Dead Sea Salts v Epsom Salts: which one is for you?

Two of the most widely available and popular bath salts are Dead Sea Salts and Epsom Salts. Both have benefits for the user. They are both widely available and no matter what the brand they are priced reasonably considering they are the in cosmetic/ health sphere and have known restorative benefits. What is the  differences between Dead Sea Salts and Epsom Salts. Which one will work best for you? 

Dead Sea Salts:

DSS are a natural product which is mined from the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is a landlocked lake which is situated between Israel and Jordan. The salts are 10 times saltier than the average sea/ ocean salt water and no aquatic life can survive in it. The salt is made from 30% sodium chloride and the other 70% is made up of  magnesium (which helps smooth and heal the skin, potassium, balances skin moisture, calcium, promotes skin cell growth and bromide which relaxes muscles and releases tension. DSS can be used as intended in baths to help soothe psorasis, eczema etc,  in skin and scalp scrubs to buff away dead skin cells, cosmetic items such as mud masks, lotions and shampoos/ conditioners and soap to help with skin hydration. 

Obviously the DSS hype and the fact the salts do work has led to massive interest and the growth of companies mining the salts in the Dead Sea. This in turn has created massive ecological problems for the sea. Water is dropping 3-4 metres every year, it is now little more than a pond.  and there is estimated to be around 600 sink holes in the surrounding area destroying the sea’s unique environment. Over extraction of minerals has meant the closure of Mineral beach and Ein Gedi Spa beach which has affected tourism and meant more of a dependence on mining as a form of employment. 

Epsom Salts:

Epsom Salts can occur naturally or be man made. Both versions  are identical in their chemical composition:  magnesium sulphate heptahydrate. ES can be taken from natural occurring springs, by evaporating the water such as the Epsom spring in Surrey, UK or natural mineral deposits, but this is rare or made in factories. Most ES are made in factories and are thus chemically pure. The salts have a bitter saline taste and aren’t actually a salt, even though it resembles it, but a mineral compound consisting of magnesium, supports nerve function, muscle relaxation and enhances energy, sulfate (sulphur), helps create connective tissue and supports the metabolism, and oxygen. 

ES can be used as a foot and bath soak to relax muscles and help relieve muscular pain or soften hard skin on the foot. Added to olive oil it can be used as a scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells.  

ES can also be used for gardening and cleaning. It can be used an an eco friendly slug repellent, just sprinkle some round where you don’t want skids to go, I use it around my hedgehog feeders as it is safe for them and does seem to put them off, put in the soul or mix with water in a spray bottle, as per Royal horticultural society guidelines, to spray foliage with a magnesium deficiency or add to liquid dish and create an abrasive mixture to clean pots and pans etc. 

                     Dead Sea salts.      Epsom salts      

My experience:

I got diagnosed with scalp psoriasis, itchy scalp wnd acne prone stressed skin as a consequence of breaking my neck and having to have titanium implants placed in my neck to fuse it and keep everything in place. My body didn’t like this and it threw a tantrum, triggering all of the above ailments. I got a fungus toe nail infection. I also have developed neuropathic pain all over my body, so cannot stand to be touched, wear tight clothing etc. Whenever I asked for help I was just told to live with them because at least I had some mobility. I suffered and itched for a few years, editing the dandruff fall from my photos - it was bad. I then tried Dead Sea salts. I have reviewed several brands in previous blog posts but then I didn’t realise how life changing they would be for my skin and scalp. Unfortunately after my accident my mum had the bath removed and wet room put in to make it easier for me to access a bath I am now using up my Accor hotel points twice a month so the cost for the room is £5.10 per hotel stay. I can have as many baths as I want and I can soak my scalp, back and feet which I cannot do at home. I have help getting in and out of the bath but apart from that it’s the freest I have felt in years as because I am only small I can float in the bath if it’s filled to the brim. 

I don’t just use a scoop of the Dead Sea salts I dump a whole 1kg  bag in every time I refill the bath. Yes it’s expensive and salty but the results have been life changing for me. My scalp psoriasis has improved as has my itchy scalp which is great as I cannot lift my arms high enough to reach the top of my head and have a good old itch! My acne has gone and my skin is now clear. The fungal toe nail infection is also slowly being killed off.  My big toe nails are no longer yellow and crusty.  New growth is clear and healthy so I’m thrilled with that progress.  I am, however sad that the Dead Sea is dying and no one seems to be trying to find a solution to solve the problem or create a man made alternative to DSS. It’s a billion dollar industry that is creating an ecological nightmare that no one cares about. 

Epsom salts are more limited in their benefits, but more ecologically friendly as they are man made. As I want more than just to feel relaxed, I normally just use 1/2 a bag mixed in with the DSS in a bath soak to get benefits from feeling more relaxed and therefore not in as much pain and also soothe my psoriasis and acne. I also use ES to stop slugs eating my hedgehog food.