Epsom Salt vs Dead Sea Salt: Which Should You Soak In?

The short answer

Epsom for sore muscles and value. Dead Sea for dry or irritated skin.

Epsom salt

Technically magnesium sulfate, not salt at all. It is the cheapest way to fill a bath with something useful, and the one to buy in bulk.

Dead Sea salt

Higher in potassium and calcium, coarser, and considerably more expensive. Worth it if you have psoriasis or persistently dry skin.

How much to use

Two cups in a standard Australian bathtub is plenty. More is not better.