Full List of Salt Water Hot Tub Benefits: For Skin, Weight Loss & More

Salt water is often prescribed as a treatment for different diseases. It can be recommended as a trip to a health center by the sea, a visit to salt rooms, etc. So is this component a universal treatment in its various forms and doses? This question can be answered in detail by your doctor, but we’d like to say that the salt water can help you with:

Great news for you: all of this can be made available in your home with a salt water hot tub. But how exactly can it benefit you? How to properly use and care for them to receive some benefits for your body? All these points will be discovered in our article.

👀 Attention!
Here is the most important spoiler: you will learn more about the real salt water hot tub benefits in our article.

Salt VS Chlorine Water Hot Tubs

There are 2 ways to get a salt water hot tub:

  1. Turn an ordinary hot tub into a salt water one;
  2. Buy a ready-made hot tub with a salt water system already built in by the manufacturer.
📌 Keep in mind:
To properly convert a regular hot tub to a salt water device, check out our step-by-step guide full of valuable tips and tricks.

Here is the question: is it worth it? Or is it better to use a hot tub with chlorinated water? We’ve prepared a short table to compare chlorine and salt water hot tubs to make the decision easier for you:

Criteria🧪 Chlorine Water Hot Tub🧂 Salt Water Hot Tub
Additional chemicals to keep the water clean and hygienicConcentrated chemicals are needed to maintain the right chlorine level (between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm) in hot tub waterThey are not needed, since the devices are already equipped with a chlorinator of salt water, which naturally produce chlorine by itself
Impact on skin and eyesIt may cause skin dryness and eye irritationDoes not cause skin and eye irritation since chloramines do not accumulate in the water due to their production in the salt water hot tub naturally (by electrolysisElectrolysis is a process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. process)
The smell after using a hot tubThe concentrated chlorine in hot tub water can cause an unpleasant smell on your skin and hair after using itAfter using this device, you will not feel the unpleasant smell of chlorine because the built-in salt system prevents the mutation of chloramines, turning them into salt without smell
Corrosion of hot tub componentsChlorinated water at a concentration of 0.5 mg/l does not cause corrosion of the hot tub metal partsSalt water tends to corrode metals and damage other hot tub components (heaters, liners, interior lighting, etc.) faster, which means that you may need to repair them sooner

If you still have some doubts, don’t hesitate to check full comparison guide about chlorine vs. saltwater hot tubs and decide what’s better for you.

Salt Water Hot Tub Benefits

Salt is one of the most common components which can be found in face and body care products. It is enough to look at the composition of your home care products.

So a salt water hot tub is a great option to get the benefits and pleasure at the same time. But what particular benefits can you get from using this device? Let’s find out more about it.

For Skin

Devices with built-in salt water treatment help you reduce the use of chlorine and other chemicals for hot tubs. Such a water composition will relieve skin tightening and drying. Also, you will not be bothered by the unpleasant smell of chlorine on your skin after using salt water hot tubs.

Moreover, salt water hot tubs have a scrubbing effect on the skin: it removes dead skin particles. This feature will help you get healthier and smoother skin. So you don’t have to do extra treatments with body scrubs, only 1 session of salt water hot tub is enough.

For Face

Salt water hot tubs can help get rid of facial swelling and dark spots. It is because the warm salt water opens the pores of the face well. Also, it removes excess fluid and impurities from the facial skin.

Moreover, salt water is gentler for the delicate skin of the face and does not dry it out like chlorinated water. It makes it softer and fresher. Also, the hot salt water improves blood circulation and stimulates elastin production. These properties will help you rejuvenate your face and get rid of wrinkles.

For Mental Health

A salt water hot tub is a great way to improve your emotional state. The hot water massage effect helps relieve muscle tension and makes you relax. In addition, the salt water hot tub user can de-stress without thinking about something.

Also, doctors recommend using a salt water hot tub at night to improve sleep. It will help you relax and fall asleep faster and more soundly. At the same time, it contributes to better and more productive well-being the next day.

For Weight Loss

A hot tub with salt water has a positive result for weight loss even without exercise. During its use, the body expends additional energy to improve blood circulation and consequently burns calories.

Also, we have already found out earlier that salt water hot tubs can help to get rid of swelling of the face and body. It leads to the removal of excess water from the body and as a result – a body weight loss (but not getting rid of fat).

Guide on How to Use Salt Water Hot Tubs Correctly

Before using a hot tub with salt water, you need to:

  1. Dry the device;
  2. Clean your hot tub;
  3. Fill your hot tub with water;
  4. Install the chlorinator control panel;
  5. Check the water to make sure it meets the standards below;
CharacteristicsCorrect levels
pH7.2 – 7.8
Chlorine1 ppmppm = parts per million = 0,000001% – 3 ppm
Bromine3 ppm – 5 ppm
Alkalinity80 ppm – 120 ppm
Water hardness80 ppm – 200 ppm
  1. Add salt (make sure the salt level in the water will not exceed 2,000 to 3,000 ppm);
  2. Turn on the chlorinator.
☝️
If you don’t have a manufacturer’s ready-made salt water hot tub, you can turn an ordinary device into a desired one. You can do it with our clear step-by-step guide on how to convert a standard hot tub into a salt water one.

Once the water has warmed to 102°F – 104°F, you may use the salt water hot tub. The average recommended use time is 15 – 45 minutes. It largely depends on the temperature of the water.

If you like hot water, you can heat it in the hot tub to 104°F. In that case, experts recommend not to stay in it longer than 20 minutes at one use session.

If you are a healthy person (without chronic cardiovascular or skin diseases, other serious illnesses) and have heated the water in the hot tub to 102°F, you can stay in it as long as you want. But after 45 minutes of use, we recommend that you get out of the salt water hot tub to cool your body and let it rest. Only then, if you wish, can you continue to use the hot tub.

Tips & Tricks for Salt Water Hot Tubs Maintenance

The quality of your relaxation is influenced by the condition of your hot tub, which depends directly on your care of it. Therefore, not to spoil your rest, we have collected the most valuable tips for salt water hot tub maintenance.

  • Change the water in the hot tub once a year (this is much less than the 3 to 4 times a year required for chlorinated water);
  • Ensure that the pH balance is always between 7.2 and 7.8;
  • Check some parts of the hot tub for corrosion (metal parts and rubber seals) because this issue can lead to damage and malfunction of the device’s components;
  • After a few years of use, you will need to replace the salt water cleaner.

You do not need to constantly care for the salt water hot tub as a device with chlorinated water requires. Chlorine is produced by the chlorinator in the needed quantity, keeping a device clean and sanitized. 

That is the main advantage of the salt water hot tub – the ease of its maintenance. We will describe the other pros and cons of this device below.

Must-Know: Salt Water Hot Tub Pros & Cons

A salt water hot tub is a great alternative to conventional devices with chlorinated water. We will summarize below what advantages it has. Also, nothing is perfect and neither are these hot tubs. So in addition to the salt water hot tub benefits, we will honestly list their main disadvantages.

Pros

  • Salt water is softer. This reduces the risk of dry and cracked skin after using the hot tub.
  • No unpleasant smell during and after using the hot tub. The salt systems built into the device can prevent chlorine from turning into chloramines, which cause a strong chlorine smell.
  • Increased buoyancy of the water. This makes a salt water hot tub session more soothing and relaxing.
  • Reduced risk of eye and skin irritation. Irritation can occur after bathing in chlorinated water (chlorine in a salt water hot tub is produced with the salt water and does not have time to mutate into chloramines).
  • Cheaper and easier maintenance. You do not need to disinfect the water manually all the time because the built-in chlorination system automatically generates chlorine in the required quantities. Also, you don’t have to change the water 3 – 4 times a year, but only 1! You only need to check the salt water in the hot tub once a week for compliance with the standards of the main indicators.

Cons

  • Risk of corrosion in salt water hot tubs. Salt water is very prone to corroding metals. Therefore, after some time of using the salt water hot tub, you may notice corrosion on the metal components of the device (e.g. underwater clarification, liners, and heaters).
  • You will need to replace the salt water cell. After about 2–5 years of using your salt water hot tub, you will need to replace the salt water cell. The titanium plates from which these hot tub elements are made may break off. 
  • Expensive initial purchase. A salt water hot tub system requires a lot of money, though it makes up for it later with cheap maintenance. The initial price of this system can range from $500 to $5,000.

Summary

In recent years, people have increasingly started looking for eco-friendly and useful alternatives to some devices. It is because there is a cult of health and beauty, which is very popular today. And that’s why salt water hot tubs now become more and more common.

Having heard about them, you definitely want to know the salt water hot tub’s main benefits and how this device differs from all the familiar ones with chlorinated water. And we will tell you why salt water hot tubs are worth using:

  • Ease of maintenance;
  • Benefits to your skin;
  • No unpleasant odors;
  • No risk of eye or skin irritations.
💡
The best salt water hot tubs are waiting for you in our article. There you will learn an expert opinion on why a particular device is the most suitable choice for you.

FAQ

👃 Does a salt water hot tub smell?

No, because it can’t mutate into chlorines due to the minimal chlorine production from the salt water system in the hot tub. It avoids the unpleasant smell of chlorine in the water and on your body after bathing.

🧪 Should I add chlorine to the salt water hot tub?

You do not need to add chlorine to such a hot tub by yourself because salt water systems produce it naturally.

🧼 Do I need to shower after using a salt water hot tub?

Yes, because there are chemicals (chlorine, bromine, etc.) in the salt water hot tub, even though there is a low amount of them.

💦 How often should I change the water in the salt water hot tub?

You should change the water in your salt water hot tub once every 12 months, while chlorinated water should be changed 3–4 times a year in such a device.

Peter Rossi

Hi, I’m Peter Rossi, a professional hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi. After having spent over 10 years designing hot tubs for Jacuzzi Group, I started a private practice. Now I design bespoke hot tubs for high-end apartments. I am based in New York, but my clients are all over the world – from San Francisco to Paris, Dubai, London and Tokyo. One thing I enjoy is writing. Hot tubs manufacturers have always been notorious for pushing cheap, subpar products for crazy prices, making profits on naive first-time buyers. So I consider it my social mission to share my expertise and educate clients on who is who in the industry. Lately, I started to work with other people who help me to develop the business. In particular, a couple of great researchers and veteran journalists help me convert my raw thoughts into beautiful articles which you might enjoy reading on ByRossi. Hope my efforts help.

Recent Posts

Can Pregnant Women Go in Hot Tubs?

Multiple medical studies warn that improper use of hot tubs can lead to birth defects. Find out how to minimize…

7 months ago

10+ Must-Have Chemicals for Inflatable Hot Tub Worth Trying in 2024

Are you confused by the sheer amount of chemicals for inflatable hot tubs? We gathered a simplified list of the…

11 months ago

Expert’s Review: 5 Best Salt Chlorine Generators for Hot Tubs

Our team has analyzed top-5 generators to help you choose the best one. With a salt chlorine generator, you’ll love…

11 months ago

End-to-End Guide: How to Convert a Hot Tub to Saltwater

An engineer's approach to converting your hot tub to saltwater – Check our 5-step guide on how to do it…

11 months ago

30+ Greatest Hot Tub Accessories You Must Try in 2024

Presenting you 30+ fun accessories to enhance your hot tub experiences with family and friends! These little extras are surely…

11 months ago

Expert’s Pick: 3 Best Chemical Kits for Your Hot Tub in 2024

Are you considering purchasing a hot tub chemical kit to avoid the confusion of buying 10+ different items separately? Here…

11 months ago