What is sea salt in skincare?
Sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater, which leaves sodium chloride along with trace minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. It is coarser and less processed than table salt, and mineral content varies by source.
Dead Sea salt and Epsom salt are different products with different compositions – Epsom salt is magnesium sulphate, not a sodium salt at all – so claims made for one do not transfer to the others.
What skin concerns does sea salt treat?
Dissolved in a bath or used as a soak, salt water can ease itching and scaling in conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and mineral-rich Dead Sea salt baths have been studied for barrier and inflammation benefits.
As a body scrub it removes dead cells effectively. On the face it is a poor choice: the crystals are sharp and irregular, they create micro-tears that let bacteria in, and salt draws water out of the skin, worsening dryness.
What ingredients are best paired with sea salt?
In body scrubs it is blended with oils – jojoba, almond, coconut – which cushion the abrasion and replace the moisture the salt pulls out. Always follow a salt scrub or soak with a moisturiser.
For facial exfoliation, lactic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid do the job without the mechanical damage. Never use a salt scrub on broken, sunburnt or freshly shaved skin. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is melasma?
Melasma is a common form of acquired hyperpigmentation that appears as symmetrical brown or greyish-brown patches, most often across the cheeks, forehead, upper lip and jawline. It develops when melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells in the skin – become overactive and deposit excess melanin into the epidermis, the dermis, or both.
It is far more common in women and in medium to deeper skin tones, and it behaves as a chronic, relapsing condition rather than a one-off mark – which is why management matters as much as treatment.
What causes melasma?
Three triggers dominate: ultraviolet and visible light exposure, hormonal change (pregnancy, oral contraceptives and hormone therapy – hence its nickname, the mask of pregnancy), and genetic predisposition.
Heat, visible light from sunlight and screens, inflammation from harsh products or aggressive procedures, and certain medications all make existing patches worse. Because the triggers are ongoing, melasma typically fades and returns rather than clearing permanently.
What ingredients are best for melasma?
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable, and a tinted mineral SPF containing iron oxides is best because it also screens the visible light that drives pigment production.
On top of that, the most evidence-backed actives are tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, alpha arbutin, kojic acid, liquorice root extract, retinoids and gentle alpha-hydroxy acids. Avoid harsh scrubs and strong heat, both of which can rebound the pigment. Take our Skin Quiz to build a routine around your skin tone and triggers.
