Beauty is not only Skin Deep: the Dead Sea features and Cosmetics

Abstract

Introduction: The Dead Sea area possesses extraordinary geo-climatic factors and represents a natural health resort known worldwide for its success treating skin and rheumatic diseases. Dead Sea cosmetics – or cosmetics arguing being from this place and containing Dead Sea water or minerals – are also know worldwide but still controversies take place in the medical milieu regarding their true effect on the skin.

Material and Methods: All relevant articles cited in Medline were reviewed, including studies on minerals and mud from the Dead Sea.

Results: In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated clearly the high potential of the Dead Sea minerals for cosmetic purposes. Magnesium and Sulfur appear to be the prominent actors in rheumatology and dermatology, when incorporated to cream or mud.

Conclusion: Even if only few studies are able to elucidate the real effect of the Dead Sea minerals in cosmetics preparations, there is enough evidence for encouraging such investigations and developing more products. These will enable a better use of the extraordinary reservoir of minerals represented by the deepest and most saline lake in the world.