While BG is right about one reason, there are other reasons to use them.
This is why I use so much salt and sugar in my soaps.
"Dead Sea Salts: The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides. Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for both combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism."
"Sugars: More than just a sweet treat, sugar can improve health of your skin. Exfoliation is the key to glowing, healthy skin."
quoted from my ingredients page.
I like people to know what I put in the soaps I make and why.
Another good key to healthy skin is to understand how to nourish it and
what ingredients can help do this.
Our skin is after all the largest organ of our body and it protects us against the enviroment, nurture and nourish it.