The 21 Best Bath Salts and Soaks for a Soothing, Comforting Time in the Tub

Here at Allure, we’re firm believers in self-care. Lately, one of our favorite activities for physically (and mentally) unwinding has been taking baths. Sure, there are quite a few ways to practice the art of caring for one’s body and mind — but what can top the feeling of a steamy, bubble-filled bath after a long day?

Add some bath salts or a muscle-relaxing soak into the mix and it gets even better. (Spa-like, some might say.) There’s a variety of options to choose from, too… bath bombs, dead sea-infused salts, and colloidal oatmeal elixirs, just to name a few. And your skin in particular will thank you if you toss in nourishing bath salts and soaks.

Dips in the tub are known for their mind-easing feel, but that’s not their only benefit. According to Tracy Evans, board-certified dermatologist and medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology in San Francisco, bathing with the addition of bath salts can also benefit your largest organ: your skin.

“A warm bath with bath salts can help to soften skin and allow moisture to penetrate your skin,” Evans says. “Adding salt to the water can help remove dry scales on the skin and decrease itching in certain skin conditions such as psoriasis  and eczema.” 

There isn’t much of a difference between bath salts and bath soaks. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, the former has a salt-based formula (usually Epsom, Himalayan, or Dead Sea-derived), while the latter has another skin-pampering base of the brand’s choosing. She says the most popular alternatives to salt are anti-inflammatory oats or clay for absorbing dirt and oil. Whichever you choose to add to your tub, King highlights that all of the formulas have some form of cleansing ingredient to rid your skin of lingering dirt and oil.

Ahead, find 21 amazing bath salts and soaks that’ll help wash all your stress away — and get you softer skin while you’re at it.