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What are the Benefits of Bath Salts?

Sherry Holetzky
Sherry Holetzky

After a long day, a nice long soak in a hot bath is just the ticket. Adding bath salts can enhance the experience greatly. Whether you have sore, tired feet from standing all day, or a stiff back from working at your desk, these salts can help improve the way you feel and ease away the tension. Not only do they come in a variety of soothing fragrances, they also offer many other benefits including certain healing properties.

You might be surprised to learn that adding a little salt to your water can actually help improve your circulation. Bath salts also reduce tenderness. They are recommended for people with back pain, arthritis, muscle tension or spasms, and minor work and sports injuries. They're great for easing stiff, sore, muscles and aching feet and legs.

Bath salts are good for a variety of uses, from relaxation to to improving circulation.
Bath salts are good for a variety of uses, from relaxation to to improving circulation.

Bath salts open the pores to purify the skin, cleansing away dirt, sweat, and toxins. They aid in the healing of dry skin, making skin softer and more supple. Salts can help improve common irritations such as insect bites, minor rashes, and calluses on feet, as well as more serious skin conditions like athlete's foot, eczema, and psoriasis. High quality salts may also help improve the appearance of scars.

Bath salts may help ease back pain.
Bath salts may help ease back pain.

Salts made with essential oils offer the added benefit of aromatherapy. Pleasant, soothing scents have been shown to induce calmness and promote relaxation. Scented bath salts combine these attributes with other healing properties. The ability to relax and unwind at the end of the day is also the best way to ensure sound, restful sleep at night, and bath products like salts can help.

Bath salts may be helpful in relieving a rash.
Bath salts may be helpful in relieving a rash.

Salts, such as bath salt or Epsom salt, are also good for exfoliation. Gently rub salt over feet, knees, or elbows, with a damp washcloth. Exfoliation should be completed, and exfoliated areas should be rinsed thoroughly, before you take a bath. Fresh, newly uncovered skin will also benefit from soaking in water treated with salts.

Bath salts come in many colors, scents, and varieties from fine to coarse. You can choose several different types to try separately, or you can mix them together to create your own favorite scents and textures.

Discussion Comments

anon990316

I tried my first salt bath with essential oils this morning as supplement to medicated ringworm treatment. Wow was it ever relaxing and enjoyable. My skin was tingling, in a nice soothing way. I've been missing out!

anon924895

First off, bath salts aren't just salt. Second, they are a little bit of a salt in a lot of water. That isn't what the mummies were soaked in. Maybe it's the stuff in the bath salts that isn't salt, but after every salt bath my skin is smooth and soft, not dry. Give it a try before you call it a myth, and don't just throw some table salt in a bath tub. Use real bath salts.

anon291226

Salt is not good for your skin? You, friend, have never soaked in sea salt. You should resist the temptation to discuss things you have no understanding of.

tonypham

Myth after myth. Salt can't soften your skin. If anything it dehydrates your skin (ask the pharaoh's mummies!)

anon150335

I just bought 240 lbs of the Dead Sea Salts from the San Francisco company as a Valentines gift. I tried them for 40 minutes in our tub. Wow. So relaxing, so calming, just six scoops really works. If you have never done this you must try it. It is so therapeutic. A sense of euphoria for several hours. I am 55 years old and just discovered this. Wow, so many wasted years. I love soaking in the sea salt. You will not be disappointed. Richard Brown, Kernersville NC.

anon71205

Great article about bath salts, love to take baths with Dead Sea Salts they really make you relax and feel good. I find Natural Dead Sea Salt from Sea Salt Healing, high quality and low price, highly recommend. Great company!

G.James

anon60723

i know a san francisco bath salt company has great stuff and a lot of stuff was on free shipping with great prices for the salts, especially the dead sea salt. i love them!

anon51614

I like Perfectly Natural Bath and Body because they don't use fragrances. All their scents are essential oils or extracts. I have sensitive skin and they are the only ones that don't make me itch afterwards.

johnm

I usually get my supply of bath salts at the San Francisco Bath Salt Company.

Love their stuff..

brylletc

Nice article. I have known that bath salts are used as exfoliants and great for muscle aches. Aside from that, I didn't know that they actually help improve circulation.

I have to agree about the aromatherapy. Combined with bath salts, they are the perfect match.

jsharpie

Great article. At my age, 47 I find that bathing 3 times a week really helps with recovery from exercise. I bathe for 25 minutes each time or until the water gets a little too chilly. To keep the water warm for longer I keep the bath curtain closed all the way and also add more warm water after about 10 minutes. I find that the regular sea and bath salts work just as well as epsom salts.

good luck bathing.

Jane S.

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    • Bath salts are good for a variety of uses, from relaxation to to improving circulation.
      By: joanna wnuk
      Bath salts are good for a variety of uses, from relaxation to to improving circulation.
    • Bath salts may help ease back pain.
      By: olly
      Bath salts may help ease back pain.
    • Bath salts may be helpful in relieving a rash.
      By: casi
      Bath salts may be helpful in relieving a rash.
    • Some bath salts are made with essential oils and act as a kind of aromatherapy.
      By: dusk
      Some bath salts are made with essential oils and act as a kind of aromatherapy.
    • Bath salts are commonly used for exfoliating.
      By: Anyka
      Bath salts are commonly used for exfoliating.
    • Adding bath salts to a hot bath can help ease tension.
      By: olly
      Adding bath salts to a hot bath can help ease tension.
    • Bath salts can ease tension and help with sleep.
      By: Karin & Uwe Annas
      Bath salts can ease tension and help with sleep.
    • Bath salts can be used to treat athlete's foot.
      By: roblan
      Bath salts can be used to treat athlete's foot.
    • Bath salts can help ease the itchiness of a rash.
      By: ampyang
      Bath salts can help ease the itchiness of a rash.