Why Salty Skin is a Good Thing: The Benefits of Sea Salt in Skincare

Salt — that humble ingredient that flavors our food, melts icy sidewalks, and gives the fresh sea air it’s salty aroma — is also a mineral that’s seriously taken for granted. From a relaxing “me time” bath to a regular exfoliation treatment, sea salt is a totally buzzworthy skincare aid that’s worth incorporating into your skincare routine. 

Salt is primarily made up of two elements: sodium and chloride. Sea salt contains other trace minerals and is typically a larger “flake” that’s more coarse than refined table salt. It’s lovely rough texture is perfect for scrubbing away dead skin cells and revealing healthy, glowing skin beneath. This is exactly why we chose to use it in our Lavender Sea Salt Scrub as well as our holiday seasonal Peppermint Sea Salt Scrub. 

The History of Sea Salt in Skincare

It’s no secret that salt is a necessary mineral for good health, but it’s also been adored  for how it can be applied to — and benefit — the body topically. Landlocked between Israel and Jordan in southwestern Asia, the Dead Sea has long been regarded as a destination hot spot for tourists to enjoy natural therapeutic salt baths. Cleopatra, the ultimate beauty queen, knew the powers of sea salts and went out of her way to make sure she always had access to the Dead Sea by urging Marc Antony to conquer the lands surrounding it. She used sea salts extensively in her beauty routines and even established cosmetic clinics to offer salt treatments to privileged guests. Sounds like one amazing day spa!

The Benefits of Salt 

One major benefit of using sea salt in your skincare routine is the boost of trace minerals it offers your skin. The trace minerals in sea salt include magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium — all of which aid in optimal skin health and function. 

Our bodies are made up of the same minerals as the ocean, and sea salt is made by evaporating seawater. When the natural mineral balance of our skin is off, dryness, irritation, and skin dullness run amuck. This is especially true during seasonal changes! What could be a more perfect tool to replenish our natural minerals than a natural source like sea salt? 

Sea salt can  naturally cleanse the skin and help rebalance oil production. It also contains antibacterial properties to help discourage the growth of bacteria that cause breakouts. 

When combined with honey (like in our Lavender Sea Salt Scrub!), your skin will get a double dose of anti inflammatory properties that soothe and calm redness and irritation. Salt can also tighten and minimize pores, making the skin look and feel smoother. 

The Benefits of Exfoliating Your Skin

Physical exfoliators like salt and sugar allow the skin to be exfoliated without causing any damage. Other types of physical exfoliators, like nutshells, seeds, or plastic beads, can cause micro-tears in the skin, resulting in unwanted redness and irritation. Using an all-natural and gentle exfoliator that “melts” into your skin — like salt or sugar — allows you to buff away dead skin safely without the risk of damage due to over scrubbing. 

You can use our sugar and sea salt scrubs on your body, but they are also amazing and gentle enough to be used on your face, neck, and décolletage. With added ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and honey, your skin will be moisturized and baby-smooth. At Bend Soap Company, we create scrubs with both salt and sugar, and with delicious scents like Almond Delight and Honey Grapefruit, you’re sure to find something to refresh your skin and senses all year long. 

The benefits of exfoliating your skin are huge:

• Increases cell turnover, giving you a natural glow
• Reduces dryness
• Allows skin to more easily absorb moisturizers and other products
• Cleanses the skin and clears pores
• Brightens skin, reduces uneven areas
• Eases tightness and itchy skin
• Boosts lymphatic drainage and circulation

For best results, we recommend exfoliating on a regular basis. Try setting aside a day or two each week to do an exfoliating treatment, or just listen to when your skin is calling for a refresh. 

Sea Salt Takeaways 

The next time you’re in need of a little extra exfoliation, opt for an all-natural sea salt scrub. Using a scrub made with real flakes of sea salt, rather than regular refined table salt, offers your skin a variety of benefits.

• Minerals: Seal salt gives your skin the nutrients it craves with the extra trace minerals (magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium) found in sea salt and make your skin glow.

• Balances skin: Sea salt helps regulate oil production without causing over-drying.

• Clear pores: Sea salt cleanses and fights acne-causing bacteria naturally.

• Anti-inflammatory: This ingredient not only fights redness, but it may even help improve skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. 

• Smoothing: Exfoliating with sea salt can give you an all-natural airbrushing effect! It can help minimize pores and tighten your skin to give you a more youthful appearance.

• Gentle on skin: Unlike other harsh exfoliants, sea salt melts into your skin at just the right time with no risk of over scrubbing and creating further skin damage. 

Back to You

Be kind to your skin when you need a full-body polish. Reach for natural exfoliators like salt and sugar in our scrubs for your best skin ever! Shop our full collection of salt and sugar scrubs here.
 

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