Does Epsom Salt Help Sunburn? 5 Natural Bath Remedies

Epsom Salt & Sunburn

As much as we love basking on sandy beaches, the unpleasant, and often painful, souvenir we take back is a sunburn.

To answer the burning question on everyone's mind: Yes, Epsom salt does help with sunburn. But how, you ask?

Let's dive deep into the healing world of Epsom salt and discover our top 5 recommendations for natural bath salts to add to your summer checklist.

The Magic of Minerals: What is Epsom Salt?

At its core, Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a natural mineral compound. When dissolved in warm water, the magnesium salts can be absorbed through the skin.

Praised by both beauty experts and medical professionals, the benefits of Epsom salt are famous for easing sore muscles, improving sleep, and reducing stress.

Sunburn 101: When to Seek Shade

We all love a good dose of vitamin D, but too much sun exposure can leave your skin red, swollen, and feeling like you've hugged a cactus - yes, you have a sunburn.

The initial symptoms might seem mild, but sunburn can quickly escalate, leading to blisters, dry skin, and peeling. In severe cases, sunburn might even require medical attention.

As for soothing your skin and aiding the healing process, this is where Epsom salt comes in handy. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that make it a natural choice for sunburn relief.

DIY Sunburn Relief: Epsom Salt Soaks and More

When it comes to sunburn, home remedies can be both practical and affordable. It's as easy as running a warm epsom salt bath. Here's your sunburn SOS plan, the natural way:

1. Epsom Salt Bath: Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Immerse the affected area for at least 15 minutes. The salt will assist in pain relief and help hydrate the skin, promoting the healing process.
2. Epsom Salt Compress: If a full bath isn't feasible, worry not! Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 cup of water. Soak a cotton washcloth in this solution and apply it to the affected area.
3. Epsom Salt Spray: For a quick relief option, mix 1-2 teaspoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water, and put the solution in an empty spray bottle. Spray it on the sunburn for a quick and convenient relief.
4. Remember to moisturize your skin well after an Epsom salt soak to prevent dryness.

Note: While Epsom salt is generally safe for many people to use, always do a patch test to ensure you're not allergic. And if your sunburn is severe or doesn't improve within a few days, seek medical attention.

And here’s a bonus: The magnesium in the salt stimulates the production of a chemical in our bodies called serotonin - a mood elevator.

Why not also add a relaxing face mask, or a nice glass of wine to get the luxurious spa experience? ;)

Here are 5 Top Recommended Natural Epsom Salts:

1. Primally Pure

Top Pick: Flower Bath

Price: $34

Brand: Primally Pure products are handcrafted and made in California and are sourced from organic family farms. Their partnership with Pact ensures regenerative packaging solutions for their orders.

2. Era Organics

Top Pick: Epsom Salt

Price: $16.99

Brand: Era Organics is Leaping Bunny certified, which means their products are not tested on animals at any stage of product development. Their products use mostly organic, plant-based, and food-grade ingredients.

3. Saje Natural Wellness

Top Pick: Stress Release Soothing Bath Salt Soak

Price: $22

Brand: Saje Natural Wellness has their own Saje Natural Standard to define their commitment to be 100% natural as far as their ingredients goes. Their products are tested by third-party labs for purity and use recycled water bottles for their packaging as part of the RPET program.

4. Lather

Top Pick: Muscle Ease Bath Salts

Price: $20

Brand: Lather was founded by Emilie Hoyt a migraine sufferer who learned that many of her headaches were triggered by the synthetic fragrances in beauty products; hence, she created her products using only pure essential oils instead of perfumes.

5. Sky Organics

Top Pick: Epsom Salt

Price: $19.99

Brand: Sky Organics carries products that are USDA Organic, GOTS certified, cruelty-free, and are committed to using pure and potent ingredients sourced from nature.

Epsom Salt’s Anti-Inflammatory Properties for Bug Bites, Poison Ivy, and Bee Stings

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, Epsom salt can help in the healing process of skin conditions like bug bites, poison ivy, and bee stings. Here's how it helps:

Not only does the magnesium in the salt help reduce itchy skin, inflammation, swelling, and irritation, but it can also draw out any toxins or fluids that have been injected into the skin, providing relief.

You can make a compress with Epsom salt and water and apply it to the affected area to speed up the healing process.

Remember, for severe reactions, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, or widespread rash, you should seek immediate medical attention. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.

Other Natural Remedies: Essential Oils

Other natural products for sunburn includes coconut oil, olive oil, and lavender oil which are all great moisturizers that can help to replenish the skin's natural barrier. However, ensure you dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin to avoid allergic reactions.

If you have sensitive skin, are prone to allergies, are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to avoid essential oils in your bath or skin routine.

What Epsom Salt ISN’T

Although epsom salt has been gaining popularity for its therapeutic effects, there are a lot of myths out there about its benefits.

There’s particularly a question about whether or not it improves your immune system so we’ll address that here: While Epsom salt is generally a great product with health and skin benefits, its direct impact on the immune system isn't as clear-cut.

Deficiency in magnesium can lead to a weakened immune response, so maintaining a healthy level is important. That said, while soaking in an Epsom salt bath may help increase the body's magnesium levels, it's not clear how much magnesium the body can absorb through the skin, and more research needs to be done.

Is Epsom Salt Sustainable?

Great question, and as with all great questions, this one depends.

Epsom salt production doesn't involve the use of harmful chemicals, making it a cleaner choice for personal and home care products without adding artificial chemicals to the environment.

However, it's also important to note that the extraction, production, and transportation of Epsom salt, like any other mined mineral, can have an environmental impact. These factors should be considered when we talk about the overall sustainability of Epsom salt.

Always look for brands that commit to responsible sourcing and minimal packaging, and, if possible, opt for Epsom salts that are certified by recognized environmental standards.

Currently, there aren’t many certified epsom salt brands, but we hope to be able to let you know when more come on our radar.

Keep the Burn at Bay: Prevention is Better Than Cure

While Epsom salt and other remedies can help soothe a sunburn, prevention is the golden rule. Remember to cover up, use a good sunscreen, and limit your time under the sun, especially during its peak hours.

Epsom salt might be your post-sun skin's superhero, but every superhero needs a sidekick. For Epsom salt, it's hydration - both inside and out. So, load up on water-rich foods, drink plenty of water, and moisturize for healthy, summer skin!

Read more about about our beauty tips for skin and the 13 Best Natural Concealers.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for treatment options that are right for you.