There are a few different types of bath salts out there. The most common types include Epsom salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt, and dead sea salt. Overall, bath salts can help promote relaxation, ease muscle aches, and can even help certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema due to the skin-health-promoting minerals in them. Dead sea salt is especially good for this as it’s naturally rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, iodine, and potassium. Regular sea salt and Himalayan salt are sourced from evaporated seawater and are also rich in some of these trace minerals because the salt goes through minimal processing. Bath salts may also help those with stiff joints or extra tired legs. Epsom salt is a tad different because it’s a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It still promotes relaxation and even better sleep. Since it has a higher magnesium content, it can also help your body produce more melatonin so it’s great for things like insomnia.

Personally, I love using bath salts after a workout, when I’m sick, or even just to relax after a stressful day. You can typically use up to two cups of salt per bath. But if you’re a beginner, it might be best to start with anywhere from one-fourth of a cup to one cup until you get used to using them. You can also soak in the tub for about 15 to 20 minutes to receive the benefits. For a few of my favorite soaks, keep scrolling below.