- Jessica Biel looked great at the Met Gala
- She used Epsom salts to get ready
- THIS is what experts say
Ahead of the Met Gala, Jessica Biel took to TikTok to share her unique red carpet prep: a 20-pound Epsom salt bath. While some hail the practice for its supposed health benefits, others criticize it as promoting unhealthy beauty standards. Here's the scoop on the salt bath saga that's got everyone talking!
The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Epsom Salt Baths
Jessica turned heads at the Met Gala, not just with her stunning pink Tamara Ralph couture gown but also with her unconventional preparation method revealed on TikTok. The actress filmed herself adding a whopping 20 pounds of Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt into her bath, a move she claims is her secret to looking fabulous on the red carpet.
@jessbiel While the kids are out partying, I am in soaking #MetGala ♬ original sound - Jessica Biel
"Drink tons of water and off to bed early. See you tomorrow, Met Ball," Biel cheerfully shared. But what's the deal with this salty soak?
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is touted for its health perks, including muscle pain relief and improved sleep. Dr. Laura Purdy, a family medicine physician, notes, "Epsom salt baths are well known to help soothe achy muscles and help you relax." However, the scientific backing for these benefits, especially magnesium absorption through the skin, remains thin.
Moreover, the notion that Epsom salt baths can aid in weight loss is under scrutiny. While some believe it can slim you down in time for big events, experts like Purdy warn against such claims, pointing out the temporary effects of dehydration and sweating rather than actual weight loss.
Biel's bath bombshell has stirred up a storm online, with some critics slamming the practice as "unhealthy and toxic."
The implication that such extreme measures are necessary to "slip into" gala gowns has sparked a broader conversation about body image and beauty standards in the celebrity world.
The scientific evidence to support these largely anecdotal claims, however, is lacking. There are no definitive studies showing that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin (via a soak) in amounts sufficient to provide the benefits seen after ingesting it through food or oral supplements.
Some claim that soaking in Epsom salt can help with weight loss. However, Purdy says that any perceived change in the body’s appearance or weight after a soak in Epsom salt would have less to do with the magnesium components and more to do with the dehydrating effect of the salt and warm water combined.
"Epsom salt baths are known to reduce swelling and remove toxins from the body. These factors may impact weight management," she says. "There is no known evidence that Epsom salt baths are effective for losing weight, but taking a hot bath can cause you to sweat and ultimately burn calories. So there could be a correlation of weight loss due to sweating, which would reduce water weight."
Dietitian Emily Van Eck raises concerns about the message this sends, emphasizing the risk of promoting eating disorders through such "fast fads for dropping pounds."
The debate highlights the fine line between personal wellness routines and public influence, especially among celebrities.
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While Epsom salt baths might offer a moment of relaxation, the controversy surrounding Jessica Biel's pre-Met Gala prep serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between health, beauty, and celebrity culture.
As the conversation bubbles over, it's clear that when it comes to wellness, there's no one-size-fits-all solution.
