Bath salts are renowned for being one of the best ways to ease muscle soreness, detox and de-stress, so no wonder the tumultuous recent months have seen a rise in demand for them. Google searches for 'bath salts' are up +83% and last year during Lockdown 1.0, Westlab saw a huge rise in demand for bath salts. Epsom salts (named after a particularly mineral rich salt spring in Surrey) are often spotlighted as the ones to buy by the experts.
Professional athletes love them, even the likes of Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lawrence and of course the ever wellness-oriented Gwyneth Paltrow extol their virtues. Here we dive in and find out just why these bath salts serve up so many benefits and offer up a selection of the best bath salts in the business to shop now (scroll to the bottom if you just can't wait to get hold of some!).
Benefits Of Epsom Salt Bath
According to Westlab Salt Chemist (yes, there is such thing as a salt chemist) Karen Davis, the Epsom bath salts work by way of breaking down to magnesium and sulphate and that these absorb into your body whilst you bathe, kicking off the detox process. 'Supplying the body with more sulphate increases the amount of toxins that can be processed out,' says Karen, 'so upping sulphate intake is a fantastic way to support the detoxification process. Epsom salt, otherwise known as magnesium sulphate, is ideal as the sulphate is best absorbed via the skin.’
Are Bath Salts Good For You?
There are several benefits to bathing in bath salts and a few may well surprise you...
They Boost Your Energy - Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphate which can both help the body top produce and use insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar levels). Regulating blood sugar levels boosts your energy levels and staves off mood swings.
They're Great For Scalp Health - Use them in your hair pre-shampoo with water as a scalp scrub. The salt is great for your skin but that gentle dose of exfoliation relieves your scalp of impurities that may otherwise have hindered hair growth.
They Relieve Irritation From Insect Bites - If you've fallen victim to a few insects whilst outside this summer, hop into a bath of bath salts. The bath itself provides a bit of relief, but the salts take down a lot of the swelling too.
Are Epsom Salts Safe To Use During Pregnancy?
Yes, according to Healthline Epsom salts are completely safe for pregnant woman to use. In fact, it 's often recommended to help treat aches and pains that can occur during pregnancy. Simply add two generous handfuls to a warm bath and soak for 10-15 minutes.
SHOP: The Best Bath Salts In The Business
Best Bath Salts 2021
1 of 8Cowshed SLEEP Calming Bath Salts, £18
2 of 8Herbivore Calm Ylang Ylang and Vanilla Soaking Salts, £16
3 of 8Susanne Kaufmann St. John's Wort Bath, £45
4 of 8Westlab Epsom Salt 1kg, £4.99
5 of 8Bath Salts by Olverum, £30
6 of 8Earl Of East Japanese Bathing Ritual Bath Salts, £24
7 of 8Anatome Muscle Ease + Skin Restoring Bath Salts, £20
8 of 8Odacite Mood Cleansing Ayurvedic Bath Soak, £22
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