You might have a bag of salt sitting somewhere at home already. Maybe in the kitchen, tucked away on a shelf, or somewhere you've completely forgotten about.
But today, we're thinking about what happens when you move it from wherever it's been hiding to your making table. Because salt is one of those ingredients that can be surprisingly versatile - the star of a beautiful bath soak, bring texture to a body scrub, add something special to a soap or simply become part of a little self-care at the end of a long day.
And that's really what we love about it: so many ways to make it your own.
That beautiful pink colour is probably the first thing you'll notice. But there's more to Himalayan Salt than its appearance. Mined from ancient salt deposits, it naturally contains small amounts of trace minerals that contribute to its characteristic colour, making it a popular choice in bath and body products.
But for makers, it's not just about what's in the salt - it's also about what the salt can do.
The crystals provide exfoliation, helping to remove loose, surface dead skin cells and leaving skin feeling smoother. And because it comes in different textures, you can choose the one that suits what you're making.
Our Fine Himalayan Salt is lovely for finer blends and applications where you want a gentler texture, while the Coarse Himalayan Salt gives you more texture and presence. Both can be used in exfoliating products, bath blends and soaps, depending on the finish you're looking for.
And, of course, sometimes the colour is part of the appeal too. That soft pink tone can add something beautiful to an otherwise simple blend.
Make This: Himalayan Salt Soap
A simple project for your next soap making session.
Ingredients:
Using a loaf mould?
Salt soap can harden more quickly than standard cold-process soap. If using a loaf mould, keep a close eye on the soap after pouring and cut the loaf while it is firm enough to hold its shape but still soft enough to slice cleanly. Waiting until the loaf is completely hard may result in cracking, crumbling or uneven cuts.
There’s something about an Epsom Salt bath at the end of a long day. It’s a long-time favourite for bath soaks, especially when you’re looking to create something simple and soothing.
Unlike Himalayan and Kalahari salt, Epsom Salt isn’t technically a salt made up primarily of sodium chloride. It’s magnesium sulphate, and its soft, clean appearance and ability to dissolve readily in water make it a particularly popular ingredient for bath salts and soaks.
Its appeal is also in how uncomplicated it is to use. Add it to warm bath water on its own or combine it with other ingredients to create a more personalised soak. Dried botanicals can add visual appeal, essential oils can bring fragrance, and bicarbonate of soda can be added to a simple bath or foot-soak blend.
And while an Epsom Salt soak has long been associated with relaxing and soothing self-care, it’s worth keeping the claims simple: sometimes the benefit is simply creating a warm, calming ritual at the end of a busy day.
Make This: A Simple Epsom Foot Soak
For the perfect ritual after a long day.
Ingredients: Makes 500g
1. Add the Epsom Salt, Bicarbonate of Soda and Himalayan Salt to a large, dry bowl.
2. Add your dried botanicals, if using, and mix well.
3. Add your essential oil, if using, a few drops at a time, stirring thoroughly between additions to distribute it through the salts.
4. Transfer to an airtight jar or container and store somewhere cool and dry.
How to use: Add ¼ - ½ cup of the foot soak mixture to a basin of comfortably warm water. Stir to dissolve, then soak your feet for 15-20 minutes.
There is something rather special about working with an ingredient that comes from our own part of the world.
Kalahari Desert Salt is harvested from underground salt-rich waters in the Kalahari region, giving it a distinctly Southern African story as well as its naturally earthy appearance.
For makers, one of its biggest attractions is its coarse, natural texture. Those larger crystals make it particularly lovely in exfoliating scrubs, where you want more texture and a satisfying polish to the skin.
Physical exfoliation can help remove loose, surface dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling smoother and refreshed. And because Kalahari Salt has such a naturally substantial texture, you don’t need to overcomplicate a scrub to make it interesting.
But don’t stop there.
Kalahari Desert Salt can also be used in bath salts and soaks, either on its own or blended with other salts. Pair it with Epsom Salt for a simple bath blend or mix it with Himalayan Salt when you want to play around with different textures and colours.
And because it already has so much character of its own, you don’t need to do too much to it.
Sometimes simple really is better.
Make This: Kalahari Scrub
A simple exfoliating blend where the texture does the talking.
Ingredients: Makes 250g
Essential oil suggestions:
For a bright, fresh scrub, try Grapefruit + Palmarosa. For something more indulgent, swap the blend for neroli.
1. Place the Sweet Almond Oil and Emulsifying Wax in a heat-safe container and gently heat until the wax has completely melted.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the Jojoba Oil, if using.
3. Allow the oil mixture to cool slightly, then add your essential oil, if using.
4. Gradually add the Kalahari Desert Salt, stirring thoroughly until evenly coated and you have a thick, scoopable scrub.
5. Transfer to a clean, dry, airtight jar and allow to cool completely before closing.
How to use: Scoop a small amount onto wet skin and gently massage in circular motions, allowing the Kalahari Desert Salt to polish the skin. Add a little more water as you massage – the scrub will transform into a creamy, milky texture. Rinse thoroughly and pat skin dry.
A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more as needed.
You don’t necessarily have to choose just one. Sometimes the fun is combining them.
Fine Himalayan with Epsom for a beautiful bath blend.
Coarse Himalayan with Kalahari when you’re after something with a little more texture for a body scrub.
Or perhaps you’re working on a soap and want to experiment with salt there too. And that’s the thing about ingredients like these – they don’t have to fit neatly into one box. You can play around with textures, combinations and different ways of using them depending on what you’re making.
There's really no shortage of ways to make salt your own.
But that’s what we love about making your own products. There isn’t always one right way.
You get to experiment.
You get to tweak.
You get to decide what feels right for your product, your customers or simply for you. And sometimes, something as simple as a bag of salt is all it takes to get an idea started.
Whether you’re making a new scrub, experimenting with a bath soak, adding texture to a soap, or simply looking for something new to play with…
Maybe its time to give salt another look.
Happy making!
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The Author : Robyn-Leigh Baxter
With eight years at Isivuno Naturals, Robyn-Leigh has gone from knowing very little about the world of natural ingredients to discovering something new almost every day. As Sales & Marketing Manager, she enjoys sharing that knowledge with customers and helping make natural ingredients feel approachable rather than intimidating. Curious, practical and passionate, she also learns by getting hands-on and experimenting with ingredients herself. Outside of Isivuno, she enjoys reading, cooking, watching sport and spending time outdoors.
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