Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Dead Sea Salts. They are not dead.

I’ve gotten so many questions over the years about the Dead Sea salts, but probably my favorite is “why are they dead?” So let’s start there. The salts are not dead.  They come from the Dead Sea and when you’re talking about the good stuff, these soaking salts are truly unique.

What It Is

For over two thousand years (dude, that’s biblical times) the Dead Sea has been revered for it’s therapeutic, beautifying, miracle-working waters. Located between the countries of Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is the deepest hyper-saline lake in the world, having a total salt concentration that is 10 times higher than ocean water. Situated 1280 feet below sea level, it’s actually the lowest place on earth.  The Dead Sea also has a unique composition of brine, comprising magnesium, potassium and calcium chlorides in addition to a high concentration of bromides.  Its rich, briny water is so thick with mineral salts that it actually feels like oil. People float effortlessly in its dense waters, bobbing like corks, making it difficult to even swim in. If you're headed there, bring a book.  You can float on your back and read as if you've got the best air mattress in the world.

What It's For

Dead Sea salt is beneficial in so many ways, alleviating skin problems, joint problems, pain, and much more.  Skin, being the largest organ of the body, absorbs the salts, minerals and compounds into the body, having a positive effect on circulation and metabolism. Arthritis, eczema, muscular pain, rheumatism, and psoriasis are just some of the conditions that are benefited by long soaks in these rejuvenating salts. As it has for centuries, the Dead Sea continues to attract tens of thousands of visitors every year to its many resorts and treatment spas.


Physiological benefits:

•      Detoxification of metals, toxins and impurities trapped in the skin.
•      Stimulation of the circulatory system.
•      Relief of various forms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle, joint and back pain.
•      Relief of skin irritations and increase new skin growth.
•      Deep cleansing and moisture restoration.
•      Promotion of elasticity in aging skin.


•      Relaxation of nerves and reduction of stress levels.


Benefits of Dead Sea minerals and trace elements

Dead Sea salts contain more than 21 beneficial minerals proven to have significant physiological benefits. Some Dermatologists recommend Dead Sea salt baths for patients with psoriasis, eczema, and other dry skin conditions.

Sulfur: Plays a huge role in health of the body, including liver function, digestion and absorption of nutrients, plus maintenance of hair, skin and nails. Aids in conversion of toxins into non-toxins. Necessary for synthesizing collagen and allowing cells to breathe.

Magnesium: Important for combating both stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Essential for cell metabolism. Accelerates cell regeneration, tightens, tones, and retains moisture in skin.

Iodine: Maintains body's energy level. Vital for strong, healthy hair, skin, teeth and nails. Destroys toxins and aids in the property utilization of calcium and silicone.

Potassium: Energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Antibacterial and astringent properties. Aids in regulating water balance, assists skin in absorption and expulsion of waste products. Aids in regeneration and skin cell growth. Also regulates muscle contractions and the nervous system.

Sodium chloride: Promotes skin's proper pH balance. Protects against fluid loss and is a natural antiseptic. Sodium, like potassium, plays an important role in assisting cells absorb nourishment and expel waste. Sodium is also important for the lymphatic fluid balance, aiding immune system function.

Calcium chloride: Effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Alkaline and necessary for strengthening cell membranes and cleansing pores. Considered a building block for the corrective tissue under the skin's surface.

Bromine: Bromides ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Soothes and treats skin ailments. Contains antiseptic and purifying qualities and is also a natural antibiotic.

Chlorine:  Necessary to maintain correct balance of alkaline and acid in the body.  Vital for cell metabolism.

Bitumen: Natural tar that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Zinc: Promotes collagen creation and aids in wound healing and protein synthesis. Beneficial for rosacea patients.

Other minerals and trace elements include: Strontium, silica, silicon, rubidium, selenium, molybdenum, phosphorus, manganese, lithium, copper, iron and sodium bicarbonate.

Soapworks Studio Dead Sea Bath Salts

Soapworks Studio uses 100% pure Dead Sea salt -- unrefined, solar evaporated and harvested from the Southern Dead Sea in Israel where the mineral content is the highest. They are packaged in 16 oz plastic bottles for ease of transport and safety in the bathroom - meaning they are lighter to carry or ship, plus no fear of breakage. At $8 per bottle, these are some of the most reasonably priced Dead Sea salts you will find anywhere. Period. Because I want people to use them. Often. And not have them just gathering dust on the bathroom counter because they are too precious or pricey. (Go grab yourself some of them here.)

How To Use Them

Since these are so concentrated, you don't need to toss in the entire bottle for one bath. A small handful or quarter cup works fine, especially for foot baths or a "regular" size bath tub. A half cup when you need a little extra pampering or you've got a great big soaker tub. And if you are treating a skin condition, use half a bottle and spend at least 20 minutes in the bath - repeating this several times a week (your dermatologist probably has a recommendation). Swish around to dissolve and dive in. Come out glowing and silky smooth.

Top question - can they be used in a jetted tub? The answer is a very definitive, um, "maybe." First and foremost, it's important to check with your spa manufacturer since the internal working of each one can be different. You want to make sure that using the salt in your jetted tub will not void your warranty or get you in "hot water" so to speak. But having said that, the salt is all-natural, unrefined, with no additives and goes through an extra inspection process to remove any little rocks or foreign bits. They dissolve so quickly and easily that by the time you can drop your towel, the water will be silky smooth, and with a quick swish, you will be able to tell if there is a tiny little pebble on the bottom somewhere before turning on the jets. If you've used bath salts in your tub before, these will be no more risky. You are probably the bigger expert on how your particular spa works, way more than I am. But I've been assured that for most circumstances they will be perfectly fine.

Hop in and spend some time soaking in a Dead Sea bath to relax, relieve stress and muscle tension, detoxify and increase circulation, soothe skin irritations, and enhance your skin’s own natural radiance.


Splash. Soak. Glow.

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