Sephora sells a “cleansing purifying scrub with sea salt” shampoo that I fell in love with. It made my hair seriously clean and shiny, just like it said. The problem is when I went to buy the shampoo (I had a sample) I almost fell out of my chair at the $54 price tag. Now I am all for the occasional beauty splurge but that’s an expense I just couldn’t maintain.
Homemade Epsom Salts Hair Scrub
(This post probably contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.)
So I began to dig around for DIY replacements and kept coming across women using Epsom salts in their shampoo or conditioner to basically obtain the same results. Now, Epsom salts aren’t actually salt, but magnesium. And it’s the grainy texture that exfoliates your scalp and not only can they remove dead skin cells, but Epsom salts also purify, moisturize, and detoxify your hair. Myfavorite brand is Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts for purity and quality!
HOW TO USE IN YOUR SHAMPOO:
To exfoliate simply add a spoonful to your shampoo, wash, and repeat. The first go will remove excess hair product and dead skin cells. The second time will deep clean and detoxify. Then just moisturize as usual. I’d recommend only doing this once or twice a week.
HOW TO USE EPSOM SALTS IN YOUR CONDITIONER:
Mix equal parts conditioner and Epsom salts (however much conditioner you usually use) and heat in microwave for one minute. Stir, apply to clean wet hair (just make sure it’s not too hot first!) and rinse after 20 minutes.
Now, if you’re like me you’re wondering what you going to do walking around the house with wet dripping hair for 20 minutes. So what you can do instead (which is what I’d recommend) is heat the mixture a little longer, wash hair in the shower, then fill the tub for a bath while you apply the mixture to your hair, and settle in for 20-30 minutes. I then rinse it out after and clean the tub at the same time with a magic eraser. This just seems much more efficient to me.
OR you could just add a spoonful to your conditioner as normal and while you may not get the deep conditioning, it will remove excess oil so your hair is not weighed down by it and instead full of volume. That’s pretty simple, too.
BONUS: Follow up with this DIY Hair lightener to further clarify your hair.
OTHER USES FOR EPSOM SALTS
Detox Bath – just add your favorite essential oils! Epsom salts not only help with sore muscles and cuts but also asthma, constipation and help you relieve stress and sleep better. I love to add them to my DIY Mustard Bath for sore muscles and to fight the cold and flu.
Detox drink: Mix approximately 2 tsp. of Epsom salts in 1 cup of warm water until it dissolves, then drink. I’d recommend only doing this when needed and make sure you drink extra water afterward!
Face wash – add a pinch to your favorite face wash to exfoliate.
Do you use Epsom salts? If so, what’s your favorite way to use them?
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WOW! I would have never known! So trying this!
Wow!! This is so cool! I can’t wait to try it.
Wow this is such a neat trick! I’ll have to try this out on the weekend sometime when I have a little bit longer! P.S. that tablespoon is adorable!
Yup! It’s fun to experiment. And thanks – got it at my bridal shower 🙂
I knew about the “other uses” for Epsom salts, but never about how to use it in your shampoo/conditioner. How cool! Look forward to trying it!
Patricia – I know! I recently learned about it and have been loving it in my hair care routine.
Worth trying using Epsom salts for beautifying my hair. Never knew about this, so this is very interesting. Very good DIY alternative if it removes dead skin cells while also purifying, detoxifying, moisturizing hair, it’s great since its also cheap compared to costly products available in the market.
It’s rare to find something that purifies AND moisturizes. GOLD.
I had never thought to use this for your hair. Thank you for the tips!
I’ve been adding Epsom salt to my shampoo for a few months now and each time I run out and go a few days without it, I can really notice the difference! On the days that I use it my fine hair is much much bouncier and appears fuller.
It also seems to stay cleaner between washes.
I just keep the box of salts in my shower and pour a teaspoon into the palm of my hand and squirt my shampoo on top of it. Then I massage it into my scalp. It breaks down fairly easily, just be sure to wash it all out properly!
Brooke – so cool to hear of something else using it and having great results too. Yes, that’s exactly how I use it as well. Good stuff!
I am going to try this very soon! Thank you for the tip! I have been looking for something less harsh on my hair. This just might do the trick. Thanks again!
Amanda – it actually moisturizes too so nothing harsh about it!
I enjoy using natural products and have epsom salt in the house so will give this a try.
Easy-Peasy.
This is brilliant! I use it in baths now, but I think I am going to try it in hair care products too now!
It’s magic in my bath, but equally great in your hair. And so cheap!
Interesting. I use Epsom salt for lots of things but never thought of adding it to my shampoo/conditioner. Great idea!
This is amazing!! I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my hair recently – it’s getting so thin! (I also have a problem of yanking on my split ends which causes thinning at the scalp!) Thanks for the tips!
I love to do a detox bath, I usually do them about twice a month. I would do them every week if I knew it was ok, haha. I have never thought of using it in my conditioner, I bet that feels amazing too.
I do an epsom salt bath once a week too, Leslie. This is just another great way to use these awesome salts!
there is no way i would have ever thought of this! thanks for the tip
I would have never guessed that you could use Epson salt in your conditioner or shampoo! What an amazing tip — thank you so much for sharing this. I cannot wait to try this!
You are welcome! So easy too, right?
I love epsom salt, but I had no idea you could use it in your hair. I will be trying this ASAP. I have curly hair, which means two things – 1) I use a fair amount of product, and 2) it’s totally unpredictable. I’m loving the fact that this helps deep clean, as well as moisturize. Thanks so much for the awesome tip!
Please come back and let me know how it works for curly hair!
I had heard of Epsom in baths, but not for your hair – this is so fascinating! I wanna add to my conditioner now.
Coming Up Roses
I love detox baths with Epsom’s, but had no idea I could use it in my shampoo!
Yup – give it a whirl next time!
I know it’s good for the skin but I didn’t know it’s also beneficial for the hair. It’s really amazing how versatile and useful epsom salt is.
I know! Powerful little things.
I love epsom salts, but normally only use them in my detox baths! I will definitely have to add them to my shampoo now! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I had no idea you could use Epsom salts in shampoo! That’s something I will have to try, I have some on hand. 🙂
I love Epsom salt baths and never heard of using it in the shampoo..how amazing!!
Thanks for sharing this great tip!1
vAelrie
xo
Omggg, I would have never thought to use epsom salts for your hair! Thanks so much for this beauty hack! I will definitely be adding some to my conditioner asap! 🙂
I have used epsom salt for many things but never with the idea of as a hair product. This will now be on my list 🙂
I had no idea you could put epsom salt in shampoo and conditioner. I am def trying this!
xo
jen
effortlesseverydaystyle.com
Epsom salt is the ancient detox stuff. I use it regularly to detox, but never thought about adding in shampoo! Such a great idea! My bob care definitely would appreciate some extra volume 🙂 thanks for sharing!
OMGoodness! I am so excited to learn that you can use epsom salts in your shampoo! I have read not to use baking soda for a few reasons, but having a good scalp cleaning every so often is nice. Thanks for sharing, Sarah Jean!
You are so welcome, Erin!
Would the epsom salts do any good for thinning, limp, 75 year old hair?
I think so! If anything, it wouldn’t do any harm trying and would definitely help detox any products or build-up in your hair.
How much epsom salt to be added in 200 ml shampoo bottle please
I’d add a tablespoon or two!
I like this website because so much useful stuff on here : D.