🎙 Episode 52: Magnesium for Skin Benefits: 5 Incredible Soap-Free Skincare Secrets

INTRO
Hey friend, welcome back to the Soap-Free Skin Series on Becoming Natural! I have mentioned it before, but I FINALLY got my act together this weekend and flipped the switch. While hopefully you can’t tell a difference on your end, I am using a new podcast hosting platform. It has been such an incredible blessing and truthfully, shocking to watch as my listeners, like you, have grown steady every single month over month with no advertising. Just word of mouth and I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. It’s crazy and fun and I love it more than I ever thought I would. I tend to scoff at things and then eat my words. I should be used to this. Alas, this platform allows for continued growth and better organization on my end. Alas, if you notice anything glitchy or a podcast doing something funky, please let me know. I do hope to listen to all my podcasts to ensure they are correct, but it’s really not a lot of fun listening to my own voice for that long :) I have dreams and plans and goals and now that I am officially switched over I will now be focusing on getting my website together. I am but a one woman show. Time….just need more time.

Im going to move forward with the last 2 mini pods about natural skin care habits and pretend I didn’t slip behind. There is nothing I love more than sitting at my NEW desk researching all these amazing things for our body and I REALLY get off course when I don’t have my routine to depend upon. However, last week was 3 all nighters…or up til 5am….not practicing what I preach AT ALL. BUT, we moved into our new renovated space and I was tired of piecing together the new space. I had to work, unbox, sort, donate, organize for my sanity. Once I finish that, I will have so much time and sanity restored to focus whole heartedly on BN once again. But I am EXCITED about today…and

All that to say, I’m Penny—your fellow soap skeptic that {gasp} suggested you might reconsider using that bar of soap in your shower. Each mini podcast in this series is a single non-soap solution for you to try. This is the 5th out of 6 suggestions. Only one more to go if you are completely soaped out.

So far in this series, we’ve explored oil cleansing, raw honey, clay powders, and Herbal powder pastes. Today, we’re diving into something that might already be sitting in your pantry—or hiding in your bath salts: salt and magnesium.

Now, before you picture me sprinkling Morton’s table salt straight into the shower, let me explain. We’re talking about using salt and magnesium-rich minerals as natural cleansers that don’t strip your skin, but instead balance, detoxify, and even soothe irritation. I can’t impart enough that when you use a natural solution for a soap (or anything for that matter) the amazing benefits come in layers and layers of not only cleansing the surface of your skin without stripping the goodness away, the ingredients also DETOX from the inside out and seal the entire cleansing process deal with soothing your skin if there is irritation.

🧂 Salt (Sodium Chloride, NaCl)

Made of: Sodium (Na) + Chlorine (Cl)

Structure: Tiny cubes of sodium and chloride ions tightly packed together.

Job: Table salt and sea salt are mostly NaCl, sometimes with trace minerals.

🌿 Magnesium Compounds

Made of: Magnesium (Mg) + something else.

Common examples:

Epsom salt = Magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)

Magnesium chloride flakes = MgCl₂

Job: Instead of flavoring food, magnesium compounds are more about cellular processes, muscle relaxation, and detox.

🔑 Are They “Close”?

No, not really.

Sodium and magnesium are neighbors on the periodic table (grouped under the “alkali” and “alkaline earth” metals).

Both are metals that easily form positive ions.

Both like to bond with chlorine (so you get NaCl vs. MgCl₂).

But chemically, they’re not interchangeable:

Sodium = 1 positive charge (Na⁺)

Magnesium = 2 positive charges (Mg²⁺)
That difference means magnesium plays unique roles in the body—like helping 300+ enzymes do their jobs—while sodium’s big role is balancing fluids and nerve signals.

🛁 Why They Feel Related in Skincare

Both show up in “salts”—because when they bond with minerals like chloride or sulfate, they form crystalline structures that look and act like salts.

Both dissolve in water into ions, which is why they’re great in rinses and baths.

Both can cleanse, soothe, and balance skin—but through slightly different mineral effects.

Why Salt Works as a Cleanser

Salt is one of the oldest natural cleansers. Think about the ocean—people have traveled for centuries to soak in saltwater for healing. Here’s why:

Exfoliation: Salt crystals gently slough off dead skin cells, leaving your skin softer and smoother without harsh scrubs.

Mineral boost: Sea salts and Himalayan pink salts contain trace minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium that support skin hydration and barrier function.

Antibacterial + Antimicrobial: Salt naturally pulls water out of bacteria cells through osmosis (fancy science for “bye-bye bad bugs”). Microbiology research confirms this—salt pulls water out of bacteria cells, which is why it’s been trusted in wound care for centuries.

———-Why Salt Harms Microbes

Osmosis in action:
Salt is hygroscopic (remember, it attracts water). When bacteria are in a salty environment, the salt outside the cell creates a higher concentration of solutes than inside the cell.

Result: Water rushes out of the bacteria to balance things out. This shrinks the cell (a process called plasmolysis) and dehydrates it.

What that does: Without enough water, bacteria can’t carry out normal functions like metabolism, replication, or repair. Many die; others go dormant.

⚔️ Does This “Kill” Bacteria?

Yes, for many types. Enough salt essentially desiccates (dries out) and destroys the bacterial cell. That’s why salting meat and fish preserved food for centuries—it created an environment most microbes couldn’t survive.

But not all. Some “halophiles” (salt-loving microbes) actually thrive in salty environments like the Dead Sea. They’re special cases, and not the ones causing skin infections.

🌿 Why It Works for Skin

When you use saltwater rinses or soaks:

It doesn’t sterilize like bleach—but it does reduce harmful bacteria by dehydrating them.

It also cleanses gently while supporting your skin’s own barrier and microbiome (the good bacteria that like living on us).

This “balancing act” is why salt is soothing for wounds and breakouts without destroying everything indiscriminately.

A simple way to try it: dissolve a spoonful of natural sea salt in warm water, soak a washcloth, and gently cleanse your skin. It’s like bringing the spa to your bathroom—minus the cucumber water.

Magnesium – More Than a Relaxing Bath

Magnesium gets a lot of buzz for stress relief and sleep, but it’s also a powerful skin ally. Here’s how:

Detox & circulation: Magnesium helps draw out toxins and improves blood flow when absorbed through the skin.

Soothes inflammation: Studies show magnesium can calm skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Cleveland Clinic even notes that magnesium not only eases stress, but also strengthens your skin barrier and helps with hydration.

Supports the skin barrier: By reducing stress hormones in the body, magnesium indirectly supports healthier skin.

Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and magnesium flakes (magnesium chloride) can be dissolved in water for a cleansing soak. Even a quick “salt rinse” on skin in the shower can refresh without soap. WebMD highlights that Epsom salt baths are one of the simplest ways to calm irritated skin and relax sore muscles.

The Different Kinds of Salt & Magnesium (and Why Purity Matters)

Salts

Table Salt: Everyday shaker salt—refined, stripped of any trace minerals, and often contains additives. Skip it entirely for skin care.

Sea Salt: From evaporated seawater, still rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Great for gentle cleansing.

Himalayan Pink Salt: Packed with over 80 trace minerals, mined from ancient deposits. Often soothing and less irritating. Healthline points out it’s also packed with over 80 trace minerals that boost hydration.

Dead Sea Salt: Harvested from the Dead Sea, famous for its therapeutic properties in skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. In fact, an NIH study found that Dead Sea minerals can ease eczema and psoriasis naturally.

Magnesium

Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate): Affordable, classic for baths and soaks, though it can be slightly drying if used alone.

Magnesium Chloride Flakes: Easier to absorb, more hydrating, and gentler on sensitive skin.

Magnesium “Oil” (really just a solution): A sprayable form of magnesium chloride in water—great for direct application.

Why “Single Ingredient” Matters

Here’s the deal: your skin is your largest organ, and it absorbs what you put on it. So when you buy something labeled “Epsom salts,” but the label also lists fragrance, coloring, or polysorbate—you’re not getting pure minerals anymore.

You’re layering on extras that can:

Irritate sensitive skin (fragrances are one of the most common irritants).

Dry out the skin barrier with unnecessary fillers.

Overburden your body with toxins you’re intentionally trying to avoid.

That’s why I always recommend single-ingredient salts and magnesium products. If the ingredient list says only “Magnesium sulfate” or “Magnesium chloride flakes,” you know you’re giving your body the real deal.

Think of it like this: it’s the difference between cooking with fresh, organic veggies versus dumping in a packet of artificial flavoring. The good stuff is still there—but it’s overshadowed by the additives.

Why Brands Add Extras

And this is where I’ll gently step on a soapbox—pun intended. Brands like Dr. Teal’s often add fragrance, coloring, or essential oil blends so they can market a “special” formula. It looks appealing, smells nice, and yes—they can charge more.

But if you’re someone with sensitive skin, chronic illness, or you’re just trying to reduce your toxic load, those extras can do more harm than good. Sometimes the simplest thing—just plain salt or magnesium—is the most powerful.

🧂 Does Grinding Pink Salt Rocks Fresh Make a Difference?

For flavor in food: Yes—grinding Himalayan salt right before use can make a difference in taste and texture, since large crystals can clump or get exposed to moisture over time. That’s why chefs love grinders.

For skin care: Not really. The mineral content in salt (magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron) is stable. Grinding it down doesn’t change its effectiveness; it just changes the particle size.

Smaller grains = gentler exfoliation.
Larger grains = stronger scrub.

So, grinding on the spot is more about convenience and texture than preserving benefits.

⏳ Do Salts Lose Potency Over Time?

Minerals don’t “expire.” Sodium chloride, magnesium, potassium—all the core minerals are incredibly stable. Himalayan pink salt, for instance, is millions of years old—grinding it in your kitchen doesn’t suddenly start a ticking clock.

What can happen over time:

Moisture absorption: Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it pulls water from the air. Over time it can clump, cake, or get a little damp.

Contamination: If salts are stored in open containers or plastic bags, they can pick up dust, odors, or bacteria from bathrooms/kitchens.

Added ingredients: If a salt product has oils, fragrances, or fillers (like some “bath blends”), those extras can degrade, oxidize, or go rancid—making the product less effective (and possibly irritating).

So, as long as you’re buying single-ingredient, pure salts and storing them in a glass jar with a lid in a cool, dry place, your salts will basically last indefinitely.

🌊 A Note on Dead Sea Salt

Dead Sea salts are especially rich in magnesium and bromides, which make them more hygroscopic. So when we say “salt is hygroscopic,” it means:
It loves to grab moisture from the atmosphere.
That’s why salt sometimes clumps in your shaker or why Dead Sea salts feel damp in the bag even though they’re “dry.”
It doesn’t mean the salt has spoiled—it’s just doing what salt does best: pulling water toward itself.

They suck up water even faster than Himalayan or Celtic. They can clump more quickly or feel damp in the bag—but that’s not them “going bad.” It just means the minerals are still active and attract moisture.

🙏 Faith Reflection

I love how salt doesn’t really lose its essence—it stays true over time. Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” From a spiritual perspective, Jesus was not talking about chemistry—He’s talking about integrity and purity of purpose. Just as salt remains stable when it’s kept pure, our lives hold their “flavor” when we stay rooted in what God designed us to be.

How to Use salt or magnesium Daily and there are many ways!

You don’t have to take a full bath every day (though I wouldn’t say no to that). Here are simple soap-free swaps:

Saltwater splash: Mix ½ tsp of sea salt in a cup of warm water, splash onto skin, then rinse.

Magnesium rinse: Dissolve a small handful of Epsom salts or magnesium flakes in a basin of warm water, use as a quick body rinse, then towel dry.

✨ Magnesium Spray (Topical “Magnesium Oil”)

What it is: A water-based solution of magnesium chloride (feels a little oily but isn’t actually an oil).

How it works: Absorbs directly through the skin—no bath required.

Benefits:

Convenience: Quick spritz before bed, no tub needed.

Targeted relief: You can apply it to sore muscles, restless legs, or even the bottoms of your feet (a great spot for absorption).

Sleep support: Many people find it calming because magnesium helps regulate melatonin and reduces nighttime cortisol.

Downside: It can feel a bit tingly or itchy on sensitive skin, especially if your magnesium levels are low.

🛁 Magnesium Salts (Epsom or Magnesium Flakes)

What it is: A soak with magnesium sulfate (Epsom) or magnesium chloride flakes.

How it works: Absorbed through the skin while you soak in warm water.

Benefits:

Full-body relaxation: Heat + magnesium = muscle tension release.

Skin-soothing: Helps with inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.

Detox boost: The sulfate (in Epsom salts) supports detox pathways, which the spray doesn’t provide.

Downside: Requires time, a tub or basin, and more cleanup.

🌿 Spray vs. Salt = Different Tools

Think of it like this:

Spray is your daily supplement—easy, fast, targeted, great for consistent use.

Salt soaks are your therapy session—deeper, more restorative, especially when your body or skin needs extra help.

Using both isn’t redundant—it’s actually a beautiful combo: spray for maintenance, baths or rinses for “reset” moments.

DIY salt scrub

Mix sea salt with a little apricot or jojoba oil for a gentle exfoliating cleanser.

Foot soak

Magnesium foot baths double as a skin cleanser and stress reliever.

Faith Reflection

Matthew 5:13—“You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was really valuable in Jesus’ time for preserving, cleansing, and healing. Isn’t it amazing that God wove those same properties into His creation to care for our bodies still today?

And magnesium—found in the earth, the ocean, even in our cells—reminds me that God’s design is complete. He didn’t forget to give us what we need. Sometimes, healing is found not in a fancy lab-made bottle, but in the simple minerals He placed in the sea and soil.

Purity brings clarity. Our bodies often thrive on the pure, simple forms of what He’s already given us.

Quick Tips & Cautions

Choose natural salts—Himalayan pink, Celtic sea salt, Dead Sea, or Epsom—not table salt.

Look for single-ingredient labels: no dyes, no fragrances, no extras.

Don’t scrub raw, broken, or freshly shaved skin. Ouch.

If you have kidney disease or are on certain medications, check with your doctor before frequent magnesium baths.

Start small. Even a rinse or quick soak makes a difference.

CLOSE
So that’s today’s soap-free secret—salt and magnesium as God-given cleansers that support your skin’s natural ability to balance and heal.

If you give this a try, I’d love to hear your experience. Did your skin feel softer? Did you notice less irritation?

And remember—this isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about learning gentle, natural ways to care for the body God gave us.

Until next time, keep seeking truth that heals, friend.