What Are Bath Salts and How to Use Them?

Bath salts might just be what you need to soothe your muscles after a long exhausting day. 

A bath experience using quality bath salts comes with therapeutic benefits. Almost everyone loves salt baths - those who don't - haven't yet had to opportunity to enjoy one.

Bath salts are made from essential oils and Epsom salts, perfect for any skin. Using bath salts isn't just limited to bathing. Most people use bath salts for a foot soak, as an exfoliating scrub, or just to sprinkle a bit in the bathtub. Bath salts are popular in homes around the world.

In this article, we have reviewed all the details on bath salts and tips on how to use bath salts to get the best results.

What Are Bath Salts and What Do They Do In The Tub?

Bath salts aren't all the same. Yes, bath salts have therapeutic benefits, but these benefits vary. They are absorbed into your body and help replenish your body's nutrients and minerals.

Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, and sea salts are the three common bath salts. All you need do is, choose your favorite bath salt and enjoy your shower.

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, is very effective in improving overall wellness. It contains high mineral content and can reduce inflammation, anxiety, and magnesium deficiency.

When combined with your favorite essential oil, you can use Epsom salt in aromatherapy.

What is Dead Sea Salt?

Dead Sea salt is a powerful blend of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium. It contains all the nutrients needed to help your skin look radiant and treat skin irritation. Dead Sea bath salts can help improve various skin conditions, especially acne-prone skin, psoriasis, or eczema.

Sea salt speaks directly to the muscles, making it an ideal remedy for sore muscles and muscle aches. It contains a whole family of nutrients and can soften the skin, eliminate dry patches, and exfoliate dead skin. Sea salt contains ingredients that are important in speeding up the healing process of wounds.

Note that you should avoid adding iodized table salt in place of bath salt.

Do You Put Bath Salts in Before or After?

To get the full health benefits, use bath salts 5-10 mins before getting into your bathtub. The reason for leaving it that long is so the salts can fully dissolve.

Alternatively, you can decide not to soak in the tub, and that's okay too. You might be a shower person and want to enjoy the benefits of bath salts. Apply your bath salt to your wet skin, allow it to sit for 5 mins, and wash off with warm water. You can decide to mix it with essential oils of your choice (lavender or coconut oil will do the trick) to enhance your skin's beauty.

How Long Can You Bathe in Bath Salts?

When using bath salts, it's recommended that you soak for at least 15 mins to give the salts enough time to soothe your skin.

If you are using Epsom salts, you should stay for at least 20 minutes, allowing the salt to work its way into your skin.

Repeat this procedure twice a week to treat irritated skin and reduce muscle soreness.

How to Use Bath Salts?

If you aren't a fan of showers or bathtub soaking, you must read on to see other ways to use bath salt.

You can use bath salts in various ways. For example, use them to make a shower scrub or foot soak. look at the different ways you can indulge in a salt bath.

In the Shower as Shower Steamer

We've already established that not everyone is a shower person, so if that's you, then you might want to try out this method.

• Turn on your hot water to generate enough steam in your bathroom.

• Sprinkle salts at the bottom of the shower (be careful not to sprinkle the bath salts at the corner for your safety, as they can sometimes be slippery).

• The steam will work as an activator to release the effectiveness of the essential oils in the bath salt.

• Breathe in and watch how relaxed you feel on the inside after having your shower.

• After 5-10 minutes, you can rinse off and continue your bath routine.

Detox Bath

For a detox bath, you'll need Epsom salt because it contains minerals that remove toxins from the body while relieving your body and mind of stress. You may use it in the treatment of arthritis.

You can easily make detox bath water with Epsom salt:

• Measure out 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt. If you have a big-sized bathtub, you can use more than 2 cups.

• Gently pour the salt into running water to dissolve faster with ease.

• Get into the tub, and soak for 20 minutes. If you are want to treat muscle aches, focus more on immersing the affected part of your body deeper into the water.

Steam Bath

Steam baths using bath salts can be helpful during cold weather. Generally, the winter season comes with stuffy sinuses, but what better natural way to relieve the pain and discomfort than using bath salts.

• Pour hot water into a large basin and add a few tablespoons of your favorite bath salt.

• Breathe in the steam while placing a towel over your head so that it can clear your blocked nose.

• For faster results, add essential oils like peppermint or ginger oil.

Foot Soak

A foot bath is highly recommended right before you retire for the night. What's even better is you don't need to do it in the shower.

The philosophy behind soaking your feet is to draw all the stress from your mind down to your feet, so you can relax and have a beautiful night's sleep.

• Get a large bowl or round container and fill it up with enough water to soak your feet at least past your ankles.

• Add 1 or 2 cups of your preferred bath salt. If you feel more stressed than usual, simply add an extra handful of Epsom salt, and experience a relaxing night.

Hand Soak

Hand soaks with bath salts are great for removing dead skin and calluses on the palm. It also helps to moisturize the palm.

• Pour a cup of bath salts into a bowl of warm water (ensure the temperature isn't too hot).

• Use your hands to swirl/stir the water, ensuring the bath salt is fully dissolved.

• Soak each hand in the mixture for about 10 minutes, gently massaging your hands with a scrub of your choice.

• Rinse off and dry your hands.

Prepare a Bath for Muscle Pains

Epsom bath salts help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. They can be used to reduce stiffness of the joints and promote relaxation of a tense muscle. Epsom bath salt is of great benefit to people who are constantly exercising. It is also often used as a treatment for fibromyalgia.

To create your own bath salt for muscle ache:

• Add 1 or 2 cups of Epsom salt, or use the recommended dosage on the package. You can also consult your doctor if you are confused.

• Keep the part of your body that hurts the most, deep inside the water, for at least 15 mins.

Combine with Essential Oils

Adding essential oil to your bath salt can make it more beneficial. With a few drops of essential oil to your bath salt, you can heighten its amazing effects.

You can combine it with different essential oils, such as rosemary or vitamin e oil. If you want an essential oil with a delicious fragrance, try lavender or grapefruit oil.

Make a Compress

It's best to use Epsom salt to make a compress because of its magnesium nutrient, that's a natural remedy for reducing pain.

• Pour in 8 oz. of water into a bowl and add two tbs of Epsom salt.

• Soak a clean washcloth into the mixture, and squeeze out the excess water from the washcloth.

• Rub it on the affected area, and place it there for about 20 mins, giving your body enough time to absorb it.

Use for Dry or Itchy Skin

You can use Epsom bath salts as a body scrub to reduce itching and dryness of the skin. Due to its exfoliating properties, it can help treat severe skin conditions like sunburns and poison ivy.

• For a standard-sized bathtub, use two cups of Epsom salt and 1 tbs of either lavender or olive/coconut oil.

• Allow it time to settle and dissolve completely before entering.

Conclusion

Bath salts come with many health benefits and, by nature, should be used by everyone. However, you may need your healthcare practitioner to provide medical advice if you have a specific health diagnosis like diabetes or heart disease. This is to ensure you're not creating more health complications.

On that note, incorporating bath salts into your regime makes your life easy and helps hydrate your skin.

Our bath salts will do you a lot of good, come in various colors, and are all-natural and organic. Give our bath salts a go, and watch how they help detoxify your skin.

FAQ

Can Bath Salts Be Used On The Face?

Bath salts are too harsh to be used on the face. Even when using it as a body scrub, you need to do it gently. Alternatively, you can make a thick paste and apply it to your wet skin. If you notice any sign of irritation, discontinue usage, and report to your dermatologist.

Should You Shower After Using Bath Salts?

The reason why you need to shower is to avoid salt residue that may cling to your skin. However, if you don't notice any form of salt residue, you can dry your body with a clean towel and retire for the night. After all, we can all agree that it contains only natural ingredients and herbs.

Can We Use Bath Salt As Scrub?

There are many bath salts uses, and they can be used as an exfoliating scrub that will leave your skin feeling soft to the touch. You can grab a handful of bath salt and apply it to your damp skin. After rinsing off, you'll love the feel of your skin.

Can I Use Bath Salts Without a Tub?

There are different ways to use and enjoy the health benefits of bath salt without using a tub. You can directly rub it on your skin and wash it off under running water, and adding it to your foot soak might provide you with the type of relief or relaxation you need.

Can You Use Bath Salts When Pregnant?

There isn't any clear health information that can support the harmfulness of bath salts in pregnancy. However, do not buy when pregnant if it contains BPA liners or phthalates.