inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!

watch: we tried to fight back against post-holiday acne with the tiktok #seasalt spray

using salt water to treat a litany of skin concerns has been around for thousands of years, but there aren’t many studies on the benefits.

by emma jones
published jan 04, 2022
last updated feb 17, 2023
read time 4 minute read
join the conversation
read time 4 minute read
join the conversation
spraying a mixture of warm water and sea salt on your face, as many tiktokers are now doing, may appear to help with light acne, but probably won’t be able to tackle the root cause of a breakout.  in the video credited with launching the old-but-new trend, user @leacrylics explains she noticed her acne cleared up after a tropical vacation spent swimming in salt water. to try to get this effect at home, she mixed a teaspoon of sea salt with a half cup of warm water and sprayed it on her face every night, which she says helped clear up her acne and prevent more from forming. 
another user, @imhannahcho, also says that the spraying the solution on her face every night has helped her get rid of the “small pimples on her [skin],” although a note on the video explains that she still has hormonal acne. 
using salt water to treat a litany of skin concerns is not trend exclusive to tiktok, and has actually been around for thousands of years. despite this, there aren’t many studies on the long-term effects of using salt water on the skin, so its effectiveness is questionable. 
salt water can have a drying effect, which may help manage oily skin and fight back against acne-causing bacteria, dr. jo-ann see at central sydney dermatology told women’s health. other minerals present in sea water, like magnesium, can also be beneficial to skin health.  

related stories

cellulite, sunscreen and linda evangelista: 2021's top skin health stories
our biggest skin health stories this year ranged from crucial but often-forgotten basic information to questionable trends to body positivity.
there's a lot to talk about when it comes to skincare.

people treated with botox report feeling less anxiety: study
the findings could be the result of the botulinum toxins in botox which can affect the central nervous systems involved in emotions.
botulinum toxins, essentially what makes botox work its magic, can move to parts of the central nervous systems involved in emotions. getty
story continues below
however, it’s that same drying effect that may actually cause skin issues, especially for already dry or sensitive skin, marisa garshick, a certified dermatologist in new york city, told shape. salts that haven’t been completely dissolved in the water that end up sitting on the skin can also be abrasive, potentially damaging the sensitive skin barrier. 
it’s likely that salt water may help with mild symptoms of a breakout — like redness or a bit of swelling — but won’t do much to help with deeper issues or more extensive cysts.   

sea salt is more than just sodium 

while we may come back from a beach vacay fresh-faced and free of skin issues, it’s important to remember that sodium chloride and water aren’t the only things our skin comes into contact with. other minerals found in water, the sunshine, and even a different diet can all contribute to a better complexion.
many of the studies on salt water centre focus on the dead sea — with either salt sourced from the water or with studies conducted at the sea itself. the high concentration of sodium and minerals, combined with the hot, arid desert and unique pressure from the dead sea being among the lowest above-water places on earth have long been thought to carry a wealth of benefits. 
story continues below
in a 2005 study published in the international journal of dermatology, participants with a common form of eczema submerged one arm in water mixed with 5 per cent dead sea salt (known to be rich in magnesium), and their other arm in normal tap water. during the six-week evaluation period afterwards, the skin on the arm that had been submerged in the dead sea salt solution appeared to be better hydrated and had reduced redness and inflammation. the researchers indicated that this was evidence of better skin barrier function.  
however, for those who go to the beach and notice an improvement in their skin, it may not just be the salty water, as the sun also plays a role in skin health. one 1982 study found evidence submerging skin in tap or salt water immediately before undergoing uvb treatment slightly improved the outcome for psoriasis patients. (light therapy is a common treatment for psoriasis). a later study, published in the british journal of dermatology, also found that the uva radiation in natural sunlight combined with bathing in the dead sea appeared to help with lesions and other symptoms caused by psoriasis. 
playing in the water is not without its risks, however. even salt water can play host to a substantial array of bacteria and parasites, which can wreak havoc on skin. swimmer’s itch, for example, occurs when water-borne parasites burrow into the skin, causing a temporary, but nevertheless irritating, rash.  
story continues below

caution for diy beauty

even though salt has some anti-bacterial properties to it, a saline solution mixed at home and then left on the bathroom counter, can still become contaminated with bacteria. so anyone wanting to try using salt water as a beauty trend will want to use distilled or boiled water and change out the solution frequently. 
 
emma jones is a multimedia editor with healthing. you can reach her at emjones@postmedia.com or on twitter @jonesyjourn
don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter
thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
woman scratching itching body skin with allergy
skin health
baby with atopic dermatitis getting cream put. care and prevention of eczema. keep your baby from itching
the 'undervalued' impact of childhood eczema
itching dry head scalp and long hair with dandruff
what it feels like: seborrheic dermatitis leaves a mark inside and out
omar sharife hiking outdoors wearing bandana and backpack.
topical treatment for skin conditions vitiligo and atopic dermatitis gets approval in canada
child put on sunscreen on face at beach. skin protection from sunburn. banner with copy space
shield your skin: must-have essentials to prevent sun damage and skin cancer
you may also like
woman scratching itching body skin with allergy
skin health
baby with atopic dermatitis getting cream put. care and prevention of eczema. keep your baby from itching
the 'undervalued' impact of childhood eczema
itching dry head scalp and long hair with dandruff
what it feels like: seborrheic dermatitis leaves a mark inside and out
omar sharife hiking outdoors wearing bandana and backpack.
topical treatment for skin conditions vitiligo and atopic dermatitis gets approval in canada
you may also like
woman scratching itching body skin with allergy
skin health
baby with atopic dermatitis getting cream put. care and prevention of eczema. keep your baby from itching
the 'undervalued' impact of childhood eczema