Beauty in a bad economy: The many, many uses for Epsom Salts

I got a random email from the Epsom Salt Industry Council (yes. There's an Epsom Salt Industry Council) the other day outlining the myriad beauty uses for their—seemingly miracle—product. Honestly, until that email arrived, my reference point for Epsom Salts was Scary Things Found in My Grandparents' Bathroom (other items in this file: tooth brushes with a plastic pick on one end, doll-in-crocheted-dress toilet paper covers and anything by Jean Naté). However, as it turns out, there are actually a lot of things you can do with this naturally-forming, healing mineral Behold! 7 Beauty Uses for Epsom Salt (some of them are a stretch, all of them are courtesy of the Epsom Salt Industry Council):

1. As exfoliator: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

2. For an at-home facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into your favorite face wash. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry. This will clear out clogged pores.

3. For a relaxing body soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to help with a cold.

4. To make (those cheesy) bath crystals (at home!): Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of
fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.

5. To refresh your dogs/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 it feels right. Rinse and dry.

6. To add volume to hair (??? yes, apparently): 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.

7. As a laxative: See package instructions

For more on Epsom Salt, go here.

Also...
The economy is in the toilet—naturally, you'll start wearing lipstick
6 ingredients for a green, clean home
A 5-step plan to fix even the most damaged hair

From the Community…

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Posted by Maria Wed May 7, 2008 8:23am PDT

I also read that adding it to your bath water can soothe vericose veins

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Posted by Hearty R Wed May 7, 2008 9:57am PDT

What kind of salt is this? is this iodize salt where can i buy this?

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Posted by torie d Wed May 7, 2008 12:51pm PDT

Get it at any pharmacy and no it is not Iodize salt. Just ask pharmacy they will get it for you Epsom Salt

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Posted by marysusie53 Wed May 7, 2008 2:13pm PDT

IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR ANY MUCSLE SPRAINS AND GREAT FOR LOWER BACK PAIN RELIEF.SOAK IN ATUB OF WARM WATER WITH 2 CUPS EPSOM SALT.IT IS ALSO GREAT FOR HOUSE PLANTS.MAKES THEM REAL GREEN AND LEAFY.

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Posted by Kristina Wed May 7, 2008 2:16pm PDT

You write for a beauty column and you've never heard of the uses for epsom salt??? What are you, dumb? Oh wait, no, you're probably too busy buying hundred-dollar bottles of the latest anti-aging-detoxifying-radical-fighting chemical crap. You probably also grew up believing in Cosmo was your bible.
I have incredibly sensitive skin and I can't tell you how many hundreds of dollars I spent trying to find cleasers, lotions and scrubs that didn't bother me. You know what works? Good ol' fashioned products made from natural ingrediants that are probably already in your kitchen.
Epsom salt is sold in every pharmacy in this country; it comes in a milk-carton shaped container, costs very little and will last a long time!

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Posted by Jennifer Romolini, Shine staff Wed May 7, 2008 2:30pm PDT

For the record, my favorite beauty product is Dr. Bronner's Lavender Liquid Soap ($8.99), I've never spent anywhere near $100 on a beauty item (I'd feel so ripped off, you have no idea) and I was more of a Sassy and Jane reader than Cosmo.

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Posted by MsT Wed May 7, 2008 3:45pm PDT

I'm more a b---- ! and Sassy reader as well...Uh, epsom salt is WONDERFUL. I was introduced to it by my grandmum as a kid. It's CHEEPCHEEP and it lasts FOREVER! Just store it in cool, dry, place--it'll keep for ages..

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Posted by MsT Wed May 7, 2008 3:48pm PDT

..In defense of Jennifer..It's not nice Ms Kristina to call someone dumb becasue their not doing or saying what you think they should do or say..It's a beauty site--not a bitchfest..Besides, she clarified (like she owes YOU an apology) EXACTLY what she does..

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Posted by Your Sleepy AVON Lady Thu May 8, 2008 1:52am PDT

I totally agree with Ms T, it was rude to treat Jennifer that way. Here she is providing us gals with knowlege we can all use, you say unfounded, incorrect things. So what if she uses a certain this or that... that says nothing about the inside of a person? I have an Aunt who only buys Este Lauder, and even me, an AVON Lady, think nothing less of her. If it is what she likes, then great. Lots of the listed uses of Epsome Salts are NOT common knowlege, esp. the hair mask and facial scrub. I am a fan of Epsom Salts, most of all, because I have RA and Fibromyalgia, in additon to Narcolepsy, and using e.salts in the bath eases some of my very strong pain away.

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Posted by Andygirl Thu May 8, 2008 9:06am PDT

as a swimmer and a dancer, I've been using epsom salts for years to soak my tired muscles. it's the best. I get my big bad at Wallgreens for like $5. they also make a lavendar scented version.

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