Epsom Salt Benefits Include Softer Skin, Fewer Blackheads And ... A Cleaner House

Epsom salt: Though it includes the name salt and is used in the bath, it's not of the zombie-transforming variety. It's not even salt, actually; it's a mineral comprised of magnesium and sulfate. And while we've long known that it's pretty amazing at easing sore muscles, it does a lot of other things pretty well.

This drugstore staple, which helps eliminate toxins in the body, can effectively multitask as a number of beauty products, as well as household cleaners. Here, five reasons why keeping a big, inexpensive bag around the house is not such a bad idea.

Face scrub: Add a tablespoon amount of epsom salt to your current face wash to create a gentle exfoliator. This recipe also doubles as a body scrub, just mix with olive oil instead for soft, hydrated skin.

Hair clarifier: To remove gunk from products and other hair stylers, mix lemon juice, water and epsom salt to create a pre-shampoo cleanser.

Blackhead fighter: Combine a cup of hot water, epsom salt and a few drops of iodine, then apply the solution to the area. This blend helps loosen dead skin and clears pores.

Splinter remover: According to AARP, epsom salt "increases osmotic pressure on the skin, which draws foreign bodies toward the surface." This works for splinters, as well. Soak the area in a cup of water and epsom salt.

Tile cleaner: Mix epsom salt with liquid dish detergent to create a tile and grout cleaning agent.

Meanwhile, check out eight food items that can double as beauty products:

• Banana

  These creamy, sweet-smelling fruits make a surprisingly good moisturizing...shave "lotion"? Yes, it's true. Just mash up the banana, adding a little bit of water to achieve a spreadable consistency. Use as you would any other shaving product. The result: Seriously smooth legs. (We definitely recommend using an inexpensive disposable razor, however!) (Getty Photo)

• Sugar

  Whether white, brown or unrefined, <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/chris-barnes/uses-for-sugar_b_1536525.html?ref=stylelist-home" target="_hplink">sugar makes an excellent exfoliator</a>. We like to mix in about a teaspoon into our usual face wash for a thick scrub. (Getty Photo)

• Apple Cider Vinegar

  Hair product build-up can leave strands dull and lifeless. But a quick rinse with a 2:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar to water will clarify as well as any commercial product. And no, you won't smell like a salad bar. (Getty Photo)

• Olive Oil

  Eye make-up removers can get pricey (if you love eyeliner, be prepared to buy a new bottle every 2 weeks), so we were happy to find out that olive oil works just as well. Just dab a little bit on a cotton ball, then wipe away that smoky eye. (Getty Photo)

• Yogurt

  Spent a little too much time in the sun? Soothe the burn with plain yogurt. A thick mask made using non-flavored yogurt (greek is best) will ease the pain and calm redness. (Getty Photo)

• Avocado

  It's not just for guacamole. Avocado makes a great hair mask, especially for thick or color-treated hair. Just mash, then work into the ends of hair (we don't recommend getting it on the scalp) and let sit for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly. You'll feel the difference almost immediately. (Getty Photo)

• Coconut Oil

  If you haven't heard the gospel of coconut oil, let us enlighten you now. There's really nothing this health food staple CAN'T do, in terms of beauty. It can bring a non-pore clogging glow to the face, repair split ends and bring parched skin back to life. A miracle, for sure. (Flickr Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrestlingentropy/6358525761/sizes/o/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">wrestlingentropy</a>)

• Baking Soda

  Got dandruff? You're not alone. We put <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2012/04/27/weird-ways-to-get-rid-of-dandruff_n_1456063.html" target="_hplink">anonymous testers to a 2-week trial of different, natural remedies</a>. The winning treatment? Baking soda. Applied to the scalp as a scrub every-other-day, it eliminated flakes entirely. (Flickr Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kafka4prez/2348901384/sizes/z/in/photostream/" target="_hplink">kafka4prez</a>)

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And not of the zombie-transforming variety...

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