Today, we are making this insanely easy recipe for homemade bath salts with magnesium. We only need a couple of ingredients and maybe 5 minutes to make them.
Making your own bath salts is ridiculously easy and even a fun activity to do with kids! Grab your ingredients, a few jars or containers, and let’s get started!
Ingredients
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, if you purchase the linked product, at no extra cost for you.
- Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)
- OR magnesium flakes (magnesium chloride)
- organic dried petals or flower buds (I like to use rose petals and lavender)
- fine rock or sea salt (optional)
(see quantities in recipe card below)
This recipe uses Epsom salts for the magnesium content. However, you can also use magnesium chloride flakes instead!
The difference between Epsom salts and magnesium flakes is simply their composition. Epsom salts are made up of magnesium sulfate and the flakes of magnesium chloride.
Magnesium chloride flakes have a higher concentration of pure magnesium. So the choice is yours! Epsom salts were just easier for me to get my hands on.
You should be able to find Epsom salts at your chemist, supermarket or whole foods shop. Otherwise, you can get them online (see the link above or in the recipe card below).
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulfate, are a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. But, despite the name, they are not actually a type of salt.
When we use Epsom salts in baths, they dissolve in the water and release their magnesium. Magnesium has a lot of health benefits which I’m going to discuss in a second.
I just want to let you know first, that there aren’t many studies on whether or how much magnesium gets absorbed through our skin. However, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence about the following benefits while or after having a bath:
Benefits of Magnesium Salt Baths
Muscle Relaxation: Magnesium, as well as the warmth of the water, are known to help relax muscles and reduce muscle soreness. A salt bath can be soothing after a powerful workout or an activity-loaded day.
Pain Relief: Magnesium salt baths are often used to relieve pain from conditions like arthritis or muscle injuries. They may help reduce inflammation as well.
Reduced Stress: Soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath can promote relaxation and reduce stress. Magnesium has been shown to have calming effects on the nervous system.
Skin health: Magnesium gently exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells. It may also help relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.
Detoxification: Epsom salt baths are detoxifying by promoting sweating and helping to draw out toxins from the body.
Other ingredients
Dried Flowers: you can use pretty much any flower you like. Or even herbs such as rosemary (for more options see ‘variations’). Just make sure they are organic or at least spray-free to eliminate toxins such as pesticides!
Rock or Sea Salt: This is totally optional, but if you like, you can mix in some salt as well. Make sure it’s a fine grind so it dissolves faster and easier!
Instructions
How to make your own bath salts with magnesium
Step 1. Gather all of your ingredients, a large enough bowl or a container and a spoon or spatula to combine.
Step 2. Then, simply mix all of your ingredients.
Step 3. Scoop or decant your homemade bath salts into some empty jars or containers and you’re done!
How to use your homemade bath salts
As soothing bath
Simply add 2 cups of your bath salts to your warm bath water and let it dissolve. Enjoy a relaxing, stress-relieving magnesium bath for about 15-20 minutes.
As a relaxing foot soak
Add about 2-3 tablespoons, or up to 2 cups, of the bath salts to a small tub (big enough to fit your feet) with warm water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes.
Variations
Salts: As mentioned above, feel free to add some salt, or replace a third up to half of the Epsom salts/magnesium flakes with rock or sea salt.
Flowers: I love using lavender and rose because of their therapeutic effects. Chamomile, calendula, or hibiscus (affiliate links) are great variations as well.
Herbs: You can add dried rosemary, sage or thyme to your homemade bath salts with magnesium. Just make sure you like the smell as herbs can be a bit more prominent as opposed to the sweet, flowery scents of the petals.
Essential Oils: Yes, you can absolutely add essential oils to your baths as well. However, don’t add them to your salts! I’ve seen a few recipes where they do that—not a good idea!
And I tell you why: first of all, essential oils (EO) should always be diluted with oil. The only oil that is safe to use without carrier oil is lavender. You can mix 2 tablespoons of oil and 5-10 drops of EO and then add them to your bath.
Secondly, when you add essential oils to your salts, they are going to evaporate over time and lose their therapeutic benefits. Especially when stored in a clear jar and exposed to light!
Storage
I love using recycled jars: they are cheap/free and you do something good for the environment. But a plastic container works just fine. Just make sure you keep the container or jar airtight shut!
You can store your salts in the cupboard for several months. Nothing can really go off, however, the flowers will lose their scent and therapeutic properties over time.
Warnings and Safety
Epsom salts or magnesium flakes are generally safe to use but can cause some reactions in some people. Please don’t use more amounts than recommended and when you feel nauseated, dizzy or any abnormality in your heartbeat while having a bath with these salts, please stop using them!
Top Tip
These amazing homemade bath salts with magnesium are a great gift idea for birthdays or Christmas! Easy, cheap and quick to make and so LOVED!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 scale or measuring cups
- 1 large bowl
- 1 mixing spoon or spatula
- recycled jars or plastic container(s) for storage
Ingredients
- 2 cups / 475 g Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)
- OR 2 cups magnesium flakes (magnesium chloride), see notes
- 1-2 tablespoon dried rose petals organic!
- 1-2 tablespoon dried lavender organic!
- ¼ cup / 70g fine rock or sea salt optional
Instructions
How to make
- Simply mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Scoop or decant your homemade bath salts into some empty jars or container(s) and you’re done!
How to use
- As a soothing bath: Add one batch (about 2 cups) of your bath salts to warm bath water and let it dissolve. Enjoy a relaxing, stress-relieving magnesium bath for about 15-20 minutes.
- As a relaxing foot soak: Add about 2-3 tablespoons, or up to 2 cups, of the bath salts to a small tub (big enough to fit your feet) with warm water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes.
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