There’s nothing like a trip to the beach to relax and unwind, but it turns out, it can benefit more than just your mindset. Some people swear the ocean is great for skin issues, there are tons of TikTok videos claiming saltwater clears acne and helps heal other skin problems. But is there any truth to it?
Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Holman says there haven’t been a lot of studies looking at ocean water and skin, but her patients have had positive results. She says, “I have a lot of folks with inflammatory skin conditions, acne and things like that, who do see some improvement when they take trips to the beach and spend time in the ocean.”
Here are a few reason that might explain why a trip to the beach could be good for your skin:
- There are minerals in ocean water that could be good for the skin - Depending on your skin type and the condition of the water, Dr. Elizabeth K. Jones, an assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says ocean water “can be great for your skin. Minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc that are found in the water can help reduce inflammation, according to dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, and that may be helpful for skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
- It’s exfoliating - The salt in the sea water, as well as the sand at the beach, can exfoliate, which gets rid of rough skin, leaving you with brighter and smoother skin, Garshick says.
- Lower stress levels and light therapy help, too - Holman points out that when you’re at the beach, you tend to be less stressed, and since stress can make skin conditions worse, you may notice an improvement. The sun may also be beneficial, as UV light exposure helps skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, according to the experts.
- But there can be some downsides - If you don’t wash saltwater off of your skin, it can be irritating and drying. And if you have sensitive skin, the combination of sun, wind, salt and sand can be a problem, so be sure to rinse off all residue after your fun in the sun.
Source: Huff Post