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We take it for granted, but salt is one of the most important minerals in the world. Throughout history, it’s played an integral role in human civilization—it’s been used for everything from currency to mystical rituals to the preservation of food. Trade routes have been created according to its availability; whole wars have been fought over its accessibility.
Naturally, this all-important ingredient has been used for beauty rituals across the centuries, too. The ancient Greeks and Romans used seawater to heal various ailments, including ones that impacted the skin. Hippocrates—who is often referred to as the father of medicine—was also a true believer in the power of sea water, and created many studies related to the practice of thalassotherapy, which uses sea water as a treatment to relax the muscles, improve circulation, and detoxify the body. Not that you have to be Hippocrates to understand the benefits of salt water—anyone who has spent a leisurely afternoon swimming in the sea can probably attest to the benefits of sea salt for the skin easily.
The benefits of sea salt for skin
Although consuming too much salt isn’t a great idea, incorporating a little sea salt into your skincare routine may have benefits indeed. Alongside sea salt’s power to exfoliate and hydrate the skin, its high concentration of minerals make it an incredibly nourishing skincare ingredient.
Dead Sea salt, which is rich in magnesium, seems to have particularly impressive benefits for the skin. “Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin,” found one clinical trial. “Magnesium salts are known to bind water, influence epidermal proliferation and differentiation, and enhance permeability barrier repair.”
Indeed, “the Dead Sea boasts an unparalleled composition of 21 natural minerals, including magnesium, 15 times higher than any other sea,” notes Liat Gourary of the Tel Aviv-based skincare company Sabon, which draws much of the inspiration for its products from the nearby Dead Sea. “The mineral-rich waters and salts of the Dead Sea, used as gentle, natural exfoliants, revitalize the body, offering vitalizing and detoxifying micro-nutrients for healthy-looking, radiant skin.”
But minerals are not the only elements in Dead Sea salt that benefit the skin. “Dead Sea water has a unique ion composition and its benefits on skin health have been well-known since ancient times,” explains a recent scientific review. “Specifically, [these ions] can resist skin senescence [aging] from three different perspectives—keratinocyte rejuvenation promotion, photo-protection, and cellar energy elevation—which indicates their strong application potential in anti-aging cosmetics.”
In other words, mineral-rich Dead Sea salts are rich in trace elements that trigger certain enzymatic reactions that, in turn, speed up the metabolic functions of the epidermis.
The exfoliating benefits of salt
Of course, other types of salt can be used on the skin, too—especially when it comes to smoothing and toning. Think: Himalayan pink salt, Epsom salt, black salt, fleur de sal, sea salt, and more.
Salt has osmotic properties that draw out water, oil, and impurities, making it helpful for eliminating excess fluids and toxins and reducing the appearance of pore size. Furthermore, its coarse texture makes it an ideal ingredient in scrubs that can be used for removing dead skin cells revealing radiant, soft skin.
The benefits of salt for the scalp
The beneficial properties of salt also extend to the scalp—which is also skin, after all. Besides exfoliation, salt may be effective against psoriasis, eczema, and allergic dermatitis. Salt may even help eliminate excess sebum. The benefits of salt for the scalp are exactly the reason brands from Goop to Christophe Robin to Davines to Crown Affair offer their own version of a scalp scrub formulated with salt.
Just one thing to note—salt shouldn’t be used on the skin or scalp daily as it can cause irritation and dryness when used in excess. To that end, it’s best to use topical applications of salt no more than one to two times a week, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin.
DIY salt body scrub
The easiest way to incorporate salt into your routine is by making a DIY salt body scrub. Try combining Dead Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt with jojoba or almond oil, coffee grounds, honey, or yogurt to create a body scrub that promotes cell turnover and stimulating circulation.
DIY salt face rinse
Ideal for oily skin, a salt and water rinse can be a helpful tool for keeping acne under control—you’ve probably seen version of this floating around social media. To make your own salt rinse, dissolve a tablespoon of sea salt in a glass of water, then use a cotton disc soaked in the solution to gently dab the skin.
DIY salt scalp scrub
By combining sea salt, honey, and coconut oil, you can create a natural scalp scrub. Massage the mixture into the scalp while showering, then rinse carefully and follow with shampoo and conditioner as usual.
For those who prefer a lighter and quicker detox remedy that doesn’t require scrubbing, simply mix water, apple cider vinegar, and a tablespoon or two of sea salt to create a clarifying hair rinse that brightens hair and adds shine.