How To Use Sea Salt For Seborrheic Dermatitis

Are you constantly waging war against stubborn dandruff, flaky skin, or itchy patches on your scalp and face? 

If your answer is a resounding 'yes,' you may have a skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis.

While this condition isn't contagious or life-threatening, seborrheic dermatitis can evoke frustration and embarrassment, especially if you're experiencing skin inflammation and other symptoms on a daily basis.

And truth be told, searching for a seborrheic dermatitis cure can feel like a maze.

Many have trialed the sea salt remedy in their search for a cure, and they've claimed it is an effective natural remedy for seborrheic dermatitis.

Let's explore the plausibility of these claims, the benefits and harms linked to using sea salt for seborrheic dermatitis, and how you can use this sea salt concoction for your skin and scalp.

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Seborrheic dermatitis is a prevalent inflammatory skin condition characterized by the emergence of flaky, scaly, itchy, or oily skin on your scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis can also affect areas with a higher density of sebaceous oil glands and greater production of natural oils, such as your forehead, eyebrows, chest, and behind your ears. [1]

An interplay of various factors is associated with the development of seborrheic dermatitis, though the exact cause is yet to be well-understood by experts and scientists alike. [2]

Nonetheless, seborrheic dermatitis could be attributed to 'too much bad flora' on your skin, especially with regards to the population density of Malassezia. This is a fungus that normally resides on your skin. [2]

Contrary to common belief, though, seborrheic dermatitis is not the result of a food allergy or questionable hygiene habits. [3]

Is sea salt or dead sea salt an effective seborrheic dermatitis management option?

In short, the answer is it depends.

Every body and skin type is unique, but sea salt has been shown to help quite a few people with dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and Malassezia overgrowth.

For instance, personal success stories have erupted on Reddit and in Facebook groups from people who have used dead sea salt water to soothe seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and other skin conditions. Some people have found that this natural remedy burns temporarily but enhances skin hydration and improves overall skin health in the long run. 

While salt water exists amongst the plethora of natural remedies known to tackle this condition effectively, you may have also heard claims of other natural antidotes for seborrheic dermatitis. These include apple cider vinegar, raw honey, tea tree oil, and xylitol.

However, as with any other management options, experimentation is the only way to know if sea salt is an effective remedy for your skin. 

And often, finding a safe and effective seborrheic dermatitis remedy for yourself comes with a little (or too much) trial and error.

What does science say about using sea salt for seborrheic dermatitis?

The fact of the matter is this—using sea salt for seborrheic dermatitis is based more on anecdotal accounts rather than concrete and large-scale research.

Nevertheless, some research has studied the effect of sea salt, or more specifically, dead sea salt, on skin health for conditions like atopic dermatitis.

For instance, one study discovered that magnesium-rich dead sea salt solution conferred several skin health benefits on participants with sensitive skin. [4]

In this study, researchers observed enhanced skin barrier function, improved skin hydration, and reduced skin irritation and inflammation in participants who bathed with dead sea salt solution. [4]

From the results of this study, sea salt could be a possible solution for smoother, less gritty, and calmer skin.

Additionally, the notion that sea salt could effectively combat pesky skin flakes and seborrheic dermatitis is further supported by this—seborrheic dermatitis is classified as a superficial fungal disease, and based on research, salt possesses good anti-fungal properties. [5, 6]

How can you use sea salt to reduce seborrheic dermatitis symptoms?

You can use either pure sea salt or dead sea salt to concoct this natural remedy.

However, better results have been observed from utilizing salt from the Dead sea, possibly because it contains more trace minerals. [4]

The sea salt remedy

Dissolve the salt in warm water to form a sea salt solution and gradually pour it over the affected area of your scalp or skin. Then, gently massage the salt mixture in. You can leave it on for several hours or even overnight. Finally, wash any residue off and pat dry.

How much salt you add is left to your own discretion, but it's best to test the waters with a lower concentration of salt before going full out.

For added relief, you may consider adding apple cider vinegar to salted warm water. And if you wish, you may top things off with a moisturizer suitable for atopic dry skin.

Alternatively, you can use a clean wash cloth to soak up some of this salt water solution and place this warm wash cloth over the affected region for a few minutes. Wash any residue off with cold water.

Salt soaks

Suppose your dermatitis affects more extensive areas of your skin. In that case, the National Eczema Association notes that you can mix one cup of salt with your bath water to help alleviate symptoms. [7]

However, on a precautionary note, avoid submerging broken skin into salt water baths and steer clear of these salt soaks altogether if you are experiencing a severe flare-up.

Your hair and skincare routine

If you wish to maximize the benefits of this sea salt remedy, perform a quick run-through of your hair and skincare products. Styling products, including hair sprays, gels, and skincare products containing alcohol, can exacerbate your dermatitis.

You may also want to keep an eye out for products containing various natural oils (excluding tea tree oil). The Malassezia fungus feeds off natural oils such as almond or coconut oil, which is bad news for your skin.

Remove any possible culprits—they're not worth the risk! Ultimately, you don't want these aggravators to negate the possible benefits of your sea salt therapy.

What are the risks of using sea salt on your skin?

Generally speaking, using sea salt water on your skin comes with a low risk of any harm.

In fact, research has shown that bathing in water containing a high concentration of salt is safe and serves as a catalyst for skin healing and recovery. This natural remedy does not utilize any drugs or chemicals, and hence, comes with a low risk of side effects. [8]

Nevertheless, you may experience a burning or stinging sensation upon application, but this should subside after some time.

So is sea salt the magic bullet for seborrheic dermatitis?

Realistically speaking, sea salt remedies may help combat skin redness, flakes, and itchiness, paving the way for healthier, brighter, and smoother skin. Plus, this remedy could very well keep your symptoms at bay for weeks or months on end.

However, it's rather unlikely that this would be a permanent cure for seborrheic dermatitis. 

We understand, though—the battle against seborrheic dermatitis can feel like an uphill struggle riddled with disappointment and relapsing flares.

But with some time and patience, you may just stumble upon something that works for you and your skin. 

There's still hope.

If you've breezed through all kinds of management options—from coal tar shampoo to steroid creams—we've got something for you that might just work.

The Calming Seborrheic Serum contains just the right amount of sea salt. This works synergistically with other soothing natural ingredients to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, nourish new skin cells, replenish your skin's hydration, and tone down inflammation.

Plus, we promise a full refund if you don't see any significant improvement within 60 days—no strings attached. We won't even need the bottle back.

Try it yourself. We genuinely hope the Calming Seborrheic Serum will paint a brighter future for your precious skin.