Last updated: October 13, 2026 · By Boaz Yadin
Add about one cup of Dead Sea salt to a bath of warm water, around 95°F, soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with clean water. Two or three baths a week is a common routine (WebMD, medically reviewed August 2025).
New to the Dead Sea? Our Dead Sea guide covers the salt, the mud, the water and the 26 Dead Sea minerals in one place.
How much Dead Sea salt do you put in a bath?
About one cup in a full bath. You can adjust the amount to your preference (WebMD). Pour the salt in as the tub fills and stir the water so the crystals dissolve before you get in.
Dead Sea salt is not table salt and not Epsom salt. It carries 26 Dead Sea minerals, with magnesium chloride as the main magnesium salt, alongside calcium, potassium and bromide. Against ordinary seawater, Dead Sea water holds 40 times the magnesium and 80 times the bromide. Dead Sea salt vs Epsom salt sets out the difference.
How long should you soak?
15 to 20 minutes is the usual guidance (WebMD). The best-known study on Dead Sea salt and dry skin used a 15-minute soak: volunteers with dry skin bathed one forearm in a 5% Dead Sea salt solution and the other in tap water, and the salt-water side showed better skin hydration and barrier function (Proksch et al., International Journal of Dermatology, 2005). That was a small forearm study, not a full-body bath, but it is why 15 minutes is the reference point.
Keep the water warm, not hot. Around 95°F is comfortable for most people.
What do you do after a Dead Sea salt bath?
Rinse off with clean, warm water. A quick shower removes leftover salt, which can leave skin feeling dry if it stays on (WebMD). Then pat dry and put on a body lotion or body butter while your skin is still slightly damp.
How often can you take a Dead Sea salt bath?
Two or three times a week is a common routine. A few times a week is fine for most people, depending on your skin (WebMD). If your skin feels tight after a bath, space them out.
Who should check first?
- Anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition should check with a healthcare professional before starting regular salt baths.
- Anyone with a diagnosed skin condition should ask their doctor first (WebMD).
- Skip the bath if your skin is broken or sunburned. Salt stings.
No bathtub?
Dead Sea salt works in the shower too, in a scrub. A Dead Sea salt body scrub puts the salt straight onto rough areas like elbows, knees and shins, two to three times a week.
Frequently asked questions
How much Dead Sea salt do I need for one bath?
About one cup in a full tub of warm water. Adjust to your preference.
How long should I stay in a Dead Sea salt bath?
15 to 20 minutes.
Should I shower after a Dead Sea salt bath?
Yes. Rinse with clean, warm water to remove leftover salt, then moisturize.
Can I use Dead Sea salt and Epsom salt together?
You can, but they are different salts. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Dead Sea salt is mostly magnesium chloride with calcium, potassium and bromide. If the Dead Sea minerals are the reason for the bath, use Dead Sea salt.
Does the body absorb magnesium from a bath?
The evidence is limited. A 2017 review found it inconclusive, so a bath is best chosen for how it makes your skin feel, not as a magnesium supplement. More in magnesium sulfate vs magnesium chloride.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. SEACRET products are cosmetics intended to improve the appearance of skin and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.
