There are few things more enjoyable than a relaxing soak in your bath after a hard day. Today, there are countless products available that are designed to enhance your time spent in the tub.
Bath salts are among the oldest and most reliable ways to improve your bathing without spending much money. They can help you relax and soothe your muscles (1) but there are so many products available that it can be difficult to know where to start looking.
In this article, we will share our reviews of what we consider the best bath salts available today. We will also explore some of the key things to keep in mind when shopping for bath salts.
- Unscented
- Benefits people & plants
- Salt dissolves quickly
- Infused with lavender essential oils
- Suitable for jacuzzis and hot tubs
- Encourages better sleep
- Various scents to choose from
- Resealable bag
- Salt crystals dissolve quickly
- Safe during pregnancy
- All-natural & organic
- Soothes sore muscles
- High mineral content
- 100% natural
- Leaves skin feeling softer
- Helps with cellulite
- Sustainably produced
- Hydrates the skin
- Multiple sizes and scents
- Sustainably sourced
- Resealable bag
Best Bath Salts of 2023
After conducting a lot of research, we have narrowed down the countless products that are currently available to bring you our bath salts reviews. We chose these products based on their effectiveness, scent, and value for money.
Epsoak USP Epsom Salt
Best Bulk Option
This highly popular Epsoak product contains 19 pounds of unscented Epsom salts and is packaged in the United States. The salt has a medium grain size and dissolves reasonably quickly. You can also mix it with your usual body wash to create an exfoliating scrub.
In addition to benefitting your body, this salt can also be beneficial for your garden. It is said to be helpful for the growth of tomatoes, roses, and grass. Epsoak USP is available in three sizes: a 19-pound bag, two 19-pound bags or one 39.5-pound bag.
The salt is GMO-free, so you can be confident that you are using natural materials on your body. The company also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied with the product, you can return it with no questions asked.
Pros
- Unscented
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Beneficial for humans and plants
- Salt dissolves quickly
Cons
- The bag isn’t resealable
- Doesn’t include anything to measure the salt
Our Ratings
San Francisco Salt Co. Sleep Lavender Bath Salts
Best Bath Salt for Sleep
Our favorite bath salts for relaxing, this San Francisco Salt Co. product is available in three different sizes: 2 pounds, 10 pounds, or 20 pounds. This means you can test the salts with the smallest size before buying them in bulk. The salts are a mix of fine and medium-grain and come scented with lavender essential oil.
These calming bath salts have a purple hue that matches their lavender scent. This product is recommended for soothing aches and pains as well as helping you relax to sleep. They are also safe for use in jacuzzis and hot tubs.
This product is protected by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Infused with lavender essential oils
- Can be used in a jacuzzi or hot tub
- More than one size is available
- Great for improving sleep
Cons
- Can dry out your skin
- Salt might not completely dissolve
Our Ratings
Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salt Bath Soaking Solution
Best Scent Options
Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts are available in a variety of different blends including eucalyptus, lavender, and activated charcoal. They can be purchased in single, double, or triple bags depending on how much you need. This set of two includes a eucalyptus bag for muscle relaxation and relief, and a lavender bag to help you sleep.
Both bags contain 3 pounds of salt, giving you a total of 6 pounds of aromatherapy bath salts. Unlike some other branded products, this one includes a resealable bag. Once opened, you can close it again using its velcro seal.
It is recommended to use this product for 20 minutes at a time, up to twice per week.
Pros
- Various scents to choose from
- Resealable bag
- Easy to store
- Salt crystals dissolve fairly quickly
Cons
- Scents might be too strong
- Contains perfumes
Our Ratings
Era Organics Bath Blend
Best Organic Blend
If you want a natural and organic option, you should consider this Era Organics Bath Blend. It comes in a visually appealing jar and only requires one or two small scoops to be effective. This organic blend is made of Epsom salts, Dead Sea salt, and essential oils, plus other natural ingredients.
The jar contains 1 pound of salt and is recommended to soothe sore muscles and joints, aching feet, damaged skin, and inflammation. It also provides some comfort during pregnancy. These salts are 100% natural and hypoallergenic, along with being nutrient-rich.
If you aren’t satisfied with this product, the manufacturer offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Safe for pregnancy
- Only a small amount is needed
- All-natural and organic
- Great for sore muscles
Cons
- Doesn’t include a measuring scoop
- Small size compared to others
Our Ratings
Pure Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salt
Perfect for Skin Nourishment
This 5-pound bucket is filled with Dead Sea mineral salts. Dead Sea mineral salts are proven to have far greater mineral content than other types (2).
It is available in three different scent options: fragrance-free, eucalyptus, and lavender. These scents are derived from botanicals and plants.
Unlike most Epsom salts and other bath salt brands, this product contains 21 different skin-nourishing minerals including calcium, iodine, and magnesium. Not only do these salts soothe soreness and aid in relaxation, but they can also help keep away microbes that cause allergies. They are 100% pure and natural.
The manufacturer recommends that you allow the salt to dissolve for about five minutes before getting into the bath. They also recommend rinsing yourself with a shower afterward.
Pros
- Packed full of minerals
- 100% natural
- Easily stored
- Leaves skin feeling softer
Cons
- Consistency may be off-putting
- The scent isn’t very strong
Our Ratings
Shea Moisture Muscle Relief
Best for Toning Skin
This Shea product is ideal for anyone looking for muscle relief. It is made of Dead Sea salt to promote muscle relaxation, and infused with ingredients such as shea butter to help tone and moisturize your skin (3). The added vitamin E also provides antioxidant protection (4).
This product is certified as organic, natural, and fair trade, so you can be confident that you are buying ethically.
The jar contains 20 ounces of Dead Sea salt and is scented with coconut oil and hibiscus flowers.
Pros
- Helps with cellulite
- Sustainably produced
- Hydrates the skin
- Scent isn’t overly strong
Cons
- Salt can be hard when first opened
- Not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding
Our Ratings
Mountain Falls Epsom Salt Therapy Soak
Great for Sustainability
Mountain Falls Epsom Salt Therapy Soak is available in six different sizes and has multiple scents to choose from, including eucalyptus, lavender, unscented, and peppermint.
Products in this range vary in size between 1.5 pounds and 8 pounds. The option we have chosen contains 3 pounds of Epsom salts in a resealable bag and is sold in a pack of six. This particular type is rosemary and mint-scented and works best on aches and sprains.
These salts are natural and cruelty-free, as well as safe for use in hot tubs and jacuzzis.
Mountain Falls creates sustainably sourced products and has company-wide goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy/water consumption at its facilities.
Pros
- Sustainably sourced
- Multiple sizes and scents to choose from
- Cruelty-free
- Resealable bag
Cons
- The scents are weak
- Less soothing than some products
Our Ratings
Benefits of Bath Salts
Bath salts provide therapeutic natural treatment for various ailments. Whether you are exhausted after a long day at work or have just finished an intense session in the gym, bath salts can help to soothe your body.
Bath salts are commonly used to provide some relief to people who are dealing with (5):
- Arthritis
- Sore/swollen muscles
- Bruises and sprains
- Fibromyalgia
- Ingrown nails
- Insomnia
- Psoriasis
- Soreness due to diarrhea
- Sunburn
- Mastitis during breastfeeding
Epsom salts are sought after for their natural therapeutic properties. They originated in the English town of Epsom and are made of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is known to reduce the brain’s response to pain, and sulfate helps the body flush out toxins. (6)
These two substances combine to make Epsom salts an effective remedy for muscle and joint aches and pains. They are often recommended to breastfeeding mothers when they are experiencing pain caused by blocked ducts and mastitis (7).
How to Choose the Best Bath Salts
When shopping for bath salts, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Which of these is the most important will depend on why you want to buy salts in the first place. Take the time to consider them before you make a purchase.
The Purpose
When browsing bath salts, you might notice that some products claim to treat certain conditions, such as soothing sore muscles or encouraging better sleep. Luxury bath salts might claim to have additional benefits.
If you want a product that will provide general therapy to your body, standard Epsom salts are the most popular option and very reliable (8). Traditional Epsom salts also lack any strong fragrances, so you can still enjoy other scents while bathing. On the other hand, if you want something to help you sleep, plenty of products include essential oils.
Added Essential Oils
Depending on the type of oil used, essential oil bath salts will provide different benefits. For example, lavender oil is known to encourage better sleep and relieve headaches (9) (10).
Be Careful
Size of Product
Think about how often you take baths. If you anticipate using the salts regularly, buy them in bulk rather than in small packets each time. This will cost more initially but it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
How to Use Bath Salts
The contents of bath salts can vary but how you use them will usually be the same.
- Choose salts: Before you can soak in bath salts, you will need to choose the right salts to suit your needs. Read our product reviews for some guidance.
- Fill the tub: Once you have chosen your bath salts, fill your bathtub about halfway with warm water.
- Add salts: Start by pouring in a ½ cup of bath salts. If you think you need more, add small amounts gradually. If you are treating sore muscles, try starting with 1 or 2 cups.
- Mix: Before stepping into the tub, swirl the water to encourage the salts to dissolve.
- Relax: Once the salts have dissolved, fill the tub to the usual level and get in. Many salts will allow you to stay in for as long as you like, but some products will specify a time limit to avoid drying out your skin.
Keep In Mind
FAQs
Are Bath Salts Worth It?
Bath salts are worth it because they are cheap and help with many different issues. Bath salts have been used for a very long time as a simple and cheap manner to treat a bunch of conditions related to both physical and mental health.
They are usually made from Epsom salt and easily dissolve in bath water.
They can help ease headaches, stress, anxiety, dry or itchy skin, stiffness, muscle pain, and certain skin conditions (such as eczema).
Do Salt Baths Dry Out Your Skin?
Salt baths will only dry your skin if you use them excessively. For example, if you use more than two cups of Epsom salt for each gallon of water, you are likelier to end up with dry skin.
When used correctly (and combined with other ingredients, such as olive oil), salt baths can help fight skin dryness.
Can You Wash Your Hair in a Bath with Bath Salts?
You can wash your hair in a bath with bath salts because Epsom salt is included as an ingredient in many different hair treatments. One rationale behind applying Epsom salt to hair is to increase volume.
The physics of how this might operate implies it eliminates oils from hair strands. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim.
Are Epsom Salts the Same as Bath Salts?
Epsom salts are not the same as bath salts because the only components of Epsom salt are the magnesium and sulfate ions that exist naturally in the earth.
Epsom salt on its own does not contain any additional components, even though certain brands of bath salts include them as part of a proprietary blend.
What is the Difference Between Epsom Salt and Sea Salt?
Epsom salts, despite their name, are not comprised of salt and do not contain the same minerals found in seawater. Instead, they are made up of Epsom magnesium sulfate.
This is one of the reasons why it is not a suitable replacement for the genuine article. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, whereas pure sea salt is packed with various minerals.
Thus, there is a significant gap between the two in terms of the composition of the minerals present.
Which Bath Salt Is the Best?
Epsoak Epsom Salt is one of the best bath salts money can currently buy.
Epsoak Epsom Salt, well-known for its superior quality and a wide variety of therapeutic applications, dissolves effortlessly in warm water to help ease hurting feet and muscles. It can also help cleanse pores thanks to its calming magnesium content.
