Have you ever spent a day at the beach and noticed on the way home that your skin looked glowy and felt amazing?
The sea air and salty water might have something to do with it!
A lot of people assume salt will only irritate your face and make things worse, and with sensitive skin like mine, I get the hesitation. But used gently and in the right way, sea salt skincare can be a lovely addition to your routine.
So, is sea salt good for your skin? For many people, it can be, as long as you go easy.
Before I get into the benefits of sea salt skincare, a quick note: I’m talking about sea salt here, not table salt!
Sea salt is less processed than table salt, so it keeps more of its natural trace minerals, although the amounts are fairly small. (1)
Speaking of minerals: sea salt contains several that are often linked with healthy skin.
It contains minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium and sulfur, each of which has its own role to play. Below, I’ve listed some of the benefits of adding sea salt skincare to your routine, plus a few DIY recipes so you can start experimenting today.
Sea Salt Skincare: The Benefits, How To Start, And Recipes
The Benefits Of Using Sea Salt For Skin
Exfoliation
Just like sugar scrubs and other exfoliants, sea salt scrubs are a great way to exfoliate, especially on your body!
The grainy texture of sea salt helps buff away dead, dull skin so your skin looks brighter and fresher.
Using a sea salt scrub once or twice a week can help keep your skin visibly smoother and brighter while getting rid of dry, flaky patches.
If you'd rather not mix your own, a ready-made sea salt body scrub is an easy way to try this, and so many people love them.
That said, it’s easy to overdo it, so be careful not to create tiny scratches on your skin. (My own skin is very sensitive and gets irritated by most physical exfoliators, so I keep salt scrubs for my body and stick to gentler options on my face.)
Choose a fine-grain salt so the crystals don’t scratch, never scrub too hard, and skip it on broken, sunburned or irritated skin! (2)
Hydration
Minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium are often linked with supporting your skin’s barrier, which helps it hold on to moisture.
Together with gentle exfoliation, this can help keep flaky, dry skin away and leave your skin feeling smoother.
Mineral-rich salt soaks, like a relaxing bath with sea salt, are a favorite way to enjoy these benefits.
Keeping a bag of Dead Sea salt next to the tub makes it so easy to turn an ordinary bath into a little spa night.
Some people find that salt soaks also help their skin feel calmer and less puffy. (3)
Just keep in mind that salt can also be drying, so always follow up with a good moisturizer!
With my sensitive skin, I always like having a gentle moisturizer for sensitive skin ready to go right after anything salty.
Cleansing
Salt has natural antimicrobial properties, which is one reason it has been used in cleansing rituals for so long.
That’s why you’ll often see it in products aimed at blemish-prone skin.
Think about how salt has been used to preserve food for centuries.
Bacteria have a hard time growing in a very salty environment.
Of course, a little salt in your face wash isn’t a cure for acne, but it can be a nice, refreshing part of a cleansing routine.
Some people also find salt-based products helpful for keeping their skin feeling clean and less congested.
Balancing
Keeping your skin balanced, without too much oil or buildup, is a big part of keeping it clear and comfortable.
Sea salt skincare may help here, as salt is absorbent and has antibacterial properties.
It can help soak up some excess oil, which is why people with an oily T-zone often enjoy it.
Hint: this means a little less shine by midday!
Sea salt toners are one way to try this, but go slowly and stop if your skin feels tight or stings.
I like applying toners with soft reusable cotton rounds, because they feel gentle and you can just toss them in the wash.
How To Start Using Sea Salt Skincare
Now that you know the benefits of sea salt skincare, you might be wondering, “What products should I use?” or “Where do I start?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you!
Here’s a list of the different kinds of sea salt products you can try, and what each one is best for.
- Salt scrubs
- For Exfoliating!
- Hair Shampoos or Gels
- For Cleansing!
- Bath soaks
- For Hydration!
- Face masks
- For Hydration and Balancing!
- Face wash
- For Cleansing!
- Face toners
- For Balancing!
DIY Sea Salt Skincare Recipes
If you love making your own skincare, here are a few easy sea salt recipes to try. Before you put anything new on your face, patch test it first. I patch test new products on my inner arm for 24 hours, and it has helped me avoid disasters.
A few small glass jars with lids are perfect for storing your DIY creations and they look so pretty on a bathroom shelf.
DIY Sea Salt Body Scrub
- 1 cup of Coconut oil
- Essential oils (pick your favorite!)
- 1 cup of Sea Salt
- Warm your coconut oil just until it melts into a liquid
- Stir around 15 drops of your essential oil and your sea salt together in a bowl (or skip the essential oil if your skin is sensitive)
- Pour the coconut oil into the bowl and mix until everything is combined
- Spoon it into a jar and use it in the shower as a body exfoliator once or twice a week!
DIY Sea Salt Face Mask
- ½ cup of Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon of Grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon of Grapefruit zest
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons of Coconut oil
- Mix all the ingredients into a paste (if you’re acne-prone, swap the coconut oil for a lighter option from my list of oils for oily skin, since coconut oil can clog pores)
- Transfer the mask into an airtight jar or container for future use
- Apply the mask to your face, avoiding your eyes, your mouth and any broken or irritated skin
- Massage it in very gently for about a minute, then let it sit for up to 15 minutes (rinse right away if it stings)
- Rinse off the mask with lukewarm water, follow with moisturizer and enjoy your fresh skin!
DIY Sea Salt Face Toner
- ½ cup filtered water
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- Add the ingredients to an airtight container and shake for about 3 minutes, or until all the salt has dissolved (if your skin is sensitive, start with half the salt)
- Lightly sweep the toner over your clean face with a cotton pad, a few times a week, and always follow with moisturizer!
Sea salt isn’t for everyone. If your skin stays red, tight or irritated, or you have eczema, rosacea or another skin condition, skip the salt and check in with a dermatologist.
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