Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham swear by them : apparently , an Epsom salts bath before a night out is a great way to ease bloating . And they ’ ve also been shown to improve blood circulation , reduce blood clots and lower blood pressure . Clearly , there ’ s more to these fizzy little tablets of magnesium sulfate — traditionally used to aid digestion — than we thought . Here , we reveal some other uses . ADD BOUNCE TO YOUR HAIR . Add Epsom salts to your regular conditioner and heat over warm water and then rub into your hair and leave for 15 minutes ( picture posed by model ) If you want more volume in your hair , mix equal amounts of Epsom salts with your regular conditioner in a bowl and place over a saucepan of water to warm . Stir with a wooden spoon until the salt dissolves , rub into your hair and leave on for 15 minutes , then wash out . The alkaline salts will break down grease and product build-up , leaving you with extra bounce and shine . TOP UP YOUR TAN . Rub Epsom salts all over your body before applying self-tan cream to exfoliate your skin ( picture posed by model ) This is ideal if you are about to apply self-tan cream . When you step out of the shower or bath , take a few handfuls of Epsom salts and rub all over your body with a plastic loofah . The granules are bigger than those in sugar or table salt and perfect for exfoliation . Make sure you scrub behind your knees , ankles and elbows . Wash off with warm water before applying your tanning lotion — it should be flawless . FIRST AID HELP . Mixing Epsom salts with warm water and soaking a splinter in the solution can help draw the splinter towards the surface of the skin , making it easier to remove . If you have a splinter in your finger , mix two teaspoons of Epsom salts into a warm cup of water until it dissolves and place your hand in the water for five minutes . The minerals in the salt will draw the splinter to the surface of the skin , making it possible to pull out painlessly with tweezers . BANISH BRUISES . Need to get rid of an unsightly and painful bruise ? Add two cups of Epsom salts to warm water in your bath and soak in it for at least 15 minutes ( picture posed by model ) Add two cups of Epsom salts to running warm water in your bath and swish it around until it has dissolved fully . Stay in the bath for at least 15 minutes to allow the magnesium in the salt to soak into your pores . This will help relax your muscles , banishing any aches and pains and reducing any bruising or swelling . TREAT SPOTS . Mix Epsom salts with your regular facial cleanser to help draw out impurities like blackheads and spots ( picture posed by model ) Mix a good slug of Epsom salts with your regular cleanser in a small bowl until it looks like a paste . Smooth the mixture over your face , rubbing in a little more deeply than you normally would . The minerals in the salts will help draw out impurities such as blackheads or spots , while the exfoliation will buff up your skin beautifully . Remove with cotton wool or water before applying your usual moisturiser . For deeper spots , add a few drops of water to a good dose of salts and dab directly on to any blemishes . Leave on overnight and rinse off in the morning . CURE HEADACHES . Mix Epsom salts with a glass of warm water and drink to ease headaches and migraines ( picture posed by model ) Headaches and migraines can be caused by a lack of magnesium in your system . At the first sign of a headache , take a big pinch of Epsom salts in the palm of one hand and have a glass of warm water in the other hand . Toss the salts into the glass of water and mix thoroughly . Drink as quickly as possible ( it doesn ’ t taste great ) and close your eyes for a few minutes to give the salts time to work . SLEEP BETTER . Take long , warm bath with three cups of Epsom salts dissolved in the water for a good night 's sleep ( picture posed by model ) If you ’ ve been struggling to get a good night ’ s sleep , pour three cups of Epsom salts into a warm bath and soak for as long as you can . The magnesium will help reduce stress and anxiety and act as a sedative . Repeat every night until you settle yourself into a new sleeping pattern .
Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham swear by them . They ’ ve also been shown to improve blood circulation and blood clots . But how should you be using Epsom salt to get the best results ?