Does salt bathing really work?

Salt water has long soothed tired bodies and troubled skin. From communal Roman baths to the mineral-rich Dead Sea – the mythical bathing site of Cleopatra – sodium-laced waters have featured in wellness rites throughout history. Today these ancient practices are reimagined in sleek spas and refined home rituals. More than calm, they can offer exfoliation, hydration and relief for inflammatory skin conditions.

At AIRE Ancient Baths (experiences from $175), one of New York’s most immersive bathing spaces, the Flotarium is infused with Epsom salts to mirror the salinity of the Dead Sea. “Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, said to reduce inflammation and soothe tired muscles,” says AIRE’s global marketing director Andrea Trillo of the chemical compound, which has been used to treat stress and soreness since it was discovered in the 17th century. While research is limited, some evidence – see a 2023 study by the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research – suggests that it can even reduce pain in arthritis sufferers. Warm water can also increase blood flow to muscles and joints, providing further relief.

AIRE has locations in eight cities across Europe and the US, with the latest – a 9,600sq ft spa in New York’s Upper East Side – opening in March. “We’ve observed a notable increase in interest in wellness rituals and hydrotherapy,” says Baskina, whose clients range from “busy professionals” to “wellness enthusiasts”. All value “holistic experiences that restore both body and mind”.

The salts sting briefly and then soften, bringing release and calm

“Salt-water therapies, particularly those with magnesium-rich minerals like Dead Sea salts, are beneficial for skin hydration and supporting the skin’s barrier function,” adds Annee de Mamiel, a skin-health specialist and founder of her namesake brand, of the increased demand for bathing treatments. Magnesium can enhance skin hydration, which “improves conditions such as eczema and psoriasis”. She also points to research – including a 2022 study by a group of professors at Tulsa’s Laureate Institute for Brain Research – that suggests that flotation therapy can “reduce cortisol levels and activate the parasympathetic nervous system [responsible for controlling the body’s ability to relax]. The primary benefit of salt-water immersion is its ability to support the skin-mind connection by easing stress, a major factor in exacerbating conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea.” De Mamiel offers three blends of bath salts – Soothe, Altitude and Anchor (all £60) – that combine magnesium, Himalayan and Dead Sea salts with calming crystal essences and essential oils.

But while “salt-water therapies can benefit inflammatory skin conditions by improving hydration and reducing transepidermal water loss, the research surrounding these treatments is still evolving”, says Amiee Vyas, an aesthetic doctor with a special interest in skin health. “There is some evidence that magnesium salts may assist in skin-barrier repair, but further studies are needed to understand their exact mechanism.” She also notes that the therapies “should be seen as adjuncts to traditional medical treatments rather than replacements, especially for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Individuals should exercise caution if they have sensitive skin or active flare-ups, as salt water can cause irritation in those with rosacea, open skin wounds or darker skin tones, where inflammation can sometimes lead to hyperpigmentation.”

For an experience that leans more towards a beauty treatment, Surrenne, the wellness club beneath The Emory in Belgravia, offers the White Onyx Wet Spa Ritual. It begins with a steam session, followed by a full-body polish bed using Himalayan and Red Alea salts atop a warm white-onyx bed. “Onyx, known for its calming energy and mineral content, can symbolically and sensorially enhance salt-water therapies,” says Michaela Hurst, wellness director at Surrenne. The salts sting briefly and then soften, bringing release and calm.

If a spa visit isn’t possible, look to Goop’s The Martini ($40), an “emotional” bath soak with Himalayan pink and Epsom salts, passionflower, myrrh and valerian root. Add one third of a bag to warm running water and soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. Similarly, Mirror Water’s Soak bath salts (£38) combine Himalayan and magnesium salts with the brand’s signature Downtime Activ-Essence, a “grounding” blend of vetiver, cedarwood, Canadian black spruce and bergamot. 

While long-term research continues, the calming effects of salt-water therapy are immediate. Salt works deep within, allowing the body to release, reset and return to balance. It’s a quiet surrender, letting something elemental do what it has always done.