Wouldn’t it be nice to soak away your pain? The best Epsom salts may help with that. They are a traditional treatment for sore muscles, swollen feet, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and ingrown toenails.
Epsom salt is simply magnesium sulfate, a blend of magnesium and sulfur. It’s a naturally occurring salt found in springs. Some people use it in the garden to ward off pests and help plants thrive.
In humans, Epsom salt helps relax the body and the mind. The theory is that as your largest organ, your skin absorbs magnesium. Then, increasing your magnesium intake raises serotonin levels in the brain. It may also relieve headaches, migraines, and inflammation (1).
If you’re ready to find relief, check out the best Epsom salts below:
| The best epsom salts | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Solimo Epsom Salt Soak |
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| Dr Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution |
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| SaltWorks Ultra Epsom Scented Bath Salt |
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| Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes of Pure Genuine Zechstein Chloride |
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| Coach Soak: Muscle Recovery Bath Soak |
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| Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Epsom Salt Coconut Lime |
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| Sitz Bath Soak |
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Who should not use Epsom salts?
Please don’t soak any part of the body that has an open wound, a bad burn, an infection, or severe inflammation. Talk to your doctor about when it’s best to use Epsom salts (2).
How to use Epsom salt
Epsom salt isn’t the same as bath crystals or Dead Sea salt, although sometimes these ingredients coexist in certain bath products. Check the label for usage instructions.
If you have plain Epsom salt or a type with essential oils added, simply add one or two cups to a bathtub filled with warm water. Enjoy soaking for fifteen minutes or longer if you prefer.
If you’re only soaking your feet, use just a couple of tablespoons in a basin of warm water.
Best Epsom Salts in 2024
Solimo Epsom Salt Soak
What is the best Epsom salt brand? This is a tricky question because it depends on the reason why you’re purchasing it. If you’re looking for the best Epsom salt for plants, you don’t necessarily need pharmaceutical-grade magnesium sulfate. But if you’re using it on your skin, choose Epsom salt with a USP label. It stands for “United States Pharmacopeia” and it means that pure.
For example, here’s an inexpensive brand with the USP certification. It’s pure enough to use as a saline laxative for constipation or for soaking sore muscles or ingrown nails.
It’s straight magnesium sulfate with no fragrance or extra ingredients. It comes with a satisfaction guarantee, plus the bag is resealable for convenience. (However, some users have complained that it’s difficult to reseal).
As reviewers point out, it’s affordable to purchase and use in large amounts.
If you prefer additional benefits, the same brand offers lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary and mint versions. For example, you might like the lavender for a bath at bedtime. Eucalyptus could help clear a stuffy nose and peppermint feels heavenly on sore feet.
Pros:
- Affordable pure magnesium sulfate with the USP certification
- Pharmaceutical-grade Epsom salt with no additional fragrance or fillers
- Packaged in a resealable bag
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
- Also available in scented versions
Cons:
- None
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution
What’s the difference between this Epsom salt and the one above? Let’s start with the packaging. Both come in reusable bags, but this one has a Velcro Brand closure which is much easier to reseal.
While both brands are pharmaceutical-grade magnesium sulfate, this one is pricier. It’s likely that you’re paying for the name and reputation here. At least it’s made in the USA.
On the bright side, you can choose from lavender, eucalyptus and spearmint, or rosemary and mint versions and reviewers say they all smell fabulous.
On the downside, the fragrance may not be natural. For example, the lavender Epsom salt has lavender oil with an artificial fragrance and linalool.
Pros:
- Pharmaceutical grade magnesium sulfate
- American-made product
- Available in lavender and other scents
- Resealable bag has a Velcro brand closure
Cons:
- Has an artificial fragrance, a.k.a. “parfum”
- Not cheap
SaltWorks Ultra Epsom Scented Bath Salt
We prefer this Epsom salt to the one above because it has fewer ingredients and no artificial fragrances. It’s simply USP-grade magnesium sulfate with pure eucalyptus essential oil. It’s ideal if you’ve been feeling congested or if you simply enjoy the scent of eucalyptus. It does have an energizing effect after all.
What’s interesting is that it’s also Kosher-certified and cruelty-free. No GMOs were used to produce it, either. This American brand also offers either fine or medium grain Epsom salt as well as other scents like lavender. Each one is packed in a resealable zip-top bag.
The only downside is that some reviewers were disappointed that the scent wasn’t stronger after it was added to the water.
Pros:
- USP grade Epsom salt with pure eucalyptus essential oil
- Nothing artificial and no fillers
- Available in fine or medium grain
- Lavender scent also available
- Cruelty-free and Kosher-certified
- Packed in a zip-top bag
Cons:
- If you want a stronger scent, you may have to add more essential oil or choose a brand with an artificial fragrance
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes of Pure Genuine Zechstein Chloride
What’s the best Epsom salt for inflammation? We like these bath flakes, but they aren’t exactly Epsom salt. Instead of magnesium sulfate, they are magnesium chloride. What’s the difference?
Some believe that magnesium chloride is purer and easier for the body to absorb. It dissolves in warm water the same as regular Epsom salt and doesn’t have any particular scent. Still, some users swear by it because it seems to provide better results. They say this bioavailable salt helps with everything from a good night’s sleep to muscle cramps and digestion. That’s because chloride is an electrolyte that helps transmit nerve impulses.
Also, it’s ideal for sensitive skin as this particular kind of magnesium chloride is extracted from its raw natural state from a premium quality source that’s two hundred fifty million years old. Each lot is tested for purity and quality. Then, the final part of the manufacturing process happens in a cGMP certified facility in Texas.
How do you use it? Dissolve one to three cups of flakes into a warm bath. Enjoy it for twenty minutes or longer before rinsing.
Why do they always recommend a warm instead of a hot bath? That’s because the heat makes the skin sweat and eliminate instead of absorb. It can also be rather drying.
Pros:
- Harvested from a two hundred fifty million-year-old source of pure magnesium chloride
- Tested for purity and quality, with analysis certificates available for viewing
- Extracted and packaged in a cGMP certified facility in the USA
- Excellent for curing insomnia, cramps, and digestive difficulties
- Bioavailable, more easily absorbed than magnesium sulfate
- Gentle for sensitive skin
Cons:
- None
Coach Soak: Muscle Recovery Bath Soak
Here’s the best Epsom salt for athletes. It also happens to be the best for sore muscles. The base of magnesium chloride flakes is infused with Dead Sea salt, vitamin C crystals, and pure essential oils.
There’s no need to hack your own solution when this one’s been tried and perform well. It relieves stiffness, aches, and pains, and it’s a great remedy for stress, too.
Did you know that vitamin C neutralizes the chlorine in the bathwater which keeps it from dehydrating your skin? And the healing minerals from the Dead Sea salt magnify the relief that comes from the magnesium chloride. But those aren’t the only ingredients.
We like that the essential oils are properly diluted in a base of fractionated coconut oil. You can choose from Calming Lavender, Energizing Citrus, Eucalyptus Tea Tree, and Cooling Peppermint. All of them have a potent natural fragrance for aromatherapy benefits as well as the skin healing power of essential oils.
If you don’t have time for a bath, dissolve the flakes into a bowl of warm water and soak a washcloth to press against the skin and alleviate sore muscles. You can also take a handful of flakes and mix them with your body wash to exfoliate the skin in the shower.
Reviewers say they feel a noticeable difference with this bath salt compared to regular Epsom salt. You can try this unique product too and see what you think. It comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and can even go on your subscribe and save grocery list.
Pros:
- The best bath soak for athletes
- Relieves sore muscles and stiffness and has aromatherapy benefits
- Made from magnesium chloride flakes with Dead Sea salt, vitamin C crystals, and pure essential oils
- Can be used as a compress and an exfoliator in the shower
- Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- None other than its potentially addicting
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Epsom Salt Coconut Lime
Is it hard to choose between Epsom salt and your regular bath salt? Get the best of both worlds by enjoying a soak with Epsom salt and shea butter. Your skin will never feel softer and your body more relaxed.
The formula features lime and coconut fruit extracts to give it a delicious fragrance. It’s tempting to drink the bathwater! Fortunately, it’s made in the USA with no parabens or formaldehyde releasers.
What’s the downside? People are saying that it’s difficult to reseal the bag.
Pros:
- Hydrate and soften the skin with Epsom salt and shea butter
- Delicious fragrance and no parabens or formaldehyde releasers
Cons:
- Has a resealable bag that’s difficult to close
Sitz Bath Soak, Epsom Salt with Natural Geranium, Frankincense, Lavender, Niaouli Essential Oil Plus Vitamin C
And here we are, wrapping up with the best Epsom salt for hemorrhoids. Have you ever heard of a sitz bath? It’s something you can do on the toilet or in a regular tub.
Dissolve 1 ounce of the salt for each gallon of water. You can add more if needed. Allow the sitz bath to soothe your bottom for at least ten minutes before rinsing. It has a wonderful fragrance which makes it a more pleasant experience than expected. Do this daily to shrink hemorrhoids, treat fissures, and do postpartum care.
Happily, you can also enjoy this product in a traditional bath. It’s made without artificial ingredients (the only preservative is vitamin C) and it’s packaged in a BPA-free resealable pouch.
For the curious, it features geranium, frankincense, juniper, and niaouli essential oils diluted in fractionated coconut carrier oil.
Pros:
- Pure essential oils diluted with fractionated coconut oil and blended with Epsom salt and vitamin C crystals give it a delightful fragrance and healing properties
- Treats hemorrhoids and helps with postpartum care
- Can also be used for a traditional bath
- No artificial ingredients
- Packaged in a BPA-free resealable pouch
Cons:
- None, unless you happen to be allergic to any of the ingredients
Conclusion
Make use of nature’s painkiller, Epsom salt. It relieves soreness, stiffness, and inflammation. It may also help you sleep better, digest food more effectively, and feel calmer.
We hope our reviews helped you discover your new favorite bath product today. If so, we’d love to hear about your experience. Please feel free to leave us a comment below.
Sources:
1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-epsom-salt/ 7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Epsom Salt, published July 20, 2018, accessed August 12, 2021
2. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/epsom-salt-bath Why Take an Epsom Salts Bath? by Linda Rath, medically reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on July 26, 2021, accessed August 12, 2021