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Epsom salt is mainly used as a bath salt. It contains mostly magnesium sulphate. Epsom salt also contains moderate concentrations of sulphur and oxygen. These ingredients pretty much dictate which products Epsom salt can be used for. The use of Epsom salt as a cosmetic ingredient is also limited because it absorbs moisture in the air. Epsom salt sometimes becomes liquid under the influence of air humidity. Therefore, Epsom salt has been used less frequently in finished bath salt mixtures. Epsom salt spoils the structure of bath salt and the product is no longer so attractive.

epsomsuola-resepteja
Kuva ErikaWittlieb Pixabaystä

In homemade cosmetics, we can use Epsom salt as an ingredient in the bath salt if it will be used soon or latest within a few weeks. In general, products containing Epsom salt remain perfectly flawless when properly stored. Therefore, do not store bath salt in a humid bathroom.

Four different products from Epsom salt

For this story I have chosen four Epsom salt recipes. These products are intended to be used relatively quickly after preparing them. You can change the ingredients in the recipes as much as you want. So, these are just ideas of what can be done with Epsom salt.

1. Simple bath salt from Epsom salt

Mix all the ingredients in the bowl very carefully. Store bath salt in a container with lid in a dry place.

Use bath salt for about 5 decilitres in a bathtub of warm (not hot) water. 2 decilitres of bath salt is enough for foot baths. Enjoy baths for about 20-30 minutes.

2. Herbal bath of Epsom salt

Epsom salt can be used to make relaxing herbal baths. Now it is time to utilize the herbs you dried in the summer. Many people do not use the collected herbs, they are simply forgotten and thrown away later. No herbs should be thrown away. An herbal bath is a great way to use your stock.

If you have a traditional bathtub, please note that dried or fresh herbs should not be poured directly on the water. Herbs clog the drain very quickly. I have used gauze bags filled with herbs and bath salt. The salt dissolves in water and the herbs remain in the bag.

You need:

Chop the herbs used in the bath salt in a mortar or food processor. This will let the active ingredients in the herbs dissolve best in water. If you make herbal salt as a Christmas present, for example, you can only lightly crush a few rose buds, marigold and lavender. This will give the product colour and appeal.

Mix the chopped herbs with the herbal salt base mixture.

Pack the product in a glass jar with a lid. The reason why I always recommend glass jars is very practical. from the glass jar you can see at a glance what is in it. However, I recommend that you provide the glass jar with a label that indicates the date when prepared and the ingredients.

Use herbal bath salt in about 5 decilitres of bathtub of warm water. About 2 decilitres of herbal bath salt is enough for a foot bath. Pack the herbal bath salt in a gauze bag and sink in water.

If you wish, you can infuse the herbal bath salt in the gauze bag for about 10 minutes in hot water. Then pour the liquid into your bath water. This is how you get the most out of herbs.

Relax in an herbal bath for about 20-30 minutes.

3. Aromatic Epsom salt bath

The fragrant herbal salt bath is a favourite of many. If you use oils in the herbal bath salt, you can safely add essential oils to the product as well.

Never add essential oils to bath salt if you do not mix it with the carrier oil. Essential oils do not dissolve in water but remain floating on the surface of the water. This allows them to be absorbed into the skin undiluted. Undiluted essential oil should never be applied directly to the skin.

Use good quality natural oils such as sunflower oil, safflower oil or rice bran oil. Since bath salt products are used on the body, you can also try olive oil for this. Olive oil easily clogs the pores of the skin. Still, most people can use olive oil for bodycare products without any problems.

You need:

First, mix the essential oils with the carrier oil thoroughly. Then gradually add the carrier oil to the bath salt mixture while stirring.

Pack the product in a covered, airtight glass jar and label it.

Use 2-3 decilitres in a bathtub of warm water. 1 decilitre of fragrant herbal salt bath is enough for a foot bath. Do not use very hot water as the essential oils evaporate quickly due to the heat.

Enjoy a bath for about 20-30 minutes. After the bath, take a light shower. If your skin feels too oily, wipe off any excess grease. Wet a terry hand towel in hot water and squeeze the excess water out. Wipe the skin thoroughly with a hot towel.

4. A caring salt bath

resepteja-epsomsuolasta
Kuva silviarita Pixabaystä

As winter comes, the skin dries out. Then the caring products are needed. Epsom salt moisturizes the skin, absorbing moisture. To get more caring product, add nourishing shea butter or other vegetable butter to the product.

This bath salt is clearly greasier than the previous one. I recommend removing excess oil from your skin with a shower and hot, damp towels.

You can also use this mixture for a foot bath. However, you get more joy from it when you use it on already soaked, greasy feet. This allows the product’s fine oils to be absorbed into the skin.

You can also add essential oils to this product if you wish.

You can also get a nice scent to the product by choosing fragrant vegetable butter. Many people like the addictive scent of cocoa butter. It is also great for body skin care.

You need:

Melt the vegetable butter and add the oil. Add essential oils if desired.

Mix the melted oil-vegetable butter mixture with the salt bath mixture and mix thoroughly. Allow the bath salt mixture to dry for a while on a baking tray.

Pack the mixture in a glass jar with lid and label.

Use the caring salt bath mixture of 2-3 decilitres in a bathtub of warm water. 1 decilitre of salt bath mixture is enough for a foot bath.

Enjoy a bath for about 20-30 minutes. Rinse the skin after a bath and, if necessary, wipe off excess oil from the skin with hot, damp towels.

Epsom salt is a familiar ingredient to many of us. It is a commonly used bath salt ingredient. Epsom salt can be used for many other purposes as well. What is Epsom Salt and how can it be utilized in homemade cosmetics?

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Epsom College in Surrey
Photo David Mark Pixabaystä

History of Epsom salt

Epsom salt has its own, interesting history. It is originally a natural product. When its popularity and demand grew started the industrial production as well. The name Epsom comes from the city of Epsom in Surrey, UK. The city of Epsom is the place where Epsom salt was eventually discovered. Magnesium sulphate has since been found in many different locations on Earth.

Epsom salt is not a compound similar to table salt

Epsom salt consists of magnesium, sulphur and oxygen unlike table salt which is almost pure sodium.

Magnesium sulphate is an easily water-soluble substance. It even attracts moisture from the air. Therefore, Epsom salt should be stored in a very dry place.

 Epsom salt is a very safe substance that can be used, for example, as a bath salt. It is also beneficial for plants if the soil happens to be low in magnesium. In addition to magnesium sulphate, Epsom salt is rich in sulphur.

Benefits of Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is mostly magnesium. Magnesium is a trace element that plays a particularly important role in the body. It is involved in more than 300 different biochemical reactions. Magnesium has an effect on the functioning of the heart, musculature and nervous system, just to name few. Magnesium is one of our most important minerals.

Enzymes that regulate DNA repair absolutely do need vital magnesium to function properly

Our DNA repair system also takes care of the youthfulness of the skin and fights wrinkles.

Magnesium baths relax the legs and the whole body

After a magnesium bath, you’ll feel quite sleepy and enjoy a long, sweet sleep.

Magnesium has an effect on the nervous system and at the same time it does relieve stress

Magnesium baths reduce stress and relax the mind.

Magnesium promotes melatonin production

Melatonin is a sleep hormone that regulates when we sleep and for how long.

Magnesium baths may relieve muscle pain

This is purely empirical information for which there is no scientific evidence to back it up. however, it is worth trying to Epsom salt to relieve muscle pain. It works for me so my guess is that the effect is very individual.

The Epsom salt bath improves blood circulation and thus reduces swelling.

Epsom salt naturally contains sulphur

Sulphur has a special anti-inflammatory effect. Sulphur treatments are used in connection with acne and rosacea. That’s why I recommend trying Epsom salt on face masks. In the treatment of rosacea, the skin should never be rubbed. The same rule goes with all inflammatory skin diseases. So just gently rinse Epsom Salt off the skin and pat the skin dry.

Epsom salt has a moisturizing effect on the skin

The salt is easily absorbed into the skin and at the same time it collects moisture around it. Salt baths, especially Epsom salt baths, are a good way to take care of moisturizing the skin.

Absorption of magnesium through the skin

There is very controversial information available about the absorption of magnesium through the skin. It is officially stated that there is no scientific evidence to support this process. However, magnesium-containing creams are used to treat tense muscles consistently with good results.

The absorption of magnesium is very difficult to study

Magnesium levels are measured from the blood. If you eat magnesium as a supplement, the level of magnesium in your blood will increase. That doesn’t mean magnesium is in your muscle yet. When a cream containing magnesium is applied to your skin, magnesium will be absorbed through the skin directly into the muscle and is not visible in the bloodstream. Some people find that magnesium is absorbed even better through the skin. However, the magnesium level in the muscle cannot be studied very reliably. Therefore, we just have to trust our own feelings.

Even if you are unsure about the absorption of magnesium, you can still safely use Epsom salt. It is not harmful at all. If you get help from Epsom salt baths, why don’t you just enjoy them? Perhaps science will sometimes find a way to measure magnesium levels reliably.

Epsom salt baths

Epsom salt is a traditional bath salt. Use about 500 grams of Epsom salt in a normal sized bath tub. Add warm, not hot water in the tub and dissolve the salt. Too hot water dries the skin. Enjoy a relaxing bath for about 15-30 minutes.

You can also make a foot bath from Epsom salt. Measure 1 decilitre of Epsom salt into a bowl of warm water. enjoy a foot bath for about 30 minutes. I actually use a bucket. This allows me to sink my feet deeper in the water.

You can add any dry or fresh herbs, essential oils (5 drops) or even real vanilla to the bath.

Bath salt recipes coming in next update

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Photo Photoholgic on Unsplash

Gloomy autumn and dark winter are good times to pamper yourself. What’s more wonderful than enjoying warm foot baths in the evenings. For those who have a bath tub, I also recommend full body baths.

There will be few good Epsom salt recipes in my next blog post.

Herbs have many wonderful effects to our body. In addition, many herbs are known for their magical features. When coming home tired after your day’s activities, you probably want to relax.  Perhaps you want to eliminate possible negative thoughts and give room for nicer and more relaxing thoughts. A wonderful way to relax is to have a nice, warm herbal foot soak.  I have chosen the magic herbs in the spirit of Halloween for you.  
This bath salt is useful for both the feet and the body. A relaxing, negativity-reducing, soothing herbal soak is easy to prepare from really simple ingredients and is definitely worth trying.

maaginen-yrttikylpy
Kuva press ? and ⭐ Pixabaystä

The herbal bath salt is an effective product and really easy to prepare

Herbal bath salt is made up of a few simple ingredients. In its simplest form, bath salt is just mixed with herbs and salt as well as essential oils. The ingredients of bath salt do cause the caring agents of plants to dissolve into warm water. The scent of herbs and essential oils has a positive effect to our mind. Choose  carefully the salt to be used in the product. The healing salts and herbs together make this product magical and energy cleansing.

Epsom salt

I chose Epsom salt as my herbal bath salt. Epsom salt contains a huge amount of magnesium, which is a particularly relaxing mineral.

The spiritual mening of magnesium is deep peace. It promotes unconditional love. Magnesium is a mineral of change. It will also help you get what you want in life.

Epsom salt removes muscle tension and also calms the mind. Epsom salt works effectively especially in combination with healing herbs. The effect of plants is especially emphasized when combined with Epsom salt.

Baking soda

Baking soda suits well for foot baths. Baking soda has a disinfectant effect. As a mildly alkaline substance, baking soda also makes it easier to clean your feet. Baking soda effectively softens the stratum corneum of the skin. This is a good feature if you want to rasp your feet in a foot bath.

Colloidal oats

Oats contain a lot of skin-tender ingredients. Oat baths are recommended for children with atopic eczema. You can read more about the incredible effects of oats here.

Feel free to combine different herbs

Now you should be creative. Combine your favourite herbs with bath salt, as you wish. Now it’s time to make your own magic herbal mix. My own herbal mix is just an example of such a mix.

Rose

I use a lot of rose in my bath salt because of its magical effects. The rose is an ancient plant that has always been associated with love. It will give your life joy and love. That is why rose is an essential herb in this bath salt.

Lavender

Lavender is a very important plant in footcare. Lavender has always been used in spas because of its antibacterial effects. It is a herb with a powerful mind-cleansing effect. Lavender is also rich in soothing energy. It is ideal for evening use and relaxation.

Calendula

I use Calendula in this mixture solely because of its skin-healing effect. Calendula takes care of your skin and heals minor skin damages. Calendula is also an energizing herb that will help you cope with long weekdays. When you mix marigold with warm bath water, you will notice how its scent relaxes.

Basil

Basil is an herb that protects you from all evil. The odour of basil is really great. You can also use fresh basil if you wish. The fresh basil has a really great scent.

Yarrow

Common yarrow is an herb that increases courage. It drives away fear and opens up visions for a brighter future. Who would not need more courage? In addition to the magical effects, yarrow has a lot of medicinal and antibacterial effects. For all ailments and joint pains, it is worth trying the yarrow bath salt.

Sage

I also added some sage to my bath salt. Sage brings more happiness to life and that’s what we all need. I used a fresh sage I found in the garden. Sage can also be used dried as it does not lose its effectiveness when drying.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a particularly magical herb. It is suitable for relieving stress. The energy of cardamom is soothing and clarifying. It works well in the midst of hurry and stress. Cardamom also upgrades the state of mind and removes heavy energy as well as depressed mood. Cardamom encourages us to be present right now and opens up the “third eye”. That, too, is a calming experience.

You can also use cardamom as an essential oil in this recipe. Dried cardamom will also work if it is high-enough quality. Cardamom intended as a spice, is too mild and has lost its scent.

How do I make herbal bath salt and foot soak?

The recipe for herbal bath salt is very simple. Mix all ingredients together. I use 50/50 dried herbs and salt for bath salt myself. The number of herbs is completely up to you. If you want to avoid the mess and minimize the cleaning, use herbs more sparingly.

 If you use fresh herbs, correct ratio is ½ decilitres of dried herbs equals 1 ½ decilitres of fresh herbs.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Put bath salt in an airtight glass jar.

Tip

You can also pack the herbs separately in a gauze bag. This makes cleaning much easier. Pack ½ dec dried herbs in a gauze bag and immerse the bag in foot bath water. Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon of sea salt or Himalayan salt.

How do I use herbal bath salt?

maaginen-yrttikylpy
Kuva press ? and ⭐ Pixabaystä

When I want to improve my energies and enjoy a relaxing bath, I arrange a peaceful moment for myself.  You can use an herbal salt bath for both foot soak or body bath.

A chair that is as comfortable as possible is quite a must when enjoying the foot soak. I often also turn on some nice, relaxing music. Then I just put some warm (not hot) water into the bowl. I mix 1-1 ½ dl of herbal bath salt with water and put my feet in the herbal soak. For bathtub use 2 to 3 dl herbal bath salt.

Then I just enjoy and relax for about 20-30 minutes.

After the soak, rinse your feet or body lightly and apply a nourishing cream to them.

Some time ago I wrote about sugar as a raw material for cosmetics. Now it’s the time to talk about salt. Salt is a natural substance and It is essential for the life of cells. Sugar and salt are often used for the same purpose in home-made cosmetics. However, they differ considerably in their properties. Now we will find out how to use salt for skin.

salt-for-skin

What is Salt?

Salt is a crystalline mineral consisting mainly of natrium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). The most famous salt is the table salt.

There are two basic grades of salt; sea ​​salt and rock salt. These two salts are also used in the kitchen. Ordinary table salt is made from rock salt.

There are many different types of both rock salt and sea salt, depending on their place of origin and manufacturing technique. Below please find some of the most common salts. All of them can be used when preparing cosmetics.

Sea salt is the best known and perhaps the most natural salt

Sea salt is a compound that contains many different minerals. In seawater, the minerals are almost always in the same proportion. However, the mineral content of different types of sea salt sold in stores can vary greatly. Different sea salt products contain varying amounts of sodium. Sodium is the main mineral in seawater. On average, sea salt contains about 40% -90% sodium, depending on the method of production. The quality and taste of sea salt vary greatly. Therefore, it is not the same what kind of sea salt you choose.

Minerals contained in sea salt

Get unrefined sea salt

Most available sea salt is processed. This affects the mineral content of the salt. That is why it is better to prefer unrefined sea salt. It has a clear grey colour. Very white sea salt is always refined.

Unrefined sea salt contains all the seawater minerals. Therefore, it is much better for the skin. Sea salt minerals play very important role when evaluating the quality of the salt.

How to make sea salt?

making-sea-salt
Making sea salt in Vietnam

The traditional method of making sea salt is thousands of years old. The salt water is drained into the reservoir where the sun evaporates the water. What is left is a salt layer on the bottom. After grounding the salt is ready for use. The famous salt island is the Sal in Cape Verde. Slaves and prisoners were sentenced to work in salt production.

Nowadays, sea salt is rarely produced in this traditional way. It is too slow and requires too much expensive labour.

All salt sold as sea salt is not coming from the sea

Sea salt is common trading name of any salt produced by evaporation of a saline solution. Sea salt is therefore not necessarily coming from the sea. The saline solution may also come from salt lakes and/or salt deserts.

In fact, all the salt has at some point been sea salt. Salt deserts and rock salt have also at some point been in the ocean. However, the composition of rock salt and salt extracted from the desert is different from salt evaporated from seawater.

Kosher salt

Kosher salt is a sea salt with a flaky structure. The Kosher property comes from the fact that such salt is used in traditional Jewish foods.

Kosher salt can be used in cosmetics like regular sea salt. The flaky structure of Kosher salt can be utilized in cosmetics. In foot baths and bath salt, the structure of the salt comes out nicely.

Celtic salt

Celtic Salt comes from France. It is unrefined, crude sea salt that also contains a small amount of water. The salt is greyish in colour. Its texture is slightly sticky and moist.

Black lava salt from Hawaii

Black lava salt comes from Hawaii. It is sea salt filtered through Hawaiian volcanic soil. The black lava salt of Hawaii gets its black colour from volcanic activated carbon. Lava’s activated carbon has a powerful detoxifying effect. Its good salt for skin.

Volcanic lava salt can be used for cleansing masks and peeling products. This kind of salt could also be suitable for your facial soap.

Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt

Alaea salt comes also from Hawaii. It has a strong, red colour. The secret of the alaea salt is in the red clay. The sea salt is mixed with volcanic red clay called alaea. It gives the salt a brick-red colour. In Hawaii, alaea salt has been used not only for cooking but also for religious rites. Temples, homes, and tools have been blessed with alaea salt. The alaea salt contains about 80 different minerals and is rich in iron oxide.

Alaea salt can be used for masks and cleansing products

Alaea salt has also powerful detox effect. It removes impurities and toxins from the skin. The alaea salt is very rich in minerals. It nourishes the skin effectively.

Dead Sea salt

dead-sea

The Dead Sea salt is highly appreciated in cosmetics.  Top international brands are using it in their products. Dead Sea salt is particularly mineral-rich. The Dead Sea is not a sea at all, but an extremely salty lake. The salt content is so high that there is hardly any life in it. That’s why it is called the Dead Sea.

Healing effects of the Dead Sea water

For thousands of years, people have known about the healing effects of the Dead Sea water. Dead Sea salt contains sulphur, which is known to have a disinfectant effect. So, for acne skin it is worth trying this salt. As a mineral-dense salt, Dead Sea salt is also suitable as a bath salt and for facial products. Read mor about Dead Sea salt here.

Sea salt and microplastics

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Unrefined sea salt produced by solar evaporation in France

We face the micro-plastics problem more and more frequently. There is an enormous amount of micro-plastic in world’s ocean waters today that can never be collected. The researchers analysed 39 different sea salts from 21 different countries. They were looking for microplastics in different sea salts. Only 3 grades of salt passed the research without any plastic found. These were Taiwanese sea salt (refined), Chinese rock salt (refined) and French sea salt (unrefined). French unrefined sea salt is the only sea salt currently available that does not contain microplastics. It is made by the traditional method of sun-drying the Atlantic seawater on a clay reservoir.

So you should carefully choose the salt you will use both for cooking and for cosmetics. Micro-plastics are slowly accumulating in our body through nutrition and cosmetics. No one knows how it will affect the human body.

Rock salt is enriched by minerals

All rock salt has once been sea salt. However, over long period of time, other minerals have been attached to rock salt. Different types of rock salt can be recognized by colour. If the rock salt is reddish it contains iron oxides. This type of rock salt is called rose salt.

The best-known rock salt product is common table salt.

Table salt is almost pure sodium chloride (97%). Table salt often contains anti-caking agents and other chemicals. Iodine is also added to it for health reasons. Table salt is a highly purified and processed salt. It does not contain impurities. If you do not mind about additional chemicals, you can use table salt in cosmetics too.

Rose salt is a very popular salt.

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Rose salt

The colour of red crystalline salt is beautiful peach. The colour of the rose salt comes from minerals extracted into it, such as iron oxide. Rose salt is obtained from the Himalayas. It is mined at Khewra Salt Mines, the second largest salt mine in the world, in Pakistan.

Rose salt does not contain as much sodium as table salt

It also contains small amounts of iron, calcium magnesium and potassium.

The advantage of rose salt is its beautiful colour. In home cosmetics, the beautiful colour of rose salt can be utilized. You can easily make a nice, pink bath salt from dry herbs and Himalayan salt.

Crystal salt aka Indian salt

Indian Salt is a rock salt mined from Andes Mountains in South America. It comes from the border areas of Chile and Bolivia. Andean Indian Salt is a product used by Indians and it differs slightly from the Himalayan Rose Salt. The Indian salt has a beautiful reddish tint that comes from manganese and iron. Native American salt is also beautiful as bath salt, in scrubs, and in soaps.

Kalak Namak, Asian burnt salt

Kalak namak is a traditional burnt salt. It is also called the black salt of the Himalayas. The salt is mined from the slopes of the Himalayas and burned using the traditional method. Kalak namak contains mainly sodium. However, it is also rich in other minerals.

Kalak namak contains a rare mineral called greigite.  Greigite gives the salt a particularly dark shade.  Color of the salt is dark lilac with pink and brown. The salt is sold in large crystals. When grinding the crystals, the salt becomes either pink or lilac.

Kalak namak is a traditional ayurvedic product with many medicinal effects

Making Kalak Namak is a great art and a centuries-old tradition. The salt, mined from the Himalayas, is carefully selected. The salt has a clear aroma of sulfur. The salt is cooked together with some herbs for 24 hours. This results in a chemical reaction which makes the salt very dark. The salt is cooled and stored for long periods, since the salt must first age.

Kalak namak has a very pungent scent. It is very sulfur-rich. The smell of sulphur is equal to rotten eggs. Kalak namak’s characteristic scent slightly limits its use.

Kalak namak can be used in cosmetics in small amounts. It is a very expensive salt. Sulphur compounds are a great help in the treatment of acne. Kalak namak is a sulfur-containing salt with a purifying and bactericidal effect. Kalak namak is also a good addition to facial cleansing products. It has a very good cleansing ability.

Watch out for cheap imitations

Kalak namak is still made by the traditional method. There are also plenty of cheap imitations for sale.  The false product is usually a mix of table salt and minerals to give the salt Kalak Namak appearance. However, such salt does not have the same medical effect as genuine Kalak namak salt.

How to use salt for skin?

salt-for-skin

Salt is a really old and traditional skin care product. Already countless number of generations and currently many people are familiar with the good effects of seawater. Sea water is especially good for acne skin. Even normal skin clearly benefits from seawater baths.

Sugar is a good product for dry skin but it is not suitable for acne skin. But salt is really good for acne. Dry skin can also benefit from salt products with certain reservations.

1.Salt is a natural peeling agent

Salt works very well in peeling agents. It is water soluble and does not scratch the skin. Salt minerals soften the skin. This makes the mechanical peeling more gentle.

2. Salt contains minerals that nourish the skin.

Salt minerals have been found to be effectively absorbed through the skin.

3.The salt is moisturizing

The salt keeps the skin moist. When the salt is absorbed into the skin’s surface layers, it absorbs moisture. This keeps the skin naturally moisturized. As a moisturizing ingredient, salt reduces wrinkles and reduces swelling.

4. The salt is antibacterial

Unlike sugar, salt relieves inflammation. It is especially suitable for people suffering acne. Salt also soothes irritated skin. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, salt can be used for many products and purposes.

Caution when using salt

salt

Salt suits best for rinsing products. The salt should not be left on the skin for long periods of time. It may cause skin irritation. If you go to the salt bath remember to lightly rinse the salt off from your skin after the bath.

Salt is a unusual material that reacts differently on different people’s skin. How to use salt for skin? The effect of salt on the skin depends on the acidity and how oily the skin is. In general, salt products are ideal for people with oily, acidic skin. Dry skin is more alkaline. Salt treatments can further dry the skin. Just try it out to see if salt is good for your skin.

There is so much more to tell about salt. I hope you got a good introduction to salt and its properties this time. I recommend you to get familiar with the different types of salt. There is incredible number of them. I’ll be making salt recipes on the Recipes tab soon. So salt cosmetics is incredibly versatile and effective.

It was really wonderful to write about salt and thank you for taking your time and reading my story. I hope you got some new ideas for your products here.

I would be interested in knowing about your experience with salt in cosmetics. Have you used salt in your products and how? Please share your experience!

Baking soda or Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a very versatile and effective substance for many purposes. Most commonly, it has been used to baking. Baking soda needs acidic dough to function properly in cookies and cakes. Combination of acid and baking soda makes the dough sparkling or rise in the oven. Baking soda can also be used to relieve the symptoms of many diseases. Eco-cleaning and laundry are easily done with the baking soda. It is a safe chemical that should be available in every household.

However, no chemical is ever 100% safe and good for every purpose. This is also the case with Baking soda. The strengths of the baking soda should be identified and used in a deliberate manner in the right situations.

There is baking soda and soda. They are two different chemicals. Learn how to distinguish between them and use them correctly.

What is Baking soda

When we talk about soda we usually mean baking soda. I always mean sodium bicarbonate used in baking when referring baking soda. Soda itself means a different substance.

Baking soda, (NaHCO3), or sodium bicarbonate is a completely chemical product. It is not a naturally occurring substance such as soda or sodium carbonate (Na2Co3). Baking soda is produced from sodium (Na), ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The carbon dioxide required in the process is usually obtained from soda or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). This is what the two substances have to do with each other.

Baking soda is commonly used in baking and other food preparation. As an alkaline substance, it has traditionally neutralized too strong stomach acids. Also, baking soda is used for salicylate poisoning as a first aid. The soda blasting will gently refine delicate surfaces that are sensitive to scratching. Baking soda is a soft substance that does not damage, for example, glass or plastic surfaces.

Baking soda is mildly alkaline. You can find different claims on the net. Therefore, I measured the alkaline level of the Baking soda myself. I mixed 1,5 dl water and 2 teaspoons baking soda. As a result of the measurement, I received a PH value of about 8.5 which is a mild alkaline.

What is washing soda or sodium carbonate

We do not need a real washing soda at all in home cosmetics. I’m telling about sodium carbonate because it is good to know how to separate it from the baking soda and be careful. These two substances are mixed in people’s minds in general.

The actual soda (Na2Co3) is a very different substance than baking soda. Soda or sodium carbonate is a very alkaline substance that can NOT be used in cosmetics. NEVER PUT IT IN MOUTH OR, EAT IT OR SWALLOW IT. NEVER.  Soda is naturally occurring mineral salt but can also be produced industrially. It is suitable for cleaning of surfaces before painting. As such, the soda solution spoils the painted wall. It is so alkaline, almost as alkaline as lye. Soda is used mainly by glass manufacturing industry.

The washing soda was also main ingredient in soap before the lye was invented. Washing soda was prepared earlier for making soap using tree’s ashes.  In the nature, washing soda can be found in Africa as a natural mineral called “trona”. Also, in the USA Trona (Natural Soda) is mined more than it is produced industrially. Granulated washing soda is a product called pure soda or sodium carbonate.

The washing soda is also called crystal soda. It is available in hardware stores and decoration shops selling paint.  Also washing soda is pure soda. It looks confusingly like baking soda. It is white, like baking powder. To avoid mistakes, keep washing soda out of the kitchen. Right place for washing soda is in cleaning closet, in stock or in a garage out of the reach of children. It would be dangerous to use accidentally washing soda instead of baking soda as a food ingredient. Washing soda is so called calcined soda, which is sold in ecological shops selling products for cleaning and washing.

I measured the washing soda solution pH myself. I mixed 1,5 dl water with 2 teaspoons of washing soda. I made the test using pH strips. The measurement scale of strips is from 4 to 10. Liquid was more alkaline than 10. This type of solution is very corrosive and can cause an incredibly bad consequences if you do not understand the strength of the solution. In some publications, washing soda is called a product that is similar to baking soda. This is false. In any case, these products may not be considered the same substance. Always keep all your washing sodas out of reach of children.

 

For what the baking soda is not so good

Baking soda is a very commonly used chemical in home cosmetics. It is perceived as an easy alternative to many uses. Baking soda is used mostly in Deodorants and Hair care. For both purposes, baking soda is a bad option.

 

 

Bath Bombs made of baking soda

How you can you use baking soda in DIY cosmetics

Baking soda, however, has some very useful applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope these facts and tips were useful to you. If any of the things are good for you, please comment below this post.

How do you use baking soda in your home cosmetics?

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