What Are Epsom Salts?

Epsom salts are a mineral compound, usually magnesium sulfate, that people commonly dissolve in warm water for baths or soaks. They are not the same as table salt, and they’re sold in drugstores and grocery stores for inexpensive home use.

Quick Scoop

• What they are: A crystalline mineral salt made of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen.

• Why people use them: Most often for baths, foot soaks, and to ease sore muscles or tired feet.

• Common claims: Relaxation, stress relief, and minor pain relief are the biggest reasons people try them, though evidence for many claims is limited.

• Where the name comes from: It comes from Epsom, England, where the salts were historically found in natural springs.

How They’re Used

People usually add Epsom salts to a bath or foot soak, and some also use them for exfoliating or wellness routines. They’re also used medically in some forms, but that is different from a regular bath product.

Important Note

A lot of the popularity comes from the idea that magnesium may absorb through the skin, but some medical sources say the evidence for that is not strong. So Epsom salt baths may feel soothing, but they should not be treated as a cure-all.

If you want, I can also give you a simple “how to use Epsom salts safely” guide.