The Best Bath Salts

Buying Guide for Bath Salts

Why buy bath salts?

Bath salts are specialty items you can add to your bathwater to imitate the properties of hot springs and natural mineral baths. They’re meant to make a bath more cleansing and relaxing, and many people find that bath salts make their bathwater feel silkier. Epsom salt, which is a salt-like mineral compound of magnesium sulfate, is the main ingredient. Some formulas, however, use actual salts, such as sea salts, Himalayan bath salt, Dead Sea salt, or some combination of Epsom salt with real salt. Many are scented or enhanced with herbs or oils to make your bath even more therapeutic. They may be designed for specific intents, like soothing muscle and joint pain or exfoliating. Colorful bath salts can also add a pleasing aesthetic element to your bath if desired.

What should you look for in bath salts?

• Coarseness: Regardless of the types of salt used as a base in your bath salt, the coarseness of the grains is a worthwhile factor to consider. Thicker, coarser grains are great for bath salts blended with colors and/or scented oils. This is because their size allows them to absorb the oils and colors easier. However, if you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to look for bath salts with extra-small or fine grains, similar to flour in texture. These will be less abrasive and gentler on your skin, especially if you’re planning to use them to exfoliate.
• Quality: When it comes to picking the highest-quality bath salts, there are a few factors you can keep an eye out for. Look for all-natural bath salts to ensure they’ve retained any beneficial minerals and nutrients and aren’t too processed. The clearer and more crystalline the pack of bath salts, the better, as they tend to have fewer additives. You’ll also want to avoid any bath salts that are prone to clumping. Some are specifically listed as anti-clumping, which is an optimal choice.
• Scent: Bath salts can come unscented or in various scents offering different benefits. Scents like lavender or chamomile are soothing, and great for stress relief. Citrusy smells tend to be more energizing, while rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint will feel cool and refreshing. Rose or vanilla may be ideal for a romantic soak with your significant other, while lemongrass and coconut make great relaxants.

How often should you use bath salts in your bath?

You can use bath salts in your bath about three times per week to help ease muscle pain and tension, calm your mind after a stressful day, or add some self-care time to your busy schedule. By staggering your use of the salts, you can ensure that you don’t experience any drying of your skin, and make your supply last longer.

Our Picks for the Best Bath Salts

Pros: The bath salts in this variety set come in three different scents: lavender, vanilla, and coconut lime. The lavender is great for promoting sleep, vanilla is soothing on rough skin, and the coconut will help you feel invigorated. Each scent is color-coded and clearly labeled, so you don’t need to worry about getting them mixed up. Each scent will turn your bath into a relaxing aromatherapy soak that will help to soothe sore feet and other aching muscles. The three containers hold 16.9 ounces each, so you’ll receive more than three pounds of bath salts, which will keep you supplied for longer.

Cons: These salts may not be appropriate for those with allergies to perfumes or sensitive skin.

Bottom Line: If you anticipate using bath salts with any kind of frequency or are looking for a gift for a loved one, this set of bath salts should be just what you need. For a relaxing soak, all you have to do is add a scoop of salts to your bathwater with the included mini wooden spoon and watch it quickly dissolve.

 

Pros: Get a convenient three-pound bag of soothing relaxation at a great value with this Solimo Epsom Salt Soaking Aid. The eucalyptus and spearmint scent is calming and refreshing, and the Epsom salt helps soothe aches and sprains. This comforting bath additive dissolves quickly into hot water, providing a therapeutic experience that’s gentle enough for regular use.

Cons: You may find that the scent is different from what you expect from eucalyptus. This may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a eucalyptus steam product for sinus congestion relief.

Bottom Line: If you want to stock up on Epsom salt to take your relaxing warm baths up a notch, this three-pound resealable bag can help you out with that. In addition to the eucalyptus-scented bath salts, Solimo has Epsom salts in unscented, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and mint varieties.

 

Pros: While most bath salts tend to offer something in the way of soothing soreness, Coach Soak Muscle Recovery Bath Salt Soak is specifically designed to help muscles and joints recover after a tough workout session. It’s made of magnesium flakes, Dead Sea salts infused with minerals, vitamin C crystals, hydrating coconut oil, and essential oils, which combine to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve sore or stiff muscles, tendons, and joints. As a bonus, the essential oils will add a pleasant aromatherapy element to your bath as well. Choose between four scents: lavender, peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus

Cons: You may find this product to be expensive for the three-pound bag.

Bottom Line: This bag of bath salts is perfect for athletes or anyone who enjoys intense workouts regularly. Whether you’re a weightlifter, jogger, yoga enthusiast, or are simply on your feet all day, these bath salts are made to help you heal.

 

Pros: Many consumers agree that buying in bulk is a smart, cost-effective strategy. If you’re a fan of Epsom salt and its multipurpose benefits, this 19-pound bulk package of magnesium salts might be a wise investment indeed. This Epsom salt from Epsoak has a uniquely designed particle size to ensure it dissolves rapidly in warm water. It’s unscented, so you can experiment with adding your favorite essential oils or mixing it with shower gel to make your own exfoliating body scrub. And with this bulk amount, you’ll have enough left for your relaxing Epsom salt bath.

Cons: Since this Epsom salt has a finer particle size, you may feel a need to use more to get the effects you want as a bath soak.

Bottom Line: You may want to consider this bulk package of Epsom salt if you often find yourself depleting your supply faster than you expect. Whether you use it as a bath soak, body scrub, or for gardening, you’ll rest assured knowing you have plenty on hand with this 19-pound bag.

 

Pros: Some people who have wanted to try salt baths have shied away from them out of concern that they cause skin dryness. Well, worry no more. This hydrating Epsom salt is made with shea butter and coconut extract to nourish and soften your skin while you soak in the luxurious fragrance. Use these bath salts to soak away stiffness and fatigue from your back, feet, and sore muscles while keeping your skin moisturized and soft.

Cons: Although these bath salts are infused with natural oils, the added fragrance is more of a perfume that some people may be sensitive to and find to be too strong.

Bottom Line: These bath salts may be for you if you want to experience the benefits of having a stress-relieving Epsom salt bath without the worry of drying your skin. Along with the Coconut Lime scent, this three-pound bag of bath salts is also available in a Tropical Mango variety.

Final Thoughts

Bath salts help turn an ordinary bath into a luxury spa treatment. After a long, challenging day, indulging in a relaxing salt soak can help soothe aching muscles and stressed minds. If you need a way to treat yourself after working hard, we recommend enjoying a warm bath with one of our top picks for the best bath salts.