Is Saltwater Good for Your Hair and Skin?

A day at the beach can leave you with more than just sandy feet and a healthy glow. Between the salt air and ocean water, your hair may look fuller, your skin may feel smoother and you might even swear your complexion looks a bit clearer.

But is saltwater actually good for your hair and skin, or does it just look that way on the surface?

Dermatologist Taylor Bullock, MD, explains how long-term exposure to saltwater affects your skin and hair and how you can reap its rewards without worrying about side effects.

Benefits of saltwater for your hair and skin

Sea salt sprays have become popular on social media because of their ability to add volume, texture and natural-looking waves to your hair. If you’ve ever spent a day at the beach, you’ve probably noticed that ocean water can create a similar windswept look.

“Saltwater sprays and ocean water create texture by roughening the hair cuticle, giving it that tousled ‘beach wave’ look many people like,” explains Dr. Bullock. “But these effects are largely cosmetic and temporary rather than true improvements in hair and skin health.”

Saltwater may also temporarily help:

• Remove excess oil from your skin and scalp
• Make skin feel less greasy
• Improve the appearance of mild acne or other inflammatory skin conditions

“The minerals in saltwater have very mild anti-inflammatory effects for some people,” he adds. “But these effects are short-lived, and saltwater shouldn’t be used as a substitute for treatment.”

Side effects of saltwater

Repeated or prolonged exposure to saltwater can take a toll on your hair and skin.

“Saltwater itself isn’t inherently damaging,” clarifies Dr. Bullock. “But repeated exposure without proper rinsing and moisturizing can certainly take a toll over the course of a summer.”

Over time, salt water can:

• Dehydrate hair and skin
• Weaken your skin barrier
• Cause dry, itchy or irritated skin
• Trigger eczema flare-ups
• Leave hair rough, brittle and prone to breakage
• Cause color-treated hair to fade faster, especially if it’s bleached

“Natural, untreated hair tends to tolerate salt water better, but it can still become dry and brittle with repeated exposure,” he continues. “Color-treated hair is generally more vulnerable because the cuticle has already been altered by the coloring process.”

Protecting your skin and hair from saltwater damage

Before you spritz your hair with saltwater or spend a day at the ocean, Dr. Bullock offers these recommendations.

• Rinse your hair with fresh water. “Your hair acts like a sponge, so if it’s already saturated with clean water, it absorbs less salt water,” explains Dr. Bullock.
• Add extra protection. Apply a leave-in conditioner or light hair oil to your hair. Then, use a moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen on your skin for added support.

Follow these steps at the end of the day or right after you’re done swimming:

1. Rinse off as soon as you can. Use fresh water to rinse off the salt from your skin and hair.
2. Moisturize your hair. If you’ve been swimming for a while, use a gentle shampoo followed by a moisturizing conditioner to help replace lost hydration.
3. Moisturize your skin. Lock in hydration with a moisturizer while your skin is still damp from your fresh-water rinse.
4. Use hyaluronic acid or ceramides. “Products with ceramides can help support the skin barrier, while hyaluronic acid can help with hydration,” says Dr. Bullock.

Don’t be so salty

There’s nothing wrong with embracing that fresh-from-the-ocean look every now and then. Just balance those short-term perks with a little extra care before and after your swim to keep your hair and skin healthy all year long.

“If you like that saltwater look, I’d recommend using a professionally formulated sea salt spray rather than homemade salt water. That way you’re not overdoing it,” advises Dr. Bullock. “Then, balance it with regular conditioning and moisturizing treatments to keep your hair healthy and strong.”