Confession: I put salt on Chinese food. I put salt on pizza. In college? I put salt in my Top Ramen soup. I have firsthand knowledge of the dangers of over salt-consumption, my own mother has been on medication for hypertension since her twenties as it runs rampant on both sides of the family. Perhaps spoiling myself with a vegetarian diet for over twenty years has left me out of the grasp of high cholesterol — my heavy hand with salt hasn't been an issue so far. While I've simmered down on my over-salting habits in the kitchen, I've amped up the amount of salt in my beauty routine. Salt is good for your skin when applied topically, even if you might want to steer clear of extra salty food.
The world has given us several different types of salt to work with. While they have various health benefits and uses in skincare one thing remains the same: Sea salt is not as healthy as table salt, despite the word "sea" making it sound all earthy and whatnot. Table salt contains iodine, which is actually important for healthy a healthy thyroid, but it's also heavily processed. Sea salt is obtained when salt water evaporates, leaving behind large crystals of sea salt often involving little processing. Dead sea salt, while incredibly healthy for skin AND hair, is not edible due to the high mineral content from lack of fresh water in climates where this potent salt is obtained from.
Still, all these salts have some pretty delicious beauty benefits. The only exception? Bath salts, or Synthetic Cathinones. We all know how that ends.
Real salt is an alkalizing detoxifier that can provide instant bliss to dry skin and oil skin. The calcium in salt actually cleans pores while removing dirt and other toxins, I've recently transitioned from raw sugar scrubs to salt scrubs in my shower routine because the cleansing properties in salt are so amazing. The sulfur in salt is also great for acne, because it controls and balances oily skin and acts as an exfoliate.
Of course, salt is the bomb for anyone suffering from psoriasis, eczema, or chapped skin because of the exfoliating properties that also help us oily babes. Salt can remove dead skin cells, liven up dull skin, and help remove flakiness. It's very important to pay special attention to the grade of salt you are using in your skin care to maximize results: Salt grains should be smooth and without sharp edges in order to truly exfoliate the skin without scratching the surface and additional skin irritation.
The best part about salt is how incredibly cheap and available it is; you don't need to spend $25 dollars for a salt based product that won't last very long. Here's how make your own DIY Salt Recipes in the comfort of your own home.
1. Epsom Salt Skin Toner
Salt is a great skin toner: It balances oil production, plus acts as a stimulant which means it can awaken lifeless skin by smoothing wrinkles, puffy eyes, and other annoying signs of aging. This is one of the easiest and effective toners I know how to make: Just take a tablespoon of Epsom salt and add filtered water. Put your salty water in a spray bottle and spritz away anytime your face is feeling a little tired throughout the day.
2. Pore Reducing Sea Salt Steamer
A common reason for enlarged pores is a poor skin routine — exfoliating is KEY if you suffer from clogged pores or visibly large pores. There's nothing like a face steam to open up pores and remove oil, makeup, and dirt that often gets trapped. Dissolve sea salt in boiling, filtered water, then let the mixture cool to a warm, comfortable temperature (it should still feel a bit steamy, but not hot enough to burn you). Soak a clean washcloth in the mixture and press gently on your face for at least a full minute. This is an excellent weekly routine before you exfoliate to help reduce the size of pores.
3. Dead Sea Salt Texturizing Hair Spray
I have had doubts about salt being healthy for hair because of the many hair crises I've witnessed from a day spent at the beach in salt water. Salt water is known to be incredibly drying on your strands, so the natural sulfur content being healthy for hair is a bit counterintuitive. Sulfur is actually an excellent source of amino acids and natural proteins, like keratin, which are necessary to maintain hair growth and strength. This salt spray is an excellent way to revitalize limp curls while aiding in the quest to healthy locks.
My take on the DIY salt hair spray from ELLE magazine is super easy to make: Just use 2 teaspoons of dead sea salt, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera, and add a few drops of rosemary essential oil. Your mixture can live in a spray bottle for a pretty long time, thanks to the essential oil.
4. Dead Sea Salt Bath
A salt bath isn't just for psoriasis or eczema sufferers. Salt baths are my go-to treat for joint pain, a little detox, and any general case of the Mondays. Add a cup of dead sea salt to your bathwater (a few pinches of an essential oil is optional, but is required for true paradise) and jump right in. This is great for itchy, winter skin too!
5. Sea Salt Lemon Body Scrub
I am currently loving my new homemade salt scrub: It smells delicious, it cleans, it moisturizes, AND it exfoliates. I use sea salt, raw honey, lemongrass essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and about a tablespoon of sunflower oil. I start with a cup of 1/2 cup of sea salt and add the rest of my ingredients, I'll add more salt or honey and oil depending on how the consistency looks.
Image: Amazon; Dubravko Sorić, Steve Johnson, Darin House, Peter Thoeny/Flickr; Giphy; Kristin Collins Jackson; f9photos/Fotolia
