When I was growing up, Epsom Salts were the go-to treatment for sore muscles. (I envied the kids who got Ben-Gay.) I guess growing up with a Yankee mom, I should have expected she would choose the most frugal–and effective–soak for sore muscles.

I still keep a box of Epsom Salts underneath my bathroom sink, just in case. These days, with people looking to cut costs across the board, it seems Epsom Salt is hot. That’s because you can use Epsom Salt in all kinds of ways, including as part of your at-home spa treatments.

Here are four uses for you to consider, courtesy of The Epsom Salt Council (who knew such an organization exists?):

1. To exfoliate:
Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

2. As a Facial:
Mix 1/2 tsp of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin–gently. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

3. For a relaxing soak:
Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent. (Gee, my Epsom Salt baths were always unscented. This sounds, er, smells nice.)

4. Homemade bath crystals:
Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 tsp of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container. (This sounds like a great, inexpensive gift to make for the holidays, teacher present or hostess gift!)

Do you have any other magical uses for Espom Salt?