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The Best Water Softener Salts for Sensitive Skin

Fact checked by Stephen Conklin

best water softener salt for sensitive skin

People with sensitive skin or skin problems deserve only the best water softener salt for sensitive skin.

Water softeners remove minerals and compounds in water that can cause limescale formation in plumbing and water fixtures while making water safe for people with eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin health conditions.

Water softeners require periodic regeneration to continue removing hard minerals from the water. Unfortunately, people cannot use just any water softener salt for regeneration.

Like any commercially available product, water softening salts vary in quality and performance. Three factors are crucial in choosing the right water softener salt for home use.

  • Purity: Water softener salts must contain at least 99% sodium chloride. It is essential to understand that water softening devices work by knocking off calcium carbonates and other hard minerals from the water and replacing them with sodium chloride. The more NaCl the salt contains, the more efficient its water softening capabilities.
  • Type: Water softening salts come in different types. These include rock salt, potassium chloride, solar salt, block salt, and evaporated salt. Salts for softer water have varying sodium chloride levels, with evaporated salt having the highest NaCl concentration of up to 99.99%.
  • Form: People looking for a water softener salt for sensitive skin must also consider the salt form. They can choose either pellets or crystals. Most homeowners use salt pellets because of their higher sodium chloride content and suitability for moderate to high water softening requirements.

Prospective buyers can also consider other factors. I will describe these attributes in the following product reviews and the succeeding buying guide.

Top 1

Morton 1501

Dimensions ‎16 x 15 x 4 inches
Weight 50 lbs
Item Form Pellets

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Top 2

Cargill Salt 7304

Dimensions ‎15 x 3 x 20 inches
Weight 40 lbs
Item Form Crystal

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Top 3

Morton U26624S

Dimensions ‎19 x 13 x 4 inches
Weight 40 lbs
Item Form Pellets

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Top 6 Water Softener Salt for Sensitive Skin Reviews

1. Morton Morton-40D System Water Softener

For people asking which water softener salt is best, I would mention the Morton Morton-40D System Water Softener. Based on its consumer reviews alone, this water softener salt gives potential buyers peace of mind when using water softening appliances.

First off, Morton Salt is a trustworthy US brand of salts, including salts for water softening technologies, food processing, culinary applications, and more. The brand’s water softener salts undergo advanced evaporation techniques to produce pure sodium chloride salts.

I feel more comfortable using a US-made salt product for my water softener because I can be sure of its quality.

This Morton salt is compatible with almost every water softener brand and model, ensuring everyone gets their money’s worth.

There is also no problem with its availability because leading e-commerce platforms and local water treatment supply shops have this product in their inventory.

I love the salt’s incredible water softening performance, improving the efficiency and performance of plumbing fixtures and water appliances. Families will never worry about shortening their water heater’s lifespan or producing rust in their water pipes, faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures.

I also appreciate the Morton salt’s convenient packaging, making handling and pouring a breeze. It comes with an easy-open tab and a solid grip for more convenient and manageable pouring into the brine tank.

However, some people might find its 50-lb weight too heavy for comfort. I also noticed inconsistencies in its pricing. Some online platforms sell this product up at a higher price than other e-commerce sites and local stores.
Pros
  • US-made evaporated water softener pellets from a reliable brand
  • Compatible with most water softening brands and models
  • Improves water appliance efficiency and lifespan
  • Convenient packaging for easier handling and use
  • Safe for use for people with a sensitive skin
Cons
  • Quite heavy for some people
  • Inconsistent pricing on some platforms

Nevertheless, this Morton salt remains an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. It has an unquestionable quality and top-notch performance.

Not only does it provide families with safe water for the skin and hair, but it also safeguards the integrity of water fixtures, water appliances, and the entire plumbing system.

2. Cargill Salt 7304 Water Softener Salt

People who need a water softener salt for dry hair and itchy skin should consider replacing their ordinary water softener salt with the Cargill Salt 7304.

Cargill is one of the top water softener salts brands in the US, with Morton being the other one. Hence, I trust the products coming from this company.

I love this water softener salt because it is 99.9% pure NaCl. At least, only 0.1% of the salt crystals are not NaCl, making this product one of the most effective water softener salts on the market.

Its water softening capabilities are ideal for people with skin problems. Babies, young children, and elderly persons will not have issues using soft water. They can rest assured they will not experience any skin breakouts.

The company also guarantees that its water softener salt will never produce salt bridges, create channels, or turn mushy. When one applies this product to the brine tank, the water softener salt will do its job splendidly.

I am also surprised to learn that this water softener salt is not only for domestic applications. Businesses can use soft water to process meats and poultry, make cured pickles and olives, and promote grade-sensitive vegetables. Its versatility is exceptional, translating to more efficient use in commercial establishments.

I also appreciate its polyethylene packaging, which is thicker and sturdier than other brands. It is also a cinch to handle and use.

One concern I share with other users is the product’s prohibitive price. However, its versatility and water softening performance are worth every penny spent on this product.
Pros
  • 9% pure sodium ions for effective use
  • Recommended for sensitive skin, ideal even for kids
  • Never produce salt bridges, create channels, or turn mushy
  • Ideal for food business processing meats and poultry, making pickles and olives
  • High-quality polyethylene packaging
Cons
  • A higher-priced option for small families
Overall, this water softener salt is perfect for a family of four or a household with moderately hard water. Its high-purity sodium ions make it an excellent choice for people who want peace of mind whenever they use soft water.

3. Morton Salt Morton-Rust-40 Morton Clean & Protect/Rust Defense

Some households do not only worry about limescale formation and harsh water on the skin. They also fret about rust stains and iron taste in their water.

Families can address these issues by replacing their ordinary water softener salt with the Morton Clean and Protect with Rust Defense salt pellets for water softener.

This water softener salt product acts as the tried-and-tested Clean and Protect, but with the addition of an iron removal technology. People can look at it as a more advanced formulation for modern water softeners, eliminating up to 15 times more iron than traditional salts for water softeners.

Its potency translates to rust-free plumbing, showerheads, faucets, and other metallic water fixtures. Families will also never have to contend with the odd smell and taste of ferric and ferrous compounds in their water.

I also love the salt’s implications for skin health. Removing calcium carbonates and ferrous molecules can make the water gentler and safer for people with sensitive skin. Acne, pimples, and other skin blemishes will be a thing of the past as soon as these water softener salt pellets start doing their job.

Of course, this product still retains its limescale-prevention capability, protecting water fixtures and appliances against scale formation and extending their lifespan.

Using it is as straightforward as the other Morton products with its easy-pull tab and solid grip.

Unfortunately, adding the rust defense formula jacked up the product’s price. Moreover, families with large-capacity water softeners might have to deal with the salt’s 40-lb-only packaging.
Pros
  • Removes 15x more iron than traditional water softener salts
  • Prevents rust stains and improves taste
  • Does not cause skin breakouts or irritations like acne, pimples, etc
  • Protects water systems from limescale
  • Convenient to use with an easy-pull tab and solid grip
Cons
  • Only available in 40-lb bags
  • A bit pricier than standard products
Nevertheless, this water softener salt is perfect for households with limescale and rust issues in their water systems. It is effortless to handle and use, and it does its job of protecting people’s sensitive skin.

4. Morton U26624S Pure AND Natural Water Softening Crystals

Morton Salt is one of the most trusted brands of water softener salt, culinary salts, food processing salts, and related products.

The company’s Pure and Natural Water Softening Salt Crystals are some of the top-rated water softener salts homeowners can buy today. We can rely on these products to treat mild to moderately hard water issues.

Unlike Morton Clean and Protect, this product is a solar salt, which the company produced using natural solar evaporation. It is as natural as one can get while ensuring gentleness on sensitive skin.

Therefore, people with psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions will never have issues using the water softened with this salt.

Not only do these natural water softening crystals protect the skin and hair, but they also prevent hard water stains. Families can stop worrying about disgusting spots on their dishes, glassware, water pipes, showerheads, tiles, and other water fixtures.

It is one of the most effective products for safeguarding plumbing integrity.

Using this water softener salt is also a cinch because of its easy-pull tab that does not rip the whole bag and spill the contents. The top grip is solid, allowing anyone to lift and dump the contents into the brine talk with ease.

I also like its sodium content purity. Although I cannot find sufficient information about its percentage purity, I can only guess it is higher than 99%. It should make people more confident about its water softening performance.

Unfortunately, I found some users complaining about the natural water softening crystal’s sulfur smell. Moreover, its price is higher than other solar salt brands, making some potential buyers shun this product.
Pros
  • Recommended for households with mild to moderately hard water
  • Solar salt, produced by natural solar evaporation to be gentle on the skin and hair
  • Solar salt with high NaCl purity, approximately 99%
  • Prevents hard water stains on appliances
  • Easy-pull tab that does not rip the whole bag and spill the contents
  • The top grip is solid for lifting and dumping the contents
Cons
  • Pricier than other solar salt brands
  • A few complaints about the sulfur smell
Still, I believe this water softener sodium chloride salt is perfect for households with moderately hard water. It gets the job done while ensuring people will not have skin breakouts, such as pimples and acne.

5. CAI Diamond Crystal 50 Water Softener

Families with babies, young children, or members with skin problems can trust the Diamond Crystal Bright & Soft Salt Pellets to ease their worries. This product is one of the most effective water softener salts on the market and an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin.

This Diamond Crystal water softener salt removes calcium carbonates, iron, barium, and magnesium to provide the modern family with efficient water softening. Families will not worry about crusty faucets or rusty pipes again.

Its implications are also immense to people with skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Elderly people with thinner skin will also appreciate the water’s softness after treatment with this salt.

I appreciate the company for publishing its NaCl purity (99.8%), making it easier for other people to decide if this product is best for them or not. While it is not 100% pure, I still consider it exceptional because it is only 0.2 percent away from perfect. The 0.2% non-NaCl molecules will also not cause an allergic reaction to water softener salt.

Handling this Diamond Crystal water softener salt is a breeze because of its dual-handled bag design. Moreover, opening it is easy because there are tear marks to follow. One can use this salt in any water softening system, regardless of brand, series, and model.

However, its iron removal capability is modest at best, compared to other brands with iron-reduction formulations.
Pros
  • 8% pure NaCl for high effectiveness
  • Removes calcium carbonates, barium, and magnesium
  • Compatible with many water softener systems
  • Gentle on the hair and skin
  • Dual-handled bag design with easy-to-open tear marks
  • Removes hard minerals other than calcium carbonates
Cons
  • Not as efficient as other brands in removing iron
Still, this Diamond Crystal salt for water softener systems has the nod of many homeowners who want a product that works for them. They no longer have to fret about limescale formation and rusty pipes. Families will also have more pleasant showers without worrying about skin breakouts and other skin problems.

6. Cargill Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride Salt Substitute

People with kidney problems or heart disease should consider replacing their NaCl-based water softener salts with the Diamond Crystal Potassium Chloride Salt Substitute. This product is an eco-friendlier and equally effective alternative to NaCl salt.

This water softening salt contains 99.1% pure potassium chloride, making it as effective as conventional NaCl-based salts.

When people use this water softener salt itchy skin, dry hair, and skin breakouts are never a problem. It is hypoallergenic, guaranteed never to cause skin irritations or inflammation.

I also trust this product to remove hard minerals from the water and protect plumbing against limescale formation. Families will love the effects on their bathing, washing, and other water-related activities. Lathering is more pleasant, and dishes and other objects will look and feel cleaner.

Consuming the water softened with this Diamond Crystal salt is also safer for people with high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Sodium naturally attracts water molecules, which can increase blood volume. The excess blood volume makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and the kidneys to produce urine. This health concern is never an issue with potassium chloride.

This Diamond Crystal salt is also eco-friendlier. People can use the drainage for animals to drink and water the plants. It will not produce unnecessary health effects, nor will it cause people to become allergic to water contaminants.

Unfortunately, this Diamond Crystal product requires a large amount to achieve the same results as a NaCl salt. In some cases, people might have to regenerate their water softeners more often.
Pros
  • 1% pure potassium chloride salt
  • Ideal for people with heart and kidney problems
  • Environmentally friendlier than NaCl salts
  • Compatible with all water softener models and brands
  • Hypoallergenic composition, guaranteed no skin irritation or inflammation
Cons
  • Not as efficient as NaCl salts
Despite this, I cannot deny this water softener salt’s safety, effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. People who value these attributes more than cost considerations should get this product as a more sensible replacement for conventional sodium chloride salts for water softeners.

What to Look for When Buying Water Softener Salts for Sensitive Skin

hypoallergenic-water-softener-salt

Buying a water softener salt for sensitive skin requires understanding several product attributes. One’s appreciation of these factors can also help answer the question, is water softener salt good for your skin? Here are the things potential buyers must look for:

Purity

The most crucial buying consideration is the water softening salt’s purity. It translates to water softening process effectiveness. Unlike salt-free water softeners, ion-exchange process-based water softener systems require cation-anion compounds known as salts to dislodge water hardness minerals from the water.

A water softening system contains resin beads with salts. When hard water passes through the resin beads, potassium chloride or sodium chloride crystals replace the hard minerals. Hence, the more NaCl or KCl the water softener system has, the more effective it is in softening water.

The percentage of either NaCl or KCl in the salt crystals or salt pellets is the product’s purity. The closer the rating is to 100%, the purer the salt. Hence, a pure grade sodium chloride will have 100% NaCl.

However, it is almost impossible to achieve 100% purity. A functional water softener salt for sensitive skin can only have a maximum purity of 99.99%, indicating that 0.01% are elements other than salt.

As a rule, one should pick water softening salt with a purity of at least 99%. Thankfully, all of the products reviewed in this article meet this requirement.

Type

If you buy water softener salt, it would also be best to consider the type.

  • Rock salt – Rock salt for a water softening system has 95% to 98.5% purity. The impurities can cause mineral deposits in the brine tank and damage other water appliances, such as water heaters. These products often feature mined sodium chloride and are processed for water softening systems. The good news is that rock salt is inexpensive.
  • Evaporated salt – Many experts consider this product excellent water softener salt for sensitive skin because it contains 99.7% to 99.99% pure NaCl. This product often comes in pellet form and is popular for its water softening efficiency. Unfortunately, it is the priciest among the different water softener salt types.
  • Solar salt – Crystallized solar salt contains 99.6% to 99.8% pure NaCl, making it the second most effective water softening salt after the evaporated type. Its production is similar to the natural salt formation, allowing seawater to evaporate under the sun. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for households with very high water hardness levels.
  • Potassium chloride salt – There are many confusing articles about potassium versus salt. Many people think that salt only refers to NaCl and not potassium chloride. However, elementary chemistry dictates that salts consist of a cation (positively charged element) and an anion (negatively charged chemical).

Hence, NaCl and potassium chloride are salts consisting of cations sodium or potassium and the anion chloride. Hence, it would be a mistake to think that potassium chloride is not water softening salt.

For example, Morton potassium chloride pellets are some of the top water softener salts on the market. It is perfect for people who do not like dumping NaCl into the environment.

Form

People who want to buy water softener salt products must also decide the form: pellets or crystals.

  • Salt crystals – Manufacturers of water softener salt crystals evaporate seawater naturally, allowing the brine solution to form large masses called crystals. These salt products are ideal for households with mild to moderate hard mineral concentrations.
  • Salt pellets – Water softener pellets are the product of vacuum evaporation, producing the highest purity (99.99%). Salt pellets are ideal for households with moderate to very hard water, making them better than natural water softener crystals.

Price

In general, evaporated types of water softening salts are the most expensive, followed by solar salts. The most affordable are rock salts for water softeners.

Does a Water Softener Make Your Skin Dry

which-water-softener-salt-is-best

No, water softening systems do not cause dry skin. Hard water contains limescale-forming minerals, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium. Not only do these chemicals produce scale in plumbing fixtures, but they also exert their abrasive properties on the skin.

Hard minerals strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to the effects of physical, chemical, and environmental forces. Removing natural skin oils can produce dryness, while the hard minerals can clog pores and cause acne, pimples, and other skin breakouts.

Water softening systems remove these hard minerals from the water or at least reduce them to safer levels. When people use softened water for self-care and hygiene purposes, they protect themselves against potential skin dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

That is why many healthcare experts also recommend using a water softener for eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

What Is the Healthiest Water Softener Salt

Evaporated salt is the healthiest water softening system salt. Other water softener salt types contain up to 5% non-salt chemicals. These minerals can adhere to brine tank components, requiring more frequent cleaning and undermining the water softening system’s lifespan.

Manufacturers force distilled water into mined salt deposits underground before pumping the salt backup for heat and vacuum treatment. The distillation process produces salt with 99.7% to 99.99% NaCl, although it might vary across brands and product series.

Removing as much as 99.99% of non-salt chemicals produces a hypoallergenic water softener salt, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin and other skin problems.

Solar salt is also a safe and healthy choice because it is 99.6% to 99.8% pure salt. On the other hand, rock salt can contain 1.5% to 5% other minerals.

Can I Use Food-grade Salt for Water Softener

Some water softening appliance manufacturers use just simple table salt for regenerating their systems. However, it is generally not advisable to use table salt on water softening units because of varying salt purity levels.

It would be best to remember that water softening system salts undergo purification to produce salt with almost 100% NaCl.

Conversely, one should not use food-grade quality salt for culinary or food processing purposes. People with heart and kidney problems should minimize their NaCl consumption because it attracts water, increasing blood volume and blood pressure.

Moreover, water softening salts can contain impurities unsuitable for human or animal consumption. It is wise to understand that the purification process only removes chemicals other than NaCl. It does not remove debris, dirt, stabilizers, anti-caking agents, and other substances.

Conclusion

The best water softener salt for sensitive skin safeguards water systems against limescale and rust formation. It also makes it more pleasant for people to take a bath, wash objects, and do other water-related activities without fretting about skin irritations, breakouts, and inflammation.

Picking a water softener salt for sensitive skin requires an understanding of product purity, appropriateness of the salt type, and the best possible salt form for one’s needs.

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