10 Benefits and Uses of Epsom Salt

“When people think of salt, they think of table salt, which is sodium chloride; Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate,” explains Dr. Jennifer Krejci, an assistant professor of dermatology at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Epsom salt gained its popular name from the English town of Epsom, a small settlement about 15 miles from London. In the 17th century, locals began to notice that water from a regional mineral spring was unappealing to their livestock (who balked at its bitter taste) and unusually restorative for bathers with skin complaints. Those who did drink it, in turn, are said to have reported “various funny results” (that is, it had a pronounced laxative effect). Epsom went on to enjoy fame as a spa destination, and manufacturers began to boil down its waters and promote the coarse mineral powder that remained — magnesium sulfate — as Epsom salt.

Magnesium sulfate is still prized for both its restorative and laxative effects, but it is not for everyone in all contexts. Although it’s FDA approved for a variety of uses including constipation and soaking minor cuts or bruises, you should consult with your doctor before ingesting Epsom salt. As for how you can put Epsom salt to work right now — read on.

Use Epsom salt as a gentle exfoliator when you’re down at the heels, so to speak. Its crystals can both soften calluses and remove dead skin cells. Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt foot scrub, which contains moisturizing ingredients like aloe, jojoba seed oil and shea butter, is an option for soothing battered skin.

Epsom salt might be best known these days as an additive to baths for sore bodies. Believe it or not, there is no clinical evidence to support the idea that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin at all. But magnesium sulfate does give water a lovely, silky feeling which can be soothing and relaxing after a long day. Create all-natural bath bombs with Epsom salt and ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter and citrus peels to experience a contemporary version of what drew wellness-seekers to Epsom all those centuries ago.

Though magnesium can't be absorbed through the skin, magnesium sulfate has been found to provide relief for some topical conditions. “In dermatology, the most common use for us to recommend Epsom salt is for eczema patients or patients with chronic wounds to add to their bathtub or a sitz bath,” Dr. Krajci says. “It can be soothing and cleansing.”

Bring sheer or lace curtains back to life after a trip through the laundry by dissolving one cup of Epsom salt in a sinkful of cold water. Submerge the fabric, then remove it from the sink without twisting or wringing; hang your curtains to dry and they’ll be back in shape in no time.

If traditional hairspray irritates your scalp — or you’re simply looking for a new go-to product — create your own “sea salt” treatment with our 10-minutes-at-the-stovetop texturizer recipe (which combines Epsom salt with conditioning coconut oil and aloe).

Combine Epsom salt with other natural ingredients to create homemade, fragrant lemon-scented detergent pods with this recipe from HGTV.

Try watering your green babies twice a month with a tablespoon of Epsom salt dissolved in a gallon of cool water. Generations of gardeners report that roses, tomatoes and peppers in particular — all of which have tendencies to develop magnesium deficiencies — thrive when Epsom salt is incorporated into their care. If you’re tending to an edible garden, look for USP (or pharmaceutical) grade Epsom salt, which is safe for use with plants you intend to eat.

Amp up your next bathroom scrub session by combining equal parts liquid dish detergent and Epsom salt to abrade mildew and soap scum; simply apply the paste, wait a minute or two, then brush. (Steer clear of porous materials like limestone and marble with this concoction, as the salt crystals can wear those materials away over time, too.)

Erase all evidence of baked-on food by pouring Epsom salt directly into your vessel before you begin coaxing burnt bits away. Its crystals will loosen food debris without damaging cookware.