Named after the town in England where it was first discovered in the local springs, Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate, per the Cleveland Clinic. Unlike the popular calcium chloride compound we know as table salt, Epsom salt isn't a savory condiment. However, it's been touted through the ages as a natural healer when dissolved in warm water as a soak. The salt breaks down into its separate components, and it's thought that the magnesium aids in relieving a number of ailments, from arthritis to ingrown nails to sunburn and tired feet. 

While the benefits aren't proven by medical science — some doctors doubt that enough magnesium is absorbed into the body to make a difference — there's generally no harm in an Epsom salt soak. Sometimes just being in a warm tub can be beneficial when you're feeling sore and achy. And yes, it can even be used as a natural exfoliant. Epsom salt grains are large and coarse, similar to kosher salt, which makes them the proper texture to help remove dead skin cells as a scrub or made into a face-refreshing steam treatment. It also dissolves easily, making it easy to rinse off once you've finished scrubbing. You don't need to go to a pricey NYC salon for a celebrity-endorsed facial to get great results when you can get the same results with Epsom salts for a fraction of the cost. (A 3-pound bag will set you back about $5.)