, they're not the same ingredient. Both contain magnesium, but they're combined with different ions.
Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate, containing magnesium and sulphate.
Magnesium chloride flakes contain magnesium and chloride.
That difference influences their physical properties, crystal structure and behaviour.
For example, magnesium chloride is particularly moisture-attracting, which helps explain why its flakes can become damp or clump together when exposed to humid air. Epsom salts have different moisture-related characteristics.
Both dissolve readily in water, but their distinct mineral compositions give each its own unique characteristics.
Neither is necessarily superior to the other, and that's precisely why we've chosen to include both magnesium chloride flakes and Epsom salts in our SoulSoak Mineral Bath Salts.
We wanted the best of both worlds, bringing together two naturally derived magnesium salts in one thoughtfully formulated bathing experience.
Because sometimes, it's not about choosing one over the other, but appreciating what each brings to the blend. By combining two naturally derived magnesium salts, we're bringing a double dose of magnesium magic to your bathing experience!
Magnesium: One Mineral, Many Important Roles
Magnesium is an essential mineral that contributes to hundreds of biochemical reactions throughout the human body. It's involved in normal muscle and nerve function, energy metabolism, protein synthesis and the maintenance of healthy bones.
In fact, magnesium plays a role in many processes that help our cells function normally.
But magnesium's fascinating role in the human body is only part of the story.
There's also something wonderfully inviting about immersing yourself in warm, mineral-rich water, allowing the demands of the day to fade into the background while you enjoy a little time that's entirely your own.
And while scientists are still exploring how much magnesium may be absorbed through the skin during bathing, there's no need to wait for that answer to appreciate the simple pleasure of a mineral bath. The reality is, many people have experienced a wonderful sense of relief from soaking in magnesium-rich baths, making them a valued part of their regular health and wellbeing rituals.
After all, a beautiful bathing ritual doesn't need to be measured by how much magnesium your body absorbs. Sometimes, the experience itself is reason enough.
What About Chloride?
Chloride is another naturally occurring mineral ion with important roles in the body. It's involved in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and forms part of the hydrochloric acid found in the stomach. Chloride is also abundant in seawater, where it is one of the major dissolved ions.
It's also important to stipulate that chloride is not the same thing as chlorine bleach. Although their names are related, chloride ions in mineral salts and the reactive chlorine compounds used in cleaning products are chemically different.
So when we talk about magnesium chloride, we're talking about a mineral salt, not a household cleaning ingredient. We wouldn't recommend you soak in household bleach, ever!
It's another reminder that understanding the science behind an ingredient can help clear up some surprisingly common misconceptions.
Our Magnesium Chloride Flakes: A Connection to the Zechstein Sea
The magnesium chloride flakes we've selected originate from the ancient Zechstein mineral deposits beneath the Netherlands. Their geological story is one of the reasons we find this ingredient so remarkable.
Rather than being defined simply by the word magnesium on a label, these flakes have a traceable connection to an extraordinary natural mineral resource.
When selecting ingredients, we want to understand their origins, composition and processing. We also consider purity, quality specifications and suitability for their intended applications.
Where practical, we prefer to source locally, but we're equally interested in finding naturally derived materials with well-understood origins.
For us, thoughtful sourcing means knowing what we're choosing, where it comes from and why it deserves consideration.
Very few ingredients have a geological story quite like this one.
Why Are Magnesium Chloride Flakes Used in Bathing Rituals?
Mineral-rich waters have fascinated people for centuries.
From natural salt lakes to mineral springs and traditional European spas, bathing has long been associated with personal care, relaxation and taking time for oneself.
Magnesium chloride flakes dissolve readily in warm water, making them convenient for mineral baths and foot soaks. They also have a different composition from Epsom salts, providing another option for people interested in mineral bathing ingredients.
Of course, warm water itself contributes substantially to the pleasant experience of bathing. But given the choice, we'd much rather immerse ourselves in naturally sourced magnesium salts than a bath full of artificial fragrances, colours and unnecessary additives. For us, what we choose to bathe in matters just as much as the bathing experience itself.
The extraordinary natural origins.
The distinctive mineral composition.
The simple pleasure of taking time away from the demands of everyday life.
And let's not forget, there's just as much value in what we choose to leave out as there is in what we put in.
Because sometimes, understanding what's in your bathwater, and what isn't, makes the experience that little bit more meaningful.
A Few Fascinating Facts About Magnesium Chloride
Its story predates the dinosaurs.
The Zechstein Sea existed around 250 million years ago, before dinosaurs became widespread across the planet.
Its crystals contain water.
Magnesium chloride hexahydrate contains six water molecules within its crystal structure.
It can absorb moisture from the air.
Its hygroscopic nature explains why magnesium chloride flakes can become sticky or clump together when exposed to humidity.
It occurs naturally in seawater.
Magnesium and chloride are both naturally present in marine environments.
It has uses beyond bathing.
Depending on its grade and specifications, magnesium chloride is used in applications ranging from food processing and agriculture to industrial processes.
It's not the same as Epsom salts.
Although both contain magnesium, magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate are distinct compounds with different properties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium Chloride
Are magnesium chloride flakes natural?
Magnesium chloride occurs naturally in seawater, underground brines and mineral deposits.
However, commercial magnesium chloride can come from different sources and production methods, so it's worth understanding the origin of the particular product you're choosing.
What is Zechstein magnesium chloride?
Zechstein magnesium chloride refers to magnesium chloride derived from mineral deposits associated with the ancient Zechstein Sea.
The deposits near Veendam in the Netherlands are particularly well known.
Are magnesium chloride flakes the same as Epsom salts?
No. Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate, while magnesium chloride flakes contain magnesium chloride.
Both contain magnesium, but their compositions and physical characteristics differ. To find out more about Epsom Salts, click here.
Why do magnesium flakes become hard?
Magnesium chloride naturally attracts moisture from the surrounding air.
Over time, particularly in humid environments, moisture absorption and recrystallisation can cause the flakes or mineral blends containing them to clump together.
Keeping the product tightly sealed and stored somewhere dry helps minimise this.
Do magnesium chloride flakes contain other minerals?
Naturally derived magnesium chloride may contain small quantities of other mineral constituents, depending on where the original deposit was geological sourced.
Can any magnesium chloride flakes be used in a bath?
No. Magnesium chloride is produced in different grades for different applications.
For bathing and personal care, choose material specifically supplied as suitable for that purpose and follow the relevant directions.
Explore More of Our Mineral Ingredient Stories
There's an extraordinary world of natural minerals waiting to be discovered.
Continue exploring:
- Mineral Bath Salts Explained: Four Salts, Four Fascinating Stories
- Epsom Salts: From English Springs to Modern Bath Rituals
- Dead Sea Salt: A Remarkable Mineral-Rich Landscape
- Himalayan Pink Salt: Ancient Seas and Natural Pink Crystals
Each ingredient has its own geological history, mineral composition and distinctive characteristics.
And sometimes, even the simplest-looking crystal has a story millions of years in the making.
A Note About Our Ingredient Education
This information is provided for general educational purposes, exploring the origins, composition, history and traditional uses of natural ingredients. It is not intended as medical advice or as a claim that any product will prevent, treat or manage a health condition.