Salt in cosmetology is a proven remedy used in both spa salons and health resorts. Salt, which is sodium and chlorine, is found in every blade of grass and herb, in every vegetable and fruit; it is a mineral without which a full life is impossible.
Cosmetic Properties of Salt
- antiseptic;
- whitening;
- removal of excess moisture and fat;
- effective and gentle mechanical cleansing;
- saturation of the skin with minerals, macro, and microelements.
Salt for the Face
I couldn’t help but write about salt, as I have been maintaining oily problematic skin in good condition (as much as possible without using aggressive methods like antibiotics and acid peels) thanks to scrubs and masks with salt for several years now. I highly recommend cosmetic procedures with salt to young men and women who have faced acne and very oily skin. Just one caution - do not perform mechanical cleansing by rubbing salt on the face if there are inflamed pimples, as the coccal flora from the disturbed pustule can move to uninfected areas. First, the face will need some treatment, for example, with laurel , lavender , oregano , or even use an antibiotic.
In case the skin has been affected by demodex (demodicosis), self-treatment is out of the question.
Facial Cleansing with Salt
Salt Toner. 200 grams of mineral water, 3 teaspoons of sea or table salt without additives, 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oil (I use laurel and bergamot). You can place the toner in a cosmetic spray bottle or just in a regular bottle. Shake and moisten the face. I try not to use a cotton pad, letting all the benefits go directly into the skin.
Salt and Honey Toner. 200 grams of mineral water, a dessert spoon of honey, 3 teaspoons of salt. My mother uses this recipe for her mature and fading skin. As for me, I do not apply anything sweet to my skin (even despite the allegedly antiseptic properties of honey, which is 98% carbohydrates) since carbohydrates are a food source for cocci in the pores.
Such toners are used after washing the face; the salt in them cleanses the pores, tightens them, and brightens blackheads, while the mineral water nourishes and moisturizes the skin, and each essential oil does its job.
Salt Lotion for Pimples. 200 grams of herbal infusion (chamomile, marigold, St. John’s wort, laurel - can also be mixed), 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of salt, a tablespoon of vodka. Wipe the face throughout the day.
Salt Scrub
I use several recipes:
- The simplest option - massage the wet skin after washing or steaming with salt mixed with a few drops of water. Salt scrub is not suitable for caring for inflamed skin during flare-ups.
- Mix a teaspoon of sour cream with a teaspoon of salt, massage the skin, hold for 5-10 minutes, and rinse off with water. You can use a moisturizing cream if you feel the need. Here’s another interesting scrub with bran and fiber , which is more gentle, but salt can be added to it without hesitation.
- Salt and egg white. A very good mask-scrub: mix half an egg white with a teaspoon of salt, massage the face, and rinse off with warm water.
After active cleansing, it is essential to tighten the enlarged pores, for example, with herbal ice made from laurel, oregano, or thyme infusions.
Salt Mask
Masks with salt can be prepared for any skin type since even very dry skin needs cleansing, not to mention mineralization and nourishment.
Fruit Mask with Salt. Sour berries or fruits like currants, kiwi, or green apple - a tablespoon of puree, a teaspoon of sour cream, a teaspoon of salt. Leave on the face for no longer than 15 minutes, as the fruit acids will do their work. Rinse with water and moisturize the skin with a light cream.
Salt Mask for Dry Skin. A teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of honey, an ampoule of vitamin A, an ampoule of vitamin E. Leave on for up to half an hour, then rinse with water. Such a mask, even without salt, is very beneficial for dry, flaky skin, especially in cold weather and when humidity is low in apartments.
Salt for Hair
There are many recommendations for using salt to strengthen hair, along with numerous negative reviews about such procedures. After studying the recipes and reviews of them, I’ve concluded that salt should only be used in a solution, and never scratch the scalp with salt crystals - this damages the hair structure. Since salt dehydrates, its benefits for hair remain questionable for me. Good reviews for egg yolk with salt - thoroughly mash the yolk with a teaspoon of salt and rub it into the scalp, section by section as if coloring hair. Keep the mask on for up to an hour, rinsing it off with warm water without shampoo. Salt masks are not suitable for dyed hair as they can strip the color.
Foot Salt
I make foot baths with salt and baking soda to get rid of rough skin - a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of salt, and a cup of bay leaf infusion (for preventing fungus, deodorizing, and reducing sweating). Soak your feet until the water cools down, gently go over them with a pumice stone, and apply a cream or oil made from laurel or lavender, and your feet will thank you!
Soda + Salt
This is for the bold and daring. Again, it is not suitable for inflamed or extremely dry skin. A teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a little facial wash gel or shaving foam - massage the mixture onto your face, and rinse off after 5 minutes. It cleans the skin beautifully, dries it out significantly, and mattifies. After such a mask, it’s advisable to use cream, avoid decorative cosmetics, and not go out in the sun for a few hours to allow the skin to restore its oil balance and calm down.
Don’t forget the benefits of essential oils and herbal infusions for the skin.
