Epsom salt is mainly used as a bath salt. It contains mostly magnesium sulphate. Epsom salt also contains moderate concentrations of sulphur and oxygen. These ingredients pretty much dictate which products Epsom salt can be used for. The use of Epsom salt as a cosmetic ingredient is also limited because it absorbs moisture in the air. Epsom salt sometimes becomes liquid under the influence of air humidity. Therefore, Epsom salt has been used less frequently in finished bath salt mixtures. Epsom salt spoils the structure of bath salt and the product is no longer so attractive.
In homemade cosmetics, we can use Epsom salt as an ingredient in the bath salt if it will be used soon or latest within a few weeks. In general, products containing Epsom salt remain perfectly flawless when properly stored. Therefore, do not store bath salt in a humid bathroom.
Four different products from Epsom salt
For this story I have chosen four Epsom salt recipes. These products are intended to be used relatively quickly after preparing them. You can change the ingredients in the recipes as much as you want. So, these are just ideas of what can be done with Epsom salt.
1. Simple bath salt from Epsom salt
- 5 decilitres Epsom salts
- 2 ½ decilitres of sea salt
- 1 decilitre of baking soda
Mix all the ingredients in the bowl very carefully. Store bath salt in a container with lid in a dry place.
Use bath salt for about 5 decilitres in a bathtub of warm (not hot) water. 2 decilitres of bath salt is enough for foot baths. Enjoy baths for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Herbal bath of Epsom salt
Epsom salt can be used to make relaxing herbal baths. Now it is time to utilize the herbs you dried in the summer. Many people do not use the collected herbs, they are simply forgotten and thrown away later. No herbs should be thrown away. An herbal bath is a great way to use your stock.
If you have a traditional bathtub, please note that dried or fresh herbs should not be poured directly on the water. Herbs clog the drain very quickly. I have used gauze bags filled with herbs and bath salt. The salt dissolves in water and the herbs remain in the bag.
You need:
- 5 decilitres of ready-made bath salt mixture. See previous instructions.
- 1 ½ – 2 decilitres of dry herbs. You can use the following herbs or choose your own ones.
- Rose buds and petals; sophisticated scent and beautiful colour. Use only organic quality roses.
- Chamomile flowers; great smell, antimicrobial effect
- Marigolds; soothing and antimicrobial effect on the skin
- Green tea; a great way to use the diluted teas. Do not use regular tea as it will stain the skin. Antioxidants for the skin
- Lavender; soothing, relaxing effect
- Mint and lemon balm; fresh scent, antimicrobial effect
- Conifers such as thyme, spruce, juniper and pine, antimicrobial effect, woody scent
- Oats; oats are a traditional skin soothing and caring plant. Use oats in bath salt either as flakes or as colloidal oats
Chop the herbs used in the bath salt in a mortar or food processor. This will let the active ingredients in the herbs dissolve best in water. If you make herbal salt as a Christmas present, for example, you can only lightly crush a few rose buds, marigold and lavender. This will give the product colour and appeal.
Mix the chopped herbs with the herbal salt base mixture.
Pack the product in a glass jar with a lid. The reason why I always recommend glass jars is very practical. from the glass jar you can see at a glance what is in it. However, I recommend that you provide the glass jar with a label that indicates the date when prepared and the ingredients.
Use herbal bath salt in about 5 decilitres of bathtub of warm water. About 2 decilitres of herbal bath salt is enough for a foot bath. Pack the herbal bath salt in a gauze bag and sink in water.
If you wish, you can infuse the herbal bath salt in the gauze bag for about 10 minutes in hot water. Then pour the liquid into your bath water. This is how you get the most out of herbs.
Relax in an herbal bath for about 20-30 minutes.
3. Aromatic Epsom salt bath
The fragrant herbal salt bath is a favourite of many. If you use oils in the herbal bath salt, you can safely add essential oils to the product as well.
Never add essential oils to bath salt if you do not mix it with the carrier oil. Essential oils do not dissolve in water but remain floating on the surface of the water. This allows them to be absorbed into the skin undiluted. Undiluted essential oil should never be applied directly to the skin.
Use good quality natural oils such as sunflower oil, safflower oil or rice bran oil. Since bath salt products are used on the body, you can also try olive oil for this. Olive oil easily clogs the pores of the skin. Still, most people can use olive oil for bodycare products without any problems.
You need:
- 5 decilitres of ready-made bath salt mixture. See instruction No: 1
- 2 tablespoons of the oil of your choice
- 5-10 drops of essential oils of your choice. You can use 2 or 3 different oils. Oils such as rosemary, rose, lavender and some softwood scents are recommended.
First, mix the essential oils with the carrier oil thoroughly. Then gradually add the carrier oil to the bath salt mixture while stirring.
Pack the product in a covered, airtight glass jar and label it.
Use 2-3 decilitres in a bathtub of warm water. 1 decilitre of fragrant herbal salt bath is enough for a foot bath. Do not use very hot water as the essential oils evaporate quickly due to the heat.
Enjoy a bath for about 20-30 minutes. After the bath, take a light shower. If your skin feels too oily, wipe off any excess grease. Wet a terry hand towel in hot water and squeeze the excess water out. Wipe the skin thoroughly with a hot towel.
4. A caring salt bath
As winter comes, the skin dries out. Then the caring products are needed. Epsom salt moisturizes the skin, absorbing moisture. To get more caring product, add nourishing shea butter or other vegetable butter to the product.
This bath salt is clearly greasier than the previous one. I recommend removing excess oil from your skin with a shower and hot, damp towels.
You can also use this mixture for a foot bath. However, you get more joy from it when you use it on already soaked, greasy feet. This allows the product’s fine oils to be absorbed into the skin.
You can also add essential oils to this product if you wish.
You can also get a nice scent to the product by choosing fragrant vegetable butter. Many people like the addictive scent of cocoa butter. It is also great for body skin care.
You need:
- 5 decilitres of ready-made bath salt mixture
- 2 tablespoons mango butter, shea butter or cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil
- 5-10 drops of essential oils of your choice (optional)
Melt the vegetable butter and add the oil. Add essential oils if desired.
Mix the melted oil-vegetable butter mixture with the salt bath mixture and mix thoroughly. Allow the bath salt mixture to dry for a while on a baking tray.
Pack the mixture in a glass jar with lid and label.
Use the caring salt bath mixture of 2-3 decilitres in a bathtub of warm water. 1 decilitre of salt bath mixture is enough for a foot bath.
Enjoy a bath for about 20-30 minutes. Rinse the skin after a bath and, if necessary, wipe off excess oil from the skin with hot, damp towels.