Stephanie Seymour Reveals: Using Epsom Salt is Her Beauty Secret

by The Epsom Salt Industry Council

Stephanie Seymour has it all: a hot modeling career, gorgeous looks, a handsome husband, three healthy kids... and two half-gallon containers of Epsom Salt.

"Always keep at least two half-gallon containers of Epsom Salts in the house. They're only a couple of dollars each, and they're great to pour in the tub when our muscles ache. Or use the stuff the way the great spas do -- for exfoliation. Just take big handfuls and scrub your body," said Seymour in a recent issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

Epsom Salt -- Magnesium Sulfate -- is a pure mineral that benefits your skin and body in a number of ways. You can soak in it to often skin and use it as a scrub to exfoliate rough patches. You can also soak in it to reduce the swelling and inflammation of body aches and pains.

"Soaking in warm water and two cups of Epsom Salt is all you need after a tough workout or a hard day," said Lori Katz, President of the non-profit Epsom Salt Industry Council based in Nutley and East Rutherford, N. J.

"Super- model Stephanie Seymour can use anything in the world for exfoliation and aches, yet she sticks with the basics and uses Epsom Salt."

The Council offers these tips to keep looking great.

Wash your face before going to bed
According to recent studies in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, deposits of nicotine and carbon monoxide (from secondhand smoke and pollution) can wreck havoc on the skin..

To cleanse your face
Mix a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Troubleshoot with the right homemade mask
Apply this mask in the shower, to your damp face, to lock in the moisture. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt. For normal to dry skin mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of Epsom Salt.

Smoother Softer Skin
To cleanse and exfoliate, massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over your wet skin, starting with the feet and continuing up toward the face. Then, pour two cups into a bath of warm water. Lean back and relax. As you soak, the natural action of Epsom Salt helps soften the rough, dry patches of your skin.

Add Body to Your Hair
Combine 3 tablespoons of deep conditioner with 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds. Work the warm mixture through your hair from scalp to ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Promotes body and life in your hair and restores curl to permed hair.

Remove Hairspray and Gel Buildup
Combine a gallon of distilled water, a cup of lemon juice (fresh or bottled), and 1 cup of Epsom Salt. Cap the mixture and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.