Salt for Self-Care

Salt of the Earth: Unique benefits of various Salts for Self Care

Does the type of Salt used for skin care & wellness matter? Why use them for self-care?

Salts are used for self-care purposes, like salt baths, foot soaks, scrubs, and halotherapy. Many types of salt, sourced from different parts of the Earth, offer unique benefits for skincare due to their varied mineral compositions. Most salt naturally contains numerous skin-healing minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iodine, and sodium. These minerals can help improve circulation, help combat water retention, detoxify the skin, and reduce inflammation. When choosing salt products, consider sourcing and production methods. Minimally processed salts, like sea salt, generally tend to hold more of their natural minerals. Additionally, salt is known to balance oil production, exfoliate the skin, and promote relaxation and stress relief.

A spa-inspired salt scrub featuring a textured ceramic bowl filled with coarse salt, accompanied by a wooden brush, a pumice stone, and a soft towel on a light background.

Excessive salt use, especially on the face or scalp, can cause irritation and dryness, especially for sensitive skin. Do a patch test for sensitivities and consult a dermatologist before adding new ingredients.

Listed below are the benefits of many such ingredients that we use regularly in our handcrafted products at The Hayagriva Spa.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, provides several benefits mainly through magnesium absorption and detoxification. Magnesium, a vital part of Epsom salt, is essential for proper muscle and nerve function. It supports electrolyte balance, decreases inflammation, and relieves muscle soreness and discomfort, making it useful for athletes or those with muscle cramps. A magnesium deficiency can impact mood and sleep. Soaking in Epsom salt can help restore magnesium levels, potentially boosting mood, lowering stress, and improving sleep quality. The magnesium in Epsom salt is also thought to promote serotonin production, a chemical that elevates mood.

Himalayan Pink Salt

Pink Himalayan Salt, from India, is a natural exfoliator that will slough away dead cells for softer, brighter-looking skin. Whilst regular salt can have drying effects on the skin, the minerals in Himalayan salt help to restore deep hydration to the skin. Advocates say that Himalayan salt generates negative ions in the air, creating a calming effect that many people claim to experience. Additionally, pink salt can help balance pH levels in the skin, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.

Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt

Hawaiian Red Alaea salt derives its name and color from the native volcanic clay used by many Hawaiians to line their salt ponds. It is said to contain up to 80 naturally occurring minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. These minerals help regulate blood pressure and can be absorbed through the skin to detoxify and support a healthy, smooth complexion.

Hawaiian Black Salt

Hawaiian Black Salt, also called Lava Salt or Black Lava Salt, originates from the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. Its black color results from blending with activated charcoal, which provides numerous health benefits. Activated charcoal filters and cleanses skin oils, dirt, and impurities, helping to reduce acne and blemishes.

Dead Sea Salt

Why is Dead Sea Salt unique? It has ten times the minerals of regular sea salt, which support cleansing, detoxification, and restoration of the body's balance, particularly for the skin and muscles. The salts include Potassium, aiding in water retention control. Soaking in Dead Sea Salts can help the body expel toxins trapped beneath the skin, which may reduce cellulite and make the skin appear smoother.

French Grey Salt

French Grey Salt, also called Celtic Sea Salt or “Sel Gris,” is beneficial for health and skin. Soaking in Grey Sea Salts helps replenish minerals, support balance, and enhance skin health, offering quick relief from itchiness. Regular soaks with this salt improve circulation and promote better sleep. It contains 17.5% trace minerals, much higher than the 1.68% found in heavily processed table salts. This salt holds a variety of trace elements, such as calcium and magnesium, because it undergoes minimal processing.

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