4 Benefits of Himalayan Salt for Your Skin

Himalayan salt is a mined sea salt that has become very popular over the last several years. In addition to being sold as table salt, there are many benefits of Himalayan salt for various health and healing properties. 

Health advocates claim it’s safer to consume than regular table salt because it’s naturally mined and unprocessed. Commonly sold as salt lamps and bath salts, it’s also included in various beauty and spa treatments. 

Read on to learn about four benefits of Himalayan salt for your skin.

Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt comes from the second largest salt mine in the world, the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan. The salt is hand-mined by Pakistani workers, then shipped around the world. There are approximately 6.7 billion tons of salt in the mine. 

Himalayan salt’s popularity exploded in the late 2000s. The market for Himalayan salt has continued to grow since then, likely because of the salt’s pretty color, unprocessed raw form, unique taste, and health benefits. Himalayan salt has also become a trend that represents natural health and closeness to the earth. 

Many people believe it’s healthier than traditional table salt. For one thing, it’s not processed or treated the same way. Studies have shown that it has higher levels of beneficial minerals than table salt, which is typically stripped of minerals in the refining process. However, these minerals comprise only about 2% of Himalayan salt’s makeup.

Although Himalayan salt does have the same amount of sodium as other salts, you may ingest less sodium if you eat it. That’s because Himalayan salts come in large crystals which leave more space on your spoon. 

Himalayan salt is not a miracle cure for illnesses, and you may have access to equally healthy salt options closer to where you live. However, the large salt crystals and additional minerals make it a good choice for skincare. 

Whatever kind you use, though, salt has several amazing benefits for your skin. 

1. Tones Your Skin

Skin toners work by cleansing your skin of bacteria and excess oil. Then, they help tighten your pores and rebalance your body’s natural oils so that your skin will remain fresh for the rest of the day. Good quality toners also rehydrate your skin so it doesn’t feel dry or exposed. 

Salt makes an excellent natural toner. To use it on your skin, you’ll need: 

• ½ tsp Himalayan salt
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• ½ cup water
• 1-3 drops of essential oil 

Mix these ingredients thoroughly, then spray or pat your skin with a cotton pad. You don’t need to rinse this off! 

2. Exfoliates Your Skin

Exfoliating helps your skin in several ways. Your skin cells are constantly shedding and regrowing, and exfoliating your face ensures no dead cells remain to clog up your pores. 

Exfoliation can also help promote collagen production in your skin. Collagen is a natural protein that gives your skin elasticity, firmness, and a healthy glow. 

It’s important always to exfoliate gently so you avoid irritating or drying out your skin. Salt crystals are an excellent exfoliant because they are gentle and dissolve in water. The minerals in salt can also soften and rehydrate your skin. 

To make a batch of salt exfoliant, you’ll need: 

• ½ cup salt
• ¼ cup aloe vera juice
• ¼ – ½ cup oil
• 5-10 drops essential oil of choice

Mix these ingredients into a wet paste, then rub it gently over your skin. If you don’t usually exfoliate, make sure to let your skin rest for several days between uses.

3. Restores Natural Skin Barrier

The outermost layer of your skin works to keep the whole organ healthy and hydrated while also protecting your body from environmental toxins. This layer of skin can become dehydrated and damaged if exposed to environmental toxins such as air pollution, harsh skin products, stress, or a poor diet. 

To protect your body from its external environment, your skin barrier maintains a slightly acidic pH level of 5.7. If this pH level gets disrupted, you’re more likely to have dry skin and struggle with certain types of acne and other skin issues. 

Salt rehydrates your skin, sealing in needed moisture and protecting your skin from wind and the environment. This helps your skin to regulate oil production and rebalance its natural pH. To use salt to treat your skin’s natural barrier, you’ll need: 

• 2 tsp finely ground salt
• 4 tsp raw honey
• 4 tsp plain Greek yogurt 

Smooth this mixture over your face, avoiding your eyes, and let your skin rest for 10-15 minutes. When you’re ready, gently rub the mask off under water. 

4. May Help Treat Acne

Acne is the result of either external or internal stress on the body. The most common cause for acne is hormonal imbalance, but acne can also result from bacteria on the skin or blocked pores.

Although many people experience acne at some point in their lives, it can lead to a lot of personal distress and social stigma. Untreated, it often leaves discoloration or scars that can take years to fade or heal. 

Salt won’t cure the cause of your acne, but it may help you to manage breakouts. You won’t know how your skin will react until you try it, but there are no adverse side effects to a salt spray. To treat your acne with salt, you’ll need: 

• 4 oz water
• 1 tsp Himalayan salt

Dissolve the salt in the water, then lightly spray your face once or twice a day. You shouldn’t rinse this off, and it needs to go on before you put on any makeup. Alternatively, you could just go swimming in the ocean or a salt-water pool!

Live Life Salty

Nourishing your skin takes time and care, and Himalayan salt can help. Salt can tone and exfoliate your skin, restore hydration, and treat acne. 

Try out these four recipes to see what kind of love your skin needs right now. And if you have any salt left over, you can always put it on the dinner table!