The Dead Sea is located in Israel, less than an hour’s drive from Jurasalem. The Dead Sea joins Israel and Jordan, and is sometimes called the Sea of Peace.

More relevant for our needs (given that this is a skin care website and not a geography one!) is that the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, as well as the largest natural “spa” in the world.

The Dead Sea is 1,373 feet below sea level, and contains mineral rich waters and world-famous black mud; both said to provide natural health and beauty benefits to visitors and consumers.

The Dead Sea is considered it’s own “micro-universe” in that it even has its own climate! The Dead Sea is the saltiest and most minerally rich body of water in the world. The waters of the Dead Sea contain 27% salt, compared to the normal 3% in regular sea water. While normal ocean water is made up of about 80% sodium, the balance of salts in the Dead Sea are magnesium, potassium, bromides, and calcium chloride.

The Dead Sea is so salt rich, in fact, that every bather actually floats on the surface of the water and doesn’t sink.

The combination of warmth and minerals makes bathing a very pleasant experience.

That sounds great, you might be thinking, but what are the skin benefits of the Dead Sea salts?

Glad you asked. Studies have been conducted on the health benefits of bathing in Dead Sea salts, and they have reported the following results:

Dead Sea salts have the following beneficial effects on the skin and body:

• They provide relief from skin and joint inflammation
• They stimulate circulation
• They enchange cell regeneration
• They improve skin tone
• They cure muscular pains
• They reduce feelings of stress

Studies of psoriasis patients treated in a 10% salt bath 3-4x/week had marked improvement in their condition in just one week. These patients had significant relief from itching, skin scaling, and sleep disturbances.

What makes the Dead Sea salts so helpful? It has to do with the various elements: magnesium, calcium, potassium, bromides and sodium. Magnesium helps to combat stress and decrease fluid retention, which calms the nervous system and slow the aging process. Calcium prevents water retention while it improves circulation and strengthens bones and nails. Potassium helps balance skin moisture, and is a crucial element for proper cellular balance.

The bromides relax stiff muscles and prevent delayed soreness. Sodium helps maintain proper flud balance and immune system functioning.

You can see that bathing in all of these minerals could have profound effects on both our skin and our general health and well being.

So far, no studies have reported side effects from using Dead Sea salts in your skin care routine.

If your skin could use a little calming, balancing, and hydrating nutrition, consider using Dead Sea salts.

One of the best ways to consume flax seed is to grind it and add to cereal or juice. Flax seed is most potent when its fresh, and you’re likely to get the most benefits from its potency and fiber when its eaten as a grain or seed rather than when it is consumed as an oil or capsule.

If you could benefit from adding flax seed into your diet, consider it a welcome addition in your quest for better skin (and body) health.

Aside from the ‘inner’ benefits of soy, it’s also becoming a more popular skin care ingredient. There is an interesting story about soy’s skin care properties.

Over the years, it was observed in Asia that workers who regularly handled soybeans had the unexpected benefits of smooth, evenly toned hands.

Researchers began to study the chemical composition of soy, and found several components which improved the skin.

Soy seems to work by moisturizing the skin and diminishing fine lines. It also smoothens out the pigments under the skin’s surface, resulting in less blotchiness and discoloration. Soy seems to be a wonderful, natural ingredient for women seeking a simple beauty routine.

Talk to your doctor about getting more soy in your diet (and your skin care). This might be true beauty, from the inside out.

But did you know that a new study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, has found that eating watermelon at room temperature is actually better for you?

The study finds that watermelons stored at room temperature retain more of their antioxidant and nutritional effects by analyzine levels of carotene in several types of red watermelons which were stored at various temperatures for 14 days.

Scientists found that watermelons stored at room temperature demonstrated increased [tag-tec]lycopene[/tag-tec] (up 40%) and increased beta carotene (up 139%) compared to ones stored in the fridge.

Watermelon is a rich source of lycopene, in fact, it’s got the highest levels of lycopene among any fresh fruit or vegetable. Tomatoes come in second.

So how does this relate to having good skin….? I’m glad you asked!

Watermelon’s lycopene and beta carotene are powerful, natural antioxidants which have been linked to significant health benefits; among them fighting cancer and preventing sun-caused skin damage.

So, this summer, remember that warm watermelon=healthy skin.