How to Make a Homemade Sea Salt Soak

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Simple recipes to heal wounds, improve your skin, & relax

Co-authored by Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD and Devin McSween

Last Updated: February 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Sea Salt Soak for Piercings & Wounds

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Foot Sea Salt Soak

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Sea Salt Bath

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Expert Q&A

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Warnings

Sea salt has numerous health benefits, including healing wounds, treating minor infections, reducing skin irritation, and even soothing psoriasis. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 16 August 2021.} Making a sea salt soak is easy: simply combine ¼ teaspoon (1 g) of sea salt with 1 cup (237 ml) of warm distilled water. Keep reading to learn how to make a sea salt soak to help treat piercings and wounds. We’ll also tell you how to make relaxing feet and bath soaks, too.

Things You Should Know

To help heal piercings and wounds, mix 1 c (237 ml) of warm distilled water with ¼ tsp (1 g) of sea salt. Soak gauze in the water and put it on the treatment area.
Then, leave the gauze on your piercing or wound for up to 5 minutes. Apply the sea salt soak 2-3 times per day until the area is healed.
To prepare a sea salt foot soak, fill a foot bath or basin with hot water and add 1 tbsp (13 g) of sea salt. Then, soak your feet for 15 minutes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Sea Salt Soak for Piercings and Wounds

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1
Mix 1 c (237 ml) of warm distilled water with ¼ tsp (1 g) of sea salt . Heat 1 cup (237 ml) of distilled water in the microwave or on your stove until it is warm, but not hot. Then, stir in ¼ tsp (1 g) of iodine-free sea salt until the salt is fully dissolved. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- Salt has antibacterial properties that help clean wounds, like piercings, and minor infections. This helps speed up the healing process. ^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Science Direct
  Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
  Go to source}
- Do not use more than ¼ tsp (1 g) of sea salt, as too much salt can irritate or dry out your piercing or wound.
- Use store-bought distilled water, or distill your own water at home .
- If you don’t have sea salt, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alina Goldenberg says “ Epsom salts can be a helpful easy solution to exfoliate the skin and relieve inflammation, especially for conditions like psoriasis, eczema, [and] hemorrhoids.” ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.}
2
Dip gauze in the salt solution and place it on your piercing or wound. Place gauze or a sterile bandage in the sea salt soak until it’s fully wet. Then, drape the gauze over the area you want to heal, whether you’re treating a new piercing or a wound. Do not rub the wound with the gauze, as this can cause irritation. ^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- According to dermatologist Dr. Alina Goldenberg, “sea salt has been used for decades as a remedy for inflammatory skin conditions, particularly psoriasis” and can “improve psoriasis symptoms.” ^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.}
- Alternatively, dip your wound into the solution if it’s in any easily accessible area, like on your hand or foot.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing or wound to help prevent an infection. ^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
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3
Soak your wound for up to 5 minutes, repeating 2 to 3 times per day. Hold the gauze-soaked solution on your piercing or wound for no more than 5 minutes; this is enough time to promote healing but prevent dryness and irritation. ^{[8]
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Research source} Just soak your piercing or wound 2 to 3 times each day until the area is healed. ^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- For instance, soak your wound in the morning, around lunch, and before you go to bed.
- Rinse the wound or piercing with water if the salt residue irritates your skin.
- If your piercing or wound starts to feel dry or irritated, only soak it once per day.
- Stop soaking your wound and visit your doctor if you notice signs of infection, like redness, soreness, swelling, and pus. ^{[10]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Store any excess sea salt solution in a sealed container at room temperature.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Sea Salt Foot Soak

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1
Fill a foot bath or shallow basin with hot water. If you have a foot bath, fill the bowl with comfortably hot water, which is typically around 100°F (38°C). Or, fill a bowl, basin, or your sink with hot water. ^{[11]
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Research source}
- Sea salt soaks are very relaxing and beneficial for your skin. They can boost skin hydration, improve the skin barrier, and soothe irritation. ^{[12]
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  Research source}
- Sea salt soaks can also help ease symptoms related to psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and atopic dermatitis. ^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
2
Mix in 1 tbsp (13 g) of sea salt and soak your feet for 15 min. Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons (13-26 g) of sea salt into the hot water until it’s fully dissolved. Then, move to a comfortable spot, put your feet in the salt water, and relax for about 15 minutes. ^{[14]
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Research source}
- Add fragrance to the foot soak for a more relaxing experience. For instance, drop in a handful of dried rose petals or chamomile petals . Or, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil , like lavender or bergamot.
- If your feet feel irritated, add less sea salt.
3
Rinse your feet with water and dry them with a towel. Wash off any salty residue with warm water. Then, use a clean, dry towel to pat your feet dry. ^{[15]
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Research source}
- Exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone or foot file after drying them for extra rejuvenation.
- Soak your feet once per day to feel the sea salt’s benefits.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preparing a Sea Salt Bath Soak

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1
Add ½ cup (120 g) of sea salt to a hot bath and soak for 10-20 minutes. Fill your bathtub with comfortably hot water. Then, pour in ½ cup (120 g) of sea salt and swirl the water to help it dissolve. Simply soak in the tub for 10 to 20 minutes to feel the sea salt’s relaxation and skin rejuvenation benefits!
- Alternatively, make your own bath salts by combining equal parts sea salt and Epsom salt . Then, add in your favorite essential oils , dried herbs, or flower petals. ^{[16]
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  Research source}
Sea salt bath soaks are primarily used for their calming effects, so draw up a bath whenever you want to unwind or feel under the weather. Like other sea salt soaks, the bath can also help heal wounds, calm irritation, and improve your skin. ^{[17]
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Research source}

Expert Q&A

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Question

Does Dead Sea salt really work for psoriasis?

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes, it does work. Studies showed that the benefits are greater when the patients are exposed to the real Dead Sea compared to only salt water. It is believed that the effect is due to a combination of the salt and the sun exposure.

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Question

Do salt baths help inflammation?

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Alina Goldenberg is a Board Certified Dermatologist. She specializes in allergic contact and atopic dermatitis, patch testing, skin cancer screening and treatment, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Goldenberg has published numerous peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and received grants and awards from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Skin Association. She holds a BA in Public Health from The University of California, Berkeley, a MAS in Clinical Research, and an MD from The University of California, San Diego.

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes! Sea salt has been used for decades as a remedy for various inflammatory skin conditions.

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Question

How do I prepare a sea salt soak?

Community Answer

Start running your bath. Pop in the sea salt once the water is hot. Then get in and enjoy your soak.

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Warnings

Do not use more than the recommended amount of salt in your soak. Too much salt can irritate and dry out your skin.

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Do not soak your piercing or wound in salty ocean water. Ocean water isn’t sterile and is full of bacteria, microorganisms, and other contaminants. Putting your wound in the water can potentially lead to an infection. If you’re heading to the beach, cover your piercing or wound with a water-proof bandage . ^{[18]
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Wash your hands before handling your piercing or wound and the salt solution. Bacteria and debris on your hands can contaminate the solution and enter your wound, raising your risk for infection. ^{[19]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}

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Things You'll Need

Making a Sea Salt Soak for Piercings and Wounds

Distilled water
Sea salt
Bowl or basin
Gauze

Making a Sea Salt Foot Soak

Foot bath or basin
Sea salt
Dried herbs or flowers, optional
Essential oil , optional
Towel
Pumice stone or foot file , optional

Preparing a Sea Salt Bath Soak

Sea salt
Epsom salt , optional
Dried herbs or flowers, optional
Essential oil , optional

[1]

Expert Source

Alina Goldenberg MD, MAS, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist

[2]

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Go to source

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How to Make a Homemade Sea Salt Soak

Things You Should Know

Steps

Making a Sea Salt Soak for Piercings and Wounds

Making a Sea Salt Foot Soak

Preparing a Sea Salt Bath Soak

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

Making a Sea Salt Soak for Piercings and Wounds

Making a Sea Salt Foot Soak

Preparing a Sea Salt Bath Soak

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