Bath & Body
Bath Salts Explained: Epsom vs Sea vs Pink Himalayan Salt
They all look similar in the jar, but Epsom, sea and pink salts do quite different things. Here is a simple guide to choosing.
Stand in front of a shelf of bath salts and it can be genuinely confusing. Epsom, sea salt, pink Himalayan, Dead Sea, they all promise a better soak, and they all look more or less the same once they are in the water. But they are not interchangeable. Here is what actually sets them apart, so you can choose the right one for the soak you are after.
The Main Types of Bath Salt
Epsom salt
Despite the name, Epsom salt is not really a salt at all in the table-salt sense. It is magnesium sulphate, and it is the one to reach for when you want a magnesium-rich soak to ease tired muscles after a long day or a workout.
Sea salt
Harvested from evaporated seawater, sea salt is mostly sodium chloride with a scattering of trace minerals. It softens the water, feels lovely on the skin, and gives a gentle, mineral-rich soak.
Pink Himalayan salt
Prized for its pretty rose colour, pink Himalayan salt is also mostly sodium chloride with trace minerals. It is beautiful and gentle, but it is not a meaningful source of magnesium, whatever the internet sometimes suggests.
Dead Sea salt
The exception on minerals, Dead Sea salt naturally contains a broader mix including some magnesium, and is often chosen for its skin-soothing reputation.
So Which Should You Choose?
It comes down to what you want from the water. If it is magnesium and muscle relief, Epsom salt leads. If it is a soft, mineral soak and a beautiful jar, sea and pink salts are lovely. The good news is you do not have to pick just one.
- Magnesium sulphate
- The genuine magnesium source
- Traditionally used to ease tired muscles
- The base of every Spritz blend
- Mostly sodium chloride
- Trace minerals only
- Soften the water and skin
- Add a gentle, pretty finish
For the full story on magnesium and why the Epsom part matters most, read our guide to a magnesium bath for sleep.
The Spritz Approach
Every Spritz Wellness bath salt is built on Epsom salt for the magnesium, blended with sea salt for a softer soak, and finished with pure essential oils to set the mood. Four blends, four moments.
Not sure which suits you? The Find Your Ritual quiz will point you to your blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bath salt is best?
It depends what you want. For a magnesium-rich soak that eases tired muscles, Epsom salt is the one. Sea and pink Himalayan salts are gentler minerals that soften the water and feel lovely on the skin.
Do pink Himalayan salts contain magnesium?
Only in trace amounts. Pink Himalayan and sea salts are mostly sodium chloride. If you are after magnesium, Epsom salt, which is magnesium sulphate, is the meaningful source.
Can you mix different bath salts?
Yes. Many blends combine Epsom salt for magnesium with sea salt for a softer feel. Our bath salts use exactly this kind of blend, with essential oils added for aromatherapy.
Ready to run a better bath? Explore our Epsom-based salts, each with natural essential oils.
Shop All Bath SaltsLaura Colucci is a yoga teacher and the creator of the Spritz Wellness range. You can find her classes and teaching at Laura Colucci Yoga.
