When the ocean is calling and you want to sport textured beach waves, this DIY sea salt spray will give your locks the natural look and feel you desire without the heavy buildup of chemicals and additives. This sea salt spray DIY will cost you only a fraction of store-bought sea salt sprays and includes a moisturizing oil to nourish your hair as you style.
This homemade sea salt spray recipe differs from many others online because it includes magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) as the primary salt and mineral-rich sea salt. Epsom salt uses are well-documented and touted by health care practitioners all over the world, and they are making waves in the beauty industry as well. When used in hair styling, magnesium sulfate is less drying than sea salt, creating softer, more healthy waves than the traditional salt spray recipes. Mineral-rich sea salt is crucial in this recipe to nourish the scalp and promote better hair growth.
Because of added anti-caking ingredients—some of which include aluminum derivatives, I do not recommend attempting to make a salt hair spray with regular table salt (1). When made with quality ingredients and added oils, sea salt spray can be very beneficial for your hair in contrast to chemical-laden salon products. Additional sea salt spray benefits include naturally lightening your hair if desired—just apply to hair prior to spending time in the sunshine.
In order to achieve soft, natural beach waves, gather up a good spray bottle and use the following ingredients …
DIY Sea Salt Spray Recipe
Total time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
8 ounces hot (not boiling) water
3 tablespoons epsom salt
1 teaspoon mineral-rich sea salt, such as Celtic or Dead Sea salt (you may add up to a teaspoon more to add stiffness to curls)
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1/4–1/2 teaspoon argan oil (use less if you are prone to oily hair)
Essential oil of your choice; rosemary or lemon are good options (optional but recommended)
Directions
- In a small mixing bowl, add 8 ounces hot (not boiling) water, epsom salt, sea salt, argan oil and essential oil. Stir well to mix.
- Carefully pour the hot water mixture into your spray bottle. If you are adding essential oils to your sea salt spray and you are using a reusable plastic bottle, make sure it is HDPE plastic or a thick, food-grade plastic.
- Place top on spray bottle and shake well to combine, about 30 seconds. DIY sea salt spray may be stored at room temperature, and will have at least 3 months of shelf-life.
How to Use DIY Sea Salt Spray
Lightly mist your sea salt spray over dry straight hair for added texture, or mist roots for added volume. To achieve natural beach waves that last all day, spray over damp hair, scrunch and blow dry with a diffuser. For best results, wash out after use and follow with a good conditioner or hair mask.
What does salt water spray do to your hair?
Salt water spray for hair is excellent for adding texture and promoting natural waves that last all day. If applied to hair prior to sun exposure, salt water spray can naturally lighten hair over time. Adding lemon essential oil to your DIY sea salt spray can also help to increase its ability to lighten hair.
Is sea salt spray bad for your hair?
A DIY sea salt spray is an excellent alternative to chemical-laden hair treatments; however, sea salt may have a drying effect on the hair shaft if it is the primary salt used. This is why it’s best to use epsom salt along with mineral-rich sea salt to reduce the drying effect. I do not recommend using this daily to prevent over-drying hair.
What does sea salt spray do for straight hair?
Sea salt spray adds texture and volume to straight hair, resulting in a fuller appearance. Alternatively, you can spritz on damp hair and loosely braid before bed to wake up with long-lasting waves.
Is sea salt good for hair growth?
Rich in magnesium, bromide, iodine, sulfur, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc and many minerals—sea salt can promote healthy hair growth by supporting skin health of the scalp (2). For added benefits, use your sea salt as a scalp massage to scrub away dead skin cells which will increase cell metabolism and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Plus the minerals will help strengthen cell membranes, detox the scalp, reduce inflammation and relieve skin irritation (3). Adding rosemary essential oil to your DIY sea salt spray can also help to improve hair health.
DIY Sea Salt Spray
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: Makes 8 ounces
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces hot (not boiling) water
- 3 tablespoons epsom salt
- 1 teaspoon mineral-rich sea salt, such as Celtic or Dead Sea salt (you may add up to a teaspoon more to add stiffness to curls)
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon argan oil (use less if you are prone to oily hair)
- Essential oil of your choice; rosemary or lemon are good options (optional but recommended)
- Place top on spray bottle and shake well to combine, about 30 seconds. DIY sea salt spray may be stored at room temperature, and will have at least 3 months of shelf-life.
Directions:
- In a small mixing bowl, add 8 ounces hot (not boiling) water, epsom salt, sea salt, argan oil and essential oil. Stir well to mix.
- Carefully pour the hot water mixture into your spray bottle. If you are adding essential oils to your sea salt spray and you are using a reusable plastic bottle, make sure it is HDPE plastic or a thick, food-grade plastic.
- Place top on spray bottle and shake well to combine, about 30 seconds.
- DIY sea salt spray may be stored at room temperature, and will have at least 3 months of shelf-life.
Source: Dr. Axe
