Home Spa with Epsom Salt
If you’re feeling just a bit frazzled and overwhelmed by an endless whirlwind of holiday activities, but your gift-shopping-depleted coffers preclude a day at the spa; don’t despair — you can create a relaxing home spa experience with the astonishingly versatile (and inexpensive) product known as Epsom salt.
The beauty benefits of this humble drugstore product are numerous: soaking in it relieves stress, soothes aching muscles, softens the skin and can even reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate, Epsom salt was first discovered in a bitter saline spring at Epsom, England. Now widely available, you can find it at any drugstore or supermarket for less than $5. It’s one of the most effective ways to replenish your magnesium levels — a mineral that’s critical to maintaining your health and good looks. Here are six ways to relax with Epsom salts this holiday season:
- Create a relaxing bath soak by adding at least one cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. The magnesium absorbed through your skin will energize you, increase serotonin levels and lower your blood pressure. You’ll look and feel better!
- Enjoy a rejuvenating body scrub by massaging handfuls of the crystals into wet skin. The salt will deep clean as well as purge your skin of toxins.
- Give your usual face wash an exfoliation and magnesium boost by mixing a half teaspoon of Epsom salt to your regular cleanser.
- Treat your skin to a homemade skin treatment: For normal to oily skin, mix one tablespoon of cognac, one egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of one lemon and 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salt and apply to damp skin. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salt.
- Soothe those long-suffering feet with an Epsom salt foot soak. You can also make an Epsom salt foot scrub to re-energize your tired feet — check out this great recipe.
- Boost hair volume with a DIY sea salt spray with Epsom salt. You can also deep condition by mixing equal parts Epsom salt and conditioner, leave in your hair for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
A native Washingtonian, Beauty Blogger Lia Phipps is an interior designer with an irrepressible, life-long fascination with health and beauty. When she is not selecting fabrics and paint colors for clients, she occupies herself with trying new products and dispensing beauty advice to friends, acquaintances and anyone who is willing to listen to “Tips from Phipps”.