How to Use Bath Salts in the Shower for Skincare Benefits

If you want to experience the benefits of bath salts without taking a bath, you're in luck! You can use bath salts without a tub by creating a scrub. Below, we'll share tips on how to use bath salts in the shower with helpful insights from a dermatologist.

Bathing with bath salts can offer additional benefits due to soaking in warm water. However, there are also advantages of using bath salts in the shower because of the minerals in bath salts, explains Dr. Viktoryia Kazlosukaya, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Dermatology Circle.

Why are bath salts good for the skin?

Bath salts contain sulfate and magnesium, which are said to relieve muscle and joint pain, skin conditions, and stress and anxiety.

According to research, bath salts help improve skin barrier function, moisturize the skin, and reduce inflammation caused by skin conditions. With these benefits, bath salts can promote healthier skin and prevent premature aging.

How to Use Bath Salts in the Shower

One of the best ways to use bath salts in the shower is to create a scrub to exfoliate your skin. 

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, which promotes softer, smoother skin. It also allows your skin to better absorb and retain moisture, preventing it from drying out.

Oakwell Cosmetics Calming Beer Bath Salts are ideal for a bath salt scrub. We recommend the following steps:

1. Mix your bath salts with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut to create a thick paste
2. Place a small scoop of bath salts and oil on your damp hands or a loofah
3. Gently scrub your damp skin
4. Thoroughly rinse your skin to remove all bath salts

You might also sprinkle a small amount of bath salts onto a soap bar, wet the bar, and then use it to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. 

How often should I use bath salts in the shower?

You should use bath salts to exfoliate your skin in the shower one to three times weekly, depending on your skin type, says Dr. Kazlosukaya. 

Usually, the drier your skin is, the less often you’ll want to exfoliate. However, you can exfoliate more often if you have oily skin. If you over-exfoliate, you risk drying out and irritating your skin.

Are you supposed to let bath salts dissolve?

Typically, if you’re using bath salts as a soak, you’ll want to let them dissolve. However, you don’t need to let them dissolve if you’re using bath salts as a scrub in the shower.

When you let bath salts dissolve, your skin can absorb the minerals. If you want a similar effect in the shower, you could gently scrub your skin with the bath salts and let them sit on your skin for a few minutes before rinsing.

What to Look for When Buying Bath Salts

“While most bath salts are generally safe, it's best to choose salts specifically formulated for eczema or sensitive skin,” explains Dr. Kazlosukaya. “Those with sensitive skin should be cautious of fragrances and added colors that may trigger allergic reactions.”

A good rule of thumb is to look for limited ingredients and bath salts without harmful preservatives like parabens. For example, Oakwell Cosmetics Calming Beer Bath Salts contains the following gentle ingredients:

• Epsom salts - A naturally occurring magnesium and sulfate mineral compound that soothes joints and muscles and protects the skin
• Sea salt - Organically evaporated salt from seawater that helps improve blood circulation and skin irritation
• Malted barley - A grain that’s packed with antioxidants that promote youthful skin
• Hop flowers - A part of a hop plant that has hydrating, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that clean and tone the skin
• Colloidal oatmeal - Whole oats crushed into a fine powder that reduces skin irritation and exfoliates, cleanses, and hydrates the skin
• Essential oils - Plant extracts that smell nice and have antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that protect the skin

How to Use Bath Salts in the Shower: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are looking forward to creating a bath salt scrub for the shower. While there are several ways to use bath salts, using them for exfoliation in the shower can help promote healthier, youthful-looking skin.