Product Test: Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt range

I’d previously only heard of Epsom Salt in books, so I was aware that it was a traditional remedy for easing muscular aches and pains but have never actually had the opportunity to try it out.

Prior to being pregnant I was fit, flexible and rarely experienced tiredness or muscle soreness, but fast-track a year postpartum and I often have lower back issues and chest tightness from breastfeeding and constantly bending over Miss E as she’s always on the floor playing, crawling or learning to walk. Also, as I’ve been working hard to regain my body strength now that I’m getting plenty of sleep, I almost always have DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) thanks to my self-imposed training regime! I think that pretty much qualifies me to be the perfect person to trial these products, so when I was offered Dr. Teal’s range to road test, I jumped at the chance.

Product claim

Newly launched in New Zealand, Dr. Teal’s is America’s number one selling Epsom Salt range. A naturally occurring mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate, Epsom Salt is typically used in bath or topical skin products and acts as a remedy for a number of ailments, alleviating muscle aches, stress and tension and improving sleep (while also exfoliating dead skin cells so in theory you’ll have beautiful glowy skin as well!).

Dr. Teal’s combines the natural benefits of Pure Epsom Salt with the revitalising and restorative quality of essential oils.

Road test

Bath soaking solution

From all the products across the Dr. Teal’s range, the one I fell in love with most was the Soften & Nourish soaking solution with milk and honey.

I’d had my eye on the new Pre & Post Workout soaking solution (with citrus, menthol and mint) which smells invigorating and zesty, but when I did manage to wrangle the time to have a decent bath, the milk and honey aroma was so relaxing at the end of a busy day that I just couldn’t resist it. I can understand why Cleopatra thought bathing in milk and honey was a good idea. It smells pretty delicious and leaves your skin feeling amazing.

The instructions advise to add two cups of the Epsom Salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes which should allow time for the minerals to absorb through the skin. You can alternatively combine some with your favourite body wash as an exfoliant, or apply it locally with a washcloth to relieve sprains and stings.

Since having a baby, I’ve been having ongoing issues with my sacroiliac joint and often have soreness in my lower back after long periods of sitting or standing – especially more noticeable in the evening at the end of a long day at yoga school where we do a lot of mat work. I used the soaking solutions in a bath for 30-40 minutes each time, and my back pain had disappeared by the end of each bath. The pain would still return the next day as usual, however it was good to have the relief just before bed as it gave me a better night’s sleep for being more comfortable.

All the soaking solutions smell divine, and it did seem to help soothe the aches and pains. Other soaking solutions in the range include Relax & Relief (with eucalyptus and spearmint) and Refresh & Renew (with rosemary and mint).

Foaming bath

If you prefer to have a bath full of bubbles, these are for you. My preference for bath scents is completely affected by my desire to relax at the end of the day, which is what drew me to the milk and honey soaking solution, and why I preferred the Soothe & Sleep lavender foaming bath. Lavender essence is used in aromatherapy to encourage better sleep at night, so you can imagine how good it feels to be in a tub of lavender-scented bubbles just before bedtime!

Other foaming bath products include Relax & Relief (eucalyptus and spearmint), and Detoxify & Energize (ginger and clay).

Additional products

If you don’t have the time for a bath, there are also body scrubs (perfect for exfoliating in the bath or shower), body wash pump bottles (I used these frequently throughout the trial as I typically have showers for convenience and loved the lavender-scented one), and body lotion which I would massage into my lower back at night just before bed for extra soothing comfort.

To sum up

All the products in this range smell amazing and left me feeling like I’d just walked out of a beauty spa. My lower back pain felt markedly better after using them. Our bathroom would even smell incredible for days after soaking in the tub thanks to the essential oils! Everything contains magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salt). None of them are tested on animals, and they’re all made in the USA.