Natural Ways to Use Epsom Salts for Sunburn Relief

There are several ways to use epsom salts for sunburn relief. Making bath salts, a compress, or even a simple spray out of epsom salts can soothe sunburned skin. The good news is that epsom salts are a great natural way to take away mild sunburn irritation.

mason jar filled with epsom salt and dead sea flakes

Benefits of Epsom Salt

Epsom salts are great for so many things including sunburn relief. This list continues to grow, but here are the most common areas people see health benefits once they start taking salt baths or foot soaks.

Relieves mild sunburn irritation
Stress-reducing
Ease sore muscles
Used to help detox the body
Helps with bug bites and bee stings
Promote circulation
Ingrown toenails
Helping with joints and certain types of arthritis
Treat skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, itchy skin, breakouts)
Pain relief such as head tension

Natural Ingredients

Epsom Salt

Epsom salts make an excellent base for your homemade bath salts, compress and spray. They are loaded with magnesium sulfate, similar to the magnesium flakes, but often at a much lower price point and just as effective. Epsom salt’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a great choice to soothe any mild sunburn irritation.

A quick tip when buying epsom salts, always make sure to buy them unscented! Of course, this means they are not full of synthetic fragrances and you can add your own pure essential oils to give them an amazing scent.

Dead Sea Salts

Dead Sea bath salt is exactly what they sound like – flakes of salt from the Dead Sea. One of the reasons to combine different types of salts is because of their unique characteristics and different ingredients. Salts from the Dead Sea have 21 minerals including magnesium, calcium, sulfur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc, and potassium, making them mineral-rich salts. These are all amazing for skin, detoxification, and overall wellness since so many of us have a magnesium deficiency already. Dead Sea bath flakes are an excellent addition to epsom salts in making these easy DIY recipes.

glass bowl of epsom salt and dead sea flakes for natural sunburn relief

Essential Oils

Essential oils add a wonderful scent and skin-soothing combination to the recipe. There are several essential oils to use in your homemade bath salts. In addition, some of my favorite essential oils and essential oil blends for sunburn relief are included below.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is naturally rich in vitamins A, and E plus has antioxidant properties, while also soothing and nourishing the skin. Additionally, it’s a great carrier oil to help evenly distribute the essential oils throughout the bath salts.

Good alternatives are jojoba oil and coconut oil since they are also great for moisturizing the skin.

Epsom Bath Salt Recipe

Let’s get into how to make epsom bath salts! When I make them at home for our everyday usage, I am using epsom salt, dead sea flakes, and essential oils. If I want to be fancy or have a little more time, then you can use my Homemade Bath Salts Using Essential Oils recipe that includes pink himalayan salt.

STEP ONE: First, add the epsom salt and dead sea flakes into a bowl. I like using equal parts epsom salts and dead sea flakes. For one portion, use 1/2 cup of epsom salt and 1/2 cup of dead sea flakes.

STEP TWO: Second, add 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil and 10-15 drops of essential oils to the combination of salts. Then mix well to combine. I like using lavender together with peppermint essential oils for the relaxing and soothing effects on the skin.

Please note, if you are making this recipe for kids I would recommend using half the amount of essential oils (5-10 drops) instead.

STEP THREE: Lastly, spoon bath salts into a glass mason jar if you are storing them for later use. They have a shelf life of 6-8 weeks in these jars.

I always try to avoid using plastic containers when using essential oils, as the oils are so concentrated they can break down most plastics. Also, it is best to store the bath salts at room temperature or cooler.

epsom bath salts for natural sunburn relief in glass bowls

To use your homemade bath salts, simply add 1/2 -1 cup of bath salts to warm bath water. Stir the bath salts to make sure they completely dissolved in the water before getting into the water. Taking cool baths might feel better to soothe the sunburn, so you can let the water cool before getting in.

This recipe can be used for a bathtub soak or a foot soak. If using the bath salts for a foot soak in a smaller tub, then use 1/4 cup of the salts instead of the full amount. You can soak in the bath for quite a while, but it’s recommended to spend at least 15 minutes soaking to help sunburn. Repeat daily to help with the sunburn healing process.

Epsom Salt Compress

When you are short on time or simply don’t have a bathtub, this epsom salt compress can help soothe your skin from too much sun exposure.

Simply add the 2 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1 cup of water. I like using warm water so that the epsom salts dissolve quickly, and then put the solution in the freezer to cool down slightly before using. If using essential oils, then you can add 5 drops of essential oils and mix again.

To use the epsom salt compress, pour the epsom salt solution onto a cotton washcloth to make a compress. Apply the soaked washcloth to the affected body parts and leave for 10 minutes.

Epsom Salt Spray

Using an epsom salt spray is convenient when you are out and about, or don’t have time for a bath soak or compress.

To make the spray, add 1 teaspoon of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of water. Once again, I like using warm water so that the epsom salts dissolve quickly. Add to 4 oz. empty spray bottle.

To use the epsom salt spray, spray on the affected area for quick relief on the go. Reapply as needed.

epsom salt spray for natural sunburn relief

Natural ways to use epsom salts for sunburn relief on Pinterest

Best Essential Oils to Use for Sunburn Relief

There are several essential oils that are great for the skin and help with sunburn relief.

Lavender Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil
Geranium Essential Oil
Spearmint Essential Oil
Chamomile Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil
Sandalwood Essential Oil

If using essential oils directly on the skin, make sure to mix the essential oils with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil. This is especially important since sunburned skin is sensitive and essential oils may cause irritation without a carrier oil. To use essential oils, simply add 1-2 drops of essential oils to a pump of the carrier oil of your choice (or about 1 teaspoon) and gently apply to the sunburn.

Other home remedies include applying aloe vera gel, cool washcloth, coconut oil, olive oil, and other soothing moisturizers to reduce skin dryness.

Natural Bath Care and Skin Care DIY Recipes

homemade bath salts

easy bath salts without epsom salt

diy bath salts using pink himalayan salt and dead sea salt in glass jar

face moisturizer with aloe vera

diy moisturizer with aloe vera in glass jar on wood counter and quartz face roller

pink himalayan salt body scrub

Hi, I’m Kristin.

I am so glad you are here ready to make some really incredible diy recipes with simple ingredients. Join me in learning how to use essential oils in all of your homemade personal care products and creating a natural home.

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