Sea salt is naturally found in sea water and accounts for about 3.5 per cent of the world’s oceans. Originally, it is colourless, odourless and translucent having a distinct and characteristic taste.
Sea salt is also found in different colours such as white, pink, grey, red, brown and black due to presence of impurities and minerals. It is one of the oldest food seasonings as well as an important method of food preservation. The idea of using salts actually came from the ancient times when people bathed in mineral springs or hot springs for health benefits. Now, they are packaged and available as bath additives along with other ingredients. Dead Sea salt is known for its many health benefits. The salts which are generally used for the skin are crystals of the normal salt that we use (sodium chloride), epsom salts, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), borax, etc. Sea salt is a total powerhouse when it comes to skincare. It has minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium. Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain will tell you how sea salt protects and restores your skin.
Himalayan salt is one of the purest salts on Earth. They are the dried remnants of the original, primal sea from hundreds of millions of years ago which promote optimum biological function and cellular maintenance. It can help replenish the body’s electrolytes, improve immunity, balance alkaline/acid levels and reduce toxins in the body.
Sea salt is a beautiful symbol of its oceanic source that comes with a score of beauty benefits as it cleanses pores, balances oil production, improves hydration and thwarts bacteria which cause breakouts with its vital healing properties.
Here are different ways in which you can include sea salt in your beauty regime to boost your skin’s health.
Glowing skin
Regular intake of glass of water with sea salt everyday help to detoxify the body and reduce inflammation in the body which brings natural glow to the skin and hair. Sea salt cleanses your pores.
Simply mix one teaspoon of sea salt with half a cup of warm water. Using a cotton ball, apply this solution on your entire face except the area surrounding your eyes. Apply this once a week to get supple and clean skin.
Skin toner
Salt can be used to reduce facial oiliness. Add a teaspoon of salt in a bowl of water. Mix it and store it in a bottle in a cool and dry place. Use it like toner to detoxify your pores and control the oil production in your skin. If you have oily skin and are fed up of trying so many products, salt is a boon for you.
Facial exfoliator
Mix together olive oil and salt in equal quantities and massage the mixture on your face. Wash your face with lukewarm water. This acts as a natural exfoliant removing dead skin cells and preventing pores from getting blocked. While in the shower, simply rub crushed sea salt all over to remove dead skin and improve circulation. This will even work on your scalp to help remove pesky dandruff.
However, if the skin is dry and dehydrated, or even sensitive, salt should not be used as a scrub to exfoliate the skin. It can be too harsh on the skin, causing redness and rough patches. It can also increase dryness of the skin. Actually, it is better not to use salt by itself to scrub the face or body. It should be mixed with a cream, lotion or oil. In winter, or for normal to dry skin, salt may be mixed with olive oil, almond oil or apricot kernel and used on face and body. It can also be mixed with aloe vera gel or fruit or vegetable pulp. If the skin is normal to dry, after using a salt scrub, apply sunscreen before going out in the sun, or moisturising lotion if you are indoors.
Balancing mask
Both salt and honey have anti-inflammatory properties to soothe skin and calm breakouts and irritation. They also help to balance oil production and retain hydration in the layers of skin where it’s needed the most.
Mix two teaspoons sea salt with four teaspoons unfiltered honey to create a paste. Apply evenly to clean, dry skin, avoiding eye area. Let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Before rinsing, soak a washcloth in very warm water, and gently wring out. Lay the warm washcloth on your face for 30 seconds. Use your fingers to gently exfoliate in a circular motion while rinsing your skin thoroughly with tepid water. Follow with your usual skin-care routine.
Heals wounds
Salt has anti-inflammatory, healing properties. Bathing with salt water helps to kill the bacteria and heal wounds as well as cure serious conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Sea salt bath opens up the skin pores, improves blood circulation and hydrates the tissues making your skin softer, supple and moisturised.
Whitens teeth
It removes stains from your teeth and also makes them whiter.
Add salt to baking soda in equal amount and scrub it on your teeth with a clean toothbrush. Brush your teeth daily with this powder to remove plaque. A mouthwash can also be prepared by adding a teaspoon each of salt and baking soda to a 6-ounce glass of water. You can alleviate toothache by mixing a tablespoon full of salt with a cup of hot water and gargling with it.
Used as body scrub
Sea salt is an effective homemade exfoliator. The grains of the sea salt act as natural exfoliant and the minerals present in it makes the skin softer. Mix a quarter cup of sea salt with half a cup of olive oil. Massage your arms, legs, feet and face gently with this mix to get rid of the dead skin in the most natural way
Brightens nails
Sea salt is also very effective in making your nails brighter and healthier. Mix one teaspoon each of salt, baking soda and lemon juice with half a cup of warm water. Now, soak your nails in this mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes followed by gentle scrubbing with a soft brush. This process will remove dust from your nails and make them softer as well as brighter. As we all know, salt is added to warm water to relieve joint pains. You must store the salt in an airtight container in cool and dry place. Always use a fresh and dry spoon every time you need it. This will prevent sea salt from clumping because of moisture
Choosing the right sea salt is not a rocket science. In case you want to know the purity of the salt, all you need to check is the FSSAI approved mark on it.