6 Ways to Get Rid of Pimples Naturally (Sea Salt Method)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Sea salt acne therapy is a balneological method used since ancient times. How sea salt works to eliminate pimples is not entirely clear, perhaps the high concentration of salt kills bacteria on the skin or perhaps the sea salt feeds the skin with minerals that help it heal. Another hypothesis is that sea salt is able to dissolve the sebum that has accumulated in the pores by occluding them. Used in excessive quantities, sea salt can dry out the skin causing irritation, but with proper use it can help you get rid of pimples completely naturally.

Sea salt acne therapy is a balneological method used since ancient times. The way in which sea salt works by eliminating pimples is not entirely clear, perhaps the high concentration of salt kills the bacteria present on the skin or perhaps the sea salt feeds the skin with minerals that help it heal. Another hypothesis is that sea salt is able to dissolve the sebum that has accumulated in the pores, occluding them. Used in excessive quantities, sea salt can dry out the skin causing irritation, but with proper use it can help you get rid of pimples completely naturally.

Steps

Method 1 of 6: Make a Sea Salt Mask

Step 1. Wash your face with a mild cleanser

The first step is to cleanse the skin with a product that contains neither oil nor alcohol.

• Put a little product on your fingertips, then gently massage it on your face making circular movements to remove any traces of impurities.
• Wash your face for about a minute, then rinse it off with cool or warm water.
• Pat it dry with a clean towel.

Step 2. Dissolve a little sea salt in hot water

Mix a teaspoon of sea salt with three teaspoons of hot water in a cup or bowl. Keep stirring until it is completely dissolved.

It is essential to use natural sea salt and not the common table salt which contains only sodium chloride and, sometimes, even iodine (if it is iodized table salt). Sea salt, on the other hand, contains a wide variety of minerals necessary for the body, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, potassium, zinc, iron and trace elements

Step 3. Add aloe vera, green tea or honey to intensify the benefits of the treatment

There are a number of natural remedies that can help you have healthier, brighter skin. Add a tablespoon of one of the following ingredients:

• Aloe vera gel: You can buy it at a herbalist's shop or in health food stores. Thanks to its properties it helps the skin to heal.
• Green tea: prepare an infusion of green tea, then add it to the mixture of water and sea salt to take advantage of the benefits of antioxidants.
• Honey: has antibacterial and healing properties.

Step 4. Apply the mask on your face

You can choose to distribute it all over the face or only on certain areas. Spread it with your fingers as you would a normal cream. Alternatively, you can apply it to individual pimples using a cotton swab.

Avoid the eye contour area

Step 5. Let the mask work for 10 minutes

During the application period it will dry out drying on the skin. Do not keep it longer than the recommended 10 minutes; sea salt extracts moisture from the skin, so it could dehydrate it excessively.

Step 6. Perform a thorough rinse

You can use cool or warm water, the important thing is to wash off the mask carefully.

Step 7. Pat your face dry with a clean towel

Make gentle gestures, without rubbing, otherwise you risk that the skin becomes irritated further.

Step 8. Apply a moisturizer

Make sure you choose a "non-comedogenic" product, which means that it does not clog pores.

• Examples of moisturizers suitable for acne skins are those of the cosmetic companies: Olay, Neutrogena and Clinique. Look for the term "non-comedogenic" on the product label.
• Currently, almost all face moisturizers are “non-comedogenic”, but not all of them highlight this in big letters. Some labels only specify that the product does not clog pores.

• You can also moisturize your skin with natural oils. Here is a list of non-comedogenic oils including a score on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 characterizes the least comedogenic ones. The best natural oils to use are:

  • Hemp seed oil (0).
  • Mineral oil (0).
  • Shea butter (0).
  • Sunflower oil (0).
  • Castor oil (1).

  

  Step 9. If necessary, wash your face again during the day

  If you need to cleanse your skin again, for example after exercising, use a mild soap. Massage it into your skin using gentle, circular movements. Rinse your face carefully using cool or lukewarm water, then reapply the non-comedogenic moisturizer.

  Sea salt should be used only once a day. Do not give in to the temptation to repeat the purifying treatment several times, otherwise you will end up excessively dehydrating the skin despite repeated use of the cream

  Method 2 of 6: Prepare a Salt Spray for the Face

  

  Step 1. Mix sea salt and warm water

  Mix one part of sea salt with three parts of warm water. You can determine the exact quantities based on the amount of spray you want to make. Remember that the water must be very hot to allow the salt to dissolve completely.

  For example, dissolve 10 teaspoons of sea salt in 30 teaspoons of hot water

  

  Step 2. Add a part of a natural ingredient of your choice

  When the sea salt has completely dissolved, it incorporates a part of a natural ingredient useful to intensify the healing properties of the spray. Choose only one of the following, for example:

  • Aloe vera gel: thanks to its natural properties it promotes skin healing.
  • Green tea: rich in beneficial antioxidants. When you prepare it, leave it to infuse in hot water for at least 3-5 minutes.
  • Honey: known for its antibacterial and healing properties.
  • Basically, if you used 10 teaspoons of sea salt, you need to add 10 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, green tea, or honey.

  

  Step 3. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle

  Use a clean container that has never contained chemicals. The ideal is to buy a new spray bottle to be reserved for this specific use.

  

  Step 4. Store the salt spray in the refrigerator

  The mixture keeps best if it is kept cold.

  

  Step 5. Wash and dry your face skin

  Choose a gentle cleanser, then massage it into your skin for a long time using your fingertips. When finished, rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Gently pat your face dry with a towel to dry it.

  

  Step 6. Keeping your eyes closed, spray the salt mixture on your face and neck

  Salt water burns your eyes, so it's best to keep them closed or covered. Distribute the mixture evenly over the rest of the face and neck.

  

  Step 7. Wait 10 minutes

  Leave the spray on to give it time to soak into the skin. Do not leave it on for more than 10 minutes recommended. Sea salt extracts moisture from the skin, so it could dehydrate it excessively.

  

  Step 8. Rinse and dry your face

  Thoroughly rinse your face and neck using cool or lukewarm water. When done, pat it gently with a towel to dry it. Do not rub to avoid further irritating the skin.

  

  Step 9. Apply a moisturizer

  Make sure you choose a "non-comedogenic" product, which means that it does not clog pores.

  

  Step 10. If necessary, wash your face again during the day

  If you need to cleanse your skin again, for example after exercising, use a mild soap. Massage it into your skin using gentle, circular movements. Rinse your face carefully using cool or lukewarm water, then reapply the non-comedogenic moisturizer.

  The sea salt spray should only be used once a day. Do not apply it more frequently, otherwise you will end up excessively dehydrating the skin despite repeated use of the cream

  Method 3 of 6: Bathing in Sea Salt

  

  Step 1. Add half a kilo of sea salt to the bath water

  Start filling the tub with very hot water. As the water level rises, add half a kilo of sea salt. The heat will help it dissolve.

  • It is essential to use natural sea salt and not the common table salt, which contains only sodium chloride and, sometimes, even iodine (if it is iodized table salt). Sea salt, on the other hand, contains a wide variety of minerals necessary for the body, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, potassium, zinc, iron and trace elements.
  • In case of need, using table salt does not cause serious damage to health, but it does not give the multiple benefits guaranteed by the many minerals contained in the marine one.

  

  Step 2. Test the water temperature

  Make sure it is comfortable for the body. To properly dissolve the salt it is best to use very hot water, but you can wait for it to cool slightly before entering the tub.

  

  Step 3. Soak for 15 minutes

  Immerse your body in the water of the tub, then relax for about fifteen minutes.

  • This method allows you to treat the back, chest and arms in case they are affected by acne.
  • If you also have pimples on your face, soak a clean cloth in salt water, then rest it on your face for about 10-15 minutes while you relax in the tub.

  

  Step 4. Rinse your body with cold water

  Use the shower to wash the salt off your body. Make sure you've washed it off completely before you get out of the tub.

  

  Step 5. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel

  Use a soft cotton towel and don't rub it against your skin to avoid irritating it.

  

  Step 6. Moisturize the skin

  Consider applying a moisturizer all over your body. The sea salt could dry out it, a condition that is not beneficial for acne. Feed her a non-comedogenic product.

  Method 4 of 6: Make a Sea Salt Scrub

  

  Step 1. Make a homemade scrub

  Sea salt can be used to exfoliate the skin by removing dead surface cells. The new skin underneath will have a chance to grow and regenerate more easily. The ingredients you need to prepare the scrub are: good quality fine sea salt, a natural oil with moisturizing properties and an essential oil.

  • Use 250 g of sea salt. You can buy it in well-stocked supermarkets, natural food stores or even online. Do not use table salt, as being too rough could irritate or damage the skin.
  • Mix it with 120ml of a moisturizing oil of your choice. Coconut, grapeseed, jojoba or almond oil are all excellent choices. In particular, coconut oil guarantees very beneficial antibacterial properties, since it kills the bacteria that cause pimples. Its medium-chain fatty acids also help dissolve the sebum and impurities that clog blackheads, purifying the pores.
  • Add 5-15 drops of essential oil. The purpose of the essential oil is to give a scent with calming or toning effects to the scrub. You can choose, for example, an oil with relaxing properties, like that of lavender or mint, or invigorating, like that of lemon.
  • Combine the ingredients in a bowl.

  

  Step 2. Use the scrub on the skin

  Take a small amount with a spoon, then gently massage it into the skin with your fingertips in circular motions.

  

  Step 3. Rinse your face with plenty of cool water

  Make sure you remove all traces of sea salt from the skin. Any residue could cause it to irritate or dry out.

  

  Step 4. Gently pat the skin to dry it

  Absorb excess water using a soft, clean towel.

  

  Step 5. The sea salt scrub can be used on any area of the body affected by pimples

  For example, if you suffer from acne on your back, chest or arms, you can use it to exfoliate the skin in those areas. Follow the same steps as for exfoliating your face.

  Method 5 of 6: Consult a Dermatologist

  

  Step 1. In case of moderate or severe acne, it is best to consult a dermatologist

  If the symptoms of acne are serious, you should not use sea salt before consulting a specialist. In some cases it may suggest different methods, more suitable for your specific conditions.

  Generally, acne is defined as moderate in the presence of more than 20 pimples or blackheads. On the other hand, it is said that acne is severe when the pimples are more than 30 or 40 and there are also 5 or more giant pimples, which manifest themselves in a similar way to cysts

  

  Step 2. Use the sea salt method for a whole week

  Try to replicate the cleansing treatment performed with the sea salt mask every day. If you don't notice any improvement, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

  

  Step 3. Get advice on other treatments

  Mild acne (less than 20 pimples or blackheads) can also be treated with other methods. For example, your dermatologist may recommend that you use a topical medication, such as a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid ointment or cream.

  

  Step 4. Ask your doctor for advice on oral contraceptives

  Often, female acne tends to disappear after taking an estrogen-progestin pill (the name derives from the fact that it contains a combination of two female hormones: an estrogen and a progestin). It is possible to obtain moderate beneficial effects for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.

  Method 6 of 6: Preventing Acne

  

  Step 1. Leave the pimples and blackheads alone

  Do your best to resist the temptation to crush them. Each time you touch them, you increase the risk of infection and scarring. In addition, you could expand the area affected by acne.

  

  Step 2. Use light makeup

  Make-up products can cause pores to clog, aggravating the acne situation. If you want to wear makeup, be sure to use non-comedogenic products. Also, never neglect the importance of removing make-up before going to sleep.

  

  Step 3. Wash your face after exercising

  Sweat can help clog pores making acne worse. Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser at the end of each workout, then apply a moisturizer.

  

  Step 4. Reduce your consumption of refined sugars and dairy products

  Even if diet is not the direct cause of acne, some foods can aggravate it; this is especially true for some people. Dairy products and foods rich in refined sugars can aggravate the inflammatory state of the body, an ideal condition for the proliferation of bacteria.

  

  Step 5. Don't scratch yourself

  Also, be careful not to rub your skin too hard when washing, exfoliating, or drying it. Irritating the skin will only make the pimples and blackheads worse.

  

  Step 6. Do not use abrasive or antibacterial soaps

  This type of cleansers and soaps do not bring any benefit to skin affected by acne. The only effect may be to further irritate her.

  

  Step 7. Do not use greasy or oil-based cosmetics

  Adding more fat to the skin increases the risk of pores becoming blocked and acne worsening. Choose products that do not contain oils.

  

  Step 8. Wear comfortable clothes

  Acne on the body could be caused by too tight clothing or by irritating fabrics. Hats, for example, can increase the likelihood of pimples forming on the forehead.

  Advice

  • Generally, acne begins to appear during the age of puberty because hormones - especially testosterone - increase, stimulating the production of sebum. Women also produce testosterone; this could be one of the reasons why acne often worsens after menstruation.
  • This method should not interfere with any medications in use; nevertheless, it is always best to ask your dermatologist for advice on how to properly treat skin disorders. In order to help you, your doctor needs to know what treatments you do at home.

  Warnings

  • Do not stay soaking in salt water for too long. Sea salt tends to dry out the skin, so the side effects may outweigh the benefits.
  • Do not apply sea salt directly to the skin; in addition to burning, you may dehydrate her.