Dead Sea Minerals Study: New findings on skin and the biology beyond

Background :

Dead Sea Salt is a potent salt rich in minerals and ionic compositions that has been known for its therapeutic and cosmetic properties. Dead Sea Salt has significantly less sodium chloride (NaCl %4.5) vs. Ocean Salt (80% – 85% NaCl) vs. table salt (98% NaCl). Sea salt is a clear mineral that contains the elements of sodium and chlorine, iodine, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, fluorine, titanium, beryllium, germanium, and zinc.

The therapeutic properties of Dead Sea (DS) minerals are extensively documented, and their unique combination is analyzed and reported. DS water (DSW) is an important source of DS minerals, and numerous studies indicate that DSW can ease symptoms of various skin conditions and aid in skin maintenance. However, despite documented impacts, the biological mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

Objective :

Using the expression of various skin biomarkers associated with barrier function, homeostasis, inflammation, and irritation, we sought to determine the effect of topically administered DSW.

To evaluate the biological effects of DSW, in vitro skin equivalents and ex vivo human skin organ cultures were utilized. On skin equivalents, epidermal barrier protein expression and DSW ion transdermal penetration were analyzed. On cultures of human skin organs, -endorphin secretion was examined. Ex vivo human skin organ cultures were treated with lipopolysaccharides and sodium dodecyl sulphate, respectively, to assess the efficacy of DSW to protect against skin inflammation and irritation.

Methods :

Topical administration of DSW stimulated the production of barrier-related proteins, including filaggrin, involucrin, and transglutaminase, although calcium ion transdermal penetration was not found. In addition, treatment of DSW boosted the skin’s -endorphin release and decreased the expression of inflammatory and irritation-related cytokines.

Conclusions :

This study offers fresh information regarding the impact of DSW on skin. Following skin exposure to DS minerals, specifically DSW, it is hypothesized that the activation of signaling pathways may result in a large array of demonstrated biological actions.

WORK CITED :

Portugal-Cohen, M. “Dead Sea minerals: New findings on skin and the biology beyond”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30903724/