We have heard a lot about saltwater, some say it is beneficial and others say it is very dangerous for your skin. So let’s understand how salt water affects our skin and is salt water good for your skin or not.

The main source of salt water remains the one that we get from the sea, so in this article where we are discussing the effects of saltwater on your skin, we are basically discussing the impacts of seawater on our skin as well.

1. How is Salt Water Good for your Skin?

Salt water helps in reducing the breakouts in your skin, this is because they have a pH that is helpful for your skin and helps to restore the health of your skin, it also absorbs the harmful bacteria and excess oils from your skin.

When the extra oil is removed, pimples will anyway reduce and you will have a clearer skin and more uniform complexion.

If you have sensitive skin you have to be careful before using salt on your face but even if you do not, you should take care of the delicate skin near your eyes and mouth, and very gently use salt to prevent any sorts of cuts.

Always have an estimate of what quantity of salt is suitable for your skin so that it does not lead to dryness and irritation.

Also, after using any salt or salt water treatment make sure you are moisturizing nicely with a product that is suitable to your skin type.

2. Can we Really Use Salt Water for our Skin?

There is no hard and fast rule if you can or can not use salt water on your face daily; if it suits then you can use it 2-3 times a week, but that is the maximum because the pH might even be corrosive to your skin.

Sometimes people say that salt water can lead to skin darkening but that is not the case, instead, since it is a cleanser and helps in exfoliation, it actually makes your skin brighten.

But, the problem is that it should not be used on skin that is damaged due to sun exposure because then it is harmful to that skin type.

However, you can not say that it helps with aging skin because there has been no proven research or trials to prove the same.

3. Advantages of Salt Water: Is Salt Water Good for Your Skin?

Saltwater, or rather sea water is said to be useful in the reduction of allergic reactions in the skin and this is because seawater contains immunoglobulins which are antibodies that help to control allergic responses.

There are treatments involved around the use of salt water for curing some skin problems.

It has been found that balneotherapy is used for the treatment of psoriasis. Balneotherapy includes bathing in salty seawater where the minerals in the saltwater help to kill the bacteria which are present on the surface of our skin.

The minerals in the water like sulfur also help to break down psoriasis and it might also suppress the immune system.

Saltwater is also believed to make your body’s circulation better. This is because it contains minerals like potassium and magnesium which helps to keep better blood flow in the body.

Even when you are dipped in seawater, which is salty it increases the heart rate which in turn stimulates blood flow.

When the flow is better, delivery of nutrients is better and oxygen reaches in an enhanced manner.

All these processes make your skin better and help in healing, thus your skin glows and you look more vibrant.

It also acts as an anti-inflammatory substance for the skin, since salt water has a drying effect it helps in the reduction of inflammation, and this is because of the minerals in the salt water.

When we are soaked in sea water, the salt present in it promotes lymphatic drainage which helps to reduce the accumulating toxins and thus reduce inflammation.

4. How to Use Salt Water as Part of a Skin Care Routine?

If you really want to incorporate salt water in your everyday skincare then, then you have to fall into a proper routine.

And if you have a skin which is sensitive or prone to reactions then you should visit your dermatologist before you start anything new.

Initially start using salt water once or twice in 7-8 days and see the reaction, if you feel your skin is becoming very dry and irritated then wash it out.

Also, try using sea salt instead of table salt because it will also contain some useful minerals.

Do not scrub your face with salt, instead, just place it gently on a tissue or cotton pad and apply in a circular motion without much pressure.

Use granules in preference of coarse salt. If you want to use something in a solution form, then boil water and add sea salt to it to create a good salty solution. But do not use it when it’s too warm or too cold, only use it at room temperature.

A lot of people feel that they are not at ease in using home remedies for their skin, so in that case, you can use good quality dermatologically approved products that contain salt.

After any exfoliation or scrub that you do, make sure you hydrate and moisturize your skin deeply.

5. Final Thoughts

As we have seen salt water does help in the betterment of our skin, but we need to take care of the quantity of salt used and the duration of exposure.

So, do not take any extreme steps or fall into a rigid routine before testing your skin’s compatibility and before taking your doctor’s recommendation.