How to Get The Most Out of Your Salt Shower Routine
Everyone practices self care a little bit differently. For some people, taking a ten minute meditation break each morning helps kick start the day with a grounded feeling. Others enjoy the soothing benefits of a long hot soak, or even just intentionally setting boundaries and saying “no” to toxic situations. For those without a whole lot of free time, a salt shower can be a fantastic way to relax for a few minutes every day.
There is no “right” way to take a salt shower, but are definitely recommended best practices that will help you maximize the benefits.
Natural Oils and Butters
If it touches the skin, it gets in. This is a common saying, as your skin is a porous organ that absorbs nearly every ingredient in your lotion of choice. As we always recommend locking in moisture after a shower, it’s critical to choose a moisturizer that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. A majority of common products contain paraben, sodium lauryl sulphate and petroleum which are known to be toxic. A great alternative to your typical body lotion is a natural oil. Natural oils have been used in their most simple form by herbalists and naturopaths since discovered. Now’s the time to go back to the purity of nature.
While a salt shower is soothing and hydrating for your skin, it’s still a good idea to lock in moisture afterwards. Natural oils such as sweet almond, argan, jojoba, and coconut do a great job of sealing in all the goodness of the salt. Butters such as shea or mango are also great DIY moisturizer options. As consumers are demanding more and more natural skin care, all of these natural products are becoming easily available. You can mix your own DIY oils or butters, or buy from them from a natural product store or even some pharmacy chains.
With Magneflow, you can include essential oils with your salt mix, adding another layer of wellness. Just like the butters and oils, you can make your own salt mix, or buy pre-mixed Epsom salt with eucalyptus or lavender. Do-it-yourself options, however, are almost always more cost effective and enable you to control the quantity and quality of the essential oils.
Mind the water temperature
Extra hot showers after a long day can be tempting, but we can’t stress enough the importance of avoiding excessively hot water. Water that is too hot is incredibly drying to the skin, and is especially bad for the skin on your face.
Most dermatologists will recommend lukewarm to warm showers around 110 degrees Fahrenheit or less. If you really want it hotter, limit the time you spend in hot water to less than 4 minutes. If possible, turning the heat up in your bathroom can help you avoid the need for scalding water.
Choose an ideal time
You can take a salt shower at any time of day or night. Whether you like to start your day with a shower at 6 am, or get a good scrub in right before bed is up to you, however there are certain times that salt showers are extra beneficial.
Post-work out
The reason we recommend salt showering right after a workout is because of the effect salts have on tired muscles. Many doctors have suggested that epsom salts and other natural salts support the body’s post-workout recovery process. It also goes without saying that it’s important to shower after a sweaty workout and wash of toxins!
At bedtime
As mentioned, the Magneflow salt shower system allows users to add essential oils to the mix. Natural oils such as lavender oil help to promote a sense of sleepiness at bedtime. Moreover, showering in the evening is especially advantageous for sleep because it increases the body temperature, and the resulting cool off process can actually hasten sleep.
Whether salt showering is something you include in your daily routine, or whether it’s something you reserve for after a challenging work out, the soothing and hydrating benefits will not be lost!
