How to Use Dead Sea Salt for Skincare

Co-authored by Joanna Kula

Last Updated: October 30, 2022 References

The Dead Sea might have a creepy name, but it’s anything but scary for your skin. It’s called the Dead Sea for it’s incredibly high salt content, and therefore it’s inability to support any sort of plant or aquatic life. While life may not be able to thrive within the salty Dead Sea, the salt itself has various benefits.^{[1]
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Research source} Specifically, this salt has been praised for its benefits to the skin. You can purchase Dead Sea salt online, and there are various ways to pamper your skin with it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Bathing in Dead Sea Salt

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Purchase your Dead Sea salt. There are several online retailers that sell Dead Sea salt. Companies like SeaSalt.com, sfsalt.com, and cleopatraschoice.com all sell various sizes of Dead Sea salts, and you can also search retailers through Amazon. If you’d rather purchase in person, places like Walmart or Target should stock it. Dead Sea salt has multiple uses, and pure salt doesn’t expire.^{[2]
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Fill your bathtub. Close the drain of your bathtub, and begin filling it with water. Stick your hand under the faucet to ensure that the water is a good temperature for you. Don’t forget that you will be soaking in the water for a while, so ultra hot water may be uncomfortable. You want the temperature to be a comfortable, relaxing temperature.

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3
Add your Dead Sea salt. The amount of salt you add to your bath depends on the amount of water you put into your bathtub, but generally around a cup of salt is good. If you don’t want to measure out your salt, don’t worry about it. Throw in a couple of handfuls, and you’re all set. Use your hands to stir the salt around in the water.^{[3]
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- If you like, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender.
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Soak in your bath. Lay in the salt water for at least twenty minutes. Dead Sea salt contains magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium, iodide, and dozens of other minerals that work together to improve skin quality. Not only can Dead Sea salts hydrate the skin, it can actually improve frustrating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, Dead Sea salt baths can help minimize scars and other blemishes.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Scrubbing with Dead Sea Salt

1
Purchase Dead Sea salt and oil. You can purchase Dead Sea salt online at various retailers or at places like Walmart or Target. In order to make the Dead Sea salt scrub, you will also need to purchase a “carrier oil.” This is a matter of personal preference. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil, or truly any other oil you find that you enjoy. For one cup (about 272 grams) of Dead Sea salt, you will need 1/3 to 1/2 cup (79–118 mL) of oil.^{[5]
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2
Mix your Dead Sea salt and oil. Pour your salt into a mixing bowl first. Then, slowly begin adding the oil. As you add the oil, stir your salt with a metal spoon. Continue adding oil until you’ve reached a consistency you like. You can also add a few drops of a fragrance oil or essential oil, if you desire.^{[6]
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Transfer your completed mixture into your container. This recipe will create more salt scrub than you need for one shower, so you’ll be able to save the rest of it. Put it in a mason jar or a plastic Tupperware container – anything with a lid. Store it somewhere that it won’t experience any extreme temperatures.^{[7]
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- Your Dead Sea salt scrub should last as long as you don’t get water into it during your shower. That can cause bacterial growth in your product.
4
Use your Dead Sea salt scrub. First, rinse your body in the shower. When you are ready to use the scrub, turn your water off. Use a spoon to take the scrub from the container without dripping water into it. Scrub it into your skin using circular motions, working your way from your feet to your neck.^{[8]
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- Allow your salt scrub to sit on your skin for a couple of minutes before rinsing. This will allow your skin to really absorb the product and get the maximum hydrating benefits.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Misting with a Dead Sea Salt Spray

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Boil some water. In order to dissolve the Dead Sea salt, you want to work with warm water. You can purchase distilled water, or you can boil regular water. Pour your water into a pan, and bring the water to a boil. After reaching a boil, you can turn the heat off. Pour the water into a measuring cup, measuring out one cup (237 mL) for this recipe.
2
Add your Dead Sea salt to the warm water. Measure out one tablespoon, or about 15 mL, of your salt. Add it to the warm water. Using a spoon, stir the water thoroughly until all of your salt has dissolved. If you like, you can also add a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender, to add a nice scent to your mist.^{[9]
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Transfer your salt water to a spray bottle. You can purchase empty spray bottles at pharmacies and beauty supply stores. If you’d rather not purchase one, you can save an empty spray bottle and clean it extremely thoroughly instead. Pour your salt water into the spray bottle, closing the lid tightly.^{[10]
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4
Spray your face with the mist. The benefits of Dead Sea salt are typically found in bath soaks or body scrubs, but creating a mist will allow you to receive benefits throughout the day. Spraying it onto your face in a light mist can hydrate and nourish your skin. Not only can it help dry skin, it can also help to heal acne. Throw it in your bag, and use this mist as a little skin pick-me-up throughout your day.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can I use sea salt on my face?

Joanna Kula
Licensed Esthetician
Joanna Kula is a Licensed Esthetician, Owner and Founder of Skin Devotee Facial Studio in Philadelphia. With over 10 years of experience in skincare, Joanna specializes in transformative facial treatments to help clients achieve a lifetime of healthy, beautiful, and radiant skin. She is also a contributing author for the prestigious Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and has been featured in a number of magazines including InStyle.

Joanna Kula

Licensed Esthetician

Expert Answer

Don't use a sea salt scrub on your face. While it is a great exfoliator for the skin of your body, it may cause irritation to your more delicate facial skin.