What are Epsom salts? Magnesium Sulfate, aka Epsom Salt, is one of the world’s hidden wonders! It gets its name from the place it was discovered, Epsom England, a small borough in Surrey, where the salt was produced from the springs that bubble up and meet non-porous London clay.
Studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin, making Epsom salt baths an easy and ideal way to enjoy the amazing health benefits. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help ease migraine headaches. Here are 10 amazing uses for Epsom salt.
10. Face cleaner
Epsom salt bath uses include skincare! To clean your face at night, mix a half teaspoon of Epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
9. Foot Soak
Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as the water is warm. Rinse and dry. It also helps with toenail fungus, like athlete’s foot. I like to add marbles to the bottom of my pan for an added foot massage.
8. Homemade skin mask
Puree 1 Egg white, 1/2 Teaspoon Pantothenic acid powder (Vitamin B5), 1 Teaspoon Aloe Vera Gel, 1 Teaspoon Epsom salt, 1 Ripe Tomato, chopped, and 2 drops Thyme oil. Apply to face for 15 minutes then rinse off. This is especially good for acne problems.
7. Remove excess oil from hair
Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from your hair. Add nine tablespoons of Epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.
6. Skin exfoliate
Massage handfuls of Epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse. This Epsom salt uses for feet up to the whole body can create a home luxury spa experience.
5. Soak sprains and bruises
Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak.
4. Hair volumizer
Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and Epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.
3. Get rid of blackheads
Here’s a surefire way to dislodge blackheads – Mix 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt and three drops Lugol’s Solution liquid iodine in 1/2 cup boiling water. When the mixture cools enough to stick your finger in it, apply it to the blackhead with a cotton ball. Repeat this three to four times, reheating the solution if necessary. Gently remove the blackhead and then dab the area with an alcohol-based astringent.
2. Splinter remover
Soak in Epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.
1. General stress relief
Nothing draws out stress like bath salts. So, how does Epsom salt work when used in the bathwater? As the magnesium soaks into your body, it reverses the effects of stress on your body, replenishing magnesium levels, decreasing adrenaline, and producing serotonin. Make your bath salts by mixing 16 ounces of all-natural bath salt and 15-30 drops of essential oil (especially those that induce relaxation). Store in a glass jar and use three times a week for maximum results!
