Therapeutic Benefits of Sea Salt Water for Hair and Skin -

There are so many therapeutic benefits of taking a dip in ocean water for your body and mind. But did you know sea water is beneficial for the hair and skin, too? Salty water from the sea can be used to improve skin and hair health- if used properly.

Health Benefits of Swimming in the Ocean

Not only can swimming in the ocean be relaxing and a great form of exercise, it also has many other proven health benefits.

Having a high concentration of minerals and other healthy elements, ocean water has anti-inflammatory properties, can help the immune system, help heal wounds, improve metabolism, and more!

Minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc and iodine in ocean water are beneficial for general health and the function of the endocrine system.

Elements like bromine promote a calming effect, while saline can help respiratory function.

It’s not surprising that ocean water is also beneficial for the skin, the scalp, and the hair!

The Benefits of Sea Water on Skin

Sea salt water contains compounds like silicic acid and important minerals which have a healing and hydrating affect on skin.

Immersion in sea water can be a method of healing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The amino acids in sea salt water help the skin’s protective barrier, while also helping lock in healthy hydration.

The salt content can improve the effectiveness of osmosis to your skin, by attracting water into the cells. This osmotic process can also help flush harmful toxins out of the cells.

The Benefits of Sea Water on Hair

Being invigorating and beneficial for the scalp, sea water can also be helpful for maintaining healthy hair.

Minerals, amino acids and other beneficial compounds can lead to a healthy hydrated scalp with increased blood circulation, which in turn promotes healthy hair growth.

Sea salt is a natural exfoliator, helping to reduce dandruff by cleaning hair roots of dead skin cells and also hydrating the scalp. This can reduce dry scalp or flaky scalp issues.

It is able to assist in deep cleaning hair follicles with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and with an exfoliating shampoo-like effect, it can help remove product buildup on the hair shafts.

Can’t Make it to the Ocean?

While you can’t totally replicate the numerous health benefits of immersion in the ocean, you can reap some of the beneficial properties at home by preparing your own sea salt water solution and using it on the skin, scalp, and hair.

How to Properly Use Sea Salt Water Solution on Hair

It is important to follow a particular hair care routine when using sea salt on hair. Without following a safe regimen, you might leave your hair coated with salt water for too much time – which can cause salt water damage to hair because of high levels of sodium chloride. This can lead to dry and brittle hair.

There are a variety of sea salt sprays on the market for those who want to achieve the beachy waves look and added hair texture, but unfortunately salt water exposure for too long can cause dry hair and ultimately lead to unhealthy, damaged hair. Sea salt spray should not be left on the hair without properly washing it out. Many of these sprays also have unhealthy added fragrances and other toxic ingredients that are best avoided.

The good news is you can still reap some of the health benefits of sea salt water by adding a simple step to your skin and hair care routine!

The regimen I explain below is a method I believe somewhat replicates a swim in the ocean by applying a sea salt water solution, and then washing it off or out of the hair. With this method you can take advantage of many of the health benefits of sea salt water on the skin, scalp, and hair follicles, but also wash off the salt before it causes damage.

You can repeat this regimen about once per month, or more frequently if desired.

What Kind of Salt to Use

It is important that the salt product you are using for your sea salt soak and body spray is not just table salt: you need real sea salt in order to benefit from many of the healthy properties of ocean water. See my favorite salt linked below – it is from ancient sea beds and has been protected from micro-plastics and other pollutants.

Sea Salt Water Solution Recipe

Ingredients

Sea salt, as needed

Filtered water, as needed

Directions

For every 1 liter of filtered water, add 35 grams of sea salt.

Increase or decrease amount as needed for use.

Sea Salt Body Spray Routine

You will need

About 2 cups sea salt water solution (preferably warm for comfort and relaxation)

A clean spray bottle

Directions

For the whole body to soak, you would need quite a lot of salt to fill a tub with sea salt water. One of the best ways to reap many of the benefits of sea salt water without going to the ocean is to spray your skin with a sea water solution. Do this by adding sea salt and warm water to a spray bottle. Make sure to allow salt crystals to fully dissolve before use.

Step One

Before a shower, spray your face and body with the sea salt water solution and allow to soak on the skin for 10-15 minutes. Follow with a shower, rinsing salt water off with fresh water.

Step Two

After the shower, you can apply a tallow moisturizer to the skin to help lock in the beneficial elements.

Sea Salt Hair Soak Routine

It is important to clean hair well after a salt water soak, and to use an acidic rinse to bring hair back to a healthy ph. Salt water is alkaline, and the hair is more acidic. Leaving the hair in an alkaline state can lead to frizz and hair damage. See acidic rinse recipe here.

You Will Need

About 2 liters sea salt water solution (ideally warm for relaxation)

A large bowl, sink, or other container for soaking hair and scalp

Natural shampoo

An acidic hair rinse

Directions

Step One

Wash hair with a natural shampoo prior to soaking hair in sea salt water. This will remove the outer layers of dirt and some of the excess oil in the hair, allowing the salt to penetrate more effectively. Having wet hair prior to the salt water soak can also help to prevent salt water damage, while benefitting from its therapeutic effects on the scalp.

Step Two

Soak hair in homemade sea water solution for about 10 minutes, massaging scalp frequently.

Step Three

Remove hair from sea salt water soak, then wash hair with fresh water and a natural shampoo once more to remove salt water.

Step Four

Follow with an acidic rinse, massaging well into roots and ends. Rinse well.

Step Five

After an acidic rinse, use a natural conditioner. Allow conditioner to sit on hair for a few minutes while completing other shower tasks.

Step Six

Finish with another acidic rinse, giving hair shine and natural softness. Rinse well.

Step Seven

Follow shower with a natural leave-in conditioner, if desired. See my favorite leave in conditioner linked below.

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My favorite leave-in conditioner/texturizer

Disclaimers

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

*This post does not contain medical advice.

*Any hair or skin regimens should be used at your own risk. Patch testing is a good way to ensure you will not have a bad reaction to any new skin or hair regimen.