When it comes to magnesium products — whether it’s bath soaks, oils, or supplements — you’ve probably noticed labels mentioning pharmaceutical grade, food grade, or even cosmetic grade.
But what do these terms really mean? And does it actually matter?
The short answer is yes — the grade of magnesium determines its purity, safety, and effectiveness.
At Hide + Soak, we believe in transparency. So, let’s break down what each grade means, how they compare, and why we choose only the highest quality for our magnesium-based products.
What “Grade” Really Means
The word grade refers to how pure an ingredient is — and what it’s been tested for.
Each grade has specific standards based on how the material will be used — for roads, soil, food, skincare, or medicine.
In other words, not all magnesium is created equal.
The higher the grade, the more rigorous the testing for heavy metals, contaminants, and composition consistency.
The 5 Main Grades of Magnesium Chloride
|
Grade |
Description |
Common Uses |
Purity Level |
|
Technical / Industrial Grade |
Lowest grade. Used for roads, dust control, and manufacturing. Not safe for human contact. |
Road de-icing, industrial processing. |
Not tested for purity or contaminants. |
|
Agricultural Grade |
Safe for soil and animal feed, but not human use. |
Fertiliser, stockfeed. |
Moderate purity. Not suitable for skincare. |
|
Cosmetic Grade |
Refined enough for general skincare, but not tested to medical standards. |
Low-cost bath soaks and lotions. |
Good purity, but may contain trace impurities. |
|
Food Grade (FCC) |
Tested and approved for ingestion under the Food Chemicals Codex. |
Supplements, gourmet salts, wellness soaks. |
High purity and safety standards. |
|
Pharmaceutical Grade (USP / BP / EP) |
The highest standard of purity, meeting strict pharmacopeia testing for identity, potency, and contaminants. |
Medicine, natural skincare, magnesium oil. |
Exceptional purity, consistency, and quality. |
The Difference Between Food Grade and Pharmaceutical Grade Magnesium.
Both food grade and pharmaceutical grade magnesium chloride are very pure and safe — but they differ in what they’re tested for.
Food Grade (FCC):
Tested for microbial safety and heavy metals to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Think: food supplements and mineral fortification.
Pharmaceutical Grade (USP / BP / EP):
Tested for medical and transdermal use, ensuring consistent purity, particle size, and absence of impurities that could affect absorption or safety.
Think: skincare, medical formulations, and wellness products.
Simply put: Food grade = safe enough to eat.
Pharmaceutical grade = pure enough to use in medicine.
Both are excellent — but pharmaceutical grade is the pinnacle of purity and performance.
What Hide + Soak Uses
At Hide + Soak, we use magnesium chloride flakes that meet both USP and Food Grade standards, formulated to FCC, USP, and BP specifications — the highest international benchmarks for purity and safety.
They’re also approved by Australian Certified Organic (ACO) for use in organic and bio-dynamic products.
That means every batch of magnesium we use is:
- Pharmaceutical grade purity – meeting the world’s strictest pharmacopeia standards.
- Food safe and natural – completely non-toxic and environmentally responsible.
- ACO Approved – trusted for certified organic wellness products.
In short: our magnesium chloride flakes are the purest form available for topical and skincare use.
Why Purity Matters
When magnesium is absorbed through your skin — whether in a bath soak or magnesium oil — purity really matters.
Lower-grade magnesium can contain trace impurities, which can irritate the skin or reduce effectiveness.
By using pharmaceutical-grade magnesium, you get:
- Better skin absorption
- A cleaner, smoother feel
- Consistent results
- Peace of mind knowing it’s tested to the highest standard
It’s the difference between a product that simply contains magnesium and one that truly delivers magnesium.
The Hide + Soak Difference
At Hide + Soak, we hand-blend every product in small batches right here in Western Australia using premium pharmaceutical-grade magnesium chloride flakes.
We believe nature knows best — our job is simply to keep it pure.
Each blend is infused with organic botanicals, pure essential oils, and bentonite clay to support recovery, relaxation, and real-life wellbeing — without compromise.
When you choose Hide + Soak, you’re choosing magnesium that’s:
- Pure enough for pharmaceutical use
- Gentle enough for daily skincare
- Approved for certified organic production
Because your skin deserves nothing lesS
In summary:
Not all magnesium is created equal.
Here’s the quick guide to remember:
- Industrial/Agricultural Grades — not for human use
- Cosmetic Grade — okay, but not fully pure
- Food Grade (FCC) — safe and clean
- Pharmaceutical Grade (USP/BP) — the highest standard
Hide + Soak uses magnesium chloride flakes that are both food grade and pharmaceutical grade, formulated to FCC / USP / BP specifications and Approved by Australian Certified Organic.
That means you’re soaking in the cleanest, most trusted magnesium available — straight from nature, backed by science, and blended with intention.
