3 Ways To Use Bath Salts - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Use Bath Salts PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: May 28, 2025 References

PDF download Download Article
  • Adding Salts to Your Bath
    • |
  • Enhancing Your Experience
    • |
  • Using Bath Salts in Different Ways
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 148,093 times.

If you want a truly luxurious soak, why not add bath salts the next time you run a bath? You can purchase or make bath salts with your favorite type of salt. Leave the bath salts as they are or mix in colors or essential oils for fragrance. You can also use bath salts in the shower or as exfoliating body scrubs. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about incorporating bath salts into your beauty routine.

Things You Should Know

  • Generally speaking, a full bathtub of water needs about 1/2 a cup of bath salts.
  • But if you want a more concentrated bath salt experience, you can always try including another quarter of a cup.
  • For a therapy bath, include 1-2 cups of epsom salts instead.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Adding Salts to Your Bath

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  1. Step 1 Choose your bath salts. 1 Choose your bath salts. You can buy or make your own bath salts. Most bath salts are made using Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts. You can also look for products that contain pink sea salt, Dendritic salt, or Icelandic Geothermal Brine. Your bath salts may be fine, grainy, or coarse depending on the texture you prefer.[1]
    • For a very simple bath salt, you can simply use dye and fragrance-free Epsom salts.
  2. Step 2 Fill the tub half full and add the bath salts. 2 Fill the tub half full and add the bath salts. Put the plug in your bathtub and run hot water. Fill the tub halfway with water that's as hot as you like it and pour in about 1/2 cup (120 g) of prepared bath salts. For a stronger concentration, you can add more bath salts.[2]
    • For a therapy bath, consider using 1 to 2 cups (240 to 480 g) of Epsom salts. The high levels of magnesium in the salts can reduce muscle ache.
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  3. Step 3 Swirl the bath salts in the water. 3 Swirl the bath salts in the water. Use your hands to swirl the water in the tub so the salts dissolve. Fine grained bath salts will dissolve faster than coarse grained bath salts.[3]
  4. Step 4 Fill the tub with more water. 4 Fill the tub with more water. Turn the hot water back on and fill the tub as high as you like. Dip your hands in the water to check the temperature. The water should be as comfortably hot as you can make it.[4]
  5. Step 5 Soak in the tub for at least 10 minutes. 5 Soak in the tub for at least 10 minutes. Get into the tub and breathe in the hot steam as you soak. To get the full benefits of the bath salts, try to soak for at least 10 minutes. Continue to soak as long as you like before draining the tub.
    • Ask your doctor about how often you can use bath salts, especially if you have a medical condition.
    • If your bath salts contain oils, use caution when getting out of the tub. The oils may make the bottom of the tub slippery.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 334 wikiHow readers if they think baths help them relax, and 85% said yes. [Take Poll]
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Enhancing Your Experience

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  1. Step 1 Add color to the bath salts. 1 Add color to the bath salts. If you want to add a burst of color to your bath, mix in a few drops of liquid or gel food coloring into 1 1/2 cups (360 g) of the bath salts. Add just a few drops so you don't dissolve the salt and continue to mix in more food coloring until you get the shade you're looking for.[5]
    • If you're mixing different colors of bath salts, keep them in separate containers since the colors may bleed into each other as the bath salts are stored.
  2. Step 2 Include essential oils, if desired. 2 Include essential oils, if desired. If you're using Epsom or Dead Sea bath salts that don't include any fragrances, add 6 to 12 drops of your favorite essential oil for every 1 1/2 cups (360 g) of bath salts. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, start with a smaller amount and add more as you need. Use just one type of essential oil or make a combination to treat your skin or enhance your mood.[6]
    • For example, for an energizing bath, include grapefruit, bergamot, and peppermint essential oils.
    • For example, if you have acne-prone skin, add a few drops of tea tree, geranium, or lavender essential oil.
  3. Step 3 Add baking soda for softer skin. 3 Add baking soda for softer skin. Sprinkle 1/4 to 1 cup (45 to 180 g) of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to the running water in your tub. The baking soda should dissolve quickly. Soak in the tub for 20 to 30 minutes and use caution when getting out of the tub since baking soda can leave a slippery residue.[7]
    • Baking soda can soften your skin and remove chlorine from the bath water.
  4. Step 4 Mix dried herbs into the bath salts. 4 Mix dried herbs into the bath salts. Measure 2 tablespoons (3 to 4 g) of your favorite dried herbs and add them to 3 cups (720 g) of your bath salts. Include dried herbs to improve your mood, add fragrance to the bath, or treat skin conditions. Mix one of these popular dried herbs into your bath salts:[8]
    • Lavender
    • Mint
    • Rosemary
    • Chamomile
    • Rose petals
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Using Bath Salts in Different Ways

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  1. Step 1 Soak in a detoxifying bath. 1 Soak in a detoxifying bath. For a cleansing bath that can remove toxins from your body, soak in Epsom salts. Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulfate that remove heavy metals from the body and speed up the skin's recovery time. Dissolve 1 to 3 cups (240 to 720 g) of Epsom salts in a hot bath and soak in it for 10 to 40 minutes.
  2. Step 2 Dissolve Epsom salts to treat muscle aches. 2 Dissolve Epsom salts to treat muscle aches. Pour up to 2 cups of (480 g) of Epsom salts into a hot bath and swirl the water to dissolve the salt. Soak your sore muscles in the water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. The magnesium in the Epsom salts can relax your muscles.[9]
    • Consider adding up to 15 drops of essential oils known for soothing muscles. These include wintergreen, basil, bergamot, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and Douglas fir.
  3. Step 3 Reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin. 3 Reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin. If you're dealing with skin issues like psoriasis, rashes, or eczema, soak in an Epsom salt bath.[10] The magnesium in the salts can reduce inflammation and relieve itching. Run a full bath and dissolve 1 to 3 cups (240 to 720 g) of Epsom salts in it. Soak the irritated skin for at least 20 minutes to get the full benefits.[11]
    • Always moisturize your skin after getting out of the bath to keep your skin hydrated.
    • Epsom salts can also help with hemorrhoid-related inflammation.[12]
  4. Step 4 Mix the salts... 4 Mix the salts into a shower scrub to exfoliate dead skin. Measure 1 cup (240 g) of Dead Sea salt into a bowl and stir in 1/3 cup (80 ml) to 1/2 cup (160 ml) of your favorite oil (such as sweet almond, coconut, grapeseed, or olive). Add 12 drops of essential oils and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vitamin E oil. Stir the mixture into a thick paste that you can scrub over your skin when you shower. Just rinse off the mixture and enjoy softer skin.
    • You can store the shower scrub in an airtight plastic container. Ensure that water doesn't get into the container when you're opening it in the shower or you may introduce bacteria into the scrub.
  5. Step 5 Make a foot bath to soothe achy feet. 5 Make a foot bath to soothe achy feet. If you don't have the time or space to run a full bath, fill a large basin three-quarters full of hot water. Stir in 1/2 cup (120 g) of Epsom salts until they're dissolved. Sit down and place your feet into the foot bath. Soak your feet for 10 minutes.[13]
    • Avoid soaking your feet in bath salts if you have diabetes. Soaking your feet can dry out your feet and cause cracking that may lead to infection.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Are bath salts safe for all ages? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, but if anything in them irritates your skin, do not use them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
  • Question Can I use bath salts if I am a diabetic? Community Answer Community Answer No, it is not recommended as the magnesium found in some bath salts can be absorbed through the skin causing insulin levels to increase. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
  • Question What will happen if I wash my vagina with salt water? Community Answer Community Answer It may get irritated and throw off your pH balance. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6
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Things You'll Need

Administering the Salts into the Bath

  • Bath salts
  • Bathtub

Using Bath Salts in Different Ways

  • Oil
  • Essential oils
  • Storage container
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Basin

Enhancing Your Experience

  • Baking soda
  • Food coloring
  • Essential oils
  • Dried herbs

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • If you're pregnant, avoid using bath salts that contain Dead Sea salts. The high mineral content can make the water too hot and increase your heart rate. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/11/how-to-make-bat.html
  2. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/how-to-use-bath-salts-from-body-scrubs-to-foot-care-1667773
  3. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/how-to-use-bath-salts-from-body-scrubs-to-foot-care-1667773
  4. ↑ https://food.ndtv.com/beauty/how-to-use-bath-salts-from-body-scrubs-to-foot-care-1667773
  5. ↑ https://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/11/how-to-make-bat.html
  6. ↑ https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2015/05/diy-detoxifying-salt-scrub-exfoliating-body-wash/
  7. ↑ https://naturalremedyideas.com/bath-with-baking-soda/
  8. ↑ https://helloglow.co/homemade-herbal-bath-salts/
  9. ↑ https://holisticsquid.com/magnesium-bath-soak-with-essential-oils-for-sore-muscles/
More References (4)
  1. ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/topicals/over-the-counter
  3. ↑ Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/epsom-salt-bath-and-foot-soak-benefits-and-recipes/

About This Article

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD Co-authored by: Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist This article was co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego. This article has been viewed 148,093 times. 1 votes - 80% Co-authors: 16 Updated: May 28, 2025 Views: 148,093 Categories: Bathing Article SummaryX

To use bath salts, add 1 cup of salts to a warm bath and use your hand to swirl it around in the water until it dissolves. Then, soak in the tub for at least 10 minutes to soothe muscle aches or reduce skin irritation. Alternatively, use bath salts as an exfoliating scrub in the shower by mixing 1 cup of bath salts, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 12 drops of essential oil, and a teaspoon of vitamin E oil in a small bowl. Once you’ve made the scrub, rub it all over your skin in the shower before rinsing it off. For tips on how to add lavender or mint to your bath salts to make an herbal bath soak, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD Co-authored by: Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Co-authors: 16 Updated: May 28, 2025 Views: 148,093 80% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote Gertrude Wells

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