Acne therapy with sea salt water is a balneological method that has been practiced for centuries. It is not known exactly how sea salt reduces acne. Perhaps the high salt content helps kill bacteria on the skin, or the sea salt replaces lost minerals and helps the skin heal. Sea salt also helps dissolve oil in the skin that clogs pores. Using too much sea salt can dry out the skin and cause irritation. However, with careful use, you may be able to get rid of acne using the sea salt method.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Using a Sea Salt Face Mask
Step 1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Clean your face first with a gentle cleanser that is made from non-oil and non-alcoholic ingredients.
- Pour a small amount of cleanser on your fingertips and use gentle circular motions to remove dirt.
- Wash your face for about a minute, then rinse with cold or warm water.
- Dry your face carefully with a clean towel.
Step 2. Dissolve sea salt in hot water
Mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 3 teaspoons of hot water in a small bowl or cup. Stir until the sea salt is completely dissolved.
Make sure you use sea salt, not table salt. Table salt contains only NaCL. It may also contain iodine in it (check the packaging to be sure). Sea salt contains various minerals needed, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, potassium, zinc, iron and trace minerals
Step 3. Mix aloe vera, green tea or honey for additional benefits
There are several natural remedies that can help make skin healthier and brighter. Add 1 tablespoon of any of the following ingredients:
- Aloe vera gel: You can buy it at stores that sell natural healthy foods. Aloe vera gel can help heal the skin.
- Green tea: Brew a little green tea and add it to the sea salt mixture to get the antioxidant benefits of the tea.
- Honey: Use honey to harness its antibacterial powers and to speed healing.
Step 4. Apply the mask to the face
You can apply the sea salt mixture all over your face or just a specific area. You can use your fingers to spread the mask all over your face. Or, use a cotton swab dipped in the mixture. Then, apply it to the affected area.
Do not apply the sea salt mixture in the area near the eyes
Step 5. Leave the mask on the face for 10 minutes
Allow the sea salt mask to dry on the skin. However, do not leave the mask on your face for more than 10 minutes. Sea salt sucks moisture from the skin and makes the skin too dry.
Step 6. Rinse your face until it's completely clean
Use cold or warm water to rinse the mask off the skin.
Step 7. Use a clean towel to dry the skin carefully
Don't rub your face as this can irritate the skin even more.
Step 8. Apply moisturizer on the face
Apply a "non-comedogenic" moisturizer. Non-comedogenic means the moisturizer won't clog pores.
- Examples of non-comedogenic moisturizers include Olay, Neutrogena and Clinique. Make sure the label includes the term “non-comedogenic” on the package.
- You can check moisturizer labels at stores that sell certain brands. Make sure the label says "non-comedogenic" or other terms that indicate that the moisturizer won't clog pores.
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Natural oils by themselves can be used as moisturizers. Non-comedogenic oils are rated on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0 being the most non-comedogenic. The best natural oils to use are:
- Hemp Oil (0)
- Mineral oil (0)
- Shea butter (0)
- Sunflower Oil (0)
- Castor Oil (1)
Step 9. Wash your face during the day if needed
If you must wash your face during the day (like after a workout), use a mild soap. Make gentle circular motions when soaping your face for maximum clean skin. Rinse thoroughly with cold or warm water and reapply a non-comedogenic moisturizer on your face.
Use a sea salt spread once daily. Although you may be very tempted, use this bath and face wash just once a day. If you use it too often, your skin will become too dry even if you use a moisturizer
Method 2 of 6: Using Sea Salt Facial Spray
Step 1. Mix sea salt with hot water
Mix sea salt and hot water in a ratio of 1:3. How much salt and hot water you need depends on how much sea salt facial freshener you want to make. Use hot water to make sure the salt is completely dissolved.
For example, mix 10 teaspoons of sea salt in 30 teaspoons (about 2/3 cup) of hot water
Step 2. Add one part natural ingredients
After the sea salt dissolves in the hot water, add a part of a natural ingredient that can increase the ability of the sea salt facial toner to heal the skin. Add one of the following ingredients. For example:
- Add aloe vera gel which can help heal the skin.
- Add green tea that has been brewed for at least 3-5 minutes. Green tea has antioxidant benefits.
- Add honey which is known for its antibacterial and healing properties.
- If you have 10 teaspoons of sea salt, make sure you add 10 teaspoons of aloe vera gel (or green tea or honey).
Step 3. Pour the sea salt solution into a spray bottle
Use a clean spray bottle that has never been used to store any chemicals. It would be better if you use a new spray bottle that is specifically used for facial fresheners from sea salt.
Step 4. Store the mixture in the refrigerator
The sea salt mixture will last longer if it is stored in a cool place.
Step 5. Wash and dry your face
Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face. Massage the skin with your fingertips. Rinse your face with cold water. Gently pat dry with a clean towel.
Step 6. Close your eyes and spray your face and neck
Salt water will sting your eyes, so make sure you close your eyes or cover them. Then spray the face and neck evenly with sea salt facial freshener.
Step 7. Leave the facial freshener for 10 minutes
Let the facial freshener soak into the skin. Don't leave the facial freshener on for more than 10 minutes. Sea salt sucks in moisture and can make the skin too dry.
Step 8. Rinse and dry your face
Rinse face and neck thoroughly with cold or warm water. Then pat it dry with a towel. Don't rub your face as this will irritate your skin even more.
Step 9. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer
Non-comedogenic means the moisturizer won't clog pores.
Step 10. Wash your face during the day if necessary
If you need to wash your face during the day, such as after a workout, use a mild soap. Make gentle circular motions when soaping your face for maximum clean skin. Rinse thoroughly with cold or warm water and reapply a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Just use a salt water face freshener once a day. Otherwise, your skin will be too dry even if you use a moisturizer
Method 3 of 6: Using a Salt Water Bath for Acne on the Body
Step 1. Add 2 cups of salt water to the bath water
Start filling the tub with very warm or hot water. Once the tub is full, add 2 cups of sea salt to the water. The heat of the water will help dissolve the salt.
- Do not use table salt, because this kind of salt only contains NaCl. It may also contain iodine in it (check the packaging to be sure). On the other hand, sea salt contains a variety of essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, potassium, zinc, iron and trace minerals.
- Using just a pinch of table salt won't do you any serious harm, but you won't get the added benefit of all the other minerals found in sea salt.
Step 2. Check the water temperature
Make sure the water temperature is comfortable enough for you. Very warm or hot water works best for dissolving sea salt, but wait for the water to cool a little before entering the tub.
Step 3. Soak for 15 minutes
Immerse yourself in the tub and relax for 15 minutes.
- That way, the back, chest or arms that may be acne will be submerged.
- If you also have acne on your face, dip a washcloth in a tub of water and apply it to your face for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4. Rinse off the salt water with cold water
Use the shower head to rinse the body. Make sure the sea salt water is completely rinsed off.
Step 5. Gently pat with a clean towel to dry the body
Do not rub the skin with a towel as this will irritate the skin even more.
Step 6. Moisturize skin
Consider applying moisturizer all over your skin. Sea salt can dry out the skin and that's not beneficial. Moisturize skin with a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Method 4 of 6: Using a Sea Salt Scrub
Step 1. Make your own sea salt scrub
Sea salt can be used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells. That way, the new skin underneath will grow more easily and regenerate. You will need fine, good quality sea salt, moisturizing oil, and essential oils.
- Use 1 cup of sea salt. You can buy them at specialty grocery stores, health food stores and other places. Do not use table salt because the grains are large and may be too harsh for the skin.
- Add cup of moisturizing oil. Coconut, grapeseed, jojoba or almond oil can be used. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties so it can kill acne-causing bacteria. The content of fatty acid chains also helps dissolve the blockage of blackheads on the skin and open the pores.
- Add 5-15 drops of essential oil. Essential oils can provide a soothing or refreshing scent to your salt scrub. Choose a calming scent like lavender or mint, or citrus to refresh.
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 2. Apply a salt scrub to the skin
Scoop out a lump of salt scrub and use your fingertips to deep clean the skin. Do it in a slow circular motion.
Step 3. Rinse your face with cold water
Make sure you rinse all the salt scrub off your face. Excess residue can cause irritation or dryness of the skin if you allow the salt to remain on the skin.
Step 4. Pat the skin dry
Gently pat the skin with a small towel to dry it.
Step 5. Use this salt scrub on other acne-prone skin
If you have acne on your back, chest or arms, you can use this salt scrub to exfoliate the skin in those areas. Do the same procedure as using a salt scrub on your face.
Method 5 of 6: Visiting a Dermatologist
Step 1. Visit a dermatologist for moderate to severe acne
If your acne is severe, see a dermatologist before using the sea salt method. This specialist may have other suggestions that are more suitable for your skin condition.
Acne is considered moderate if you have more than 20 open comedones (blackheads) or closed comedones (whiteheads). A severe acne condition means having 30-40 pimples and 5 or more cysts (large pimples)
Step 2. Use the sea salt method for a week
Try using a sea salt facial cleanser for one week. If the condition of the face does not improve, visit a dermatologist.
Step 3. Consult a dermatologist about other treatments
Mild acne (less than 20 open blackheads or closed comedones) can be treated by other methods. This treatment includes the use of over-the-counter topical medications such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about the contraceptive pill
Women with acne may benefit from taking birth control pills with estrogen and progestin derivatives. You can feel a moderate improvement in skin condition for acne that is inflamed or not with the help of contraceptive pills.
Method 6 of 6: Preventing Acne
Step 1. Do not touch the skin
Do not touch or squeeze open blackheads, closed blackheads or any pimples. This will increase the risk of scarring and infection. In addition, it can also cause acne to spread.
Step 2. Use only light makeup
Makeup can make acne worse because it can clog pores. If you want to stick with makeup, make sure the cosmetics you use are non-comedogenic. Also, make sure you remove your makeup before going to bed.
Step 3. Wash your face after exercising
Excessive sweating can also clog pores and increase the chances of acne breakouts. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser after exercising. Apply moisturizer to the skin after that.
Step 4. Reduce your intake of processed sugar and dairy products
Although food does not cause acne directly, for some people certain foods can increase the risk of developing acne. Dairy products and foods high in refined sugar can increase inflammation and provide an environment in which bacteria can thrive.
Step 5. Do not rub the skin
Do not scrub the skin or wash the skin with acne harshly. This action can irritate the skin, making acne worse.
Step 6. Avoid using harsh or antibacterial soaps
These cleansers and soaps have little effect on improving the condition of the skin. In fact, both can make the skin more irritated.
Step 7. Do not use oily or oil-based cosmetic products
Adding extra oil to your skin will clog your pores and make your skin condition worse. Choose oil-free cosmetic products.
Step 8. Wear loose clothing
If you have acne-prone skin, you may be wearing clothes that are too tight or cause irritation. Wearing a hat, for example, can increase the risk of acne on the forehead.
Tips
- Acne usually begins to appear around puberty because hormones, especially testosterone, increase and this hormone stimulates sebum production. Women also have the hormone testosterone. Maybe that's one of the reasons why acne often gets worse right before your period.
- This method should not interfere with the medications being used. However, you should discuss with a dermatologist about your condition. Tell him what you do at home to treat your skin condition.
Warning
- Do not soak the skin too long. Although sea salt has good benefits, excessive use can cause the skin to dry out too much.
- Do not apply dry sea salt directly to the skin. Sea salt can irritate the skin a bit and can make the skin too dry.
