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The Best Water Softener Salts for Sensitive Skin for 2023

Writen by Ronald Brown

Fact checked by Natalie Bridges

Water hardness can cause issues, such as dry skin and itchy hair and scalp. This issue also leads to staining on the faucet and sink. In the end, it can also damage your plumbing system. So, if you’re using a water softener to treat water, you need the best water softener salt for sensitive skin.

best water softener salt for sensitive skin

With it, you can eliminate elements, including calcium, magnesium and minerals in the water. By adding it to your water softener, you can remove these ions that harden the water. As a result, water becomes safer for bathing and drinking. It can also make water scum-free and gentle for the skin.

It is never easy living with hypersensitive skin because choosing the wrong product might cause severe breakouts. You can reduce the risk by examining water softener salts for the following attributes.

  • Salt Purity: Although water softener salts contain 99% sodium chloride, some products do better by offering up to 99.6% sodium chloride. The purer the water softener salt, the lesser the impurities that might cause skin-related issues.
  • Water Softener Salt Form: Water softener salts come in evaporated pellets, solar crystals, salt blocks, and rock salt. Evaporated salts and salt blocks have the highest concentrations of sodium chloride, while rock salt might contain impurities detrimental to users with sensitive skin.
  • Maintenance Requirements: Rock salt tends to leave waste and residue in the brine tank, making cleanups and maintenance more tedious. Some water softener salts also have specific optimal temperatures and buildup times, impacting maintenance routines.

However, it can be confusing and challenging to buy water softener salt if you’re unaware of what to compare and how to narrow down your choices. In this buying guide, we’ll help you select the suitable water softener salt for sensitive skin by reviewing the most recommended brands and items. We’ll also discuss the things to consider when shopping around for that product.

Top-Rated Products

Best Overall

Morton Salt 1501

Details

Honorable Mention

Cargill Salt 7304

Details

Premium Choice

Morton U26624S

Details

Top-Rated Water Softener Salt for Sensitive Skin Reviews

1. Morton Salt 1501 Clean Protect System

Another highly-rated water softener salt for sensitive skin is yet another Morton product, which is a water softener salt with iron removal. The Clean Protect System is a better and more advanced formula that is meant to be more powerful and efficient than the typical evaporated salt.

The Morton Salt 1501 water softener is compatible and highly recommended by many water softener systems. It can work just fine even for older systems that usually use blocks of salt, not salt crystals. One thing that sets this apart from other water softeners is its ability to prevent the buildup of iron in your system. Beside limescale buildup, iron is the next annoying and frustrating problem that our water fixtures get exposed to.

The red iron stains and splotches are not a pleasant sight. This Morton product can help get rid of iron in your water, so both lime scales and iron stains would already be issues in the past. Additionally, this product adds so much efficiency as a water softener that reduces the amount of salt usage. This means that the need for bags and bags of salt is no longer required, so your budget can breathe and you save some bucks for yourself.

Competitively priced, this is a phosphate-free water softener. This unique formula helps extend the longevity of your water fixtures like your water heaters. It helps reduce the mineral buildup that would harm the performance and efficiency of your water pipes, showers, and other accessories.

You would also appreciate how Morton smartly thought of the product’s packaging. It has an easy-open tab, which makes pouring a tad more manageable and a durable, solid grip, making carrying and transport more convenient. Another plus point is, you can conveniently get your regular supply in most supply shops.

One hiccup here is it is heavy. It is 50 pounds, after all, so lifting and pouring it into your softener might be challenging, especially for older folks.

But overall, you will agree once you’ve tried this that it is one of the best water softener pellets out on the market today. Competitively priced, you’d surely get your money’s worth with this and even more.

What We Like
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • Helps remove iron
  • Phosphate-free
  • Convenient and solid packaging
  • Widely available for purchase
What We Don’t Like
  • It is heavy.

2. Cargill Salt 7304 Water Softener Salt

Nothing can be as naturally white and milky as these water softener salt crystals from Cargill. The brand’s water softener is 99.9% pure and goes through a distillation process using wind evaporation and solar power.

Its all-natural process allows the water softener only to have low levels of insoluble content. That said, it would also help lower the production of tank residue and mineral buildup. This best water softener salt for sensitive skin from Cargill is also NSF certified, which speaks volumes about its quality and reliability. It is also very much compatible with both household and commercial ion-exchange water softener systems.

Cargill Salt 7304 water softener is the most suitable choice for households that have moderately hard water. It is also ideal for a reasonably sized family. You can have that peace of mind for the entire home. You are only using natural processes to make your hard water softer. There are no chemicals that can indeed make it softer but they can impact the health of your loved ones.

You’d be pleased to know that, according to Cargill, their crystals are way purer than rock salt. Aside from being untainted, it is also more efficient in getting the work done. In brine form, these crystal salts are safe to be used in poultry processing and meat production. You can also use it in vegetable produce, hide curing, and surprisingly, it comes useful to remove snow and ice. This one should be part of your winter essentials moving forward.

You would be relieved knowing that Cargill gives 100% assurance that there would be no channeling, mushing, or bringing with their product. It is packaged in a polyethylene bag, so it has an additional layer of protection against moisture. It works very well, and you can expect to have very minimal residue at the bottom of your tank. The saltwater is clear during and after the treatment.

One factor that might cause you to second guess is Cargill’s water softener salt’s price because it is slightly more expensive than other water softeners. However, this product is a good investment as it is excellent and gets five stars for its performance. The crystals melt faster, and you don’t have to worry about bridges. It is a worthy addition to your household essentials.
What We Like
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • All-natural process
  • Very minimal residue
  • NSF certified
  • Packed in polyethylene bags for that added protection
What We Don’t Like
  • It is a bit more expensive than other water softener salt.

3. Morton U26624S Water Softening Crystals

In the salt industry, Morton is well established and some of their products are top favorites among households like Do It Best water softener salt. So, it is not surprising that they will be advocates for the use of solar processing to produce an evaporated salt to help soften water.

The Morton water softener salt is made up of pure grade sodium chloride. It is an excellent choice for an all-natural in softening your water. It is highly recommended when your water is moderately hard. These water softener salt pellets or crystals are compressed in shape; thus, no mushing happens.

By using softening crystals, you are helping your water-related fixtures and appliances, including your plumbing system to extend their longevity and efficiency. These crystals prevent the mineral from building up in your pipes, water heaters, and faucets. Your dishes will surely be what you can refer to as squeaky clean and less water spots. You can enjoy your showers since your soap and shampoo lather better, and your laundry is no longer dull and stiff.

Morton has everything covered for you, including this product’s packaging. Morton’s pure and natural water softening crystals are packaged in a bag that is easy to lift, carry and pour. Of course, since Morton is driven by their advertising, “When it rains, it pours,” you get nothing short of overall customer satisfaction.

A part of this excellent packaging is a durable carrying handle, which helps you transport it more conveniently and an easy-tear opening to make pouring hassle-free.

Morton recommends that you use two bags of these Pure and Natural water softener crystals every two months. And you must ensure that your unit’s salt container is always half full all the time. There is no need to worry about a steady flow of supply because this product is widely available in a variety of supply stores to replenish your stash anytime quickly.

The only drawback of this fantastic product is that it’s a little bit more expensive than other water softener crystals.

Overall, if you want reliable and a product that will deliver consistent and fantastic results, this is the top-rated one on the market. You get what you pay for because this high-quality product is effective.

What We Like
  • Ideal for moderately hard water
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • High purity solar salt
  • Convenient and solid packaging
  • Widely available for purchase
What We Don’t Like
  • A bit more costly than some competitors

4. Diamond Crystal Bright and Soft Series

Extend the life of your showers, sinks, and appliances by providing them with the support they need – the Diamond Crystal water softener salt pellets. These salt pellets consist of 99.8% pure salt so that you can transform your hard water into soft water. You know very well how hard water can be a nuisance to your plumbing system, pipes, faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures that regularly have water running in them.

So, extend that little help by using these salt pellets to avoid limescale and another mineral buildup in your pipes and fixtures. Say goodbye to hard minerals found in your water like calcium, barium, magnesium, and especially iron.

These compressed water softener salt pellets are designed to help prevent bridging and mushing in the brine tank of your water softener. With this, you can be confident that you’d always have a smooth sailing and clean process when it comes to softening your water. You’d also notice that with the use of these salt pellets, you can see the benefits to your water fixtures and your skin and hair. Your skin would feel cleaner and softer, and your hair would also be cleaner. It leads to the same result in your laundry as the clothes appear more vibrant and softer to the touch.

NSF certified this product could be safely used in household and commercial water softener systems. It is compatible with most if not all the systems right now, so you can just make the switch and use this instead. It does the job as expected, and it also makes using it a hassle-free experience.

Lifting, carrying, and pouring is a tad easier thanks to its patented two-handle bags. Yes, it is a bit cumbersome, but you can stop worrying about breaks and slips during transport with its handle. The packaging is smart and designed to be convenient and practical.

One reason why you might have second thoughts on purchasing this product is its price. It is priced higher than other salt pellets on the market.

If you prefer quality and reliability to produce excellent output, this Bright and Soft series is the most suitable for you and your water softener system. It delivers and works even beyond expectations.

What We Like
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • 8% typical pure salt
  • Removes iron from your water
  • NSF certified
  • Practical and smart packaging
What We Don’t Like
  • A bit more expensive than other salt pellets

5. Morton Salt F124700000g Water Softener Pellets

If you live in a place where you struggle with the taste of iron in your water and the red rust stains on your tubs and sinks, you might want this Morton product. With their Clean & Protect rust defense pellets, you can already put an end to these 2 top household problems caused by hard water. Like any other water softeners, these crystals can help remove the minerals from your water supply and tackle a bigger problem: the removal of iron if your water is coming from a well.

This specific softener from Morton can remove fifteen times more iron than regular salt can. According to the company, this information is from their internal lab testing for each regeneration cycle. With this said, you can enjoy fewer red rust stains on your bathroom fixtures, thus extending the lives of these appliances and household essentials.

You’d have minimal build-up in your plumbing system and water heaters. You’d also have lesser water spots on your faucets, tiles, and dishes. It is a dream come true for most homeowners because it would lower costs when it comes to repairs and replacements. With the overall quality of water, you can drink tasty water that’s also soft for the skin.

Thinking of nothing but customer satisfaction, Morton has designed the packaging of this product to be convenient to carry and pour. The usage instructions are simple, too, with you having to check the salt levels and keeping your tank 50% full. Your softener system should be replenished with two bags of this Clean and Protect water softener pellets every two months.

Like most Morton water softener pellets, this product would also work well with any standard water softener system and yield the same outcome of better water. The only downside of this product is its size limitation, a 40-pound bag. It is a value for your money; this Morton salt water softener variation is the answer to your iron problems. It works and effectively delivers water with a better taste and with fewer negative impacts on your plumbing.
What We Like
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • More potent than the regular salt
  • Removes iron from your water
  • Easy to carry, easy to pour packaging
  • Leads to less build up on your water flowing fixtures
What We Don’t Like
  • Single choice when it comes to size – 40 pounds

Outdated Products

Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets Bag (Outdated)

Hard water and iron are two of the main struggles of homeowners regardless of their water supplies. Iron can be found in both city water and wells, and the results are equally frustrating and troublesome.

When you see rust stains, you can be sure that you have iron in your water supply. Diamond Crystal Iron Fighter Pellets is designed and formulated to provide a resolution for water with high contents of iron. It is also noteworthy that this product is also FDA-approved as a rust removal additive.

This is undoubtedly good news for you. The better news is, these pellets can work with your existing water softener system. It is compatible with most types of water softeners being used, so there won’t be any need for you to adjust your current system aside from involving these iron fighter pellets.

Virtually 100% soluble, this product also promises that mushing, rust buildup, and bridging in the brine tank of water softener will be reduced. This commitment ensures that your water softener will run smoothly and efficiently.

You’d like that these 99.7% pure salt pellets are housed in a polybag made of 50% recycled materials with two handles to make carrying, lifting, and pouring more convenient for you. For your peace of mind, this is also NSF certified, which means that quality and effectiveness are guaranteed.

It also conforms to the CAN standard 60 and meets the AWWA Standard for Sodium Chloride B-200. You can be assured that these pellets are safe for commercial and household water softeners and that they don’t contain any allergens. You can use this as the salt for Rainsoft water softener among other systems on the market today.

Widely available, these pellets can be easily stocked up so you can have a steady supply. You can either purchase it from your local supply stores or opt for a more convenient way to order it online so that it can be delivered at your convenience.

However, it is quite pricey. Overall, it is one of those excellent products that work effectively. You’d surely get your money’s worth because of how efficient it is.
What We Like
  • Compatible with the usual water softener units or systems
  • 7% typical pure salt
  • Removes iron from your water
  • NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard 60 certified
  • 100% soluble
What We Don’t Like
  • A bit pricey

Diamond Crystal Water Softener Bag (Outdated)

This is undoubtedly the top-rated alternative for you if you don’t want excess salt in your water. Diamond Crystal’s Potassium Chloride is the ultimate salt substitute because it uses potassium chloride. It is a low-sodium alternative to traditional salt-based water softeners.

It is made up of 99.1% of pure potassium chloride. It is also highly compatible with most kinds of water softener systems. What makes this an ideal choice is you can use the softened water for both indoor and outdoors plants and animals. Note that potassium chloride still has salt content but at a relatively lower level. This is also most suitable for those household members who are sensitive to salt or would need to monitor their salt intake closely.

You’d like that the bag is user-friendly and very easy to open. Its carrying handle is also made of sturdy material, so transporting and carrying it would pose no issue at all. Also, you’d appreciate that while this water softener exceeds expectations in softening your water, it also improves the results of your laundry. Moving forward, you can expect cleaner and brighter clothes because it boosts the power of soaps and detergents to clean off the dirt better.

Additionally, your water fixtures would also be thanking you. You’d be equally grateful because you won’t need to deal with stains on tubs, sinks, and faucets. It promotes longer life and improved performance of your water-flowing appliances. In the long run, this will help you save time, effort, and money because you won’t need to be frequently doing repairs and spending on replacements.

One fact when using potassium chloride is, you’d have to add more to your tank compared to the usual salt-based water softeners. So, expect additional costs since you’d need to replenish more. In conclusion, this product exceeds expectations and is the top-tier alternative if you have some concerns about salt-based water softeners. It is widely available in local stores. You can also conveniently have it delivered right to your doorstep to save you the trip, gas, and effort of carrying it around.
What We Like
  • Compatible with most water softener units or systems
  • Lower level salt content
  • Processed water can be safely used for plants and animals
  • Better results in your laundry
  • Helps in the longevity of your water fixtures
What We Don’t Like
  • Increase in usage and cost


What Is A Water Softener Salt For Sensitive Skin/ Who Is This For

best-water-softener-salt-for-dry-skin

Many homeowners know how much of a hassle hard water is. Simply put, hard water contains an excessive number of dissolved compounds. It is often a mixture of hard minerals such as copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, aluminum, and the like.

While it may not be alarming in terms of health, hard water poses quite a problem and a nuisance to one’s pipes, plumbing systems, and certain appliances. Over time, these minerals might cause clogging and other similar issues. This would result in constant repairs and shorten the lifespan of the devices and pipes.

Not to mention, hard water also lessens the efficacy of cleaning agents. Because of this effect, one usually sees white, cloudy, and filmy residues on surfaces and even in kitchenware.

Hard water may also cause irritations to sensitive skin and adverse effects on one’s hair.

Luckily, technology has made it easy to solve this problem. Installing a water softener system will help mitigate and even eliminate one’s issues with hard water. For the water softener system to work effectively, it’s essential to use the appropriate type of salt.

There are four common types of water softener salt that one can choose from. These are rock salt, sea salt or solar salt, evaporated salt, and potassium chloride.

While the choice will largely depend on the preference, understanding their differences is also crucial. With this piece of information, one can aptly select the top-quality type of water softener salt for their water softener system.

How Does It Work

Salt-based water softener systems mostly use water softener salt. These models rely on the process of ion exchange to “soften” hard water. What this does is to exchange all the hard minerals found in the water with salt ions.

However, this doesn’t mean that the salt does the hard water’s softening. The ion exchange process is done by the resin beads found in the water softener.

These resin beads already contain sodium ions from the get-go; hence, there’s no need to worry. Simply put, these negatively-charged beads will hold the sodium ions. Once the hard water flows through the water softener’s tank, these beads are drawn in the positively charged hard minerals found in the water.

In the process of this exchange, all the positive ions of the hard minerals are replaced with the sodium ions found in the resin beads. Because of this, water is gradually softened. It now contains more sodium ions than those found in the hard minerals.

As a result of constant use, the resin beads in the water softener will undoubtedly run out of these sodium ions. Without these sodium ions, the beads cannot work effectively. This is when one will usually need to purchase a water softener salt.

Water softener salts are used to create a brine solution in the water softener’s brine tank. Once the beads run out of sodium, the softener undergoes the regeneration process. Also called brining, this process just uses water and a salt-brine mixture to wash out all the hard minerals stuck in the resin beads.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Water Softener Salt For Sensitive Skin

hypoallergenic-water-softener-salt

Like all products, water softener salts also have their fair share of pros and cons. Knowing this list is essential for a buyer as it can help them make an informed decision about the product. This section will just jot down the possible advantages and disadvantages that water softener salts will provide.

Advantages

Not expensive

Water softener salts are quite easy on the wallet. Regardless of what type of softener salt you will buy and how much you will need, it won’t cost you that much.

It is because water softener salts are quite easy to procure and manufacture. Hence, production, manufacturing, packaging, and delivery costs are quite low. You can even find significant volumes for just an affordable price.

Various types

There are many water softeners salts in the market that you can choose from. With this, you can pick which type of salt might be the top-tier one to use for your current water softener system.

Just take note and remember that these salts might produce different effects on your water softener’s efficacy. Hence, it might be useful to research more about their differences and test the products a little.

Easy to Use

Water softener salts come in two different forms, which are the pellet form and the crystal form. Regardless of what type you’ll end up choosing, both models are quite easy to use. You will just need to pour the salt in the recommended volume into the brine tank.

For your reference, however, water softener crystals are ideal for households with low-water consumption or water softeners with a two-part system.

On the other hand, water softener pellets are often used in households with moderate to high water usage and all-in-one water softeners. Because of their consumption, pellets help reduces bridging problems.

Convenient

Water softener salts are also convenient in terms of storage. They usually come in environment-friendly packages that you can easily reseal once you’re done.

With this, you wouldn’t have to worry about the salt accidentally spilling or possible contaminations. Just make sure to store the water softener salt in a cool, dry place.

Disadvantages

Too Much Salt

One of the disadvantages of salt-based water softeners is that they use salt, which may affect the taste of the water. For people that need to regulate their salt intake, consuming water produced by these systems might be a problem.

Buying Guide

water-softener-salt-pellets

When the water softener’s resin beads get clogged with too many hard minerals, the system automatically undergoes the process of brining or regenerating. Here, the beads are washed with water and a salt-brine solution to get rid of the hard minerals glued to them.

During this process, water softener salts play an essential part. To ensure that your water softener system is ready to par and works properly, it’s in your top-rated interest to find a water softener salt that is compatible with it.

There are numerous types and forms of water softener salts available in the market. Because of this, choosing what product to purchase can get quite confusing and overwhelming, especially for beginners. However, you don’t have to worry. This section will list down all the factors you need to consider when looking for the most trusted water softener salt.

Salt Type

Water softener salts come in numerous types. The most common ones are rock salt, sea salt or solar salt, evaporated salt, and potassium chloride, which is the newest addition. Choosing what type to get will largely depend on your intended purpose and preferences. Rock salt is considered the cheapest since they are easy to procure.

However, if you are concerned with the salt’s efficacy, then going with evaporated salt or sea salt is the most suitable choice. If you want to get rid of the salt altogether, it might be ideal to stick with potassium chloride.

Crystals vs. Pellets

Aside from the type, water softener salts also differ in terms of their forms. Currently, softener salts come in two forms: crystal form and pellet form.

Softener crystals are often made from sea salt or solar salt. With this, you can guarantee that the product is effective in terms of softening the hard water.

Because of their form, softener crystals are smaller and more compact. As such, they tend to dissolve fast, which means that they don’t usually cause buildups.

Solar crystals are ideal for households that consume only a low volume of water. Their form also makes them useful in two-part water softener systems.

On the other hand, softener pellets can be made from any salt. However, the most common ones have evaporated salts as their base. Some softener pellets also come with extra additives that help protect pipes, and plumbing systems, and prolong the lifespan of your appliances.

Pellets are ideal for households with medium to high water usage and all-in-one water softener systems.

Maintenance

The type of salt you buy will also affect how you’ll maintain the water softener’s brine tank. Some water softener salt types like rock salt tend to leave a bunch of residue and waste behind. Because of this, you’ll need to put extra effort into cleaning and maintaining the brine tank.

Different salt types also have different buildup times and preferred temperatures. It’s important to note these differences so you can effectively clean and maintain your water softener.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does salt water make my skin hurt?

Salt water skin irritation and discomfort are due to the drying effects. This mainly stems from how salt water can be overly alkaline, which throws your body’s pH off balance and makes the allergic reaction more likely.

So if the salt water has a pH level of 9 and above, it can make skin itch, and cause skin rash, redness, and dry spots.

However, salt water can be good for your skin. Its drying effects can help people with acne and other skin blemishes. Intriguingly, salt water can also improve the symptoms of inflammatory skin disorders, including eczema and psoriasis. It can promote the more efficient turnover of dead psoriatic skin cells and enhance the skin’s appearance.

It should not surprise you anymore that some families consider salt-based water softener skin problems as nothing more than a ploy to cast these systems in a bad light.

Diamond Crystal vs Morton water softener salt – which is better?

Determining which is better between Diamond Crystal and Morton water softener salts depends on which parameter you value more. Homeowners who want the highest possible sodium chloride purity will find Diamond Crystal’s 99.6% purity beating Morton’s 99%. The difference may be negligible, but for some folks, it matters.

Diamond Crystal is also more affordable than Morton, while its design is incredibly ergonomic. Its higher purity makes it ideal for rust removal and water softening in houses with high iron levels. However, packaging quality belongs to Morton primarily because of its easy transportability.

Either water softener salt brand should work splendidly with CAI Technologies, Culligan, Whirlpool, and other water softeners.

Can water softener cause eczema?

No, water softeners do not cause eczema. On the contrary, it might even benefit individuals with eczema and similar inflammatory skin problems. This is because hard water – one of the three common causes of eczema – can be easily treated with a water softener.

However, note that users of salt free water softener eczema can still develop. These systems only prevent the chemicals that harden water from forming scales. And because the hardeners are still present in the water, they may still cause issues. In contrast, salt-based products will eliminate these chemicals entirely.

Another myth worth debunking is water softener salt causes hair loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, alopecia or hair loss can be due to different factors, including stress, genetics, medications, hair treatments, supplements, radiation, and more. The renowned medical organization never cited soft water as causing hair loss.

How to use it?

To add hypoallergenic water softener salt to the water softener, you should first check the salt level. Lift the brine tank’s cover. If you notice that the salt is dry with the reservoir below 50%, add salt until it is more than half full. Nevertheless, ensure that the tank has enough salt so that your water softener will work properly. Remember that the container should always be more than 33% full. And when adding salt to the water softener, you should fill your tank half, especially if the water level is above the salt.

How to care & clean?

The water softener salt for sensitive skin should last a long time by keeping it dry. Use only pure and clean salts. You should not use block, rock, or granulated salt because they can damage your part and require much maintenance.

Where to buy?

These water softener salts for sensitive skin are available on Amazon, Walmart, and Target. You can also get them from the manufacturer’s websites and other online marketplaces. The top-quality water softener salt for dry skin is also available in grocery stores, home improvement centers, and hardware stores. Before adding a product to cart, though, check the brand to see if it’s reputable. By doing this, you can be sure that you’re getting more of your spending.

Conclusion

A water softener works better with the best water softener salt for sensitive skin. To help you pick the right water softener salt pellets, refer to the buying guide with reviews of the top picks on the market and things to consider when comparing your choices. We’re hoping you could select the right one. With it, you can finally eliminate water hardness issues that cause skin irritation, especially among people with sensitive skin. Buy a water softener salt today!

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