Salt scrubs and bath salts, either combined or on their own, are popular bath and body products to make. However, not only are there different grains of salts, there are different types of salts which you can use too. This post briefly summarizes the various types of salts which you can use in making bath and body products.

Epsom Salts for Bath and Body Scrubs

Epsom salts are chemically composed of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. They have the appearance of tiny crystals, similar to that of table salt which is probably why they are thought of as “salts.” Epsom salts can be used to help with:

• flushing out toxins in the body

• exfoliating the skin

• relieving stress

• relieving muscle pain.

Dead Sea Salts for Bath and Body Scrubs

Dead Sea salts originate from the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has been known for its therapeutic properties for thousands of years. Dead Sea salts are chemically composed of magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride, and bromides. Dead Sea salts also have a number of healing benefits: these include:

• calcium – strengthens bones and nails, increases circulation

• magnesium – calms the nervous system, reduces fluid retention, slows down the aging of skin

• potassium – balances skin moisture, energizes the body

• sodium – balances lymphatic fluid and consequently the immune system.

Himalayan Salts for Bath and Body Scrubs

Himalayan salts are in fact crystal salts. They are hand mined from ancient ocean beds underneath the Himalayan mountains. The natural color of Himalayan salts is pink due to trace elements in the salts, such as iron. Himalayan salts have various healing benefits which include:

• lowering blood pressure

• improving circulation in the body

• balancing the body’s pH.

Bolivian Salts for Bath and Body Scrubs

Bolivian salts are similar to Himalayan salts in that they are hand mined from ancient crystal salt deposits in the Andes mountain range of Bolivia (much like the Himalayan mountains). Bolivian salts are also pink in color and are available in various grain sizes. Bolivian salts are composed of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Bolivian salts possess healing properties such as:

• regulating moisture levels in the skin

• easing muscular aches and pains

• exfoliating the skin

• providing relief for some skin conditions – eczema, psoriasis

• stimulating blood circulation.

Dendritic Salts for Bath and Body Products

Dendritic salts are fine grain salts which have been crystallized. They are not a natural product (in that they have been manufactured into the end product by machines) and don’t retain any natural therapeutic properties.

However, dendritic salts are useful to add to bath and body salt scrubs because they help to retain some of the fragrance of added essential oils – and also prevent salt “clumps” from forming in your products. They have a greater surface area than other salts, allowing for greater absorption of fragrance. Dendritic salts can also be used as a type of preservative for other salts, due to this reason. They can be mixed together with any of the salts mentioned in this post.

Make You Own Bath and Body Salts and Scrubs

You can learn to make your own bath and body salts and scrubs by taking a home study course in the Sedona Aromatherapie Home Study Aromatherapy Course Program – such as the Basic Bath Products with Essential Oils Course. Visit the courses home page to learn more!

References:

• Saltworkswebsite, accessed October 28, 2013

• From Nature with Love website, accessed October 28, 2013

• Epsom Salt Council website, accessed October 28, 2013