Is Sea Salt Good for Your Hair? 3 Benefits You Probably Didn’t Know About

Sea salt isn’t just delicious with ice cream, it’s good for your hair, too. Rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium, sea salt agrees with our body’s natural mineral-rich composition, making it an obvious partner in making our hair healthier.

Because it comes from evaporated seawater and is minimally processed, this type of salt retains nutrients from its source. You can use sea salt as is and apply the coarse varieties directly onto your hair and scalp or add sea salt-infused products to your routine. Here are some of the awesome benefits of using sea salt on your hair.

The natural grains of sea salt make for excellent scalp exfoliators. Why does the scalp need exfoliating? Well, the scalp is also skin, and skin needs regular exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells, bacteria, and product buildup. This process encourages blood flow and encourages healthy hair growth. Sea salt also has antifungal properties that can help get rid of dandruff while the grains slough flakes away. According to the AAD, scalp exfoliation is the key to healthy and shiny hair from root to tip. The process will benefit both dry and oily scalps.

Ever heard of sea salt spray? It’s a product that boosts volume and texturizes hair with a combination of water, sea salt, and nourishing essential oils. The key ingredient, sea salt, adds body and a tousled texture to hair by absorbing excess sebum on the scalp and opening the hair cuticle to plump it. It is why you get so-called “beachy waves” at the beach — it’s literally the salt in the water. In thick hair, it adds texture and body. In fine hair, it adds volume and provides a light hold.

The combination of minerals and nutrients in sea salt helps balance the hair and scalp. Specifically, sea salt contains sulfur that has antimicrobial properties which help dissolve oils and unclog pores. Sea salt is also rich in zinc, which promotes tissue and cell regeneration in the scalp. Together, these minerals promote healthy hair growth. Moreover, since it improves the condition of the scalp, it also reduces itching and irritation that can lead to hair loss.

Sea salt has a lot of benefits. However, it’s not advisable to use it in its pure form all the time since it tends to dry out the hair. If your hair is damaged, over-processed, or chemically treated, applying sea salt too often can make it dryer. Use a sea salt spray when you feel like rocking beachy waves, but for daily hair care, use a sea salt-infused product instead. 

Mix a cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of salt. You can also add a few drops of moisturizing hair oil. Put it in a spray bottle.

You can use it on damp hair, dry hair, or even unwashed hair.

Split your hair into sections and spray around the root or middle area, depending on which needs more lift.

Style your hair to your preference.

You can also incorporate sea salt into your routine with a product like Love Beauty and Planet Sea Salt & Bergamot Deep Restore Shampoo and Conditioner. This deeply nourishing, sulfate-free shampoo gives your hair the benefits of sea salt without drying it. This mild shampoo detoxifies and balances your scalp and hair while giving it a natural exfoliation with sea salt grains. The scent takes you back to the beach, perfectly matching your bouncy, beachy waves. The conditioner, meanwhile, is equipped with fast-rise technology, which saves you time and more importantly, water!

Ready to give sea salt a try? Ease it into your routine with a product that will let you enjoy its benefits, or use it on special occasions to achieve tousled, textured waves. 

Does sea salt also have skin benefits? Read our article on how salt water can help with acne-prone skin.