Mineral salts in your homemade soap: Which one to choose and why?

When we talk about salt in soaps, we immediately imagine a fine lather, an exfoliating texture and a moment of absolute relaxation in the shower.

But not all salts are good for homemade soap!

Some are precious allies for the skin, others are to be avoided, like a basin of soapy water spilled on the floor…

So which salts can be used in your soap, and why? Here’s a salty deciphering!

❌ Cooking salt: A no-no!

We start with the big loser: refined table salt.

You might say to yourself, “It’s salt after all! Why not?” 🤔

Well, that’s a bad idea! This salt has been chemically treated, often with added anti-caking agents.

It does nothing for the skin and can even disrupt the texture of the soap!

So you might as well save it for your pasta, not your soaps! 🍝🚫

🌟 The Salts that Sublimate your Home Soaps

Fortunately, some salts are real nuggets for the skin! Here are the best ones to include in your recipes.

1. Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate)

It’s not really a salt, but a wonder for the skin! It’s made up of magnesium and sulfate, giving it relaxing and purifying properties.

✅ Benefits :
✔️ Helps relax muscles after a long day or sports session
✔️ Provides a light exfoliating effect
✔️ Produces a creamier lather (but a little less abundant)
✔️ Helpseliminate toxins

Use in cold saponification: Use sparingly, 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (PTS), otherwise your soap may become crumbly.

2. Himalayan Pink Salt

Extracted directly from the Himalayan mountains, this mineral-rich salt is distinguished by its beautiful pink color 💕.

✅ Benefits :
✔️ Provides gentle exfoliation
✔️ Promotesskin hydration thanks to its rich mineral content
✔️ Helps purify the epidermis

Ideal for a natural “glow-up” soap!

Use in cold saponification: Use sparingly, 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (PTS), otherwise your soap may become crumbly.

3. Guérande Salt

Ahhh, Brittany and its marine treasures 🌊. Harvested by hand, this salt retains all its minerals and is unrefined. Just like cooking salt, never use refined Guérande salt!

✅ Benefits :
✔️ Gentle natural exfoliant
✔️ Rich in skin-friendly trace elements
✔️ Makes soap harder and more pleasant to use

Used in cold saponification:

Use sparingly, 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (PTS), otherwise your soap may become crumbly.

A little extra: it gives your homemade soap an “authentic”, handmade touch.

4. Dead Sea Salt

The ultimate in mineral-rich salts! It is used in many dermatological treatments.

✅ Benefits :
✔️ Soothes sensitive and problem skin (eczema, psoriasis…)
✔️ Rich in magnesium, calcium and potassium
✔️ Helps reduce skin inflammation

Used in cold saponification:

Perfect for a soft “baby skin” soap 🍼.

Use sparingly, 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (PTS), otherwise your soap may become crumbly.

5. Bali Salt (or Hawaiian Black Salt)

An exotic salt loaded with activated charcoal, giving it a surprising black color and detoxifying benefits.

I must confess that I haven’t tested it yet! But reading the reviews

✅ Benefits :
✔️ Purifies skin with activated charcoal
✔️ Light exfoliating effect
✔️ Gives your soaps an ultra-chic look (perfect for contrasting creations with marbling!)

Used in cold saponification:

Use sparingly, 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (PTS), otherwise your soap may become crumbly.

📌 How do you add salt to your soap?

👉 Adding to soda water: When using micro-pearl soda, dilute the chosen salt in the water specified in the recipe (Water + Salt). Once the salt has completely dissolved in the water, add the micro-pearl soda. Please note that the salt must be completely dissolved in the water before adding the micro-pearl.

👉 Adding to soap dough: Dissolve the salt in a little vegetable oil before adding it to avoid a grainy texture.
👉 Add as a topping: sprinkle a few grains of salt on top of the soap before it hardens, for a decorative effect.
👉 Recommended dosage: 1 to 3% of the weight of the oils (no more, otherwise the soap may become crumbly).

Conclusion: Which one to choose?

🔹 For an exfoliating and remineralizing soap : Guérande salt or Himalayan salt
🔹 For a relaxing and detoxifying soap : Epsom salt or Dead Sea salt
🔹 For a soap with an original, purifying look : Black Hawaiian Salt

So, ready to add a touch of salt to your homemade soaps?

What’s your favorite salt for your creations? Tell me all about it in the comments! 😍👇

Alexandra