If you’ve been struggling with greasy roots, limp strands, or an itchy scalp, it might surprise you to learn that one of the most effective solutions could already be in your kitchen: salt. Yes, the same salt you use to season your meals can also be a powerful tool for reviving your hair.
When added to your regular shampoo, salt can help tackle one of the most common hair problems—excess oil and buildup—while promoting a cleaner, healthier scalp. Here’s everything you need to know about this simple yet powerful beauty hack.
Why Add Salt to Your Shampoo?
Salt, especially sea salt or Himalayan pink salt, has natural exfoliating and oil-absorbing properties. Our scalps, much like our skin, collect oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and product residue over time.
This buildup can clog follicles, slow hair growth, and lead to dull or greasy hair. By adding salt to your shampoo, you’re creating a gentle exfoliant that helps scrub away impurities, unclog pores, and regulate oil production without stripping your hair of its natural moisture.
Benefits of Salt in Shampoo
1. Reduces Greasiness:
For people with oily hair, washing it every day may seem like the only solution—but overwashing can actually make the problem worse.
Salt helps absorb excess oil at the roots and balances oil production over time, which means your hair stays fresher for longer between washes.
2. Adds Volume and Texture:
Flat hair can benefit from the gritty texture that salt adds. It lifts the roots slightly and gives your strands more grip and body, creating that effortlessly tousled, beachy look without needing extra styling products.
3. Exfoliates the Scalp:
Dead skin cells, dandruff, and product buildup don’t stand a chance against salt. Its fine grains gently scrub the scalp, increasing blood flow and promoting healthier hair growth while leaving your scalp feeling refreshed.
4. Fights Dandruff:
Because salt is naturally antimicrobial and helps reduce excess oil and moisture—the two main causes of dandruff—it can be an excellent remedy for keeping flakes at bay.
5. Improves Shampoo Performance:
Sometimes your shampoo just doesn’t feel like it’s doing enough. Adding salt enhances its cleansing power and ensures it penetrates deeper to remove buildup more effectively.
How to Use Salt in Your Shampoo
Using this trick is incredibly easy:
- Pour a small amount of your regular shampoo into your palm.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt (sea salt or Himalayan salt work best).
- Mix the two together and massage into your scalp using circular motions.
- Let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and condition as usual.
Tip: Avoid using this method more than once or twice a week. Overuse could dry out your hair or irritate a sensitive scalp.
If you have a dry or itchy scalp, try starting with a small amount of salt and gradually increasing as your scalp adjusts.
Who Should Avoid It?
While salt in shampoo works wonders for many, it might not be for everyone. If you have a very dry scalp, eczema, or psoriasis, this method could aggravate the condition.
Also, if you’ve recently colored your hair, be cautious—salt can strip color faster, especially in the days right after dyeing.
Final Thoughts
Simple, natural remedies often end up being the most effective—and salt in shampoo is no exception.
It’s inexpensive, accessible, and can make a noticeable difference in your hair’s health and appearance.
So next time you shower, don’t just reach for your shampoo—reach for the salt, too. You might just unlock the secret to cleaner, fuller, and more balanced hair.