5 Benefits Using Baking Soda for Skin + Recipes

How Baking Soda Benefits Your Skin To Stay Clean & Bright Naturally

This article was updated on:

Sat, May 01, 21

In case you didn't know, your kitchen is useful more than just fulfilling cooking needs. It has secret beauty tips attached too!

It's time to leave all those artificial products behind and to embrace the natural way of life. Synthetic products tend to harm your skin in the long run because of allergic reactions, side effects, or accumulation of toxic chemicals.

On the other hand, most natural products don't contain any toxic chemicals, added scents, and are 100% eco-friendly! One such ingredient that is commonly found in most pantries is baking soda!

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What is Baking Soda and How Does it Work?

Baking soda or chemically called sodium bicarbonate is a natural crystalline chemical compound. It is mostly available in a powder form. Like most elements, baking soda is mined and then chemically created. It is combined with carbon dioxide after heating. Baking soda is also found in the natural form of nahcolite.

Baking soda is very useful and handy. It can be mixed with other ingredients to be used as home remedies and more. Many people around the world have recognized its versatile nature already thousands of years ago. Cleaning, cooking, skin, and other beauty needs - baking soda got you covered!

Commonly, baking soda is used as a rising or leavening agent. It creates carbon dioxide bubbles causing the cake or dough to rise and turn fluffy. Then the carbon dioxide evaporates from the oven. So, it's mainly used for baking goods like cakes, cookies, muffins, pancakes etc. It also increases the batter or dough PH value. In this way, the gluten component decreases, and it becomes tender and easily digestible.

Natural VS Chemically Produced Baking Soda

Natural baking soda occurs as nahcolite. And after the mining process, it does not go through any further procedures.

However, synthetic or chemically produced baking powder is also derived from nahcolite but has gone through additional processing, like combining it with carbon dioxide.

The synthetic baking soda has no known disadvantages or harmful aspects. Still, it's always good to keep an eye out for any allergies that you might develop with natural or synthetic baking soda.

Baking Soda VS Baking Powder

Like baking soda, baking powder is also used as a leavening agent for baking goods. People often mistake them as being the same, but these two react within recipes in different ways and are very different in their making and composition.

Knowing the difference between the two is essential to be a good baker. Baking soda is a leavening agent that mixes with a liquid, becomes active, and produces CO2 bubbles.

Just like baking soda, baking powder is also a leavening agent that produces CO2 bubbles. The real difference is in their chemical composition.

It differs because baking powder comprises baking soda (mentioned above) and a dry acid like cream of tartar. Due to this, baking powder is more powerful and can prove to have a single or double working ability.

Single-acting baking powder works in a similar way to baking soda when it is mixed with acid. After producing CO2, it creates the leavening process.

On the other hand, baking powder is double-acting, which means that it can be activated two times. Baking powder is activated by liquid and contains the dry acid component or cream of tartar. It can survive in the refrigerator longer and is much longer-lasting.

It explains why cookie dough items can remain in the refrigerator covered, while cake batter must be cooked right after preparing it.

Baking powder CAN NOT be used for beauty or hygienic needs.

young woman washing her face with both hands

Benefits of Using Baking Soda for Skin

Baking soda has been proven to be beneficial for the skin and other needs in multiple ways. Here's why.

It's natural, accessible, safe, versatile.

Baking soda is a very versatile product. By saying this, it is no joke that it is an excellent ingredient to treat your skin needs, very beneficial for your skin, and can be easily incorporated with other different ingredients.

Being natural by nature, it is unlikely for baking soda to cause any allergic reactions or rashes on your skin, unlike the artificial products in the beauty industry.

It's completely safe and harmless! It balances PH levels and can reveal a surprisingly fresh and bright skin from the inside out.

It provides relief after sunburns and treats sunspots.

Sunburned skin that is very sensitive, irritant, and very itchy can be effectively treated with baking soda, which has a cooling and refreshing effect.

It brings ease and freshness to the skin with also the added advantage of exfoliating the skin. The baking soda needs to be applied with cold water for the best effect. After applying to the affected area, it needs to be washed off after a couple of minutes.

Similarly, sunspots can also be removed or brightened using baking soda. Repeat the treatment for two weeks or more, depending on the spot intensity.

Other than this, a face wash with baking soda can help in keeping your skin tone bright and even.

It cleanses, exfoliates, and removes blackheads.

Baking soda is a magnificent exfoliant. It helps the skin breathe by removing all the dead skin cells and uplifting the new cells.

Baking soda has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help treat infections and prevent blackheads' forming.

It also loosens skin around existing blackheads so they can be easily extracted. Baking soda is alkaline; therefore, it helps to soften the sebum under the face's external skin layer.

This way, clogged pores get opened, and excess oil is reduced. As a result, the skin appears naturally clean and healthy.

It soothes skin rashes, initiation, eczema, and psoriasis.

Baking soda has anti-burning properties, which means it won't irritate upon application. Because of its amazing alkaline properties, skin problems like itching and swelling that comes with skin rashes can be reduced (not cured).

It can be applied twice a day for a soothing and calming effect. Baking soda is not a medically proven cure for eczema or psoriasis, but it may help relieve the itch associated with it.

In simpler words, it is more likely to act as a "pain killer" for itchiness. The National Eczema Association recognizes its valuable properties to provide timely relief and benefits for the skin.

It helps with the treatment of acne and pimples.

In times when skin becomes dirty and clogged with dead skin, oil, and bacteria, it might cause or worsen acne or pimples.

If acne and pimples are not appropriately treated within a short time, they can leave behind some rough marks and scars. A paste of baking soda and water can be used to treat naughty acne scars.

The paste should be thick enough so that it can be easily applied to the skin to give visible effects. Using a moisturizer is necessary as baking soda may dry the skin.

Also, you can use it as a scrub, facewash, and even a mask. Baking soda will reveal a fresh layer of skin by thoroughly exfoliating it. Applying this paste twice a day would make a difference and prove to be very beneficial for treating acne.

Other Uses of Baking Soda

Toothpaste
Our favorite recipe would be mixing one tablespoon of coconut oil with one tablespoon of baking soda into a thick paste. Add it to your toothbrush and brush for 1-2 minutes. The whitening effect is guaranteed.

Deodorant
Mix in a bowl the same amount of baking soda with arrow or corn starch. Add coconut oil until it forms into a thick paste and 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant aroma. Put in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and apply on clean skin after a shower. It will not stay on the skin as regular deodorant, but you can wipe it with a dry cloth or towel after massaging it.

Household cleaning
For this one, you don't even need a recipe! Just sprinkle baking soda directly on the damp cloth before cleaning or add half a cup for a bucket of water for floors cleaning.

Cooking
It is best to follow the recipe, but usually, about one teaspoon for a small loaf of baking goods should be enough.

Our Favorite Skin Recipes with Baking Soda

Now that it's been said that baking soda undoubtedly is beneficial to treat the skin in multiple ways, it's time to take out your notebook and start listing down those simple and effective recipes.

There are two main ways it works. Either you can make a scrub and wash it after roughly 2 to 4 minutes of gentle massage or make your DIY mask and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Nothing seems better than a good pampered skin!

Baking soda for face and body cleansing recipe:

All you need is:
Baking soda
Coconut oil

Use it as a daily cleanser - mix both in 1:1 ratio, massage into the face, neck, or the whole body's skin! Wash it off and apply a moisturizer if needed.

Baking soda for acne recipe:

Make a paste by mixing two teaspoons of baking soda with water. This paste can be physically applied to pimple spots or other acne-prone areas for about 20 minutes and then completely washed off.

Baking soda for dry skin recipe:

Mix baking soda with sesame or avocado oil to apply on dry skin areas. Avocado or sesame oil will give a nice hydrating boost even to the driest skin.

Baking soda for blackhead removal mask recipe:

You need:
Baking soda
Water
Apple cider vinegar

Mix one teaspoon of water and baking soda and apply the mixture for at least a minute. Then use apple cider vinegar to tone afterward.

Baking soda for skin brightening recipe:

Make a paste using water and baking soda lightly scrub it on your face without destroying your pores. Rub for two minutes in a circular motion for good results. Then, apply a moisturizer.

Common FAQ About Baking Soda

What are the side effects of using baking soda on face?

Even though baking soda is an excellent remedy, it might show its side effects on people with severely sensitive skin. It is advisable to consult your doctor if you have some sensitivities or concerns.

Is baking soda harmful to skin?

Baking soda is generally not harmful. However, it might irritate the skin for some people with sensitivity or allergy issues. Side effects include redness, rashes, or burning sensation.

Can I use baking soda on my face every day?

For acne, pimples, cleansing, and brightening, baking soda is known for giving a soothing effect and exfoliating the skin. Still, due to its drying properties, it is not advised to use it on an everyday basis, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.

References:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/baking-soda-acne
2. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/baking-soda-do-dont
3. https://greatist.com/health/baking-soda-for-skin