Magnesium Chloride

Good

Texture enhancer

No known benefits

Magnesium Chloride at a glance

  • Mineral-derived salt use to enhance product texture
  • Often used with other texture enhancers to thicken and stabilize formulas
  • Used in foods to improve texture and hold ingredients together
  • Plays a role in skin barrier recovery

Magnesium Chloride description

Magnesium chloride is a salt byproduct used to enhance texture of cosmetic products, often combined with guar-based, cellulose, or gum-based thickeners. Along with magnesium, it’s good source of other trace minerals for skin, such as copper, potassium and selenium. Older research established that magnesium chloride plays a role with calcium in helping skin’s barrier recover from damage. This ingredient is also used in foods to help improve texture and allow soy to coagulate to form tofu. The standard usage level of magnesium chloride in cosmetics is 0.2–1%, depending on formulary needs. Fun fact: magnesium is the primary mineral in Dead Sea water used for numerous therapeutic purposes. Interestingly, magnesium chloride has poor skin penetration in water-based solution since it cannot get through skin’s lipids. Magnesium chloride is considered safe as used in cosmetics.

Magnesium Chloride references

  • Nutrients, August 2017, pages 1–8
  • https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/magnesium%20sulfate.pdf
  • International Journal of Dermatology, February 2005, pages 151–157
  • Archives of Dermatological Research, October 1999, pages 560–563

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.