Pinch of salt

The long-overdue microbead ban, along with our search for natural skin solutions, means salt is stealing the beauty spotlight

SAY HELLO TO the new wave of body condiments that have the power to restore, revive and relax with just a sprinkle. Bath salts and scrubs are having a moment – and we defy you not to find one you want to have tub-side. In terms of go-to granules, there are three to look out for – Pink Himalayan, Cornish and Dead Sea Salt. Unlike table salt, which is refined and has usually had chemicals added to it to prevent it from clumping, these all contain a mass of reparative minerals such as magnesium, sodium, sulphur and potassium. Easily absorbed into the bloodstream, it’s why so many athletes swear by a salty soak to ease their muscles. And the benefits don’t stop there. They’re also antimicrobial, which means they do a stellar job of calming eczema and acne, and exfoliating ( your limbs will thank you come summer). Living Sea Therapy Bath Salts Energise, £18 (1) Releasing antioxidants, nutrients and minerals into your bath water, hand-harvested Cornish salt flakes and wild Cornish Atlantic seaweed make this a marine-based multitasker. Ren Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Salt Anti-fatigue Exfoliating Body Scrub, £18 (2) Non-scratchy, this salty scrub melts into skin and the flip-top lid means it’s completely mess-free. As for the scent, it’s basically a breath of fresh sea air in scrub form. Win. The Salt Parlour Coffee And Coconut Stimulate Salt And Sulphur Scrub, £15 (3) Besides Dead Sea Salt, the secret weapon in this oceanic scrub is organic sulphur that’s sourced from plankton and has been found to support and stimulate collagen. MOA Dreamy Mineral Soak, £25 (4) Lemon peel brightens, pine oil dissolves dirt and lavender relieves stress and anxiety. Bathe in this before bed and your skin and mind will be clearer. Watergate Bay Elements Salt Scrub, £22 (5) Oh-so invigorating thanks to the infusion of rosemary and spearmint essential oils, a rub-down with this is the closest thing you’ll get to a brisk dip in the Cornish sea. Isla Apothecary Himalayan Salt Soak, £21 (6) Millennial pink fans rejoice: these rose-tinted salts give good Insta #gridgoals. Combining pink clay and Himalayan salt, they’ve got such a cult following they’ve gone supersize with a 500g tub. Salt & Pamper Tuberose Epsom Bath Salts, £10.99 (7) Epsom salts just got cool. Containing enough for three baths, jump in post-workout and forget about sore muscles.