What's So Special About Pink Salt?

Salt (in the right quantity) makes everything better, doesn't it? It can make a dull dish evolve into a gourmet meal and turn your bath ritual into a special treat. Granular in size, but swelling with history—let’s explore what makes pink Himalayan salt so spectacular.

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WHERE DOES HIMALAYAN PINK SALT COME FROM?

Most Himalayan pink salt is mined in Punjab, a region comprising a state in northern India and a larger province in eastern Pakistan. Translated to the “land of five rivers” this combined territory spans 98,000 square miles and is home to 137 million people.

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WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HIMALAYAN PINK SALT?

So, how were the massive mines formed? Believe it or not, tectonic plates shifted and trapped an underground sea millions of years ago. The sea then evaporated slowly, leaving miles of pristine, crystallized salt beds. The salt was then protected under ice and snow and sat unknown and untouched for millennia.

The salt mines were discovered, allegedly, by horses. After conquering Persia in 326 BC, Alexander the Great found the “the vast seams of salt... [when he] noticed his horses licking the rocks,“ says British daily newspaper, The Times. The salt was traded as far as Central Asia for food and shelter, but it was hard to reach and uncover. Finally, in 1872, miner Dr. H. Warth excavated the salt beds to make efficient pathways and accessible tunnels. Today, Warth's diligent work is still on display in the second largest excavated salt mine in the world, the Khewra Salt Mine. In 2007 the mines expanded to include a 20-bed medical center to treat respiratory problems via halotherapy, otherwise known as salt therapy. The Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research suggests the drying properties of salt could possibly “clear up bronchial secretions.”

Today, the Khewra Salt Mine is lit, operates on 18 levels, and radiates a warm pink glow inside the tunnels. Producing 350,000 tons of pink sea salt and hosting 250,000 tourists each year, the mine is still hugely active, and the surface has barely been scratched - it is estimated that over six billion tons of salt are available in the mine. If you were to visit, you would find replicas of national monuments (like a miniature Great Wall of China made from salt), thousands of salt carvings, a functioning railway system, a mosque, and a post office— all made of salt.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIMALAYAN PINK SALT?

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  • Iron and manganese cause the pink coloring, and can be soothing to the skin.
  • Himalayan pink salt lamps claim to clear negative ions from the air, enhance sleep, and cure asthma. With little scientific data to back it up, these glowing mineral mantlepieces are still a beautifully soft way to light a room, especially in the evening hours.
  • Salt is hygroscopic, attracting water molecules from the air.
  • The body needs salt to contract muscles, prevent dehydration, and support healthy functioning cells.
  • Regular exfoliation with salt can help keep skin heathy and smooth.

WHICH OSMIA PRODUCTS HAVE HIMALAYAN PINK SALT?

Our Himalayan Body Buff is made from the pink salt of the Punjab region. It’s the perfect texture for scrubbing away rough, dull skin. Hand-mined, hand-crushed, hand-washed, and dried in the sun, the salt is then mixed with organic botanical oils and essential oils of Bulgarian lavender and Canadian fir. You’ll be immediately transported to places high, wild, and pure, and you'll definitely be petting your soft skin for the rest of the day. We also have a seasonal bar soap called Himalayan Crystal that sometimes comes out in the fall, so keep your eyes peeled for our Craft Series launches!

HOW DO I USE A SALT SCRUB?

First, wash your body with one of our divine body bars. Rinse clean, and put your hair up if it’s long. Use the spoon to scoop out a little heap of salt into your hands, and gently scrub your body from the shoulders down, avoiding any cuts or sensitive areas. Inhale the aroma deeply as you slowly massage the product into your skin. Lastly, rinse away all the salt, wash your hands so they’re clean for your facial products, and step out of the shower onto a bath mat to air dry. The oil stays on your skin, and you shouldn’t need any other product on your body on scrub days. It’s excellent for the bumpy skin on the backs of your arms, or before shaving for an extra close shave. (Don't use it after shaving, when it could irritate your skin!)

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CAN I MAKE MY OWN SALT SCRUB?

Yes! Here are two super simple recipes for an at-home salt scrub experience!

DIY Lip Scrub with pink salt

Mix the following, apply to lips in a circular motion, and remove by rinsing thoroughly after a few minutes, using soap and water to rinse if you have sensitive skin or perioral dermatitis.

  • ½ tsp of fine pink Himalayan salt
  • ½ tsp of coconut oil

 DIY Body Scrub with pink salt

Mix the following and apply to clean wet skin in a circular motion. Remove by rinsing thoroughly in the shower, and allow yourself to air dry if possible so the oil stays on your skin!

  • 1/2 cup fine pink Himalayan salt 
  • 3/4 cup organic sunflower oil
  • 5-8 drops of lavender essential oil

Happy salting!

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The information contained in this post is for educational interest only and is not intended to represent claims for actions of Himalayan pink salt. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness or disease.

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OUR WELLNESS + SKINCARE EXPERT

Sarah Villafranco, MD

Dr. Sarah Villafranco attended Georgetown University Medical School, and went on to complete her residency in emergency medicine at George Washington University. She moved to Colorado, where she practiced as a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Aspen Valley Hospital, Snowmass Clinic, and Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, CO. After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, she took a local soap making class, and fell in love with the chemistry and artistry of making soap. Sarah went into research mode and was alarmed to learn how many potentially harmful ingredients were in most skincare products on the market. She knew she could make better, safer products that were as effective (if not more so) than conventional products. After a few years of research and development, Sarah stepped away from the emergency room to launch Osmia Skincare in April of 2012. She remains a licensed physician in Colorado, and now helps people find healthier, happier skin as CEO of the brand.