The Different Types of Magnesium — What’s the Difference?
Magnesium comes in many forms, and each one behaves differently in the body. Some are meant to be swallowed, some absorbed through the skin, and some are better avoided altogether depending on the use.
Magnesium Chloride
- Best for topical use (sprays, oils, soaks)
- Highly bioavailable through the skin
- Dissolves easily in water
- Fast-absorbing
- Less irritating than other topical forms
- Used in medical-grade transdermal magnesium products
Unlike pills that must pass through digestion, topical magnesium bypasses the gut and absorbs directly through the skin — making it ideal for people who are sensitive, depleted, or looking for targeted relief. This is the form used in Julie’s Good JuJu Magnesium Spray.
Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt)
- Best for baths, not sprays
- Great for full-body soaking
- Poor skin penetration in spray form
- Can feel drying or irritating when left on skin
- Crystallizes easily in bottles
- Magnesium Oxide
- Least absorbable form
- Inexpensive
- Poor absorption
- Not suitable for skin
- Commonly causes digestive upset when taken orally
Magnesium Citrate
- Primarily for digestion
- Well absorbed orally
- Can be laxative
- Not designed for topical absorption
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Great for calming the nervous system (oral use)
- Gentle on the stomach
- Supports sleep and anxiety
- Not water-soluble enough for sprays
Magnesium Malate
- Supports energy and muscle function (oral use)
- Helpful for fatigue
- Not suitable for topical formulas
- Magnesium L-Threonate
- Targets the brain (oral use)
- Crosses the blood-brain barrier
- Extremely expensive
- Not topical