Our analysts have tested this together with the health authorities of the Magnesium Health Institute. Their conclusion is set out below:
We do not recommend using flakes as a base for making highly concentrated “magnesium oil” of more than 5%. The flakes are produced by a process with an evaporation step. The Brine from the source is heated to approximately 160 degrees Celsius, during which process the water is evaporated until a concentration of 47% magnesium chloride is reached. This concentration is equivalent to the ratio of magnesium chloride to water as Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate [MgCl2.6 (H2O)], which is a natural stable form as it cools and crystallises on the cooling belt. Due to the heating and evaporation, a small amount of MgCl2 will decompose into MgOHCl (magnesium hydroxide chloride), MgCO3 (magnesium carbonate) and some HCl (hydrochloric acid) in the vapour stream. These products are also responsible for the white haze that becomes visible after dissolving the flakes. These products are not immediately dangerous, but are unavoidable during the production of the flakes.
The flakes are perfect for applications up to 5%, such as (foot) bath applications. For topical applications with higher concentrations, we recommend the pure natural magnesium oil (brine) directly from the source, without any processing steps. This magnesium oil has been specially selected for this application and is guaranteed by the Zechstein Inside batch protocol.