Let’s talk about salt!

Not just any old salt, of course. I’m talking about bath salts – those most delightful additions to any hot-tub soak. Nothing improves a tub of steaming hot water like saturating it with minerals, as we know. In this series of blogs I’ll be taking you through the effects and benefits of several of the most popular salts on the market. So light a candle, lie back and let yourself relax!

First, the most famous bath salt there is – Dead Sea Salt. Extracted from the shores of the Dead Sea in Israel, Dead Sea Salt is renowned for its therapeutic effects. It’s especially effective for helping to ease skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. Research has shown that the high magnesium content in this salt can improve all aspects of the skin – its barrier function, its hydrating properties and inflammation on the surface of the skin. Therefore, it’d be beneficial for treating back acne or dry skin.

This is in large part because of the difference between the mineral make-up of the Dead Sea compared to other bodies of water. The sea’s salinity – its salt content – is some seven times higher than that of the oceans. This results in the ability to float on the sea’s surface, famously! But it also means there is less sodium and more magnesium, thus increasing its effectiveness for the skin.

Add about 100 grams of Dead Sea Salt to your bath. Don’t add too much, as with all bath salts – sometimes you can have too much of a good thing, and an over-abundance of salts can leave you feeling drained and dehydrated. Mix well into the water – and that’s it! A good 20 minute soak should allow it to take effect. You can follow your bath with a calming, relaxing tea – chamomile is an excellent sleep-inducer, and will help you to wake up refreshed and ready to face the day.

You can also use Dead Sea Salt as a body scrub. Unlike some other scrubs on the market this one will leave you feeling like you’ve been exfoliated with asses’ milk and honey! As ever, it’s good practice to check the ingredients on any salt or scrub you purchase – the more organic the better.

In the next blog we’ll be moving on to another well-known bath salt – Epsom Salts. Join me then!