Is Dead Sea Mud Good For Acne? Benefits, Studies

Dead Sea mud has been used for centuries. With the shift towards more natural products, Dead Sea cosmetics are booming. Especially Dead Sea mud has a lot to offer when dealing with acne.

Dead Sea mud has pronounced antimicrobial action and shows an antiacne effect. Dead Sea’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help wounds heal faster. In studies, Dead Sea mud is a proven cleanser while decreasing signs of aging for an overall improved skin.

Let’s start with the Dead Sea. What is it and where does the antiacne mud come from?

1. The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a salt lake and the biggest natural saline reserve in the world. Dead Sea mud and salts show high concentrations of sulfates and mineral salts and have been used in skincare for a long time. [1]; [2]; [3]

But Dead Sea mud and Dead Sea salts have more to offer: in addition to skincare, they are used in the medical field to treat various disorders and diseases.

Their main use in cosmetic products, is to cure skin problems like stretch marks, acne, eczema, blemished skin, and aging signs. They can even cure eczema. And there is scientific proof that Dead Sea salts and mud work for all those conditions! [4]; [5]

Is Dead Sea mud safe? Studies show that Dead Sea treatments have a good safety profile. The laboratory analysis of Dead Sea mud did not reveal mineral concentrations that could represent a health concern for their intended use. [6] 

With the shift towards more natural products, it’s no wonder that the global Dead Sea cosmetics market is booming and valued at a whooping USD 1.1 billion in 2018. [7]

What’s so special about Dead Sea water?

It’s the mineral composition that makes Dead Sea water unique. Dead Sea water contains large amounts of magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromine, chlorine, and smaller amounts of sulfate and bicarbonate. [8] 

Dead Sea salts differs greatly from other sea salts, being made of mostly magnesium and potassium (~60%), 8% salt and some rare minerals. Dead Sea salts and mud should only be applied externally. Dead Sea salts are not safe for consumption. The amount of minerals makes Dead Sea salts taste quite bitter.

2. Dead Sea Mud For Acne

When looking for a cure for acne, make sure you understand the difference between Dead Sea salts and Dead Sea mud. They have a different field of activity and you’ll find both in various products.

The difference between Dead Sea salts and Dead Sea mud is that salts are dried minerals of Dead Sea water whereas Dead Sea mud is the smooth viscous black paste harvested from the shores of the Dead Sea.

Common Dead Sea products include: Bath salts, mineral mud soaps, mineral peeling soaps, hand and body lotions, eye cream, cleansing mud masks, body butter, body exfoliates, acne lotions, sunscreens, lightening cream, collagen firming creams, firming night creams, scalp masks, antidandruff shampoos, and products with an ‘anti-wrinkle effect’. [9]; [10]

But what mud products work – and which ones don’t?

We went through numerous studies to find an answer to this question. The take-away? Most processed cosmetic products with long lists of ingredients are hit or miss. We even found promising products containing up to 30% Dead Sea salts that didn’t perform in studies. [11] 

However, two things show proven success for acne: Baths in Dead Sea salts and masks with 100% pure Dead Sea mud.

Let’s see how they work.

How Dead Sea Mud Works

Dead Sea mud works in 3 ways.

1. Dead Sea mud has pronounced antimicrobial action. That means it effectively stops the spread of fungi and bacteria. The combination of mineral salts, sulfide and its low pH are the suggested main reason for that. But Dead Sea mud contains even more. Hundreds of natural compounds including plant extracts, essential oils and particles of marine sponges all play their part in the antimicrobial activities of Dead Sea mineral mud. This explains why Dead Sea mud masks show an antiacne effect. [12]
2. Dead Sea mud makes wounds heal faster. The high content of minerals and trace elements act anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and enhance wound healing. When battling with acne and breakouts, Dead Sea mud will accelerate the healing process of the spots in your face. [13] It makes sense that the black mud mined from the Dead Sea shores is not only used for face masks but also in body treatments to help with stretch marks, eczema, blemished skin, and aging signs.
3. More studies prove that Dead Sea mud stimulates blood circulation, enhances lymphatic flow, and cleanses the skin from dead cells, while soothing irritation and decreasing aging signs. That means on top of killing the acne infection and healing wounds, it can overall improve your skin with its cleansing and soothing properties. [14]; [15]

You’ll notice that these studies are done with 100% pure Dead Sea mud. No lotion, cream or other cosmetic product. Therefore, we strongly recommend the use of 100% pure Dead Sea mud when trying to achieve these same antiacne effects.

How To Do A Dead Sea Mud Mask

1. Wash your face to remove any excess oil.
2. Apply a thin layer of Dead Sea mud to your face. Avoid contact with your eyes and lips.
3. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes or until it dries.
4. Use warm water in a circular motion to gently remove the mud.
5. Pat dry with a clean cloth.
6. Use twice a week and follow with a moisturizer.

In addition to using Dead Sea mud to treat acne, studies have proven beneficial properties of Dead Sea salt baths. Baths won’t directly work on your face, but induce indirect healing action. Furthermore, baths can help with breakouts on your shoulders, back, chest and neck. We’ll take a look at Dead Sea salt baths next.

Conclusion: Dead Sea mud has pronounced antimicrobial action which effectively stops the spread of fungi and bacteria and shows an antiacne effect. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, help wounds heal faster. In studies, Dead Sea mud is a proven cleanser while decreasing signs of aging for an overall improved skin.

3. Dead Sea Salt Baths For Acne

Who doesn’t enjoy a nice hot bath after a busy day? The warmth seems to facilitate mental and physical relaxation within seconds, and after a couple of deep breaths we’re completely absorbed by this blissful indulgence.

Let’s see how baths in Dead Sea salts can help us when dealing with acne.

1. Dead Sea salt baths at home reduce skin breakouts by up to 35%. Dead Sea salts have a healing effect and reduce inflammation, skin roughness, and redness. [16]; [17]; [18]  
2. Dead Sea minerals restore moisture and enhance skin hydration. Dead Sea minerals contain a natural moisturizing factor that can improve the look of acne damaged skin. [19]
3. Dead Sea baths reduce aging sings on human skin.Dead Sea minerals have a rejuvenating effect on your skin. [20]

Make sure you use 100% Dead Sea salts with no added ingredients to achieve the same effects as seen in studies.

Additionally, you will naturally benefit from all the advantages that science has conducted on hot baths. Before even adding the Dead Sea salts, they prove highly beneficial for our well-being.

Benefits of hot baths:

• Hot baths combat chronic low-grade inflammation [21]
• Hot baths reduce fasting glucose and improve overall glucose metabolism [22]
• Hot baths improve cardiovascular health [23]; [24]
• Hot baths help with insomnia: Hot baths before bed result in significantly “deeper” and more restful sleep [25]
• Hot baths protect against obesity-induced insulin resistance [26]
• Hot water baths results in significantly better general health and mental health, including: lower stress, lower tension-anxiety, lower anger-hostility, and lower depression levels [27]
• Hot baths induce increased blood flow and metabolic waste elimination [28]
• Relaxing in a hot bath burns about 130 calories, equal to the of a 30-minute walk [29]

How To Do A Dead Sea Salt Bath:

1. Start running warm water into a clean bathtub. Be sure it’s not too hot as hot water can aggravate inflamed skin and draw moisture from your skin.
2. Add 1/2 cup of Dead Sea salts under the running tap and mix with your hand until completely dissolved. Dead Sea salts will leave a mud film on the tub – it wipes off easily.
3. Enjoy!

Conclusion: Dead Sea salt baths prove beneficial for acne. Baths in Dead Sea minerals help heal acne on shoulders, back, chest and neck and reduce skin breakouts by up to 35%. Baths in Dead Sea salts reduce inflammation, skin roughness, and redness while enhancing skin hydration and restoring moisture. Significantly deeper and more restful sleep after hot baths can further support the healing process and hormone balance.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Dead Sea salts vs. Himalayan sea salt

The difference between Himalayan sea salt and Dead Sea salts lies in their mineral composition. Himalayan salt consists of about 98% sodium and some trace minerals, giving it the natural pink coloring. Dead Sea salts differs greatly from other sea salts, being made of mostly magnesium and potassium (~60%), 8% salt and some rare minerals. Dead Sea salt is not edible. [30]

Can I use sea salt instead of Dead Sea salts?

Both, sea salt and Dead Sea salts are a beneficial addition to your bath. However, studies show a much better effect of Dead Sea bath salts compared to common salt. [31]

Dead Sea salts or Epsom salt

The difference between Dead Sea salts and Epsom salt is their mineral composition. Numerous studies show Dead Sea salts to be beneficial when treating rheumatologic diseases, psoriasis, redness and dry skin. Epsom salt contains only one mineral: Magnesium sulfate. Studies are unable to show evidence for magnesium to be absorbed through our skin. Despite its popularity, the health benefit of Epsom salt remains unproven.

Does Dead Sea salt dry out skin?

Dead Sea salts don’t dry out skin. The opposite is true: Dead Sea salts have a healing effect and reduce inflammation, skin roughness, and redness. Dead Sea minerals have as a natural moisturizing factor that restores moisture and enhance skin hydration. [32]; [33]; [34]

What is so special about Dead Sea salts?

Dead Sea salts are more than sodium. Dead Sea salts consist of a complex mineral composition including large amounts of magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromine, chlorine, and smaller amounts of sulfate and bicarbonate. Dead Sea minerals have been used for a long time for wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, joint diseases, skin disorders and aging effects. [35]; [36]; [37]

What’s so special about Dead Sea water?

It’s the mineral composition that makes Dead Sea water unique. Dead Sea water contains large amounts of magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, bromine, chlorine, and smaller amounts of sulfate and bicarbonate. Dead Sea minerals have been used for a long time for wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, joint diseases, skin disorders and aging effects. [38]; [39]; [40]

What does the Dead Sea do to your skin?

Dead Sea salts reduce inflammation, skin roughness, and redness while enhancing skin hydration and restoring moisture. In cosmetic products, Dead Sea salts are used to cure skin problems like stretch marks, acne, eczema, blemished skin, eczema and aging signs. [41]; [42]

Which is Better Dead Sea salts or Epsom salt?

Unlike Epsom salt, Dead Sea salts prove successful in studies. Numerous trials show Dead Sea salts to be beneficial when treating rheumatologic diseases, psoriasis, redness and dry skin. Epsom salt contains only one mineral: Magnesium sulfate. Studies are unable to show evidence for magnesium to be absorbed through our skin. Despite its popularity, the health benefit of Epsom salt remains unproven.