Both Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) and magnesium chloride flakes are forms of magnesium salt and dissolve in water. Epsom salts have about 9% elemental magnesium, whereas magnesium chloride hexahydrate (dehydrated from salt brine), has 12-16% elemental magnesium depending on the geographical source of the magnesium salt water and how much it is processed. There will also be 1-2% mixture of other trace minerals which occur naturally in the salt water brine. There are three categories of magnesium chloride: industrial (for agriculture, making metal, and swimming pools), food grade (for oral consumption and food preparation) and pharmaceutical (for medicines). The sulphate in Epsom salts can be irritating on endothelial and mucosal linings, whereas magnesium chloride solution is gentler. More information in this article….