How To Use Bath Salts?

Written by Meenal Rajapet
Last Updated on

If you’re anything like me, drawing a bath seems like much-needed therapy after a long day. I’m always on the constant lookout for ways to enhance the bath experience. On this quest, I discovered something I did not expect—the versatility of the simple bath salt. Bath salts come in handy for more than just exfoliating and cleansing your skin. Following, I’ve put together a list of the 18 different ways in which you can use bath salts. But before we jump right in, let’s look at what exactly bath salts are and how they help your skin.

What Are Bath Salts?

Bath salts are pulverized minerals that are soluble in water. They are added to warm water in baths for the cosmetic properties they offer. The salts are usually made out of magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium sesquicarbonate. Borax, and sodium citrate. Fragrances and naturally derived color are also often added to enhance their appeal.

Bath salts are an ancient ingredient, and their earliest recorded use dates back to 2700 BC in China.

Are Bath Salts Good For You?

Pure, unprocessed bath salts offer a wide range of benefits. They help detoxify your skin while opening up your pores to draw out accumulated pollution, grime, dirt, oil, and sweat. They also combat stress and fatigue while reducing any inflammation and soothing infections.

How To Use Bath Salts And Its Benefits

1. Bath Salts For Rheumatoid Arthritis

You Will Need

  • 2 cups Dead Sea Salt
  • 1 tbsp Grapeseed Oil
  • 2-10 drops Essential Oil (such as sweet basil, chamomile, cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, lavender, bergamot, or jasmine.)

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes.

How Often?

Every day.

Why This Works

Your skin will absorb the dead sea minerals while you soak. These minerals, in combination with the hot water, help provide relief from rheumatoid arthritis. This soak helps to reduce swelling, stiffness, and soreness.

2. Bath Salts For Colds

2. Bath Salts For Colds
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 cup Epsom Salt
  • ½ cup Baking Soda
  • 4 tsp Crushed Ginger
  • 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

40 minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 40 minutes

How Often?

Every day until the cold subsides.

Why This Works

The sulfate content in the Epsom salt helps rid your body of toxins. Your skin absorbs the minerals your body needs to regain health while the ginger will boost the detox process. It will also fight your cold with its anti-mucus properties.

3. Bath Salts For Detoxing

3. Bath Salts For Detoxing
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • ½ cup Epsom Salt
  • ½ cup Bentonite Clay
  • 2-10 drops Essential Oils Of your Choice
  • Washcloth

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine Epsom salt and essential oils to get a fragrant mixture.
  2. Combine the clay with some water until you get a smooth paste.
  3. In a thin layer, apply this paste all over your body.
  4. Let the mask dry for about 5 minutes.
  5. Draw a hot bath, to it, add the salt mix.
  6. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.
  7. Use a washcloth to scrub off the clay mask as your soak.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

This method helps draw out all the toxins from your skin. The clay mask detoxifies your skin while the bath salts help exfoliate and further draw out toxins from your pores.

4. Bath Salts For Eczema

4. Bath Salts For Eczema
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt
  • 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2-5 drops Essential Oils Of Your Choice

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Draw a warm bath and to it, add all of the ingredients.
  2. After they’ve dissolved, soak in the bath for 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Salt naturally cleanses your skin. This is an effective way to treat eczema and soothe its symptoms. However, for best results, this method must be accompanied by a wholesome skin care routine.

5. Bath Salts For Psoriasis

5. Bath Salts For Psoriasis
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 cup Epsom Salt
  • ¼ cup Pure Dead Sea Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine the salts.
  2. Draw a warm bath and dissolve the salts in the water.
  3. Soak for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

This method softens the scales that psoriasis leaves behind on your skin. It also offers relief from the itching.

6. Bath Salts For Acne

6. Bath Salts For Acne
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Epsom Salt
  • ¼ cup Warm Water

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time

5 minutes

Method

  1. Dissolve the Epsom salt in the warm water.
  2. Use this solution to gently rub your face for a couple of minutes.
  3. Avoid getting the solution into your eyes.
  4. Rinse your face with lukewarm water.

How Often?

Once a day.

Why This Works

Epsom salt helps kill off acne-causing bacteria while also hydrating your skin. It contains magnesium and sulfate ions which also help improve your skin tone.

7. Bath Salts For Body Aches, Muscle Soreness, And Neck Pains

7. Bath Salts For Body Aches, Muscle Soreness, And Neck Pains
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt
  • 1 tbsp Grapeseed Oil
  • 15 drops Essential Oil Of Your Choice (Or a blend of essential oils)

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add half of the salt mix. Store the rest away for later
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

The magnesium present in Epsom salt is absorbed through your skin as you soak. It helps relax your skeletal muscles by flushing the buildup of lactic acid from them. It also helps regulate the muscle and nerve function in your body.

8. Bath Salts For Babies

8. Bath Salts For Babies
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 cup Epsom Salt
  • ½ cup Mineral-Rich Salt
  • 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 1 tbsp Coconut Oil

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add half of the salt mix.
  3. Allow the baby to soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

The magnesium content of Epsom salt helps improve concentration, and sleep. It also helps boost the immune system to fight off issues such as colds and coughs.

9. Bath Salts For Cellulite

9. Bath Salts For Cellulite
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Sea Salt
  • ¼ cup Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

30 minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 30 minutes.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Epsom salt helps restore the health of your skin while toning it. It is a great home remedy for treating cellulite.

10. Bath Salts For Chicken Pox

10. Bath Salts For Chicken Pox
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

15 minutes

Method

  1. Draw a warm bath and, to it, add the Epsom salt.
  2. Soak in the bath for about 15 minutes.

How Often?

3-4 times a week.

Why This Works

Epsom salt helps relieve itching and pain. It is also an excellent ingredient to soothe inflammation. These properties make it an excellent remedy for treating the symptoms of chickenpox.

11. Bath Salts For Dry And Itchy Skin

11. Bath Salts For Dry And Itchy Skin
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 ½ cup Powdered Milk
  • ½ cup Epsom Salt
  • ¼ cup Dried Rose Petals
  • 2-5 drops Rose Essential Oil

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a warm bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

The milk and rose petals help soothe your skin. While the warm water and Epsom salt work to open your pores and draw out toxins, the milk provides your skin with deep hydration.

12. Bath Salts For Rashes

12. Bath Salts For Rashes
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 4 cups Oatmeal
  • 1 cup Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a hot bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

Oatmeal in combination with Epsom salt helps soothe skin irritation and inflammation. This remedy also helps soothe rashes caused by poison ivy, chickenpox, sunburn, and allergy.

13. Bath Salts For Feet

13. Bath Salts For Feet
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 cups Epsom Salt
  • ½ cup Coarse Sea Salt
  • 3 tbsp Body Wash
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1-2 drops Essential Oil Of Your Choice
  • Pumice Stone
  • 1 tbsp Almond Oil
  • Towel
  • Comfy Socks

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

  1. Combine all the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Pour some warm water in a tub (enough to soak your feet.)
  3. Add ½ cup of the salt mix to the water.
  4. Soak your feet for 15 minutes.
  5. Exfoliate your feet using a pumice stone.
  6. Pat your feet dry with a towel.
  7. Moisturize your feet with almond oil and cover them with your comfiest pair of socks.

How Often?

Once a month.

Why This Works

This magnesium salt scrub can be used for DIY pedicures at a fraction of what a spa would charge you. The salts relax you while exfoliating your skin and preparing it for moisturization.

14. Bath Salts For Fertility

14. Bath Salts For Fertility
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • ¼ cup Sea Salt
  • Stock Pot for boiling
  • Strainer
  • 2 tbsp Fresh/Dried Herbs (such as Rosemary, Lavender, Calendula, Rose, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, and Sage)

Prep Time

35 minutes

Treatment Time

30 minutes

Method

  1. Boil the herbs in a stock pot for about 20 minutes and then let it steep for an additional 15 minutes.
  2. Add the sea salt to the mix.
  3. Draw a warm bath and, to it, add your freshly brewed herb and sea salt mix.
  4. Soak for 15-30 minutes.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

People say that relaxation is the key to fertility. This bath helps you cope with stress. It can also be used as a foot bath.

15. Bath Salts For Jock Itch

15. Bath Salts For Jock Itch
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 1 cup Sea Salt
  • 1 cup Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a warm bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

Every day until the problem subsides.

Why This Works

This method will help relieve your jock itch while also helping the infection heal quickly. Salt possesses excellent antibacterial properties which help control fungal growth.

16. Bath Salts For Weight Loss

16. Bath Salts For Weight Loss
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Fresh Ginger- Crushed
  • 2 cups Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20 minutes

Method

  1. Combine the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a warm bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about 20 minutes.

How Often?

On alternate days.

Why This Works

Ginger helps open up your pores, allowing you to release more toxins. The magnesium and sulfate in the Epsom salt are absorbed through your skin, and they help get rid of the toxins from your body. This helps flush out the toxins that you might have accumulated through poor eating habits.

17. Bath Salts For Skin Lightening

17. Bath Salts For Skin Lightening
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • 4 tbsp Honey
  • 4 cups Boiling Water
  • 5 drops Licorice Essential Oil
  • 1 tsp Hazelnut Oil
  • 2-3 cups Whole Milk
  • 1 cup Epsom Salt

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Boil 4 cups of water and stir honey into it until it completely dissolves.
  2. Add the milk and Epsom salt to this mix and turn off the heat.
  3. Draw a bath and, to it, add the honey, milk, and salt solution.
  4. Soak in the water for about 20 minutes or more.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

In combination with Epsom salt, honey and milk work to lighten your skin tone and restore your natural complexion. Milk’s lactic acid content works with Epsom salt to exfoliate your skin while the honey acts as a natural bleach to help lighten your skin tone.

18. Bath Salts For Yeast Infections

18. Bath Salts For Yeast Infections
Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need

  • ¼ cup Iodized Salt
  • ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar

Prep Time

10 minutes

Treatment Time

20+ minutes

Method

  1. Combine the ingredients and set it aside for use. If you are going to use this bath salt later, store it in an airtight jar.
  2. Draw a warm bath, and add the salt mix.
  3. Soak in the bath for about  20 minutes or more.
  4. After the soak, stand up and shower. You will notice immediate relief.

How Often?

Every day until the problem subsides.

Why This Works

This mix helps provide relief from irritation while cleansing the infection and deodorizing your body. Apart from giving you immediate relief, it will also speed up the recovery process.how to

Now that you know how to use bath salts, what are you waiting for? Who knew that bath salts could be so versatile? Not only are they luxurious-yet-affordable ingredient, but they also offer a myriad of health and beauty benefits. Have you ever used bath salts? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

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