Amazing beauty benefits of sea salt

Shahnaz Husain *

Sea Salt is naturally found in sea water and accounts for about 3.5 percent of the world’s oceans. Originally, it is colorless, odorless 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 too imparts different colors to it . 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, of course, they are packaged and available as bath additives are added to bath water, along with other ingredients.

Dead Sea salt is known for its many health benefits. The salts that 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. Sea salt is laden with minerals, including magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium is a humble, yet potent beauty ingredient which can balance, protect, and restore your body and skin.

Himalayan salt is one of the purest salts on Earth—they’re the dried remnants of the original, primal sea from hundreds of millions of years ago which promote optimum biological function and cellular maintenance, can help replenish the body’s electrolytes, to help improve immunity, balance alkaline/acid levels, as well as reduce toxins within the body .

Sea salt is beautiful symbol of its oceanic source which comes with a score of beauty benefits as it cleanse pores, balance oil production, improve hydration and thwart bacteria that causes 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.

1 - 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 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 .You can use salt as skin toner .Add teaspoon of salt in a bowl of water.Mix it and store it in bottle in cool 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

2 - Facial exfoliator

Mix together olive oil and salt in equal quantity and massage the mixture into 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, too. 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.

3 - 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 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 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.

4 - Heals the wounds

Salt has anti-inflammatory,healing properties which help to heal the wounds of the skin. Bathing with salt water helps to kill the bacteria and also help to heal the wounds as well as cure serious conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Sea Salt bath opens up the skin pores, improve blood circulation and hydrates the tissues making your skin softer, supple and acts as a moisturizer for dry, chapped skin and balances oily skin.

5 - Whiten teeth

It helps you for beautiful smile also by removing stains from your teeth and also make 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 and brighten and shine your teeth. A mouthwash can also be prepared by adding 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda to a 6-ounce glass of water and rinsing with it. You can alleviate toothache by mixing a tablespoon full of salt with a cup of hot water and gargle the mixture.

6 - Use as a body scrub

Sea salt is effective homemade exfoliator. The grains of the sea salt act as the natural exfoliant and the minerals present in it makes the skin softer. . Mix 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

7 - Brighten nails

Sea salt is also very effective in making your nails brighter and healthier. Mix of one teaspoon each of salt, baking soda, and lemon juice mixed together 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 will 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 help in prevent sea salt from clumping because of moisture

Choosing a 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 .