Himalayan Salt in the Sauna — Natural Skincare and a Mineral Bath

Using salt in the sauna is a tradition as old as the sauna itself. We now know that Himalayan salt offers more than just a pleasant feeling on the skin — it's a simple, natural form of skincare that pairs beautifully with a good sauna session at the Vestfjord.

This guide covers what Himalayan sauna salt actually is, how to use it properly, the benefits you can expect — and what to watch out for.

What is Himalayan salt?

Himalayan salt is an unrefined rock salt mined in the Khewra Salt Mine in Punjab, at the foot of the Himalayas. It formed more than 250 million years ago when an ancient sea evaporated and left vast salt beds deep under the mountains. The pink hue comes from natural iron and trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc.

Unlike refined table salt, Himalayan salt contains nothing else — no anti-caking agents, no iodine, no fluoride. Your skin meets it the way the earth laid it down.

How to use sauna salt

Salt works best after the body has warmed through and the pores have opened. That's when the skin is ready to receive — and when the salt does its best work.

1. Warm up for 10–15 minutes

Sit in the sauna until you're properly sweating. Skip this step and the salt will just sit on dry skin without doing much.

2. Apply in gentle, circular motions

Take a small handful and massage it across arms, legs, stomach and chest. Light, circular movements. Avoid the face, nipples, and any open cuts.

3. Let it work for 5–10 minutes

Stay in the heat while the salt does its job. A mild, pleasant tingling is normal.

4. Rinse with cold water or plunge in the fjord

Finish with a cold rinse. The cycle of hot sauna, salt treatment and cold immersion is the classic Nordic sauna round — good for immunity and clarity alike.

Health benefits of Himalayan salt in the sauna

The effects we most often hear about from regulars who use sauna salt:

• Softer, more even skin. The salt gently buffs away dead skin cells.
• Better circulation. Salt massage stimulates blood flow in the surface skin.
• Cleaner pores. Heat and salt crystals together dissolve oils and impurities.
• A mineral finish. The crystals leave the skin with a light mineral feel.
• Completely natural. No fragrance, no synthetic chemicals — just salt, heat, and cold water.

What to watch out for

Sauna salt is safe for most people, but a few practical rules make the experience better:

• Avoid recently shaved areas — salt stings fresh micro-cuts.
• Rinse the sauna benches after use so leftover crystals don't scratch the next guest.
• Drink water before and after — heat plus salt raises your fluid needs quickly.
• If you have heart conditions, high blood pressure or a skin disorder, check with your doctor first.

Where to get sauna salt

We sell 100 % pure Himalayan sauna salt in our online shop — hand-carved from whole blocks, with nothing added. See Himalayan sauna salt in the shop →

Try it in one of our saunas

Want to try a salt bath without setting up the gear at home? Book a session in one of our saunas along the Vestfjord. We keep salt at reception — and the best views over the fjord.

Questions? Drop us a line — happy to help.