Our bodies contain the same concentration of minerals and nutrients as seawater, which is why sea salt is a great ingredient for restoring the skin.
Unlike table salt, that is heavily processed and stripped of nutrients, sea salt is laden with minerals, including magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium. All of which play a key role in our skin’s health and function along with helping us to maintain strong, beautiful hair, teeth and nails. For this reason, among others, bringing sea salt from the kitchen into your beauty routine can help with a number of skin, hair, nail and even teeth problems.
Whether you want to reduce dullness in your skin or whiten your teeth, there are many reasons and ways to add sea salt to your beauty regimen. Here we go through different ways in which you can include this wonder ingredient into your beauty regime to boost your skin’s health.
Why is sea salt good for you?
Sea salt is salt that is produced by evaporating ocean water or saltwater from lakes. Thus, it contains traces of some essential minerals which is great for the skin. As it is naturally sourced from ocean water and goes through little processing, it means its mineral content remains intact.
Natural sea salts contain a number of electrolytes that are essential for healthy cell activity. The minerals in Dead Sea salt are some of the same minerals that make up the human body, including our skin cells.
Types of sea salt that you can use on the skin
Sea salt comes in many forms. The characteristics of sea salt can change depending on where it is produced.
Dead Sea Salt
As its name suggests, Dead Sea salts originally came from the Dead Sea, which has long been acclaimed for its therapeutic properties.
People have travelled to the Dead Sea for thousands of years to reap the benefits from its healing waters.
The salt and mud found there are packed full of minerals that are extremely good for the skin.
Dead Sea salt is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin, so can aid in the treatment of common dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
It also improves skin hydration, reduces redness and roughness.
Because this type of sea salt contains only small amounts of sulphur salts, it offers a gentle way to reduce oily skin and clear away acne.
Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan salt, also known as Himalayan crystal salt, is a type of rock salt best known for its striking pink colour. These crystal salts have trace elements of iron which explain its pink colour.
Himalayan Pink salt is a pure, hand-mined salt that is derived from ancient sea salt deposits, and it is believed to be the purest form of salt available. Furthermore, it is a salt derived from ancient sea salt deposits formed over 250 million years ago at the foothills of the Himalayas and contains all the 84 elements found in our body.
Additionally, Himalayan pink salt is renowned for its detoxifying qualities. It draws out heavy metals and toxins from the skin by driving out grime, dirt, pollution and bacteria from deep within the pores.
Grey/Celtic Sea Salt
Coloured by the clay from where it’s harvested, grey salt is often called Celtic Sea Salt.
It is hand-raked in France, where the natural clay and sand create moist, mineral-rich crystals. This salt generally retains this moistness. Additionally, this type of sea salt is comparable to Himalayan pink salt in its composition and skin benefits.
Hawaiian Sea Salt
Hawaiian or Alaea sea salt is a traditional Hawaiian salt.
This type of sea salt is made by adding red volcanic clay called alae to sea salt which infuses iron oxide into the salt and gives it a red tinge. Hawaii Sea Salt is a particularly expensive variety of sea salt and hard to find outside of the state.
The nutrients of this salt are often found in the likes of facial masks and salt scrubs. Additionally, they can be absorbed through the skin to eliminate toxins and promote a smooth, healthy complexion.
Cornish Sea Salt
Cornish Sea Salt contains over 60 minerals, including the naturally hydrating and detoxifying properties of magnesium and potassium. In addition, the remaining main minerals concentrated in our Cornish Sea Salt are calcium, sodium and sulphur. Our bodies use these minerals in different ways, but especially for maintaining healthy skin.
Sea Salt for the face
Face Scrub
Sea salt is good for reducing acne by killing acne-causing bacteria and removing excess oils on the skin. Furthermore, it will also help cleanse the pores on the skin deeply whilst balancing oil production and holding moisture from within.
The minerals in the salt itself help to open pores for deeper cleansing, as well as encourage blood flow. Where the purifying benefits better enable your skin to absorb moisturiser.
To make the sea salt face scrub, simply mix half a teaspoon of sea salt with a teaspoon of olive oil. Then, rub the scrub onto your skin in circular motions before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Exfoliating the skin helps to promote new cell growth and improves circulation, giving skin a natural glow. In fact, the high magnesium content in sea salt increases cell turnover, which means your skin renews cells faster. So, not only does this ensure slow ageing, but this also means that your skin will look radiant too!
Note: Avoid using this salt scrub on the face if you have dry or sensitive skin as it can aggravate the skin to make the problem worse.
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Facial Toner
Salt can be used to reduce facial oiliness as it soaks up excess oils and helps dry out acne. Additionally, it helps in shrinking your pores and in restoring your pH balance, leaving your skin moisturised and revitalised.
The use of salt is a natural and gentle way to hydrate and refresh your skin. So, to make a sea salt toner, mix one teaspoon of sea salt with four ounces of warm water. Pour this solution into a bottle with a spray nozzle. To use it, mist it onto a cotton pad or directly onto your face, but be careful to avoid your eyes.
Use the toner twice a day for effective results.
Depuff Eyes
The sodium in salt brings out the extra fluid from under the eyes and constricts blood vessels. This makes it great for depuffing irritated and tired eyes.
To make the solution, mix a teaspoon of sea salt and lukewarm water and stir it well. Then, dip a cotton pad into this solution and dab it on your eyes.
This remedy should help you to get rid of the puffiness of the eyes instantly.
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Lip Scrub
If you tend to suffer from dry or peeling lips, take 2 tablespoons of sea salt and one tablespoon of honey and mix together to create an at-home lip scrub.
Be very gentle when applying to the lip area as the skin on the lips is more delicate.
Simply scrub it onto your lips to get rid of any dry skin or dead skin cells to reveal smooth lips. Then, apply a nourishing balm, after you exfoliate, to lock in moisture.
If you want a more plumping effect, add a pinch of cinnamon to the mix. Doing so will swell your lips slightly to give it a fuller appearance. However, remember not to use this on cracked lips as it can be painful.
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Sea Salt for the body
Face Mask
Using salt in masks can help balance oil production along with help the skin retain hydration deep in the layers where it’s needed.
For gorgeous skin, you could mix salt with the honey to work as a balancing mask. Interestingly, both honey and salt have anti-inflammatory properties to calm breakouts and irritation to soothe skin. Furthermore, they also retain hydration in the layers of skin and help to balance oil production.
To make this mask, mix two teaspoons of finely ground sea salt with four teaspoons of raw honey. Mix well and apply this on clean and dry skin. Then, using your fingers, exfoliate your skin in a circular motion and rinse with lukewarm water.
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Body Scrub
Salt is a gentle natural exfoliate and has a slight abrasive texture that sloughs off dead cells on the skin’s surface, along with containing minerals that help to soften skin and restore hydration.
To make a basic everyday salt scrub, mix a half a cup each of salt and olive oil into a thick paste. Apply in the shower with the palms of your hands, gently scrubbing your skin in a circular motion.
Important: Make sure you allow your salt scrub to sit on your skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing. This will allow your skin to really absorb the product and get the maximum hydrating benefits.
Rejuvenating Bath Salts
For homemade bath salts, you can use sea salt. They can benefit your muscles and your skin can reap the benefits as the minerals help detoxify the body from the outside. Not only this, but sea salt in bathwater has a soothing and relaxing effect on the skin by removing dirt and toxins from the body too.
If you have scars or skin infections taking a bath with Dead Sea salts is a great way to help heal your skin a bit more quickly. Additionally, it can also improve blood circulation and decrease inflammation as well as aid detoxification.
For a relaxing sea salt bath simply add one-third cup salt to a tub filled with warm water. Then, add a few drops of lavender oil or sweet almond oil to the water to create a relaxing scent, along with increasing the aromatherapy benefit, as well. Next, simply stir the bath with your hands to disperse the salts and soak in the bath for between 15 to 30 minutes.
Sea Salt for the Hair
Anti-Dandruff Treatment
Contrary to the popular belief that salt is harmful to hair, the minerals present in it are actually very beneficial for their health. So, to make a sea salt anti-dandruff treatment, simply part your hair a few times, and sprinkle one to two teaspoons of salt on your scalp.
Doing so, will remove dry flakes and also absorb excess oil so that dandruff doesn’t stick to it again. The sulphur & sodium content in the salt helps deep cleanse the scalp of flakes along with fighting off yeast overgrowth that may be the cause of dandruff.
Using wet fingers, massage your scalp gently and thoroughly for 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding to shampoo and condition your hair as usual. You should be able to see results immediately.
Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
A sea salt spray is great for creating beachy, textured waves in your hair. Sea salt works by drawing out excess oil and water from the hair strands, leaving it texturized and wavy.
To make this spray, combine a teaspoon of salt and water in a spray bottle. Once the salt dissolves, spray over damp hair and watch your hair dry into perfectly tousled waves. This is because sea salt hair sprays work to open the hair cuticles and plump the strands. Either wait for it to dry on its own or blow-dry, scrunching as you go to add extra volume.
The spray also helps you go longer between washes by soaking up excess oil build-up, which is great for anyone who tends to get super oily, greasy hair.
Sea Salt for the Nails
Nail Brightening Treatment
Your nails become stained over a period of time, especially if you wear nail polish very often. However, you can use sea salt to get back your brighter and healthier-looking nails.
Salt softens cuticles and skin along with strengthening the nails. So, to make this nail brightening treatment, soak your nails in sea salt infused water for around 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water then gently scrub with a soft brush.
The rich mineral contents will make them stronger, whiter and brighter.
Alternatively, you can soak the nails in a mixture of baking soda or lemon juice with the salt to get better results.
Don’t forget to apply a moisturising hand cream afterwards!
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Sea Salt for Your Teeth.
Teeth Whitener
Salt is a gentle abrasive that remove stains and brighten teeth. Furthermore, it is also a natural source of fluoride, which is an essential nutrient for strong teeth and gums.
All the ingredients work in removing yellow teeth stains and fighting off plaque-causing bacteria as well.
To make an easy tooth brightener, mix a teaspoon each of salt and baking powder. Dip a damp toothbrush in the mixture, and brush teeth normally.
It’s essential that you make sure that you do not brush vigorously. Do this on alternate days and this will help you in getting brighter teeth. It is, however, important to try and limit it to once in a fortnight or even once a week if your teeth are sensitive.
Suggested Article: Teeth Whitening: 7 Ways To Naturally Remove Tooth Discolouration and Stains With Simple Home Remedies.
Best Sea Salt Infused Products
Now that you are aware of its magical properties, make the most of sea salt and be radiant without any side-effects.
AHAVA Liquid Dead Sea Salt
Immerse yourself in the Dead Sea’s healing waters at home, for a completely unique, restorative spa experience. Fortified with natural Dead Sea Salt, the liquid gel works to clarify, refresh and moisturise the body.
It also buffs away dead skin cells to reveal soft and smooth skin. Simply rinse off in the shower whilst gently massaging it into the skin to deep clean. Additionally, it can even ease muscle tension.
Mint & Dead Sea Salt Deep Cleansing Clay Face Mask
This is a deep cleansing face mask which contains Dead Sea salts and natural clays to gently draw out impurities, absorb excess oil and help hydrate the skin.
With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this is best for oily and acne-prone skin. Furthermore, it also contains peppermint essential oil as well as Witch Hazel and Bamboo Powder to help soothe and tone the skin, leaving it feeling beautifully clean and balanced.
Best of all, it’s vegan-friendly too.
Balmain Hair Texturizing Salt Spray
This lightweight salt-infused spray leaves your hair tousled and textured to create ocean-inspired mermaid waves. Simply use it to enhance the volume and body of your hair. Alongside giving it a flexible hold so your beach waves stay put all day.
Balmain also supplement the spray with silk protein and argan oil. These work to stimulate hydration to keep your hair looking healthy and glossy.
Sanctuary Spa Classic Salt Scrub
This skin-softening scrub contains a blend of both Dead Sea salts and nourishing oils to gently exfoliate the skin by buffing away dead cells and impurities. Resulting in your skin feeling soft, refined and refreshed.
What makes this scrub unique is its long-lasting fragrance technology. It works to keep the signature sandalwood, jasmine and patchouli scent detectable on the skin even twelve hours after use.
Furthermore, the scrub is also vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and paraben-free.
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