BRINE: Mother of all waters & a natural ally for healthy skin

Salt panning

For centuries, the salt pans in the northern Adriatic Sea area long had a significant impact on the economy of the countries and city-states in this area. They were the subject of political disputes and wars as salt was considered a precious raw material and strategic merchandise due to its usefulness, and was important for the preservation of food and the production of gunpowder. In the past, there were a number of smaller and larger salt pans in the Gulf of Trieste and Istria (e.g. in Milje, Koper, Izola, Lucija), however, today only the Sečovlje and Strunjan salt pans remain. They were not only characterized by political and economic interests, but also by the whims of nature which sometimes made salt production impossible for longer periods, however, sometimes it offered an over-abundance.

In the abundance of different kinds of high-quality salts, Piran salt is one of the most prominent as it is cultivated according to the method of more than 700 years ago. The Sečovlje salt pans are the northernmost still functioning salt pans in the Mediterranean area and one of the few salt pans in the world where salt is produced after several centuries-old processes originating from at least the 14th century. Their speciality is that the salt pan workers cultivate petola at the bottom of the crystallization ponds. This is a biosediment which prevents the sea mud merging with the salt and gives the salt numerous microelements and minerals necessary for the human organism. It is cultivated completely through natural crystallization using their bare hands, and the tools and procedures of their ancestors.

Salt panning distinctively shaped the cultural landscape, i.e. areas that are the work of human hands.

BRINE: Mother of all waters & a natural ally for healthy skin

23. 6. 2025

Brine from the Piran Salt Pans is not just the basis for salt production – it is a precious natural elixir, rich in minerals, proven to restore and strengthen the skin. Discover its composition, therapeutic effects, and how it is used in the Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida or your everyday skincare routine.

BRINE: Mother of all waters & a natural ally for healthy skin

When early summer arrives at the Sečovlje Salt Pans, and you smell salt in the air, something extraordinary begins. Seawater which was skillfully guided into evaporation basins is becoming more concentrated.

Slow evaporation, sunlight, wind, and the expertise of salt makers and water experts combine to create the perfect conditions for salt crystallisation. Yet it’s the brine—the liquid medium in which this process unfolds—that has been treasured for centuries for body care and healing.

This dense, heavy liquid is truly the essence of the sea. Called aqua madre – the mother of all waters – it’s rich in minerals and a genuine elixir for skin.

Mineral power & composition

Due to evaporation, the brine from Piran Saltpans is significantly denser and richer in dissolved salts than regular seawater. It contains nearly 20 times more magnesium, vital for skin health.

Magnesium is known to enhance moisture retention and strengthen the skin barrier—beneficial for dry, cracked, or flaky skin. Beyond sodium and magnesium, the brine includes:

Calcium – critical for skin repair
Potassium & sodium – regulate cell osmosis
Strontium – soothes itchiness and irritation
Bromine – natural anti-stress agent
Iodine – supports cellular metabolism

Science-backed: skin study

A recent study by the Ljubljana University Faculty of Pharmacy, involving 15 volunteers, showed that after 7 and 14 days, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) significantly decreased—indicating improved skin barrier integrity.

What is the skin barrier and why it matters

The skin barrier is our body’s shield—it protects from external stressors and retains essential hydration. When compromised, the skin becomes dry, sensitive, and prone to irritation.

Sečovlje brine, rich in minerals, aids in restoring and reinforcing this barrier—resulting in smoother, tougher, more elastic, and hydrated skin

Brine at Thalasso Spa Lepa Vida

At Lepa Vida Thalasso center, brine is used heathed (36–38 °C) for beauty and relaxation treatments. These group baths ease joint and muscle pain, aid degenerative conditions, and provide deep relaxation.

Brine is officially recognized by the Ministry of Health as a natural therapeutic agent—effective for skin, rheumatic, gynecological, and respiratory conditions. Consult your doctor before therapeutic use.

High-density brine creates a floating sensation, further relaxing muscles, reducing tension, and supporting deep physical and mental relaxation.

After-bath care: hydration & protection

After the brine bath, applying a moisturizing layer is key to locking in minerals and restoring moisture.

Suggested routine:
1. Brine bath (up to 20 min)
2. Gently pat dry—do not rub
3. Apply brine & honey hydrating gel
4. For dry or mature skin: add a layer of body oil for extra nourishment

We recommend our Hydrating body gel with brine and honey, containing glycerin, aloe vera, panthenol, and vitamin E. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and free from artificial colors, and fragrances.

Brine at home

Available in 750 ml or 200 ml bottles, brine can enhance daily care routines:

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You can use it as a facial toner or mask by applying it to clean skin and rinsing it off after a few minutes, or combine it with cleansing milk for a more nourishing treatment.

In the shower, gently massage it onto damp skin after washing – this promotes firmer, smoother skin.

For a relaxing bath, add it to warm water and soak for 20 to 25 minutes. Afterwards, wrap yourself in a towel and take time to rest.

It also works wonderfully for foot baths – simply add 50 ml of brine to 5 liters of water to soothe and revive tired feet.

In a nutshell: nature’s touch

Sečovlje salin brine is far more than concentrated seawater—it’s a powerhouse of nature, shaped by sun, wind, and century old know how.

It heals, renews, and harmonizes—leading us to holistic well being.

Experience it where it’s born—at Thalasso center Lepa Vida. But brine doesn’t stay confined to the salt pans: it’s also available in practical home-use bottles and as one of the key ingredient in our Lepa Vida natural skincare line.

Crafted for skin needing more -
more minerals, more nature, more balance.

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SOLINE Pridelava soli d.o.o.
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Lepa Vida Thalasso Spa

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Ivana Mijatovič
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Thalasso Spa at the Piran Saltpans

About Sečovlje Salina Landscape Park

Salt panning