Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is commonly used for natural exfoliation and sore-muscle relaxation.
This bath salt is also used in beauty products such as salt scrubs, foot scrubs, and detox bath blends due to its cleaning and softening properties.
Now, if you are out of Epsom salt and need to use it, you may need to find suitable substitutes.
The best thing about Epsom salt substitutes is that they range from all-natural ingredients to other products that you might already have.
Here are the 7 best substitutes to use when you run out of Epsom salt:
- Table Salt or Sea Salt
If you want to use Epsom salt for soothing sore muscles and exfoliating, table salt or sea salt are excellent alternatives.
You can use sea salt as a bath salt or for soaking your feet, and it will deliver exceptional results. It has exfoliating properties that will help remove dead skin, oil, and grime from your body.
Table salt also has the same therapeutic properties you get from Epsom salt, and you can use it whenever you run out of Epsom salt. You can mix it with baking soda and essential oils for the best results.
What’s fascinating about sea salts and table salts is that they are not irritating to the skin like most commercial soaps.
- Vinegar
Another excellent Epsom salt substitute is vinegar when diluted with water. It works well when used on hair to maintain natural shine and moisture.
Vinegar has cleansing properties, making it a perfect Epsom salt substitute to clean and treat the skin.
You can add about 1 to 2 cups of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to a warm bath for skin exfoliation.
Some people also prefer to use diluted apple cider vinegar after cleaning their hair with shampoo to prevent hair damage.
- Essential Oils
Essential oils mimic the Epsom salt ability to soothe painful muscles and leave your tired feet muscles relaxed.
Some of the best essential oils to use as an Epsom salt substitute include tangerine, peppermint, white pines, and lavender. You can add them into a warm bath and soak your aching feet.
However, essential oils don’t have natural exfoliating properties, so you may want to use them with sea salt to treat flaky or blistering feet skin.
- Baking Soda
Baking soda has therapeutic properties that can heal sunburn and itchy skin. It also works magic when used to soothe sore muscles.
Adding baking soda to your bath can make it more relaxing and detoxifying. When added to warm bathwater, baking soda makes the water silkier with cleansing properties.
It’s easy to find baking soda in most local stores and supermarkets, and the chances are that you already have it in your kitchen.
You can use baking soda with other mineral or herbal blends if desired. But it will still provide excellent results when used alone.
- Oatmeal
Like Epsom salt, oatmeal has natural skin exfoliating properties that make it a perfect alternative.
If you use Epsom salt for skin exfoliating purposes and realize that you don’t have it in your pantry, don’t hesitate to use oatmeal.
All you have to do is mix a few tablespoons of oatmeal with some water to make a thick paste. Then use the paste to scrub your skin and remove excess oil and grime.
- Himalayan Pink Salt
The Himalayan Pink salt is also another effective Epsom substitute that is readily available in most local stores and groceries.
Also known as Pakistan or Indian salt, Himalayan pink salt delivers many health benefits such as detoxifying the body, improving skin and eye health.
If you wanted to use Epsom salt to treat constipation or insomnia, Himalayan salt would be a great alternative.
You can also use Himalayan salt in your sauces or cook with it as the regular table salt since it has a great taste.
- Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is usually mixed with water or oil for application on sore muscles and aching joints.
You can use it as an Epsom substitute when making topical rubs and other homemade beauty products.
However, you should be careful when using cayenne pepper as a scrub as it may get into your eyes, leading to swelling and temporary vision blur.
Cayenne peppers also offer various health benefits when used in recipes. It boosts immunity and aids digestion.
FAQs
Q: What Can I Use Instead of Epsom Salt?
A: There are many Epsom salt substitutes, and the best one for you will depend on the purpose. For example:
If you use Epsom salt to detoxify the body and relax aching muscles, sea salt, table salt, or essential oils will be great alternatives.
If you want to use it for cleaning purposes, you may want to use other Epsom salt substitutes such as baking soda and white vinegar.
Q: Can I Use Himalayan Salt Instead of Epsom Salt?
A: Yes, you can use Himalayan salt instead of Epsom salt as it also offers a relaxing and calming experience when added to bathing water.
While it doesn’t have a similar amount of magnesium to that of Epsom salt, Himalayan salt delivers some magnesium that helps relieve pain in aching muscles.
Nonetheless, you might need to get the natural Epsom salt if you want the salt bath to increase the magnesium content in your body.
But if you are just after the relaxing experience, you can use Himalayan salt as this Epsom salt substitute as it will do the job.
Q: What is the Best Substitute for Epsom Salt for Sore Muscles?
A: The best substitute for Epsom muscles is sea salt. You can use it as an Epsom salt alternative to soothe your sore muscles.
Like Epsom salt, sea salt has natural soothing and exfoliating properties, making it a perfect option for aching muscles.
Conclusion
Epsom salt is a useful ingredient that comes in handy when relaxing muscles, reducing joint pain and exfoliating the skin.
If you run out of Epsom salt, feel free to use any of the substitutes discussed above in your recipes, provided they suit your purpose. Most of them work well when used with warm bathing water.
