I Tried Salt on Pimples for 7 Days: Here’s What a Dermatologist Says

You have a significant event tomorrow, and just as you’re about to face it, a bright, angry pimple decides to make a grand entrance on your face. In a moment of late-night desperation, you stumble upon a viral hack: Salt on Pimples.

It sounds almost too simple to be true. Can a pinch of something from your kitchen cabinet really be the secret weapon against acne?

As someone who has tried countless spot treatments, I was intrigued. This led me down a 7-day journey to test the effects of salt on pimples myself.

But before I share my personal results, let’s get the most important question out of the way: is this practice even safe? We consulted with experts to find out.

Is Salt Water Good for Acne? The Scientific View – Salt On Pimples

The notion of using salt, especially sea salt or Himalayan salt, isn’t merely a superstition. Salt possesses inherent properties that could potentially benefit acne-prone skin.

• Antibacterial Action: Salt creates a hypertonic environment, which means it draws water out of cells. This process, known as osmosis, can dehydrate and kill acne-causing bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes.
• Drying Effect: By drawing out moisture, a salt solution can help dry up the excess oil (sebum) and pus within a whitehead, making it appear smaller and less inflamed.
• Gentle Exfoliation: Fine salt particles can act as a gentle physical exfoliant, helping to remove dead skin cells that might clog pores.

Dermatologists caution that this approach has its drawbacks. Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology Group warns, “While saline solutions have been used in clinical settings for wound cleansing, applying a concentrated salt paste directly to your face is a different matter. It can easily strip your skin of its natural lipids, leading to severe dryness, irritation, and a compromised skin barrier.”

We highly recommend checking out our, Ultimate Skin Care medically reviewed by Dermatologists.

My 7-Day Experiment: A Case Study For Salt on Pimples

Considering the expert warnings, I approached the task with caution. My objective was to determine if a controlled and short-term application could reduce the number of active whiteheads on my chin.

How to Safely Create a DIY Saline Spot Treatment

Here’s the precise method I employed. Important Disclaimer: This is a potent spot treatment. Please refrain from applying it all over your face. Always conduct a patch test on your arm before applying it to your face, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1/4 Teaspoon of fine sea salt (avoid coarse table salt with iodine).
• 1/2 Teaspoon of warm water.
• A clean cotton swab.
• Your usual gentle cleanser and moisturizer.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cleanse your face by starting with a clean base. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove all makeup and impurities. Pat your skin dry.
2. In a small, sanitized dish, dissolve the sea salt in warm water. The resulting liquid should be cloudy and saline, not thick and paste-like. A paste is too harsh.
3. Spot Apply: Dip a clean cotton swab into the saline solution and gently dab it onto the pimple’s head. Avoid rubbing.
4. Set a timer for no more than 10 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly: Gently rinse the affected area with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
6. Hydrate immediately: This is the most important step. Apply a hydrating, non-oily moisturizer to the affected area and the rest of your face to restore moisture and support your skin’s barrier.

My Day-by-Day Results

• On the first two days, the initial application caused a mild stinging sensation that quickly subsided. The next morning, the pimples appeared visibly drier and slightly less red.
• Day 3-4 marked a significant improvement. The whiteheads on my chin had noticeably flattened, and the deep, under-the-skin soreness had vanished.
• Day 5-6: The spots had become faint red marks, healing cleanly without forming scabs. I noticed a slight tightness in my skin, which emphasized the importance of using a good moisturizer.
• Day 7: The most prominent pimples had vanished, and my skin tone in the affected area appeared more even. I decided to pause the treatment to allow my skin some time to recover.

The Verdict: Risks vs. Rewards

Based on my personal experience and extensive research, here’s the final breakdown.

Pros of Salt on Pimples

• Highly Affordable & Accessible: You already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
• Fast-Acting on Whiteheads: It can effectively dry out surface-level pimples in 2-3 days.
• Reduces Inflammation: It visibly calmed down the redness around my pimples.

Cons of Salt on Pimples

• High Risk of Irritation: This is not suitable for dry or sensitive skin types. It can cause flaking, redness, and a burning sensation.
• Damages Skin Barrier: Overuse will strip your skin’s protective barrier, ironically leading to more breakouts and sensitivity over time.
• Not a Cure for Acne: This is a temporary fix for an individual pimple, not a long-term solution for chronic or cystic acne.

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment revealed that while saline solutions can be beneficial in supporting acne treatment regimens, their effectiveness is maximized when used judiciously and combined with essential aftercare measures such as moisturizers and sun protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Salt on Pimples A Tool, Not a Treatment

My experiment revealed that dabbing salt on pimples can be an effective “in a pinch” emergency spot treatment. It surprisingly works well to flatten a pesky whitehead before a big day.

However, it’s not a sustainable or holistic skincare approach. Consider it a high-risk, high-reward tool in your arsenal one to be used cautiously, infrequently, and always followed by intense hydration. If you’re struggling with persistent acne, your best option is always to consult a board-certified dermatologist who can provide a safe and effective long-term treatment plan.