When Jessica Biel’s Epsom salts prep before the Met Gala went viral: how a home remedy is transforming beauty routines, while offering surprising health benefits and relief for aching muscles

Jan 25 , 2025

Actress Jessica Biel got the internet talking over her Epsom salt prep before the Met Gala last year. Photos: EPA, Handout

The benefits of Epsom salts, from easing muscle and joint pain to improving sleep – and why they are proving a beauty and wellness staple with celebrities

Before last year’s Met Gala, actress Jessica Biel captured everyone’s attention by sharing her prep routine on TikTok: a bath with 20 pounds of Dr Teal’s Epsom salts. But many were left wondering: what do Epsom salts have to do with beauty prep?

Actress Jessica Biel shared her beauty routine involving Epsom salts. Photo: Jessica Biel/TikTok

Epsom salts have quietly held a cherished spot in home remedies for centuries. From easing sore muscles to aiding sleep, these unassuming white crystals offer many benefits. But what exactly are Epsom salts and why do so many people swear by them?

What are Epsom salts?

Epsom salts have medicinal properties. Photo: Handout

Used for their medicinal properties for hundreds of years, Epsom salts are now a staple in many households, often tucked away in bathroom cabinets but ready to be sprinkled into warm baths.

Chemically known as magnesium sulphate, Epsom salts are composed of magnesium, sulphur and oxygen. “An Epsom salts bath is one of the easiest and most accessible self-care hacks out there. It derives its name from the historic town of Epsom in England, where it naturally occurs in spring waters,” says Noma Nazish, Forbes columnist and industry expert on beauty and wellness.

How do Epsom salts work?

Epsom salts dissolve in water and are absorbed by the skin. Photo: Handout

The magic of Epsom salts lies in their ability to be absorbed through the skin. When dissolved in water, the magnesium and sulphate ions separate and are absorbed by the body. “Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, which is known to lower stress, improve circulation, alleviate aches and pains and support muscle and nerve function,” Nazish explains. Sulphates, meanwhile, aid in detoxification and the formation of proteins.

Benefits of Epsom salts

Epsom salts are known to promote the production of serotonin. Photo: Handout

One of the primary benefits is relaxation and stress relief. The magnesium in Epsom salts promotes the production of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical in the brain that induces a feeling of calm and relaxation.