Obtained by the evaporation of sea water, natural sea salt contains healing and therapeutic properties that may be used in many ways to benefit the skin. Its rich mineral content makes it an ideal ingredient in natural skin care recipes.
Background
In ancient times, salt was a valuable traded commodity. King Herod built one of the earliest health resorts along the shores of the Dead Sea. Salt-rich mud from the Dead Sea was used in mummification rituals in Egypt to preserve the dead. Cleopatra knew of the value of bathing in saltwater, as she was known to use water from the Dead Sea in her beauty rituals.
Uses
To help remove dead skin and promote healthy skin circulation, use sea salt in the form of an exfoliating scrub. Mix equal parts of sea salt and olive oil and gently massage it onto the face and body. After rinsing off the residue, the skin will be soft and smooth. Another option is to mix ½ teaspoon of sea salt into your regular facial cleansing cream to remove dirt and toxins from the pores of the face.
When added to bath water, sea salt works effectively as a skin conditioner. Soaking in a warm bath of sea salts may also help relieve muscle tension. Although any amount may be beneficial, adding about 1 pound is recommended for a therapeutic bath. Try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender or rosemary, to the water to help you relax. Sea salt can also be used in a softening foot soak by adding a handful to the water.
Benefits
According to a team of researchers at the Department of Dermatology in Switzerland, bathing in sea salts from the Dead Sea offers many benefits to the body, such as reducing inflammation. They claim that magnesium found in sea salt is useful for healing skin tissue and replenishing hydration, while bromide helps relax the muscles and calm the nerves. Sulfur and sodium work as natural disinfectants and detoxifying agents. Potassium helps in balancing moisture and releasing water retention. Calcium found in sea salt cleans the pores of the skin.
Warning
Table salt and sea salt are not the same thing. Table salt has been refined to a point where all of the minerals have been removed and all that is left is sodium chloride. Using table salt on the skin is not recommended, as it may cause the skin to become dried out. Sea salt can be purchased in most grocery stores and health food markets.
Dead Sea Salt
The most beneficial type of sea salt comes from The Dead Sea. Dead Sea salt may be used in the same manner as regular sea salt, but its mineral content is about 10 times higher. For this reason, Dead Sea salt has been studied for its effects on psoriasis patients. Regular baths in Dead Sea salts have been shown to significantly improve the itching and redness experienced by psoriasis sufferers. In a 2001 study published by the British Journal of Dermatology, 71 percent of psoriasis test subjects showed a significant improvement in their condition and 88 percent said they preferred this type of therapy over traditional medication for psoriasis.
As a psoriasis treatment, 2 pounds of Dead Sea salt should be added to warm but not hot bath water. Immerse the skin in the water for 20 minutes and repeat the process three to four times a week for the best results.
References
- International Journal of Dermatology: Bathing in a Magnesium-Rich Dead Sea Salt Solution Improves Skin Barrier Function, Enhances Skin Hydration, and Reduces Inflammation in Atopic Dry Skin
- San Francisco Bath Salt Company: Dead Sea Salt Usages
- British Journal of Dermatology: Evaluation of a Multicentre Study of Synchronous Application of Narrowband Ultraviolet B Phototherapy (TL-01) and Bathing in Dead Sea Salt Solution for Psoriasis Vulgaris
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