Even though I don't use Epsom salts very often in my recipes on my blog, it's one thing that we constantly use at home. My son has had surgery on his feet twice in the last year, which meant twice daily Epsom salt soaks for weeks before surgery and after. I use them in the bath with my other son to increase his magnesium intake. I use them in salt soaks and for scrubs because of their wonderful benefits. I was going to do a few posts on Epsom salt recipes, but they are very basic recipes, so I decided to just do one bigger post with all of the amazing uses for Epsom salts and why you need them in your medicine cabinet.
Epsom Salt Uses & Benefits
Links in this post may be affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission from sales.
Epsom salt
isn't like table salt; it's actually magnesium sulfate. It looks like table salt because it's colorless and made of tiny crystals, but it's a very different compound. Our bodies are becoming deficient in magnesium, and we aren't sure why. This is happening all over the world, so it's a big problem for people. That's why it's important to use Epsom salts to replenish the magnesium in our bodies.
When you use Epsom salts externally, your body does absorb the magnesium. You can take the salts internally, but just be ware that it is a powerful laxative. Discuss it with your doctor before you start taking it internally.
1. Bath Soak
Probably the most common way to use Epsom salts is to soak in it. I use about a cup of salt per bath and let it dissolve. The warm water and relaxation helps me destress, and the magnesium helps with body aches.
Try these stress relief bath salts.
2. Muscle and Joint Pain
Which brings me to the therapeutic benefits of Epsom salts. They work well to relieve minor muscle and joint pain caused by a strain or sprain.
3. Foot Pain
If you've been standing a lot or your feet just hurt, soak them in Epsom salts. This will soften your dry skin, and it helps relieve foot pain. You can do this daily for relief.
4. Foot Scrub
In addition to soaking your feet, you can also scrub your feet with Epsom salts. Just combine the salts with liquid soap or a carrier oil like sweet almond oil to make a thick paste. Scrub your feet and follow with a moisturizer.
5. Relieve Bruises and Minor Skin Irritations
If you find yourself with a bruise or minor skin irritation, make a compress with Epsom salts and enough water to make a thick paste. Apply to your skin and let dry. This works very well on mosquito bites.
6. Splinters
If you have a stubborn splinter that just won't come out, soak the area in Epsom salts to soften the skin. The splinter might come out on its own, or you can extract it easier since the skin will be soft.
7. Volumize Your Hair
If your hair is flat and lifeless, Epsom salts can help your hair. Mix the salts and your favorite conditioner in equal parts to make a mask. Warm it up in the microwave or on the stove. Apply the warm mask to your hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse well.
8. De-Grease Your Hair
If your hair is too oily, Epsom salts will dissolve the grease. Just add about a tablespoon to your shampoo before you wash and rinse it out.
9. Frizz Fighter
If your hair is frizzy, add Epsom salts to your conditioner. This will tame your locks and make hair smoother temporarily.
10. Get Rid of Product Buildup
Epsom salts will dissolve products left on your hair. When there are leftover products on your hair, you'll have dull, limp hair. Combine 1 cup Epsom salts and 1 cup lemon juice and dissolve in a gallon of water. Let this mixture sit for a day and then pour it on your hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Wash and condition your hair as usual.
11. Exfoliate Your Face
Mix Epsom salts with your usual facial cleanser. You'll only need about half of a teaspoon of salts. Rub the mixture all over your skin to exfoliate. This also hydrates, so your skin will look and feel better for days.
12. Body Scrub
To scrub your body, mix the salts with your body wash while you're in the shower. This works especially well on your knees and elbows and other rough patches.
13. Blackheads
Blackheads are so hard to get rid of! But you can mix a teaspoon of Epsom salts with 3 drops of iodine and half of a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture cool completely then dab on blackheads. Repeat several times and then carefully remove the blemish with a comedone extractor
.
. 14. Hand Wash
If your hands are dry, mix Epsom salts with a carrier oil like olive oil. This will exfoliate and nourish your hands. This is a great thing to use if your hands are very dirty from crafting or gardening.
15. Face Wash
You can also add Epsom salts to your face wash to tighten your skin. Use a mortar and pestle to grind the salts so they aren't too rough for your skin. Then add them to your favorite face wash.
What's your favorite way to use Epsom salts?
