You can see them everywhere on TikTok: Homemade sea saltwater sprays for acne and pimples. But does the new DIY trend really help against impurities?
We asked an expert. That’s what she says about the skincare trend.
TikTok’s new DIY skincare trend
With a teaspoon of sea salt, warm water, and zack, the acne will go away. At least that is what the TikTok influencer Leacrylics promises in a video. While on vacation, she noticed how calming the seawater had on her skin and decided to take care of herself at home. Since then, she has sprayed her face with her homemade mixture every day. Usually in the morning, but sometimes several times a day. The result: your skin is cleaner and the pimple formation is significantly less. “That helped me more than anything,” she says.
Promising results, at least some find on TikTok and are therefore imitating the influencer. Since then, users have been posting numerous videos of DIY sprays and an allegedly improved skin texture under the hashtag #seasalt.
Sea salt water: Beware of dry skin
But can such a homemade sea saltwater spray really help against acne and pimples? The dermatocosmetician Sonja Panagiotides von Kuzbari (Center for Aesthetic Medicine) has the answer. “The saltwater from the sea in particular benefits the skin thanks to its minerals and trace elements. Magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iodine have a strong nourishing effect on the skin, the salt is disinfectant and antibacterial. Even a short exposure to salt prevents inflammation. ”
Sea salt water can do a lot, especially for blemished skin. Oily skin in particular can benefit from this. However, if you tend to have particularly dry skin, you should be careful. Because salt removes moisture from the skin and has a strong drying effect. Particularly with sensitive skin, eczema, or neurodermatitis, careful care should therefore be taken afterward. “After exposure to seawater, it is important to wash the skin with fresh water and then supply the skin with a nourishing moisturizing cream to counteract the tipping of the skin’s balance,” says Panagiotides.
However, anyone who has severe acne or who takes acne medication should keep their hands off the DIY spray. Because the risk of additional irritation and unexpected aggravation is then too great.
Please don’t overdo it!
You should also be careful when making the spray. “When buying organic sea salt, you should pay attention to it, because apart from the salt, the mineral content is more important,” she emphasizes. You should also use the homemade sprays for a maximum of two days and make sure that they do not become cloudy. “Because the condition of the skin can even worsen considerably, local irritation and redness can be undesirable consequences,” the expert knows.
Finally, the expert gives a tip: “Please do not overdo it!” Spray once in the morning and in the evening and then smear it with a good moisturizing cream is sufficient. Because with too frequent use, the skin can dry out and annoying itching can develop, in the worst case even inflammation and scarring.
