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What Is a Salt Face Scrub?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

People who would like to exfoliate their skin and cleanse their pores often use a salt face scrub for doing so. This product is made from Epsom, table, or sea salt and other ingredients such as honey, apricot, almond oil, or aloe vera. It is used by placing a little bit of this natural face scrub on a damp washcloth and working it in a circular motion before rinsing off with warm water. This face scrub is often used in spas, but can also be made and used at home.

The grainy texture of salt makes it ideal for use in a homemade face scrub because it helps remove dead skin cells and open pores to prepare them for deep cleansing. It also serves to improve the blood circulation to the face, resulting in a healthy, glowing complexion. Any type of salt can be used in a salt face scrub, but sea salt is typically preferred over table salt or Epsom salts.

A sea salt face scrub.
A sea salt face scrub.

Although salt can be used by itself, it is normally combined with other natural ingredients to make a salt face scrub. Some of the ingredients often added to this product include fresh apricot, honey, aloe vera gel, and natural oils, such as olive or almond. Adding these ingredients can help people who have sensitive skin because using a paste made strictly from salt can sometimes be too abrasive.

Epsom salts are commonly used in a salt face scrub.
Epsom salts are commonly used in a salt face scrub.

In order to use a salt face scrub, a small amount of this product is placed on a damp washcloth and then worked in a circular motion beginning at the forehead until the entire face has been cleansed. After this, the natural scrub can be rinsed off with warm water and then the face patted dry. Some people like to follow this up with a moisturizer, but this is often unnecessary if oil or honey has been added to this product.

Scrubs should be suited to a person's specific skin type.
Scrubs should be suited to a person's specific skin type.

Many spas that specialize in facials offer salt scrub treatments for their guests. People also make this homemade scrub for their personal use because it is easy and inexpensive to do so. This treatment is safe for individuals of all ages to use, and can be administered as often as needed to control acne or improve the overall look and feel of the skin. A bonus is that a salt face scrub can also be used on other areas of the body, making it a good choice for people plagued by eczema or psoriasis as well.

Discussion Comments

bear78

I think salt scrubs for face are a bit too harsh. It works nice on the body but I can't use it on my face because it dries out and irritates my skin.

turquoise

@simrin-- You can definitely make a salt scrub at home. It's not going to be exactly the same as the product you were using before. But at least it will be all natural and you'll get to choose the ingredients.

If you use fine salt, there is a chance that it might dissolve. So you should use coarse salt and preferably sea salt because I heard that this is better for acne. Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties, so that's a great ingredient to add.

I make a sea salt face scrub at home but I make it with oil because I have dry, sensitive skin.

SteamLouis
I want to make my own salt facial scrub at home.

I have used a high end brand's salt scrub in the past. It was very nice and calmed down my oily, acne-prone skin. But it's expensive and I can't afford to use it regularly. And salt is such a cheap ingredient that I already have at home. So I want to cut costs by making my own scrub.

I'm planning on using honey or aloe vera gel and simply adding salt to it. But will the salt dissolve?

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    • A sea salt face scrub.
      By: Elena Moiseeva
      A sea salt face scrub.
    • Epsom salts are commonly used in a salt face scrub.
      By: Brooke Becker
      Epsom salts are commonly used in a salt face scrub.
    • Scrubs should be suited to a person's specific skin type.
      By: kubais
      Scrubs should be suited to a person's specific skin type.
    • Washcloths may be used to apply a salt face scrub.
      By: ivan kmit
      Washcloths may be used to apply a salt face scrub.
    • A homemade salt face scrub can be made using regular table salt.
      By: Jiri Hera
      A homemade salt face scrub can be made using regular table salt.