Bath Salts or Bath Bombs?: The Basics of Epsom Salt Cosmetics

As a favourite among medical professionals for fitness and health purposes, Epsom salt replenishes the magnesium we need to live. It helps with your mineral deficiencies and even constipation. For your aching body, it’s poured into the tub for a soothing, and mineral-rich, bath. 

With its many benefits, Epsom salt’s versatility still can surprise us. In this case, it can be tweaked and shaped using a myriad of scents and colours. Yes, we’re talking about the humble Epsom salt in your everyday bath salts and bath bombs. 

In this article, you’ll learn the basics of these Epsom salt cosmetics, including how to make them yourself. Read everything you need to know about bath salts and bath bombs below.

What Are Epsom Salt Cosmetics?

Epsom salt is used for your overall well-being. It improves your health both internally and externally. Epsom salt cosmetics can do both. These products aren’t merely just Epsom salt. There are other additional ingredients, with Epsom salt at the forefront.

Bath Salt Basics

As you might have known already, bath salt is another way you can call Epsom salt. But, did you know you can customise them? Loading your tub with a handful or two of Epsom salts is what a basic Epsom salt bath is. Though, you can take things up a notch.

By adding the benefits of both Epsom salt and coarse sea salt, it’s like a double hit. They’ll relax the soreness away, and even clear out some skin conditions for you. The added scents and flowers are just a bonus and a very soothing one at that.

Bath Bomb Basics

If customisable bath salts sound splendid to you, you’ll love bath bombs. Generally speaking, bath bombs are quite similar to bath salts. Of course, both have Epsom salt in the mix. In the case of bath bombs, they have more add-ons, colours, and scents. They also have another special ingredient. 

Instead of baking soda, bath bombs have a combination of cornstarch and citric acid. The cornstarch makes the satisfying fizz last longer. The reason for the fizz is the acetic acid. It releases the scents in the entire bathroom, but it also helps clear away layers of damaged skin.

Bath Salts: How to Make Them

What You’ll Need to Use:

• 3-4 cups or 300-400 grams of Epsom salt
• 1-1.5 or 100-150 grams of course sea salt, like grey or pink Himalayan sea salt
• ½ cup or 50 grams of baking soda
• 20-50 drops of your favourite essential oils
• 2 tablespoons of neutral oil, like almond oil, avocado oil, baby oil, or melted coconut oil, optional
• A few drops or sprinkles of liquid food colouring or coloured pigment, optional
• 3-6 tablespoons of add-ons of your choosing, like dried herbs and/or flowers, optional
• A large mixing bowl
• A wooden spoon or spatula
• A large container like a mason jar or smaller containers like reusable plastic bags

What You’ll Need to Do:

1. Using the large bowl, combine the Epsom salt, coarse salt, and baking soda. You can use a spatula or your clean hands to mix everything together. 
2. Incorporate the oils in the salt mixture. Make use of essential oils that work well together. Some combinations also have specific purposes. For instance, chamomile and lavender essential oil together can help you sleep better.
3. Drop in food coloring, if you’re using some. A bit of colour is a fun addition, especially when you’re planning to give the bath salts as presents. 
4. Fold in your add-ons. If you are using a lavender essential oil, add some dried lavender. A couple of tablespoons of dried and blended desiccated coconut works well with rose as well. 
5. Measure about ½ to a cup of the bath salts for your next bath. This batch makes around 5 cups in total, which is around 5-10 baths. 
6. Store the rest of the bath salts in clean containers. A mason jar is a clean and aesthetic choice. Reusable plastic bags work well too. Just make sure that they have a few holes in them to prevent the buildup of pressure. 
7. Put your new stash of bath salts in a cool and dry place. A little airflow is permitted, in and around the containers. The bath salts with the neutral oil should last up to 3 months. The ones without can be used for up to 6 months. 

Bath Bombs: How to Make Them

What You’ll Need to Use:

• 1 cup or 100 grams of baking soda
• ½ cup or 50 grams of Epsom salt
• ½ cup or 50 grams of citric acid
• ¼ – ½ cup or 25-50 grams of cornstarch
• 1-2 tablespoons of neutral oil, like almond oil, avocado oil, baby oil, or melted coconut oil
• ¾ – 1 tablespoon of water
• 1-2 teaspoons or 12-15 drops of your favourite essential oils, like rose or lavender
• A few drops or sprinkles of liquid food colouring or coloured pigment, optional
• A few add-ons of your choosing, like dried flowers or fruit peels, maybe even some biodegradable glitter
• A large mixing bowl
• A small jar or bowl
• A whisk
• A wooden spoon or spatula
• A mould of your choosing, like metal silicone bath bomb moulds, ice cube trays, or even muffin tins
• A large container like a mason jar or smaller containers like reusable plastic bags

What You’ll Need to Do:

1. Get a large bowl and a whisk ready. Whisk in your Epsom salt, baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and powdered pigment (if using) in the bowl. Make sure that everything is well combined. 
2. Incorporate your add-ins in the dry ingredients as well. Small dried petals, herbs, and fruit peels are great for this. They should also go with your chosen scents (for later). When using glitter, make sure to use the eco-friendly or biodegradable variety. 
3. Prepare a smaller bowl or jar. You can mix the neutral oil and the water in the bowl. If you’re using the jar, close it tight and shake the oil and water vigorously together. 
4. Add the scents you want. Keep in mind that you can pick one or several. The scents should work well together. Though, don’t use it too much. It shouldn’t be more than 2 teaspoons in total.
5. Slowly pour in your wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. Put a little at a time. Use the whisk to get all the clumps out. If it fizzes a bit, it’s okay. It’s natural for citric acid to react like that with water. Take your time with this step. Stop mixing when everything is a sand-like texture. 
6. Arrange your other add-ons in the mould. Dried fruit peels, when it works well with the colours and scents, will look impeccable once everything is dry. 
7. Stuff the mixture in the moulds right away after combining all the ingredients together. Each one should need half a cup to a cup of the mixture. Cram it in the moulds to avoid any air pockets. It should fill a dozen or more compartments. It depends on the size of the moulds you choose. 
8. Let your new bath bombs dry out for several hours. Pick a dry spot and wait 4-8 hours. The bigger the bath bomb, the longer the wait time. A bigger mould will be fully dried after 12-24 hours. 
9. Drop in your new bath bomb for one of the best baths ever. Store the rest in a ventilated and roomy container at a cool and dry place. These should last a couple of months, one bath bomb per bath. 

In Conclusion

Epsom salt works, on its own and as the main ingredient in a variety of products like Epsom salt cosmetics. Most of the helpful products that people know about are bath salts and bath bombs. These are wildly available on the market. Though, you can make and customise your own. 

Both bath salts and bath bombs need Epsom salt to help ease your aches and pains. With their additional components, they aid in the relaxation process. When used and stored wisely, you’ll have another inexpensive way to take care of yourself and your body.