Noirmoutier Sea Salt (Celtic Sea Salt)
A Traditionally Harvested Bath Salt
What Is Noirmoutier Sea Salt?
Noirmoutier Sea Salt, also known as French Grey Sea Salt or Celtic Sea Salt, has been harvested by hand for more than 1,500 years from clay-lined salt marshes along the French Atlantic coast near Noirmoutier and Brittany. These coastal marshes naturally contain mineral-rich clay beds, which give the salt its characteristic soft grey color and distinctive mineral profile.
As seawater slowly evaporates under the sun and ocean air, salt crystals form and settle into the clay-lined basins. The salt is then traditionally hand-raked, allowing fine clay particles and trace minerals to remain attached to the crystals. This natural interaction between sea salt and clay is what creates sel gris—the “grey salt” often marketed as Celtic sea salt.
Produced using only seawater, sun, wind, and human hands, Noirmoutier sea salt is unrefined and minimally processed. It is sun-dried and stone-ground, with no washing, chemical treatment, or additives. Because the clay is never removed, the salt retains both its naturally grey hue and its rich mineral balance, setting it apart from refined or white sea salts.
Why We Use Noirmoutier (Celtic Grey) Sea Salt
Noirmoutier sea salt is included in our bath salt blends because its natural texture and mineral character add something uniquely special to the overall bathing experience.
Celtic grey salt crystals naturally form with a slightly larger, more irregular shape and retain a small amount of moisture from the clay-lined salt beds, giving them a softer, subtly damp texture rather than the dry, uniform grain of typical sea salts.
In warm bath water, this translates to a more substantial, mineral-rich feel—one that feels grounded, soothing, and gently conditioning.
When layered with other salts, this distinctive texture adds depth, balance, and a richer mineral presence, allowing us to create a soak that feels comforting, thoughtfully composed, and quietly restorative—an experience that reflects both the salt’s origins and its traditional methods of harvest.
How Noirmoutier Sea Salt Supports the Skin in a Bath
- Cleansing Support: Mineral-rich salt water helps lift surface impurities and refresh the skin without harsh stripping.
- Moisture Balance: Trace minerals, including potassium and magnesium, help support skin comfort and reduce the tight, dry feeling sometimes associated with refined salts.
- Soothing & Comforting: The mineral composition helps calm the look of stressed or irritated skin during soaking.
- Skin Softening: Regular soaking helps soften rough or dry skin, leaving it smoother and more comfortable.
The naturally occurring clay that gives French grey sea salt its color is present only in trace amounts. While it does not act like cosmetic clay in a mask or cleanser, its presence reflects the salt’s unrefined nature and contributes to the unique mineral balance and soft, conditioning feel experienced during soaking.
A Noirmoutier Sea Salt bath is generally well tolerated by most skin types. As with all mineral salts, those with very sensitive or compromised skin may prefer shorter soak times or lower concentrations.
Ingredient Integrity
Our Noirmoutier sea salt is authentic, traditionally harvested, and unrefined, with no additives, anti-caking agents, or chemical treatments. It is organic compliant and sourced to preserve its naturally occurring mineral content.
Buyer Beware
Lower-quality grey sea salts are often refined or washed, which removes much of their trace mineral content. Some commercial salts may also contain undisclosed additives. Authentic French grey sea salt should feel slightly moist, mineral-rich, and dissolve cleanly in bath water.
