Salt Scrubs
Salt Scrubs, an indepth informative article.
Body scrubs help circulation and are a wonderful way to invigorate and moisturize your skin. The course granules of the salt will help to remove dead skin cells and open pores, allowing them to breathe. In beauty salons the word "Scrub" is used to describe a cleansing or exfoliating the skin. In Asian traditions, scrubbing the skin is common, especially among women. A vigorous scrub not only softens, stimulates and cleans the skin but also makes it look lighter.
Dead Sea Salts are the most common ingredient in a body scrub. These are excellent in exfoliation and also offer many other benefits. Read below to learn some great information about this wonderful ingredient.
The Benefits of Dead Sea Salt
by Amy K. McNulty, Ph.D.
The waters of the Dead Sea have been renowned for their therapeutic effects since ancient times. Two thousand years ago, Flavius wrote that the salts from the Dead Sea heal the human body.
The waters from the Dead Sea are unique in that they contain 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water. Further, while sodium accounts for approximately 80% of the salt content of normal sea water, it comprises much less of the salt total in water from the Dead Sea. The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.
Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism.
Studies have been conducted on the health benefits of bathing in Dead Sea salts. One such study was conducted by Dr. I. Machtey 1 on 103 patients suffering from osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Patients were either treated with baths of 7.5%, 2% or 0.5% Dead Sea salt concentration. Improvement was found after as little as 1 week of treatment for those treated with 7.5% or 2% salt baths. By the studys end, 80% of the patients reported less pain; 70% experienced improved mobility and 60% were able to decrease their use of analgesics. Dr. J. Arndt 2 studied the effect of Dead Sea salt baths on psoriasis. Fifty patients were treated for 3 - 4 weeks, with 3 - 4 baths per week. In as little as 1 week, many patients treated with a 10% salt concentration in their baths experienced marked improvement. This improvement included relief from itching, sleep disturbances, and skin scaling. Treatment with Dead Sea Salts is not associated with any side effects.
Sea Salts are a natural antiseptic, stimulating, exfoliating Scented scrubs can be relaxing, energizing and also double as natural healing for certain ailments.
Below are some great salt scrub recipes if you would like to try making one on your own.
Peppermint Salt Scrub
- 1 Cup of Dead Sea salt
- Grind 1/2 Cup almonds till med course.
Mix Peppermint essential oil with 1/2 cup almond oil & add Sea Salt till blended and add almonds.
Scented Salt Scrub
The oils will help to moisturize your skin as the granules will exfoliate and open up your pores. To use, scoop out a tablespoon or two and begin to massage it onto your skin while in the shower or bath. Work in a circular motion, starting with your extremities and toward your heart. Be sure not to let the oils drip in your shower or bath. Put just enough on to go directly from your container to your skin. *You may keep a hand towel on your shower floor to ensure against slipping in the shower. A bath mat is also a great way to ensure that you won?t slip. Please make sure you don?t use glass containers as if they happen to fall or spill you wouldn?t want glass to break. Please keep children away from all products ? especially if they think they are edible like a salt or sugar scrub.
You can choose between many different sizes of the Dead Sea salt grain. The bigger the salt, the harder the exfoliation will be. I prefer the smaller grain because it is a bit softer feeling and exfoliates and moisturizes the same.
Here is another great recipe:
- 3 cups fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1/2 cup of sweet almond oil
- 1/2 tsp. tree tea oil
- 1/2 tsp. eucalyptus oil
- 1/2 tbsp. peppermint oil
- 1 tbsp. rosemary oil
Mix salt and oils, and then add the essential oils. Store in a tightly sealed container. Will keep up to two weeks in refrigerator.
Be sure to avoid contact with any cuts or scrapes you have with a salt scrub. Salt and open wounds do not LIKE each other!
