Salt water dries skin and salt also has natural antiseptic properties--this is why if you’ve ever had a small cut on your body and you went for a swim in the sea, you may have later noticed the cut seemed to be healing faster. According to mostlyherbs.com, this is because salt water is naturally antiseptic. For people who have facial pimples or other cuts or blemishes on the skin, washing the face with salt water may promote faster healing.
Wash your face as you normally would, with soap or a facial cleanser. Rinse it well in warm water and pat to dry with a towel. Washing your face with a cleanser before applying salt water rid the face of dirt and some oil, making the salt water wash more effective.
Place a tbsp. of table salt or sea salt in a bowl. It doesn’t really matter which salt you use, although sea salt is generally coarser and will take longer to dissolve.
Fill the bowl with warm water and let the salt dissolve. Dip a clean wash cloth in the bowl and wipe the salt water over your face.
Let the salt water stay on your skin for several minutes. You can wait until it dries if you choose, although this is not necessary.
Rinse the salt water off with warm, clean water and then pat your face to dry it. Repeat this later in the day, such as before you go to bed at night.
Tip
If your skin starts getting too dry, reduce the frequency to once a day. If it still seems too dry, salt water may not be appropriate for your skin.
If you want to use salt as an exfoliating scrub, dampen a wash cloth and pour table salt directly on the cloth. Close your eyes and scrub this over your face. Rinse it off with warm water.
Warning
Avoid getting the salt water in your eyes--it will sting and cause irritation.