When taking a sitz bath aided by salts and soaks, you’re likely to come across different primary salt ingredients – a sea salt sitz bath or a soak in sitz bath with epsom salt. When deciding between sea salt and epsom salt for your sitz bath, what it really all comes down to is a personal preference.
There is no “better choice” between a sea salt or epsom salt bath. Both provide soothing comfort, relaxation, and a certain ease to your bathing experience. However, there are differences, and some of these key differences between a sea salt sitz bath or a soak in sitz bath with epsom salt are:
- The chemistry is different – While epsom salt has “salt” in the name, technically it’s not scientifically a salt. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, whereas the salt we know is sodium chloride. Epsom salt gets the name salt from its similar crystalline structure. This means that while it may contain different stuff, it dissolves and melts into the bath just like a traditional sodium chloride salt would. Sea salt isn’t made up completely of just sodium chloride, and because it comes from the sea it may contain trace amounts of zinc, iron, and potassium as well.
- Epsom salt can be manufactured or naturally sourced – While most epsom salt found today is manufactured, it can also be naturally sourced. In mines and limestone caves usually in Germany or the United States, epsom salt can be found naturally occurring.
- Storage differences – Sea salts tend to be more fragile than epsom salt, which has a coarser and hardier texture. Sea salt is naturally absorbent, so it should be stored in a cool, dark, and most importantly dry place. Epsom salt is known for its resilience and can be stored in a bathroom cupboard without worry of compromising the integrity of the salt.
- Difference in texture – While both salts are grainy, coarse, and easy to dissolve in warm water, there are subtle differences in texture. Sea salt tends to be finer and easier to dissolve in lukewarm water when compared to epsom salt, so they may be the better option when taking a sitz bath that is on the cooler side.
Taking A Sitz Bath With Your Epsom Or Sea Salt
If you’re taking your sitz bath in the tub, fill the tub with about 3 inches of warm water, just enough to comfortably cover the bottom area. Add in about 1 to 2 tablespoons of epsom salt or sea salt soak per gallon of water and agitate the water to dissolve the salt if necessary. Sit in the tub and soak for about 15-20 minutes, making sure to get up slowly and carefully when exiting the tub.
Taking a sitz soak using a portable sitz basin is equally easy. First affix the sitz bath to the back of the toilet so that it’s sturdy and resting inside of the toilet bowl. Fill the bath with warm water and your choice of salts at 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon, and then sit on the toilet bowl so that you may soak in the sitz bath. Portable sitz baths typically have holes in the back of the unit, so any overflow goes directly into the toilet bowl instead of making a mess onto the floor. When you’re finished in your bath, stand up carefully, pat dry, and empty the sitz bath into the toilet before washing the unit.
Soaks And Salts For Your Sitz Experience
Some may prefer soaking in an epsom salt sitz bath, some may prefer the feel of a sea salt soak. Both have their benefits, and neither is “better” than the other. A few ideas to try to compare the sitz experience with epsom salts and sea salts are:
- Juniper & Niaouli Sitz Bath – Juniper & Niaouli Sitz Bath uses the highest grade USP quality epsom salt in its formula. Essential oils of lavender, frankincense, geranium, niaouli, and juniper provide a fresh and invigorating scent profile perfect for enjoying an aromatherapeutic experience.
- Lilliuma Sitz Bath Salt – Lilliuma Sitz Bath Salt uses Mediterranean Sea salt as its primary salt component. Along with Mediterranean Sea salt the soak also includes soothing fractionated MCT coconut oil, lavender essential oil, chamomile essential oil, jojoba oil, frankincense essential oil, and Vitamin E oil. This ingredient list not only provides relaxing aromatherapy, but skin soothing benefits with coconut oil and Vitamin E.
- epsmRx Sitz Bath – epsmRx Sitz Bath contains USP grade epsom salt, fractionated MCT coconut oil, frankincense essential oil, Roman chamomile essential oil, jojoba oil, and Vitamin E oil. With a similar composition to the Lilliuma Sitz Bath Salt, it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to compare which you prefer between a sea salt or an epsom salt soak.
One great way to have your pick of your favorite sea and epsom sitz soaks is with a bundle. The Sitz bundle includes 2 epsom salt and 1 sea salt soak option, including one for postpartum soaks specifically. For those who prefer epsom salts to sea salts for a sitz soak, an all epsom salt bundle may be more of what you’re after.
