Pricing
Why is Magnesium So Expensive?
When the active ingredient is cheap, why are some bottles £35+?
Short answer
Magnesium itself is a low-cost commodity ingredient. Price differences are usually driven by branding, packaging, marketing and retail margin — not by the magnesium inside.
Key comparison points
- 01What drives the cost of a supplement
- 02Where the markup actually sits
- 03Why two similar products differ by 3x
- 04When paying more is justified
- 05When paying more is just brand tax
- 06How to spot the wellness tax
Roughly where your £ goes
| Cost bucket | Cheap brand | Premium brand |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Low | Low |
| Packaging & design | Low | High |
| Marketing | Low | Very high |
| Retail margin | Medium | High |
What Fair Shelf compares
- Cost-per-dose vs category average
- Whether quality signals justify the premium
- How much of the price is brand vs spec
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Related magnesium guides
Value pickBest Value Magnesium Glycinate in the UKForm explainerMagnesium Glycinate vs BisglycinateHow to compareHow to Compare Magnesium SupplementsInformational only — not medical advice. Fair Shelf does not tell you to start, stop or switch supplements. Always check the label and speak to a qualified professional if unsure.