Epsom Salts: An All-Purpose Beauty Enhancer for a Limited Budget

by Valerie Gladstone — August 3, 2007

Epsom salts--even the name sounds old-fashioned, like something your grandmother might have used. And actually, they are old fashioned. One of the earliest discoveries of magnesium sulfate, the scientific name of Epsom salts, occurred in Shakespeare's day in Epsom, England, which explains the first half of the name. The term "salt" probably refers to the specific chemical structure of the compound, although many people mistakenly assume it refers to the crystalline structure of Epsom Salt, which has an appearance similar to that of table salt. (Table salt consists of sodium chloride, so it's an entirely different substance than magnesium sulfate.)

Epsom salts can be used in a variety of ways, and you only have a pay a couple of dollars for it at your local drugstore (look around the sections with Tylenol, aspirin, Ace bandages, or laxatives). All Epsom salts are pretty such the same, so you don't have to check brands). If you really get into using them on a regular basis, I suggest buying a small plastic container for it or better yet, a ceramic jar. I have them for both olive oil and Epsom salts on my bathroom counter.

• Hair--For salt-sprayed beach tresses with volume and texture, combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.
• Face--For a dewy complexion, mix 1/2tsp Epsom salts into cleansing cream. Gently massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry. Apply your favorite moisturizer. Epsom salts soften skin, leave no residue, and don't dry the skin.
• Body--Before applying sunless tanner, remove dead skin with an Epsom salt body scrub. Mix 2 cups of Epsom salts with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently slough away dry patches.
• Feet--For a foot scrub, mix 2 cups of Epsom salts with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet.
• Bath--Soak in warm water and two cups of Epsom salts to relax your mind and muscles after a tough workout or a hard day. Studies show the wide-ranging benefits of magnesium and sulfate, the two major components of Epsom salts.