Bath Salts

Bath Salts and Magnesium Soaks for Sleep and Sore Muscles

Bath salts come in two main types, and the one you pick depends on why you're running the bath. Magnesium flakes are popular before bed and after a long run. Sea salt blends are mainly about the scent. You'll find both here.

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BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath FlakesBetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes

From £8.79
£10.99
BetterYou Magnesium Flakes 1kgBetterYou Magnesium Flakes 1kg
BetterYou Magnesium Flakes 1kg

From £8.76
£10.95
Wildsmith Skin Bath Salts

About Bath Salts

How to Choose Bath Salts

Start with magnesium if you want your bath to be part of a bedtime routine. BetterYou's flakes and This Works' Deep Sleep soak are both built around it. Sea salt blends are a different thing. They're mainly about how the bath smells and feels, so the scent matters more than the salt. If softer skin is the priority, our full range of bath and self-care products has bath oils and milks too.

Getting the Most From Your Bath Salts

Timing makes a difference. Run a bedtime bath an hour or two before you go to sleep, not straight before, so your body has time to cool down. After exercise, any time later that day works. And bath salts don't moisturise much on their own, so keep a body cream within reach.

Not Sure Which Bath Salts Are Right for You?

Want advice tailored to your skin? Start with our free online skin test. You can also contact our expert team for one-to-one advice, and read our blog for expert tips on building a routine that supports your skin goals.

Magnesium Bath Salts for a Better Night's Sleep

BetterYou's Sleep Bath Flakes are magnesium chloride with lavender and chamomile oils, and not much else, which is the appeal. They dissolve quickly. At 250g a bath, the 1kg bag gives you four full soaks. This Works Deep Sleep Beauty Soak is more of a treat. It mixes magnesium with sea salt and seed oils, so your skin feels softer once you're out.

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Bath Soaks for Tired, Aching Muscles

Legs feeling it after a long run or a heavy gym session? H2Tab's Recover tablets are magnesium-based and fizz as they dissolve, releasing molecular hydrogen into the water. H2Tab designs them for recovery after exercise. You'll need 15 to 20 for a standard bath, so a tub of 60 covers three or four. If it's only your feet that ache, BetterYou suggests 150g of flakes in about 5 litres of water for a 20-minute foot soak.

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Sea Salt Bath Salts with Essential Oils

If you mainly want your bath to smell good and feel like time out, start here. Neal's Yard Remedies Women's Balance Bath Salts are sea salt crystals with an organic aromatherapy blend, and a tablespoon is plenty. Wildsmith Skin's salts are the richer choice, with cedarwood and chamomile oils plus calendula and vitamin E.

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Expert Tip for Bath Salts

"Run your bath warm, not hot. Very hot water dries your skin out, and it can leave you feeling dizzy, which isn't what you want right before bed. Add the salts while the tap's running so they dissolve properly, then soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterwards, pat yourself dry and put on a body cream while your skin is still a little damp. If your skin is sensitive, start with a smaller amount. Some essential oils can irritate."

- Kimberley, Clinic and Customer Experience Manager.

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How To Get The Best Night's Sleep Ever

A warm bath before bed is the first tip in our sleep guide. The rest are small changes to your evening that are easy to try tonight.

read the guide

Top-Selling Bath Salts for Tired Muscles and Restless Nights

The bath salts our customers buy most, whether it's magnesium flakes for bedtime or a sea salt blend that's all about the scent.
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath FlakesBetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes

From £8.79
£10.99
Wildsmith Skin Bath SaltsWildsmith Skin Bath Salts
Wildsmith Skin Bath Salts

£50.39 £56.00 10% offsaving
OSKIA Moon Salts bottleOSKIA Moon Salts Calming & Hydrating Bath Soak
OSKIA Moon Salts Calming & Hydrating Bath Soak

£68.00
Neal's Yard Remedies Women's Balance Bath Salts 250g COSMOS
Neal's Yard Remedies Women's Balance Bath Salts 250g COSMOS

£18.00
H2TAB Recover hydrogen bath tablets container on a light gray backgroundH2Tab Molecular Hydrogen Bath 60 Tablets - Recover
H2Tab Molecular Hydrogen Bath 60 Tablets - Recover

From £53.99
£59.99
A white jar of thisworks Deep Sleep Beauty Soak on a clean white background.This Works Deep Sleep Beauty Soak 200g
This Works Deep Sleep Beauty Soak 200g

£28.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bath salts the same as Epsom salts?

Not quite. Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate, which is one type of bath salt. Bath salts can be any salt made for the bath, usually with essential oils added for scent. Some blends include Epsom salt alongside other salts, so check the ingredients if that's what you're after.

What's the difference between magnesium flakes and Epsom salt?

Both contain magnesium. Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate, while magnesium flakes are usually magnesium chloride. In the bath they're used in much the same way, so it mostly comes down to the scent and feel you prefer.

Do bath salts help you sleep?

A bath in the evening is a good way to slow down, and a calming scent such as lavender helps. Bath salts won't fix poor sleep on their own, though. If you struggle most nights, have a look at our sleep supplements as well.

Are bath salts good for sore muscles?

Warm water helps tight muscles relax, so a soak after exercise usually feels good whatever you add to it. Some soaks, such as magnesium-based bath tablets, are designed with recovery in mind. Think of them as a nice extra, not a fix for an injury.

How much bath salt should I use?

It varies a lot, so check the pack. Some sea salt blends need only a tablespoon, while magnesium flakes can call for 250g in a full bath. Bath tablets usually go by how much water you're using.

Can I use bath salts as a foot soak?

Yes. Magnesium flakes work well as a foot soak. As a rough guide, that's around 150g in 5 litres of warm water for 20 minutes, but follow the pack. Dry well between your toes afterwards. Avoid soaking cracked or broken skin, and if you have diabetes, check with your GP or podiatrist before using foot soaks.

Are bath salts OK for sensitive skin or eczema?

Salt can sting broken skin, and fragrance or essential oils may irritate sensitive skin. Try a small amount first, and rinse off if your skin starts to sting. If you have eczema, ask your GP or pharmacist before using bath salts. A bath oil may suit dry skin better.

Do bath salts make a good gift?

Yes, as long as the person you're buying for has a bath. It sounds obvious, but it's worth checking. A larger jar feels more generous than a small tub. For ready-made sets and more ideas, browse our bath and self-care products.