Have you tried sea salt in your skincare routine?
Sea salt helps balance, protect, and restore your skin. Ladened with minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, and calcium, sea salt is an excellent exfoliator and cleanser. It helps combat inflammation, brightens your skin, and delays the signs of aging.
Here are 10 benefits of sea salt in skincare –
10 benefits of sea salt in skincare
1. Exfoliation
Sea salt scrubs are great exfoliators. The coarseness of the sea salt helps remove dead, dull, and dry skin. Regular use of sea salt makes your skin smoother and brighter. It is also effective in treating strawberry skin. However, make sure to do it gently as the coarseness of the sea salt can cause minor abrasions on the skin.
Mix sea salt and olive oil or coconut oil to make a thick paste. Apply this paste with a washcloth or loofah and gently scrub your skin in a circular motion. You can also mix Aloe vera and sea salt to exfoliate and restore your skin. Aloe vera hydrates and heals your skin. Add a few drops of lavender. It is a natural antiseptic that increases circulation.
2. Hydration
The calcium, magnesium, and potassium in sea salt are excellent for hydration. It helps moisturize your skin and make your skin firm. Sea salt absorbs dirt, grime, and toxins and helps treat flaky, dry skin. It also aids in delaying the signs of aging including wrinkles and swelling. The minerals help restore the protective barrier of the skin and help it hold hydration.
Sea salt is also an excellent scrub for your lips, that hydrates and exfoliates your lips. Make a mix of sea salt, glycerine, and rose water to make a paste. Gently scrub your lips for plumper and smoother lips.
3. Cleansing
Sea salt has potent anti-bacterial properties. It is great for cleansing your skin and keeps the dirt and bacteria off. Sea salt is also proven to be effective against acne-causing bacteria and prevents acne breakouts. It can also help in removing persistent blackheads or clogged pores.
Sea salt has osmotic actions that help in absorbing toxins and pull-out dirt and oil from the skin. It also improves pore size and makes your skin cleaner, softer, and smoother skin.
4. Balancing
Sea salt is a great absorbent that helps in balancing the pH levels of the skin. It rids the skin of oils and impurities thus making your skin nice and clear. Sea salt further helps balance the sebum level of the skin. You can make a pack using salt and honey. Its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe skin and calm breakouts and irritation.
5. Anti-dandruff scalp treatment
Sea salt helps remove existing flakes while stimulating blood circulation for a healthy scalp. The minerals absorb excess oil and moisture. Its antimicrobial properties prevent fungal growth and inhibit the growth of dandruff. Massage your wet scalp gently with sea salt for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash and condition your hair.
6. Sea salt for tooth care
Sea salt is a rich source of fluoride and other minerals that helps in removing stains and protects the teeth and gums. You can mix one teaspoon of salt and two teaspoons of baking powder. Dip a toothbrush in the mixture and brush your teeth gently. You can also mix sea salt with water and use it as a mouthwash. It acts as a natural disinfectant to kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath and gingivitis.
7. Sea salt for nail care
Sea salt can help in treating brittle nails. It softens your cuticles and strengthens your nails. You can mix sea salt with baking soda and lemon to reduce the yellowing of nails. Regular use of sea salt for nail care helps in making it brighter and healthier. Mix one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of baking soda, and one teaspoon of lemon juice with warm water. Soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes.
8. As a facial toner
You can use sea salt mixed with water as an oil-absorbing toner and hydrating face mist. It is a natural and gentle way to hydrate and refresh your skin. It removes the excess oil from the skin and keeps your skin soft and supple. The antimicrobial properties of sea salt help remove excess oil and prevent acne.
Mix one cup of water with a tablespoon of sea salt and Epsom salt. Stir the solution to get the salt dissolved. Use a spray bottle and use the toner as a mist. Several studies have validated the use of sea salt as a cleansing and hydrating tool.
9. Soothing sore muscles
Soaking in a sea salt bath can help ease tensed muscles. Prepare a warm sea salt bath and soak in for 30 minutes to calm sore muscles. It aids in relieving pain, and stress and improves sleep quality.
10. Relaxing salt bath
A salt bath is relaxing and therapeutic. Whether you soak your feet or your body, salt absorbs dirt, grime, and toxins. It also cleanses your skin’s pores deeply. Salt’s mineral content helps restore the protective barrier of the skin and retain moisture in the skin. Further, the magnesium in sea salt helps reduce water retention in the body. Add salt to a tub of water, let the salt dissolve, and soak it for 15 to 30 minutes.
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Caution
Sea salt is a natural exfoliant that is gentle and soft, unlike harsh exfoliants. However, you should not overdo it. It can worsen some skin conditions like acne and eczema. It can also cause hyperpigmentation.
Ayurvedic doctor’s opinion
Sea salt has numerous benefits for skincare that are backed by scientific studies. From improving skin hydration to reducing inflammation, sea salt is a natural ingredient that can help you achieve healthier and more radiant skin.
Increase Skin hydration
One of the most significant benefits of sea salt is its ability to improve skin hydration. A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that bathing in salt water can increase skin hydration, leading to improved skin barrier function (Proksch et al., 2005). This makes sea salt an excellent ingredient for those with dry skin.
Reduce skin inflammation
Sea salt also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and irritation in the skin. A study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that a sea salt-based solution was effective in reducing skin inflammation in patients with atopic dermatitis (Schmid-Wendtner et al., 2005). This makes sea salt an excellent ingredient for those with sensitive or reactive skin.
Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
In addition to its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, sea salt is also an excellent exfoliator. Its texture is ideal for sloughing off dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling smoother and softer. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that a sea salt-based scrub was effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (Soltanipoor et al., 2019).
Combating acne
Sea salt also has antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent acne and other skin infections. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that a sea salt-based solution was effective in killing acne-causing bacteria (Zhao et al., 2019).
Reducing cellulite
Finally, sea salt is a natural detoxifier that can help draw out impurities and toxins from the skin. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that a sea salt-based solution was effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite (Alam et al., 2012).
Conclusion
In conclusion, sea salt is a versatile and effective ingredient that can benefit your skin in numerous ways. Its ability to improve hydration, reduce inflammation, exfoliate, prevent acne, and detoxify the skin make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to achieve healthier and more radiant skin. So next time you’re looking for a natural skincare ingredient, consider incorporating sea salt into your routine.
References:
Alam, M., Walter, A., Geisler, A., Truitt, A., & Gatlin, R. (2012). Improvement of cellulite with aminophylline cream: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 132(10), 2438-2440.
Proksch, E., Nissen, H. P., Bremgartner, M., & Urquhart, C. (2005). Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. International Journal of Dermatology, 44(2), 151-157.
Schmid-Wendtner, M. H., Korting, H. C., & Kerscher, M. (2005). Efficacy of a sea salt solution in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 4(5), 590-591.
Soltanipoor, F., Delshad, Z., Javidi, Z., Javidi, M., & Moghadamnia, A. A. (2019). The efficacy of a natural exfoliant (sea salt) for improving skin appearance: A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 18(6), 1666-1672.
