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What are Dead Sea Salts?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Dead Sea salts are mineral salts extracted from the Dead Sea, a unique body of water located between Israel and Jordan. The Dead Sea has been a source of interest for thousands of years, as it is a remarkable place, and people have been bathing in its waters for health benefits for centuries. It is possible to find pure Dead Sea salts for sale, along with a number of products which incorporate the salts. Study on the composition of the Dead Sea has suggested that its unique salts may indeed carry health benefits, especially for people with skin conditions such as psoriasis.

The formation of the Dead Sea began millions of years ago, when the Sea was initially connected to the Red Sea. Over the centuries, the Dead Sea began to sink, because it is located at the boundary between two tectonic plates which are pulling apart. The only way that water escapes from the Dead Sea is through evaporation, and the sea is supplied by the River Jordan. It seems that the unique concentration of salts in the Dead Sea has been in existence for a very long time, since travelers have written about the unique region in very ancient accounts.

Dead Sea salts can be found in many skin care products.
Dead Sea salts can be found in many skin care products.

The salinity of the Dead Sea can sometimes approach up to 30%. This high salinity makes the Sea a popular bathing spot, since people will float like corks in the water, rather than sinking. The salts also tend to precipitate out to the bottom of the Dead Sea and the shoreline, since the water is so supersaturated. People have been collecting the salts and using them for body care for centuries, along with the unique mud that gathers at the edge of the Dead Sea.

Dead sea salts can be soothing to skin with eczema.
Dead sea salts can be soothing to skin with eczema.

Many people like to add Dead Sea salts to bath water and soak in them, just as if they were bathing in the Dead Sea. The salts are also added to skincare lines, and they pop up in things like exfoliating scrubs, moisturizers, and other skin conditioners. Dead Sea salts appear to be soothing and relieving for skin conditions like eczema and acne as well as psoriasis.

Acne might be soothed with Dead Sea salts.
Acne might be soothed with Dead Sea salts.

Unfortunately, overutilization of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea's resources has led to an alarming shrinkage of the body of water. This shrinkage began in earnest in the 1960s, when both Israel and Jordan began to rely heavily on the river as a water source. In addition, both nations extract Dead Sea Salts through a series of evaporation ponds, which accelerates the water loss even further. Unless effort is taken to reverse this process, the Dead Sea may not be around much longer, although its salts will endure.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Dead Sea salts can be found in many skin care products.
      By: picsfive
      Dead Sea salts can be found in many skin care products.
    • Dead sea salts can be soothing to skin with eczema.
      By: quayside
      Dead sea salts can be soothing to skin with eczema.
    • Acne might be soothed with Dead Sea salts.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Acne might be soothed with Dead Sea salts.
    • Dead sea salts may carry health benefits, and they are especially good for people with skin conditions.
      By: joanna wnuk
      Dead sea salts may carry health benefits, and they are especially good for people with skin conditions.
    • The salts of the Dead Sea accumulate on the shore.
      By: Victor B
      The salts of the Dead Sea accumulate on the shore.